) What types of work equipment are suitable for working at heights?

When working at a height, you need to ensure you use the right eight
equipment and secure it safely to your person. Equipment dropped from
heights can cause fatalities to those below and could even cause you to lose
balance. Be sure to use tool lanyards and work tool belts to safely secure
your tools before working on a ladder. 

Furthermore, always ensure you are using the right scaffolding equipment or
ladder for the job. Failure to use the correct height equipment could result in
instability when working at height and could potentially be fatal - so be sure to
use equipment that works in conjunction with your risk assessment. You can
find plenty of equipment suitable for working at heights here. 

2) What is a risk assessment? 

A risk assessment is part of The Work at Height Regulations. This is an

assessment that is conducted prior to a working at height operation to identify
what the hazards are and the level of risk to the worker. A risk assessment
examines all the situations that could result in an injury and allows you to take
steps to avoid any harm occurring. 

To help you create your own risk assessment, we've put together a list of
things to consider when conducting a Working at Height Risk Assessment. 

3) Who is competent to work at height? 

One of the main requirements for a working at height operation is to enlist an

employee who is competent to work at height. This refers to someone who
has been trained to work at height and has the appropriate qualifications and
experience. It is the manager and supervisors job to ensure those working at
height are competent and suitably trained in this field. 

If a worker regularly works at height, they should attend a working at height

safety training course to certify that they are fully qualified to work at height
safely.  If you would like to be qualified to work at height you may be
interested in our Working at Heights Training Course. This course will
prepare you to work at height by teaching you all the neccesary safety
procedures. 

 
4) How can I help stop someone from falling when working at height? 

If you're an employer with employees who work at heights, you can help

prevent any falls by safeguarding the area. Using items such as working
platforms with rails, access equipment, and durable PPE equipment can help
stop your workers from happening upon any nasty falls.

As the employer, it is your job to protect your workers, so make sure you
provide the best quality safety equipment. Safety is always more important
than cutting costs.

5) What is a work-restraint or work-positioning system? 

Work-restraint systems are used to prevent falls. They rely upon PPE such as
a safety harness and lanyard and will be attached to the worker. The work-
restrain system will prevent the worker from accessing dangerous positions.
For example, a work-restrain lanyard could be adjusted to slightly shorter than
the length of the work platform, thus stopping the worker from reaching the
edge of the platform. 

A work-positioning system works in a similar way. They include a harness

connected to a strong anchor and keep the worker in the same place as they
work at height. The tension will keep the worker suspended and will prevent
any falls. However, both work-restraint and work-positioning systems need to
be watched carefully to ensure their safety. 

6) What should I do about any falling objects? 

Falling objects should be prevented through the use of tool lanyards and the
minimal use of any loose equipment or materials. If using scaffolding
(especially near a public area), nets and platforms should be used to help
prevent this issue. Falling objects could be fatal to any workers or pedestrians
below, so all measures should be taken to avoid this occurring. 

It is incredibly important to always be safe when working at heights, so

we hope this has helped answer some of your working at height safety
questions.

For any height safety equipment needs, be sure to take a look at our
range!  
 In probability of the realization of potential for loss or damage or injury

Q. What is Potential Hazards of scaffolding?

Collapse of Scaffolding.

Falling from height.

Falling object.

Slip & Trip hazards.

Pinch point hazards / Sharp edges

Opening without guardrail.

Scaffold erection during storm or high winds, raining and poor visibility.

Blocking emergency access and walkways

Q. What is the cause of scaffolding failure?

Slipping of unsecured ladder.

Use of unsuitable scaffold or faulty materials.

Inadequate or irregular platform width.

Omission of guard rails or toe boards.

Failure to proper secure the scaffold to the building or to brace it adequately.

Overloading on the scaffold platforms.

Unsafe Act & Unsafe Condition

Q. What is the precaution during scaffolding erection?

Scaffolding erection, dismantling should be done under the supervision of a

COMPETENT PERSON (Scaffolding Supervisor).

Red Tag‟ means Danger “do not use” and Green Tag means “scaffold complete-

ready for use” when completed.

Gap between boards/planks should be 1 inch (25mm).

Top guardrail, midrail and toe board should be provided.

Guard rails and Toa boards shall be fitted to the inside of standards.

Guard rail should have a height between 915 mm (0.9 m or 90 cm or 3‟ feet) to

1143 mm (1.15 m or 3‟ 9”)

Toe board should be 6” (15 cm) high and secured with toe board clips.

If scaffold to be erected on soft ground should be used sole plate.

Worker shall be not work on scaffolds during storms or high winds or poor

visibility.

Sole plate shall extend under at least two standards.

Base plates with screw jacks should be proper scaffold leveling adjustment.

All standard shall be vertical.

Ledgers shall be securely fixed to standards couplers.

Scaffolds should be properly braced by cross bracing or diagonal braces or both

for securing vertical members together.

Access ladder must be provided for any platform & clamped with scaffold

structure.

Ladder should be 4:1 ratio and angle 750.

Ladder should be rise 1 meter (42 inch) above from the landing place/platform.

Scaffold should be not obstruct access to/from any fire fighting equipment /

emergency equipment, operating area equipment, instrument and control panels,

ladders, stairways etc.

Scaffold platform opening should be secured with guardrail and sign board.

All scaffolding couplers should be tightened.