Working from height

Working from height classes as a place of work, where if precautions are not taken, A person could fall from a distance which is liable to cause injury.

"Falls from height are a main cause of work-related death and the second most common cause of major injury to employees in UK workplaces. In 2004/05, falls from height accounted for 53 fatal accidents at work and around 3,800 major, and often disabling, injuries. Last year, The Work at Height Regulations 2005 came into effect. These apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall likely to result in personal injury, as Peter Ellis explains"

Ellis, P. (2006b) Working at height. 6th edn. The RoSPA Occupational Safety & Health Journal,.

For more information about working at height go to:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf

Do….

• as much work as possible from the ground.
• ensure workers can get safely to and from where they work at height.
• ensure equipment is suitable, stable and strong enough for the job, maintained and checked regularly.
• take precautions when working on or near fragile surfaces.
• provide protection from falling objects.

Don’t…

• overload ladders – consider the equipment or materials workers are carrying before working at height. Check the pictogram or label on the ladder for information.
• overreach on ladders or stepladders.
• rest a ladder against weak upper surfaces, eg glazing or plastic gutters
• use ladders or stepladders for strenuous or heavy tasks, only use them for light work of short duration (a maximum of 30 minutes at a time)
• let anyone who is not competent (who doesn’t have the skills, knowledge and experience to do the job) work at height