Minimising the risks associated with work at height
For those working at height, it is important to understand the potential risks of being complacent. With legislation becoming more stringent and technology evolving every day, training is to key to working at height safely. Here, Matthew Bailey, Divisional Manager –
Inspection & Certification at HCL Safety explores the actions which can be taken to best manage risks.
As an industry, there is a real focus on raising greater awareness of the potential risks associated with working at height. However, there is some work to do – according to the HSE, falls alone still account for nearly one third of all fatalities in the workplace. To work at height, you not only need
to have the training necessary, but you need to be competent in all areas involved with working at height. Whether this be to use safety equipment correctly, or plan appropriately for potential risks, training can minimize the risks associated with performing work at height.
What is considered as working at height?
There seems to be a common misconception around the definition. However, today, any change in the level you are working on is considered working at height. The previous definition, where a change of 2m is known as working at height, was abolished due to the majority of falls occurring from a change of height in any description. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive),
define work at height as work in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a per- son could fall a distance liable to cause per- sonal injury. You are working at height if you:
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• 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
Working at height does not include a slip
or trip on the same level, as fall from height would need to consist of a fall from one level to a lower level. It also does not include moving up and down a permanent staircase in a building.
How to best manage risk
According to the HSE, slips, trips and falls cost employers more than £500million per year. The prevention of risk is paramount in keeping costs down for businesses but of course, they can’t always be eliminated completely. It’s how hazards are prepared for and dealt with which makes the real difference. The industry as a whole has already made
some great progress. Take 2016-17, fatal falls from height dropped from 37 the previous
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