A briefing tool for managers
WORKING AT HEIGHT
Work at height is work in any place at, above or below, ground level, where a
person could be injured, if they fell from that place.
Access and egress to a place of work, can also be working at height.
Examples of working at height are:-,
• Working on a roof
• Working from a ladder
• Work at ground level adjacent to an open excavation
• Work anywhere where there is a risk of falling
• Erecting and working from scaffolding
• Work near or adjacent to fragile surfaces e.g. skylights
WHY MANAGE WORK AT HEIGHT
• Work at Height Regulations 2005
• 45 workers across industry died in 2007 as a result of falls from
height and 3,750 suffered injury
• Biggest cause of workplace death
• One of the biggest causes of major injuries,
2/3rds of major injuries, caused by “low falls”
LUCKY ESCAPE
A trapdoor was cut in a landing to give
access to the top of tankers without
having to climb the tank ladder. The
possibility of someone falling through
the hole, (see photo), was not
considered so no hand railing was
placed around the trapdoor. As a result
an employee was lucky to escape with
a broken shoulder when he nearly fell
through the opening after the trapdoor
was left open.
CONTRACTOR KILLED IN FALL FROM ROOF
An overseas contractor died after falling 4
metres from a building roof at an aggregates
quarry. The contractor was removing corrugated
sheets from the building. At the time of the
incident he was trying to access a ladder, which
was secured against a steel girder, to climb
down for his lunch. As he attempted to do this,
he slid on an unfixed corrugated sheet and fell to
the ground below. Sadly, he died 3 days later
from his injuries.
CONTRACTOR KILLED IN 27m FALL
An contractor fell 27 metres to his death while working on a major project at a
company cement plant overseas during a planned maintenance shut down
period. Several contractors were working on the construction of a new bag
filter structure and their work involved them being on 3 different platform levels
to carry out the various tasks that were needed. After noticing some of the
steel floor grids on the 3rd (highest platform level) were insecure in one area,
the deceased asked another contractor to weld the floor in place while he
proceeded to check the security of the floor grids with his foot in other areas.
Tragically, while he was doing this, a section of floor grid flipped over and the
contractor fell through the hole the missing grid had created and straight
through the other two platform levels to the ground through holes that had
been left open following the removal of some old ducting.
FALL RESULTS IN
FRACTURE from
relatively low height
A sub contractor working on a new silo
fell from a temporary working platform
whilst aligning plates. The platform was
designed considering the fact that the
work being undertaken required
frequent modification of the platform to
allow insertion of silo plates. The
platform included a top handrail with a
100 mm lug fitting down into support
tubes and a restraining strap fitted as an
intermediate handrail.
The top handrail became dislodged from
its fixings at one end and the contractor
fell backwards over the intermediate
strap falling 1.1metres to the ground.
The resulting fall caused the contractor
to fracture his collarbone. (SA04/2008)
Working at Height
Preparation
This stop and think talk can be used individually or with a group of people. It could be delivered in the workplace where
examples of Working at Height can be observed or where equipment used in Working at Height is stored. If you are
carrying out a practical demonstration, take care that the area is suitable for people to hear and see what you are doing.
Participants should receive a copy of the talk for their CPD files as well as signing the training declaration.
Introduction (After reading out the case studies)
Work at height can and does take the form of many activities, even when working on purpose made platforms or in
buildings there is the potential to create a working at height risk by the removal of flooring or barriers. The use of mobile
elevated platforms, tower scaffolding, ladders and other work with the potential to fall from height MUST be assessed
and planned to eliminate (or minimise), the possibility of anyone falling from that height.
THE TALK
Use the questions below to open the discussion under each heading and then go through the lists
explaining in detail each hazard / control and what is expected
Hazards
Question 1 – What are the hazards of working from
height?
• Falling
• Someone being struck by falling object
Both aspects have to be considered when working at height.
It is not just about the protection of the persons at height but
also the potential affect on those below.
Question 2 – What is “work at height”? Where are you
required to "work at height“?
• Working on a roof
• Working from a ladder
• Work at ground level adjacent to an open excavation
• Work anywhere where there is a risk of falling
• Erecting and working from scaffolding
• Work near or adjacent to fragile surfaces e.g. skylights
There is no specific height where the term working at height
applies. Work where any fall could result in injury is
considered working at height.
Risk Assessment
Question 3 – Who should assess the work at height?
Anyone undertaking or planning to undertake work at height
Question 4 – When assessing work at height, what are the
factors to consider?
• Avoid work from height where you can
• Collective protective measures must take priority over
individual protection – For example barriers are preferred to
harnesses and lanyards
• All work is properly planned and organised
• Those involved in the work are competent and trained.
• Equipment is properly selected, inspected and
maintained
Question 5 – Who should erect / use access equipment
such as scaffolds and elevated work platforms?
Only competent personnel who have been suitably trained
should operate any elevated work platforms or erect / modify
scaffolding, including tower scaffolds.
Controls
Question 6 – How would you control work at height?
• Risk Assessment
• Worksafe
• Permit to Work
• Effective supervision
Consideration must be given to:
• The potential for working in a safer, alternative way to eliminate
the need for access at height.
• The potential for objects as well as personnel to fall, always
considering people below.
• Selection of correct and effective control measures and
appropriate equipment.
• The possibility of adverse weather conditions and other
changes that may influence the working conditions.
• Selection of approved and suitable anchor points for equipment
and the condition of any supporting structures.
• All equipment to be checked prior to each use
• The requirement to wear safety harnesses, with effectively
anchored fall arrest equipment, whenever working from
temporary mobile access platforms.
Question 7 – Can ladders be used?
The answer is yes, but any proposed work form ladders should
only be considered where a risk assessment has shown that
the risk is low and duration of the task is short and the use of
other access equipment is not more appropriate. It is
important that risk assessment considers whether the person
can maintain 3 points of contact and the ladder can be secured.
The use of ladders should be controlled by securing them
and only permitting use by authorised personnel for properly
assessed tasks.
AND FINALLY . . .
• Clarify any points as required.
• Ask if there are any other safety related issues that
should be discussed.
• Get everyone to sign the training declaration.
• Thank everyone for their participation
Working at Height – Training Record
The people listed below have received instruction in Working at Height as detailed on the previous pages.
By signing below they are confirming that they understand the safe systems of working discussed and will
adhere to these in the workplace.
Date
Name
Signature
Instructed by