Safety must come first whenever you work at height, at any height and in any location, because an emergency can happen at any moment. According to the data, most workplace accidents are caused by workers falling from height while working on tall structures, in construction, building maintenance, and on towers and poles. Workers in the field and all related parties must comply with the regulations that apply wherever they are in the world.
What counts as working at height
Working at height covers all work and activities carried out on or in:
- Fixed and temporary work platforms
- Above ground
- Scaffolding – temporary structures (of pipe, metal tube, bamboo and the like) used to support people and materials in construction and the repair of buildings and other large structures
- Natural environments (water and sea)
- Sloping surfaces
- Underground
- Underwater
- Towers, buildings, structures and houses
- Walls (requiring a ladder)
- Poles and trees
When workers fall, the consequences are injury and death. One worker’s negligence can cause accidents to themselves and others, and damage facilities, equipment and property.
What employers must ensure
Because working at height is highly dangerous, the company must make sure that:
- A work plan and a safety and security plan are in place so the job is done correctly and safely
- Proper work procedures for staff working at height are established and followed
- Accident-prevention techniques are established and applied
- Workers understand the hazards and risks
- Workers hold a Permit to Work at Height
- The work is closely supervised by a supervisor and a responsible person
- Procedures and guidance for working at height are followed, with ergonomic conditions and adequate, safe entry and exit routes provided
- PPE and equipment meet the applicable standards, are in good condition, and have been inspected and maintained
- Workers use PPE, fall-protection devices and the other equipment needed to minimise emergencies
- The work site has been inspected and safety signs posted, including signs for work in progress and signs marking the high-danger, caution and safe zones so unauthorised people are kept out
- Work is carried out only on sound, undamaged facilities, with nothing able to fall and cause injury, and no materials obstructing access
- Work stops when the weather turns bad
- Excessively heavy objects are raised and lowered with the correct equipment
- After the job, the site is left clean and tidy
Training and knowledge
Workers at height should also complete proper Working at Height and emergency-response training so they know how to protect themselves from falling, use and maintain equipment, secure the work and workplace, handle emergencies, and observe load limits. Good practice means every worker holds a permit to work, has completed the right training, can use the equipment, has a safety-conscious mindset, is healthy and fit, is properly supervised, and takes the right action when an emergency occurs.
Essential PPE and fall prevention
Because the work is high-risk, PPE is essential to reduce risk. Workers should use:
- Harness
- Rope and lanyard
- Helmet
- Safety footwear
- Goggles
- Gloves
- Mask and respiratory protection
- Ear protection
Fall-prevention measures that can prevent accidents include walls, parapet walls, guard rails, floor guards and fall-arrest devices.
Three zones to watch
- Danger zone — the area of work and of objects moving vertically and horizontally
- Caution zone — the area between the danger zone and the safe zone
- Safe zone — clear of any possibility of falling people or objects
Other hazards to watch include machinery that can cut, crush or amputate; electrical energy that can cause explosions, fire and shock; hazardous chemicals; excessive noise, vibration, heat, cold and radiation; and a polluted or damaged work environment.
Whatever the emergency when working at height, a worker who has no means of saving themselves will do the most life-threatening thing of all: they will jump.
Train with Samson Tiara
To help your people work safely at height, Samson Tiara runs a two-day Fall Protection & Basic Rescue course at our Cilegon Training Centre, with a certificate valid for three years. We also offer High Angle Rescue and Working at Height courses. Read more about Fall Protection & Basic Rescue.
