The risk of working at heights
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Other.
The Risks of Working at Heights
In the 2004/2005 period, 53 people in the UK tragically lost their lives, and nearly 3,800 others were seriously injured due to workplace falls. Such falls are the leading cause of fatalities at work.
For anyone performing tasks at height, employers have a legal obligation under the Working at Height Regulations to ensure the safety of their employees. These regulations mandate a duty of care to prevent personal injuries from falls.
Recent initiatives by the Health and Safety Executive emphasize the health risks faced by workers at heights, but they clarify that these regulations do not outright ban the use of ladders, contrary to some media reports.
Instead of banning ladders and stepladders, the regulations require employers to conduct thorough risk assessments associated with working at height. Employers are encouraged to explore safer alternatives whenever feasible. For instance, using a tower scaffold instead of a stepladder is generally a safer option.
Designers, too, have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. They must develop products that minimize risks during maintenance tasks. For example, windows could be designed to rotate within their frames for easy cleaning, or new coatings could be developed to keep glass clean, similar to self-cleaning ovens.
Common accidents related to working at heights often affect window cleaners, electricians, and maintenance personnel. In one case, a cleaning company was fined £15,000 after an employee fell seven meters, fracturing his skull while cleaning gutters. He had attempted to cross a roof and fell through a plastic roof light. In another incident, a decorator died due to a collapsing stepladder.
Stepladders and ladders should only be used for low-risk, short-duration tasks. Prior to using ladders, a visual inspection is necessary to ensure their safety. Any cracks or wear should be documented, and defective equipment must be taken out of service until repaired, with warnings posted to alert others.
Employers are required to manage risks by implementing safe work systems, communicating well-defined procedures to employees, providing supervision and task briefings, offering training, sharing method statements, using the safest equipment available, and conducting regular equipment checks.
The regulations ensure that working at height is meticulously planned and supervised. They establish a hierarchy of control measures:
1. Avoid working at heights if practical.
2. Provide stable working platforms, guardrails, and toe boards, or consider elevating platforms.
3. Use nets or air bags if working platforms are unavailable.
4. Provide safety harnesses, ensuring that employees are properly trained to use them.
By adhering to these guidelines, employers can help reduce the risks associated with working at heights, protecting their employees and fostering a safer workplace environment.
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