It can be hazardous to work at heights without taking any safety precautions, which results in a high percentage of accidents & injuries at the workplace. Therefore, it is essential to note down all the activities carried out at heights in your business & Conduct its risk assessment whenever needed.
Below we are listing seven steps that will help you to keep your workers safe whenever they undertake any working at heights activities:
1) Avoiding working at heights whenever possible
Whenever possible, avoid any tasks where it requires you to work at heights. Instead, use its alternative if you can achieve the same kind of results by exercising it.
2) Planning the work
Every step of the process should be pre-planned before you take any tasks related to working at heights. Always consider Dangers like fall protection, emergencies, potential evacuation procedures, risks to the people living on the ground.
3) Usage of the right equipment
If you want to complete any tasks safely, you need to have suitable types of equipment. For example, a ladder may prove to be sufficient depending on the height you want to reach, but there will be tasks where a ladder might not be appropriate. In that case, scaffolding may be the right choice. On the other hand, if you need to reach a greater height or want to reach further, mobile access tower or powered access equipment might be the best choice for you. If you don't have one, hire it instead of using unstable or not strong enough items for this job.
4) Ensuring proper training
Ensure that all your employees are trained to use all the equipment efficiently by enrolling them in relevant training programs. You might need a qualified operator if your staff has not received appropriate training. Even if you are using equipment that does not require formal training, it is still advised to train your staff correctly regarding proper usage of ladders and various methods related to working at heights for their safety.
5) Inspection of the equipment
Always make a habit of inspecting your equipment before its use. Make a thorough assessment & check for any faults, issues, or weaknesses before every use, which will result in minor failure of the equipment at the worst time possible. Of course, this applies to every other piece of equipment, including a harness, PPE etc.
6) Paying attention to the environment
Always closely observe the environment where you will be setting up working at heights job. Ensure that all the equipment you will be using is stable & secure wherever it is located. Identify the threats people might face not involved in the job & review any access requirements. Last but not least, Don't forget to mark the areas you have identified as weak and insecure.
7) Monitoring work
Ensure that the situation is continuously monitored during the work, keeping an eye on any risks or concerns that may emerge. If you feel that workers are not fully engaged or are distracted, removing them from work would be an appropriate option for everyone's safety. Its always advised to halt the job if you find any issues or causes of concern associated with it & then only resume it once the problems have been addressed. Investing time is a convenient option than experiencing a fall or serious injury.
