Working at height is one of the leading causes of on-the-job injuries and fatalities. Despite this, working at height is a common requirement in the construction industry, and in many cases, it’s a risk that cannot be avoided.
Because the risk is so great – even if you’re not that far off the ground – there are lots of rules and guidelines in place to help workers stay safe while operating at height. In this blog post, you’ll find some key safety tips to help you feel more confident when you’re working on a rooftop, ladder, or elevated work platform.
What is working at height?
Working at height is simply a work situation where, if the proper precautions are not taken, there is a considerable risk of a fall, resulting in personal injury.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), “You are working at height if you:
- work above ground/floor level
- could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface or
- could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or a hole in the ground”
To clarify, a fall from height must involve a person falling from one level to a lower level (otherwise it’s classed as a slip or trip).
Working at height safety: employer responsibilities
You must only work at height if the work cannot be done any other way. If working at height is the only option, your employer is expected to adhere to the proper measures to reduce the risk of a fall from height.
Before carrying out a task at height, your employer must…
- Assess the risks, including the height and duration of the job and the condition of the surface(s) you will be working on.
- Ensure that the task is planned, carried out and supervised by competent individuals. Those concerned must have received the relevant training to ensure that they have the skillset to carry out the task at hand.
- Provide the correct equipment to minimise any risk and protect the individual carrying out the task. This may include safety harnesses, energy-absorbing lanyards, guardrails and tower scaffolds.
Read more about working from height safety law >>
Safety rules when using ladders to work at height
When it comes to deciding which tools are right for a particular job, the most important factor to consider is health and safety. Using ladders and step ladders to work at height is no exception. It might seem obvious that any job at height would require a ladder. However, official guidance says that ladders should never be the assumed choice when it comes to working at height. First, a thorough risk assessment must be carried out.
Using ladders for working at height – dos and don’ts:
- DO: use a ladder for tasks where they can be used safely with minimal risk
- DO: check the maximum load capacity
- DON’T: use ladders for strenuous or heavy jobs
- DON’T: overload ladders and stepladders
- DON’T: overreach when working on a ladder
- DON’T: work on a ladder for more than 30 minutes at a time
Working at height safety tips
Below we’ve listed a few additional tips to refer to before working at height:
- work from the ground as much as possible ensure any equipment you’re using is maintained and checked regularly
- avoid working on unstable surfaces – if it can’t be avoided, take the necessary precautions
- where relevant, wear protection from falling objects
- familiarise yourself with rescue procedures
If you require any further advice or guidance on the topic of working at height safety, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful team.
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