The topic of working at height has been at the forefront of discussions for safety companies for decades and for good reason. According to HSE, it still is one of the biggest causes of fatalities and severe injuries. At the same time, myths and misinterpretations are common when it comes to the regulations surrounding this subject.
This article acts as a brief guide and aims to answer some of the most asked questions surrounding work at height.
Working at height refers to work done in any place where, if safety measures are not taken, a person could fall a distance, resulting in personal injury.
A common myth is that we can only refer to it as ‘working at height’ if the potential fall distance is above 2m, however this is simply not true; if you are even 20cm above ground and there is a risk of you falling and getting injured, then you are working at height.
In the UK, the legislation that covers work at height is The Work at Height Regulations 2005. The regulations apply to employers (this includes self-employed individuals) or anyone who controls work at height (such as building owners).
The key to working at height will always be prevention, therefore planning is paramount. This means that steps need to be taken to ensure that falls are either completely avoided or, if this is not possible, managed to have as little impact on an individual as possible.
Anyone involved in working at height (whether this relates to planning, supervising or carrying out the actual work) needs to be deemed ‘competent’ to do so. The regulations state that a competent person is someone who has sufficient training, experience and/or knowledge and is able to carry the work out safely. Depending on the type of work at height, they may require to have certain certificates and undergo specific training. Find more guidance on the HSE website.
If you are responsible for work at height, the safety of people is your number 1 priority. Here are a few things you need to ensure:
Selecting a ‘safe place’ where work can be carried out with minimal risks (balconies, parapets)
Usage of a collective safety equipment (handrails, barriers)
Usage of personal protective equipment (anchors, lanyards)
Training everyone involved.
HSE states that the two common causes for accidents when working at height are:
These can happen due to a variety of reasons such as poor planning or not enough training; however, accidents happen even when a series of preventative measures are put in place and this is due to human error. Personal responsibility plays a huge factor when it comes to safety: no matter how much experience, training and skills one has, all jobs should be treated with the same high level of discipline, care and attention.
Here are a few aspects that you need to consider when planning work at height:
The best way to ensure that you make the right choice when selecting machinery or equipment for your project is to ensure that a competent person is involved in the process. As it happens, it is not always the case that an organisation has access to such a person internally; if this is the case, then the organisation would benefit from the help of an external expert such as a consultant or a safety company.
You will know that you have made the right choice if the system you put in place complies with the relevant regulations, is easy to use and ensures everyone’s safety.
Any equipment and machinery needs to be tested before use to ensure it is fit for purpose and in working order. This should be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the relevant regulations for that type of equipment. If you have railing or guardrails on site for example, these would need to be tested periodically (at least once a year) to ensure that they are still safe. Red more about our inspection and recertification services
Yes. The common goal for any employer, employee or contractor is to keep everyone as safe as possible. As an employee, even if you are not directly involved in working at height, it is your duty to report any unsafe activity or faulty equipment or machinery to the person responsible for the works (usually the health and safety manager), as well as abide by the health and safety regulations of your workplace.
These responsibilities are laid out under The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Mainly, architects and building designers should take into consideration the fact that work at height will need to be carried out throughout the lifespan of a building in the form of maintaining, repairing and cleaning it.
At Harcon, we have a wealth of experience when it comes to working at height and can help you plan, organise and carry out works safely. Our training can be tailored to your needs and can be delivered either in the Harcon training facility or at your premises. Our courses include:
