Considering the dangers connected with work at height and putting set up sensible and

proportionate measures to oversee them is a vital piece of working safely. Take after this simple

step-by-step guide to offer you some assistance to manage risk when working at height.

Avoid working at height or else prevent

Do as much work as possible from the ground. Some practical examples include:

ï‚· installing cables at ground level

ï‚· lowering a lighting mast to ground level

ï‚· using extendable tools from ground level to remove the need to climb a ladder

ï‚· ground level assembly of edge protection

Prevent fall or minimise the risk of falling

ï‚· using an existing place of work that is already safe, eg a non-fragile roof with a

permanent perimeter guardrail or, if not

ï‚· using work equipment to prevent people from falling

Some practical examples of collective protection when using an existing place of work:

ï‚· a concrete flat roof with existing edge protection, or guarded mezzanine floor, or plant or

machinery with fixed guard rails around it

Some practical examples of collective protection using work equipment to prevent a fall:

ï‚· mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) such as scissor lifts

ï‚· tower scaffolds

An example of personal protection using work equipment to prevent a fall:

ï‚· using a work restraint (travel restriction) system that prevents a worker getting into a fall

Minimise the distance of a fall?

If the risk of a person falling remains, you must take sufficient measures to minimise the distance

Practical examples of collective protection using work equipment to minimise the distance and

consequences of a fall:

ï‚· safety nets and soft landing systems, eg air bags, installed close to the level of the work

Simple steps of working at height

An example of personal protection used to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall:

 industrial rope access, eg working on a building façade

ï‚· fall arrest system using a high anchor point

Use ladders and stepladders

For tasks of low risk and short duration, ladders and stepladders can be a sensible and practical

If your risk assessment determines it is correct to use a ladder, you should further minimise the

risk by making sure workers:

ï‚· use the right type of ladder for the job

ï‚· use the equipment provided safely and follow a safe system of work

ï‚· are fully aware of the risks and measures to help control them

ï‚· are competent (you can provide adequate training and/or supervision to help)

 

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