Injuries sustained from falls from height are some of the most devastating injuries that can occur on construction sites. There are many opportunities for falls on site e.g. working on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, working platforms, and through openings. Effectively managing the risks from falls requires good planning and discipline. This paper outlines the good planning and discipline measures that are implemented by well managed teams.
Adopt the principle: avoid, prevent, and minimise
There is a simple UK practice hierarchy. If it is reasonably practicable to do the work from the ground, then components should be assembled from the ground and the work at height should be avoided. If it is not reasonably practicable to avoid working at height, then the next best thing is to use means that prevent a fall. Only if it is not reasonably practicable to avoid or prevent a fall, should measures be taken to minimise the fall.
If it is not reasonably practicable to fully protect a person from the consequences of a fall, then the person should be protected from the fall as far as is reasonably practicable.
Plan the work
All work at height should be planned, organised and carried out by persons who are competent to do the work. The work should be planned and organised so that the risks of the work are understood and eliminated as far as is reasonably practicable. Rescue provisions should also form part of the planning.
Choosing the right access equipment
Different jobs require different equipment. For longer or heavier tasks you will need scaffolding. These should be designed, erected, inspected and altered only by competent people. For medium duration work, mobile access towers are a good option, however, they must be assembled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and used on firm, level ground.
For flexibility, mobile elevating work platforms can be used, however, they require operators to be trained and often harnessed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Ladders and stepladders are only appropriate for shorter duration, low risk tasks and must be used with the proper angle and three points of contact.
Edge Protection and Openings
Guardrails or toe-boards at open edges are a basic control. Floors and roofs must be made whole by covers which are securely fixed, clearly and permanently identified and labelled. These will not always be recognised.
Roof lights and older roofing sheets may be fragile. Work on or near them requires specific precautions and should be identified beforehand.
Personal Protective Equipment
Fall arrest harnesses, lanyards and other PPE need to be examined by a competent person before every use to ensure they are in good working order. Users must be trained on how to connect it to a secure anchorage point.
Engineered Anchor points, or any other secure anchorage, are only as effective as the person who is using them.
Helmets with chin straps, suitable footwear, and gloves, are important when a fall or dropped object could cause injury.
Dropped objects
Falls of tools and materials put people below at risk. Exclusion zones, netting, toe boards and lanyards of tools all help to reduce risk. Keeping the work area neat, organised, and secured makes a huge difference in safety at height.
Weather and conditions
Wind, rain, ice, and poor light all impact the safety of work at height. Plan work for the expected conditions, and be prepared to stop work if conditions make the work unsafe. Surfaces that are made slippery by weather need to be reassessed and equipment used may need to be checked.
Inspection and maintenance
Scaffolds, platforms and equipment need to be inspected by a competent person, and records of the inspections kept. Defects need to be reported and equipment taken out of service until it is repaired. Pre-use checks by the person using the equipment also help to identify defects.
Training and competence
Everyone must understand the hazards and the controls. Different methods help, but the best is a culture in which stopping the job is the norm if something seems unsafe. Supervisors set the tone with their actions.
Communication and supervision
Most working at height incidents can be avoided with adequate supervision, good planning and clear instructions. Health and safety coordination between the various trades are especially vital when there are adjacent workings above and below.
Maintaining the standard
No one should become complacent about working at height. No working at height system is completely fool proof. Incidents and near misses with working at height should always be reviewed, learnt from and acted upon. Respect the systems and procedures and report anything that seems unsafe to you.
Conclusion
By following the hierarchy of controls, and planning systems carefully, and choosing the most appropriate working at height equipment, the construction industry can work with confidence. The systems are practical rather than overly complicated and they work.