Feature
year, to 25 according to the HSE. To keep reducing this number year on year, those working at height need to be proactive, rather than reactive, in putting appropriate safety measures in place. To decide whether enough is being done
to prevent potential harm, a risk assessment is required by law. This doesn’t mean masses of paperwork, it is more to do with taking simple measures to reduce and control risks. Carrying out a risk assessment is paramount in mitigating the risks of working at height. They are an important part of an occupational health and safety management plan and not only inform what method of work is taken, but also raise awareness of the risks the person working at height may encounter. Over time, risk assessments have had to
continually evolve to fit in with HSE legislation and guidance changes. The necessity for modification of risk assessments can be highlighted with an example of when the Working at Height Regulations were updated in 2005. To remain relevant, risk assessments had to be adjusted in line with this change.
The aim of a risk assessment should be to: • Identify the work task • Identify any hazards • Highlight threats posed to others • Identify what control method(s) are to be used
• Record findings • Overall, reduce and control the level of risk
Dependent on the findings there may
be a need to review and revise the risk assessment.
Control measures could include: • Are the correct tools/equipment available? • What PPE is needed? • Are there enough people carrying out the work?
• What are the risks and how can they best be mitigated?
• How should the job best be carried out? • Is there use of any of controlled substances?
• Is a COSH assessment needed? • Will there be any manual handling? • Is there enough time to get the job done safely?
• Is the work being carried out in the best order?
• What precautions are needed? It is important to highlight, each risk
assessment needs to be site specific as each job will present its own unique risks. There is also a dynamic aspect to think through when completing a risk assessment as conditions on a site change regularly. For example, surfaces can become slippery due to a change in weather and external factors therefore need to be a key consideration.
fmuk 15 No matter the job in hand, the risk
assessment also needs to be easily interpreted by all those who read it. A complex document made up of pages upon pages is not going to be the simplest for technicians to read. To conduct a thorough review, the simplicity and ease of the risk assessment needs to be thought about.
Training and what you need to know
Across the industry, education and training is being ramped up to emphasise that safety remains the number one priority. This is clear to see in vocational education for example, where safety training is now incorporated into the teaching syllabus – a big step towards helping the future workforce to be aware of the risks which come with working at height. The increase in education and training
will also add to the switch in culture around health and safety, where the future workforce will inevitably expect higher standards from their employers. We can see this taking place
already with statistics from the HSE showing fatal injuries at their lowest for those aged 16-34. However, if we take a look at the current
workforce, attitudes can sometimes be on the contrary with a lack of importance when it comes to safety at height – some would say this is down to complacency. Carrying out a risk assessment is required by law. Having worked in the industry for multiple years does not excuse poor working practices and whether you have worked at height for a number of years, or just starting out, education and training is key to improving safety practices at height. It is important to consider the level of
training you are undertaking as you may find not all training will be up scratch. Training is designed to change perceptions and improve standards – something which is especially important when working at height where the risks can be very high. There are training providers out there that will help deliver thorough training to all participants, leaving people feeling engaged with the knowledge and understanding to do their jobs even better.
Outsourcing height requirements
As legislation becomes more stringent, building owners and managers are increasingly exploring the option of outsourcing their working at height requirements. Not only does this take pressure off them but also helps to support with all of their working at height needs. HCL Safety, specialist sub-contractor in
fall protection and part of MSA Safety, is equipped with the expert knowledge needed to assess the risks surrounding working at height, as well as implement the correct fall protection solutions to the highest standard. For more information, visit:
www.hclsafety.com
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