Keep It Clean
Keeping high workspaces clean is vital and employers can take simple measures to reduce the risks for their employees. Hugh Owen of 4See Risk Management, the Towcester-based health and safety consultancy, looks at the issues.
Most of us might say that we don’t have a good ‘head for heights’. It can be scary looking down into a great void, especially if it's all part of a day’s work. Today, there should be no excuses; the legislation is in place, common sense should also be in place, so what is there to worry about?
Sadly, there are still fatalities every year involving people falling off ladders or through fragile roofs while carrying out cleaning operations. One particularly sad incident involved the death of Bob Rogers, 61, who was working on a contract for Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine Ltd, to repair a leak in the roof and clean the gutters of their bonded warehouse in Dover, Kent.
Who’s to blame? Bob was on the roof with his brother, Trevor, a fellow worker, when he fell through one of the 80 skylights and hit the concrete floor 6m below – he suffered multiple injuries and died later in hospital. The Health and Safety Executive identified failures by both the owners of the warehouse and his employers, Ovenden
58 | WORKING AT HEIGHT
Engineering. As the owner of the warehouse, Allied Domecq had responsibility for the site and should have ensured that the contractors planned their work and carried it out safely, and that proper control measures were in place.
Like most incidents, this could have been avoided; it’s obvious really, but roofs are at the mercy of the elements. In Winter, excess water, ice and snow can play a part, while at other times of the year there are other conditions to consider such as debris settling on the roof. Moss is also a danger – often wet, especially in Spring and Autumn, it can be particularly slippery and should always been cleaned away and managers should consider using a treatment to stop its re-appearance.
Keep To The Dresscode So, what should you consider when cleaning gutters? Gutters are such an important water deterrent from your roof. There are numerous ways to clean gutters, but safety must be the first priority before starting the cleaning job, and the first potential danger is falling off a ladder. If
working from great heights makes you uncomfortable, consider hiring a specialist gutter cleaning service to do the job. Those that have no fear of heights and prefer to tackle the job then need to remember some simple ladder safety rules.
A general rule for pitching an extension ladder is that it must be moved away from the building one foot for every four feet of height. Run the extension ladder past the roof line about four feet and avoid using the top two rungs. Always make sure that the bottom of the ladder rests securely on flat level ground too, and don’t attempt to be satisfied with the ladder footing if it is not flat and secure on the ground. Always have another individual available to hold the ladder firm when ascending and descending.
As for clothing, be sure to wear footwear that has traction; avoid sandals or slippery soled shoes, and before setting out to do the job, ensure that the laces are tied tight to avoid a slip and fall. The clothing for the job should fit the season – dress accordingly for the cooler weather,
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