WORKING AT HEIGHT

HSE & LP DEPARTMENT

Presented by:

Name
Designation
 Presentation Overview
1. Introduction
2. What is Working at Height
3. Statistics
4. High Risk Types of Work
5. Hazards in Higher Elevation Work
6. General Requirements
7. Total System Approach
8. Safeguarding Against Falls
9. Controlling Fall Hazards
10. Inspection and Maintenance
11. Material Handling
12. Reminder

No. 2
 Introduction

This training material will explain

the requirements designed to
prevent falls and the required
protective devices and practices.
Our objective is to provide
greater understanding of fall
hazards in construction including
other tasks performed above
ground, as well as safer
execution when performing such
jobs while using personal fall
arrest systems.
No. 3
 What is Working at Height ?

Working at height is work undertaken “Off the ground”.

Commonly, it involves the use of ladders, scaffolding,
elevated work platform. In other words any activity,
which is carried out above 1.8 meter is called work at
height.

Falls are the leading cause

of fatalities in the
construction industry.

No. 4
 Statistics

 Working at height has proven to be among the most

hazardous activities during construction. Two thirds (2/3)
of all construction fatalities are fall related.
 According to ILO, each year there are at least 60,000 fatal
accidents around the world due to fall from height.
However, more than 50,000 those injuries could have been
prevented if fall protections measures were used.
 In a industrialized countries as many as 25% to 40% of
work related deaths occurs in construction sites even
though this sector employ only 6% to 10% of the work
force.
 Most fatalities occur when employees fall from open-sided
floors and through floor openings.

No. 5
Statistics

No. 6
Statistics

No. 7
 High Risk Types of Work

 Scaffolding work
 Work from overhead cranes
 Excavations
 Steel Erection
 Construction painters

No. 8
 Hazards in Higher Elevation Work

 Hazards of a falling person

 Hazards of falling objects
 Means of access and egress
 Material handling

No. 9
 General Requirements

 Fall prevention and protection must be approached

systematically such as:
 Hazard identification Planning - JSA
 Supervisor's Role and Responsibilities
 Engineering Controls
 Personal Fall Protection Systems
 Personal Fall Arrest Systems
 Use of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) is dependent upon
the type of fall hazard.
 PPE should not be the first option to
protect against falls.
No. 10
 General Requirements

Cont.
 PPE provides protection by minimizing and/or
neutralizing fall hazards.
 All employees are responsible for inspecting, cleaning,
and maintaining their PPE.
 Employees must be properly trained to PPE.

No. 11
 General Requirements

Cont.
Supervisor’s Responsibilities
 Supervisors must carefully review and plan each job.
 Look for fall exposures
 Try to engineer out fall exposures
 Consider all options / methods to eliminate
and/or reduce fall exposures.
 Sequence of work
 Alternative access
 Alternative protection

No. 12
 General Requirements

Cont.
Planning
 Must include the use of JSA:
1. Break the job into logical steps
2. Identify the hazards
3. Develop suitable solutions
4. Communicate plan to
employees
5. Include employees in
pre-task planning

No. 13
 Total System Approach

 Identify hazards for each job: 6 ft (1.8 m).

 Trigger written plan detailing: what, who, when, and
how.
 Thorough understanding of plan’s requirements.
 Training: Employees including Supervisors
 Hazard identification
 Proper use, installation,
care, and inspection of PPE
 Selection of equipment.

No. 14
 Total System Approach

Cont.
Identify Hazards - look out for these fall hazards:
 Walking and working surfaces,
including ramps and runways
 Unprotected leading edges of
floors, roofs, forms
 Faces of forms or reinforcing
steel
 Hoist areas
 Areas above holes, including
skylights
 Edges of excavations
 Roofs of various pitches
 Precast concrete structural
members being put up
 Areas where overhand
bricklaying and related work
are performed
 Residential construction
 Wall openings
 Areas above equipment, such
as machinery, electrical
equipment, degreasing units,
or anything that could create a
hazard if you fall on or in it.

No. 15
 Total System Approach

Cont.
Training
 Proper inspection, storage and care of fall protection
equipment.
 Use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall
arrest systems, safety nets and other systems.

No. 16
 Total System Approach

Cont.
Selection of Equipment
Selection should be compatible with type of work and
particular hazard. Select from the following:
 Guardrails
 Safety nets
 Personal fall arrest
 Positioning devices
 Warning lines

No. 17
 Safeguarding Against Falls

Basic Steps to follow:

 Identify exposure.
 Remove hazard
 Protect worker from hazard
 Select appropriate fall protection system.
 Follow proper construction and installation
methods
 Communicate clearly with employees.
 Have a complete understanding of requirements,
procedures, etc.
 Use safe work practices.

No. 18
 Safeguarding Against Falls

Cont.
Methods of Protection
 Guardrail systems,  Personal fall arrest
including scaffolds system
 Mobile scaffolds  Full body harness
 Personnel lifting  Anchorage,
baskets connectors
 Ladders  Deceleration devices
 Temporary work  Rope grabs
platforms  Life lines
 Safety nets

No. 19