What Does Working at Height Mean?

Working at height refers to work where, without precautions, a person could fall from one level to another resulting in an injury.

Falls from height are among the leading causes of injury and fatalities at work, but these falls aren't always from the heights of towering skyscrapers like you may expect - in fact, it is those who work on ladders and fragile surfaces that are most at risk. 

Working at height refers to any work on a raised level where harm could occur from a fall, so whether they're scaling the side of a building one hundred feet up or they're only a few inches off the ground, precautions must be taken to protect the worker from a fall from height.

Following essential working at height safety tips can help keep you safe when operating above ground. Working at height is a common requirement in the construction industry, covering any task where you could fall from one level to another and potentially sustain an injury.

Unfortunately, falls remain one of the leading causes of on-the-job injuries. This is why establishing strict working at height safety protocols is absolutely critical. Even if you aren’t that far off the ground, the risks are real. In this blog post, we’ve put together the most important safety tips for working at height so you can feel confident and secure whether you are on a rooftop, a ladder, or an elevated work platform.

14 Crucial Work at Height Safety Tips

While hazard management often depends on the specific job you are doing, there are general guidelines everyone must follow. For example, a fundamental aspect of work at height safety is familiarising yourself with rescue procedures before you ever leave the ground!

Here are 14 crucial work at height safety tips to keep in mind on site:

1. Make sure a comprehensive risk assessment has been carried out before working at height.
2. Always check the maximum load capacity of your equipment and platforms.
3. Never overreach when working on a ladder.
4. Ensure any equipment you’re using is regularly inspected for wear and tear.
5. Only use a ladder when the task can be safely completed with minimal risk.
6. Avoid working on fragile or unstable surfaces.
7. When you can, use a secure railing system or edge protection.
8. Ensure you understand fall distance and can calculate the minimum distance for fall clearance.
9. Wear relevant PPE and inspect all harnesses and lanyards regularly.
10. Familiarise yourself with emergency rescue procedures.
11. Make sure you always select an acceptable, load-bearing anchor point.
12. Keep a close eye on the weather at all times if working outside.
13. Make sure the working area below is safe and clear of drop hazards.
14. Ensure those involved in the work (including the planning, organising, supervising, and carrying out) are fully competent.

Following the above guidelines can significantly lower the risk of serious injury.

When Do These Rules Apply?

Not sure when you should be applying these safety tips for 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). If you are operating at height in any capacity, then you should be following established HSE guidance.

Work at Height Safety Equipment

At Safety Harness Direct, we provide professionals with the reliable equipment required for complete work at height safety. Using the proper, fully certified PPE is arguably the best safety tip we can offer. Browse our range to find the right fall protection, and always pair it with the working at height safety tips listed above.

If you require any further advice or working from height safety tips, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful team.

Shop Height Safety Equipment

(Image from Pixabay)

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