In the dynamic world of manufacturing and construction, working at height is a common but risky task. This blog post aims to provide valuable insights into the best practices for working at height, ensuring safety and efficiency.
Working at Height?
Working at height means working at a place where a person could fall from a height which can lead to injuries, if specific precautions are not taken into consideration. It remains one of the supreme causes of fatalities and major accidents at the workplace.
Major working at height hazards:
Steps to be taken before working at height:
Avoid work at height where it is not a necessity.
Identify height work hazards on a job-site.
Complete the PTW and get it assigned by the authorized personnel.
Always check that all the equipment are working properly.
Educate employees regarding the risks associated just before starting the work.
Use right equipment to prevent falls.
Always take into consideration collective protection, which means protecting everyone who is at risk rather than just focusing on personal protection of the individual.
Collective protection equipment are safety net, guardrails and toe guards.
Personal protection equipment includes personal protective equipment example putting a safety harness correctly and connecting it to lanyard with appropriate anchor point.
Do’s and Don'ts of Working at Height:
Do’s
Train the employees to work at height
Be extra careful when working on fragile surface
Barricade to protect employees from falling objects
Always use personal protection equipment while working at height
Make sure the equipment is strong, secure and suitable for the job
Regular inspections of tools and equipment
Provide safe access to and from the area of working at height
Prepare for emergency evacuation and rescues
Report any unsafe condition to the employer
Working at a height of 1.8 meters and above requires the worker to wear fall protection equipment at all times.
Job specific training can be a good option to go with as it covers all the necessary topics related to working at height.
Don'ts
Use ladders and stepladders for overreaching
Incline ladders on delicate facets
Overburden the ladders the employee is working on
Let the unskilled workers who are not knowledgeable and trained to work at height
Allow use of ladders for heavy tasks, only use it for simple and light work
Pressurize the workers to do the task quickly which can lead to unnecessary risks
Work at Height training:
Working at Height training is crucial for individuals involved in tasks or jobs that require them to work above ground level. This type of training focuses on the safety measures and practices necessary to minimize the risks associated with elevated work environments.
Animations can significantly enhance the learning experience and overall effectiveness of the training.
Working at height training emphasizes that the employees gain knowledge, skills and techniques to use work at height equipment properly and be safe while working at height or supervising a similar task. It also teaches the employees to work at height with flexibility and convenience without causing any trouble, which keeps them safe from injuries.
Comments