Tactics for Reducing Work at Height Risk
When planning your work, you should take into consideration the following factors:
- Do as much as you can from the ground
- Ensure workers are able to safely access and leave the heights where they work
- Regularly check and maintain equipment to ensure it is stable, strong and suitable for the task
- Do not overextend or overload when working at height
- Take care when working near or on fragile surfaces
- Protect from falling objects
- Consider emergency evacuation and rescue technique
Work at Height: Can it be eliminated?
Ideally you will want to eliminate working at height altogether.
You might want to consider, for instance, if you are doing window cleaning at ground level. Can you use tools that extend from the ground to eliminate the need for ladders? For PASMA Courses, see globalflt.com/services/pasma-courses
How to prevent a fall from height
This leads us to the second best option, which is to prevent a fall.
How can you minimise the chance of a falling accident? You can do this by selecting your workplace based on the collective control measures in place.
You can use existing edge protection, such as on a mezzanine or roof. You’ll want these areas to be your priority when installing equipment because they already have control measures.
Avoiding Injury from Falls at Height
As we move away from the elimination or prevention of systems, you should focus on activities that are lower-risk and shorter in duration. In such cases, ladders or step-ladders are still a practical and sensible option.
When planning such a project, there are a few things to consider:
Are you using the right type of ladder or access frame for your job?
Does it, for example, reach the correct height without putting anyone at risk?
Does the person have the necessary skills to use the equipment for the job?
Did you provide the person with sufficient training? Do they need extra help or supervision from you?
