A briefing tool for managers

WORKING AT HEIGHT LUCKY ESCAPE

Work at height is work in any place at, above or below, ground level, where a
A trapdoor was cut in a landing to give
person could be injured, if they fell from that place.
access to the top of tankers without
Access and egress to a place of work, can also be working at height.
having to climb the tank ladder. The
Examples of working at height are:-,
possibility of someone falling through
Working on a roof
the hole, (see photo), was not
Working from a ladder
considered so no hand railing was
Work at ground level adjacent to an open excavation
placed around the trapdoor. As a result
Work anywhere where there is a risk of falling
an employee was lucky to escape with
Erecting and working from scaffolding
a broken shoulder when he nearly fell
Work near or adjacent to fragile surfaces e.g. skylights
through the opening after the trapdoor
was left open.
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

CONTRACTOR KILLED IN FALL FROM ROOF

An overseas contractor died after falling 4
metres from a building roof at an aggregates FALL RESULTS IN
quarry. The contractor was removing corrugated
sheets from the building. At the time of the
FRACTURE from
incident he was trying to access a ladder, which relatively low height
was secured against a steel girder, to climb A sub contractor working on a new silo
down for his lunch. As he attempted to do this, fell from a temporary working platform
he slid on an unfixed corrugated sheet and fell to whilst aligning plates. The platform was
the ground below. Sadly, he died 3 days later designed considering the fact that the
from his injuries. work being undertaken required
frequent modification of the platform to
CONTRACTOR KILLED IN 27m FALL allow insertion of silo plates. The
An contractor fell 27 metres to his death while working on a major project at a platform included a top handrail with a
company cement plant overseas during a planned maintenance shut down 100 mm lug fitting down into support
period. Several contractors were working on the construction of a new bag tubes and a restraining strap fitted as an
filter structure and their work involved them being on 3 different platform levels intermediate handrail.
to carry out the various tasks that were needed. After noticing some of the The top handrail became dislodged from
steel floor grids on the 3rd (highest platform level) were insecure in one area, its fixings at one end and the contractor
the deceased asked another contractor to weld the floor in place while he fell backwards over the intermediate
proceeded to check the security of the floor grids with his foot in other areas. strap falling 1.1metres to the ground.
Tragically, while he was doing this, a section of floor grid flipped over and the The resulting fall caused the contractor
contractor fell through the hole the missing grid had created and straight to fracture his collarbone. (SA04/2008)
through the other two platform levels to the ground through holes that had
been left open following the removal of some old ducting.
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.
Use the questions below to open the discussion under each heading and then go through the lists
THE TALK explaining in detail each hazard / control and what is expected
Hazards
Question 1 What are the hazards of working from Controls
height? Question 6 How would you control work at height?
Falling Risk Assessment
Someone being struck by falling object Worksafe
Both aspects have to be considered when working at height. Permit to Work
It is not just about the protection of the persons at height but Effective supervision
also the potential affect on those below.
Consideration must be given to:
The potential for working in a safer, alternative way to eliminate
Question 2 What is work at height? Where are you
the need for access at height.
required to "work at height?
The potential for objects as well as personnel to fall, always
Working on a roof
considering people below.
Working from a ladder
Selection of correct and effective control measures and
Work at ground level adjacent to an open excavation
appropriate equipment.
Work anywhere where there is a risk of falling
The possibility of adverse weather conditions and other
Erecting and working from scaffolding
changes that may influence the working conditions.
Work near or adjacent to fragile surfaces e.g. skylights
Selection of approved and suitable anchor points for equipment
There is no specific height where the term working at height
and the condition of any supporting structures.
applies. Work where any fall could result in injury is
All equipment to be checked prior to each use
considered working at height.
The requirement to wear safety harnesses, with effectively
anchored fall arrest equipment, whenever working from
Risk Assessment
temporary mobile access platforms.
Question 3 Who should assess the work at height?
Anyone undertaking or planning to undertake work at height
Question 7 Can ladders be used?
The answer is yes, but any proposed work form ladders should
Question 4 When assessing work at height, what are the
only be considered where a risk assessment has shown that
factors to consider?
the risk is low and duration of the task is short and the use of
Avoid work from height where you can
other access equipment is not more appropriate. It is
Collective protective measures must take priority over
important that risk assessment considers whether the person
individual protection For example barriers are preferred to
can maintain 3 points of contact and the ladder can be secured.
harnesses and lanyards
All work is properly planned and organised The use of ladders should be controlled by securing them
Those involved in the work are competent and trained. and only permitting use by authorised personnel for properly
Equipment is properly selected, inspected and assessed tasks.
maintained
AND FINALLY . . .
Question 5 Who should erect / use access equipment Clarify any points as required.
such as scaffolds and elevated work platforms? Ask if there are any other safety related issues that
Only competent personnel who have been suitably trained should be discussed.
should operate any elevated work platforms or erect / modify Get everyone to sign the training declaration.
scaffolding, including tower scaffolds. 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