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:-,
• Working on a roof possibility of someone falling through
• Working from a ladder the hole, (see photo), was not
• Work at ground level adjacent to an open excavation considered so no hand railing was
• Work anywhere where there is a risk of falling placed around the trapdoor. As a
• Erecting and working from scaffolding result an employee was lucky to
• Work near or adjacent to fragile surfaces e.g. skylights escape with a broken shoulder when
he nearly fell 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
FRACTURE from
of the incident he was trying to access a ladder, relatively low height
which was secured against a steel girder, to A sub contractor working on a new silo
climb down for his lunch. As he attempted to do fell from a temporary working platform
this, he slid on an unfixed corrugated sheet and whilst aligning plates. The platform was
fell to the ground below. Sadly, he died 3 days designed considering the fact that the
later 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
filter structure and their work involved them being on 3 different platform levels an intermediate handrail.
to carry out the various tasks that were needed. After noticing some of the The top handrail became dislodged
steel floor grids on the 3rd (highest platform level) were insecure in one area, from its fixings at one end and the
the deceased asked another contractor to weld the floor in place while he contractor fell backwards over the
proceeded to check the security of the floor grids with his foot in other areas. intermediate strap falling 1.1metres to
Tragically, while he was doing this, a section of floor grid flipped over and the the ground. The resulting fall caused
contractor fell through the hole the missing grid had created and straight the contractor to fracture his collarbone.
through the other two platform levels to the ground through holes that had (SA04/2008)
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 height? Controls
• Falling Question 6 – How would you control work at height?
• Someone being struck by falling object • Risk Assessment
Both aspects have to be considered when working at height. It is not • Worksafe
just about the protection of the persons at height but also the • Permit to Work
potential affect on those below. • Effective supervision
Consideration must be given to:
Question 2 – What is “work at height”? Where are you required
• The potential for working in a safer, alternative way to eliminate
to "work at height“?
the need for access at height.
• Working on a roof
• The potential for objects as well as personnel to fall, always
• Working from a ladder
considering people below.
• Work at ground level adjacent to an open excavation
• Selection of correct and effective control measures and
• Work anywhere where there is a risk of falling
appropriate equipment.
• Erecting and working from scaffolding
• The possibility of adverse weather conditions and other
• Work near or adjacent to fragile surfaces e.g. skylights
changes that may influence the working conditions.
There is no specific height where the term working at height applies.
• Selection of approved and suitable anchor points for equipment
Work where any fall could result in injury is considered working at
and the condition of any supporting structures.
height.
• All equipment to be checked prior to each use
• The requirement to wear safety harnesses, with effectively anchored
Risk Assessment
fall arrest equipment, whenever working from temporary mobile
Question 3 – Who should assess the work at height?
access platforms.
Anyone undertaking or planning to undertake work at height
Question 7 – Can ladders be used?
Question 4 – When assessing work at height, what are the
The answer is yes, but any proposed work form ladders should
factors to consider?
only be considered where a risk assessment has shown that
• Avoid work from height where you can
the risk is low and duration of the task is short and the use of other
• Collective protective measures must take priority over individual
access equipment is not more appropriate. It is
protection – For example barriers are preferred to harnesses and
important that risk assessment considers whether the person
lanyards
can maintain 3 points of contact and the ladder can be secured.
• All work is properly planned and organised
• Those involved in the work are competent and trained. The use of ladders should be controlled by securing them
• Equipment is properly selected, inspected and and only permitting use by authorised personnel for properly
maintained assessed tasks.

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.
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