Safety should be a priority regardless of whether you work at high heights every day or on occasion. One error can easily turn a routine task into a fatality. Each time an employee is exposed to a potential fall hazard, it is her responsibility to ensure their safety.
What is Working at Height?
When someone is at risk of falling and injuring themselves, they are called working at height. It is possible to work at height using a ladder or a roof’s edge. Here are ten safety suggestions to help minimize the dangers of working at high heights.
- Use Railing
The railing is a good option if you have the means. Railing, a type of passive protection, is the most effective and recommended way to keep your workers safe and ensure compliance. Because they don’t have to do anything other than remain within the rail, there is no need for additional training.
- Be Sure To Understand the Fall Distance
It doesn’t matter if all the fall protection gear in the world fails to work before it hits something. While it may seem obvious, this is a common misconception. Although you may think it should work at first glance, there are several reasons it probably won’t.
- Select an Acceptable Anchor Point
You might have realized by now that fall safety and PPE is complex issues. This is just the beginning. What good is a harness and lanyard set-up if the anchor point doesn’t hold the load? No.
What is an acceptable Anchor Point? It is not PVC piping. It is also not a decorative steel part on the roof. An anchor point will only be accepted if:
- It’s designed and approved in accordance with the calculations of a professional engineer.
- It can certainly handle a load exceeding 5,000 pounds.
Choose structural steel with proper beam clamps, as many structures are not capable of enduring these forces. A manufactured roofing cart or anchor may be installed if the installation is done correctly.
- Make Sure To Use The Correct Equipment When Working At Heights
Fall protection solutions do not come in a one-size-fits-all approach, just like harnesses. In certain circumstances, a scaffold will be your best option to work at heights. This could be used to paint low-level windows or for washing them. This is a good time to install railings around the scaffolding. This safety precaution will make fall prevention much simpler. In some cases, scaffolds won’t be practical, and you’ll have to ride a lift. Depending on the lift type, you may be required to wear either a harness or lanyard (such as scissor lifts). Sometimes you will use a ladder to access the lift, which makes falling protection even more challenging.
- Aerial lifts: Proper usage
It is possible for an aerial lift to go wrong in many different ways. We will discuss aerial lifts with fall protection. An important point that is often forgotten is that all boom lift operators must properly tie off their passengers at all heights.
Edge protection by Australian Scaffoldsat Australia, we take safety seriously. That’s why we offer a range of edge protection solutions to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re working on a roof, balcony, or another high-level surface, our edge protection systems will provide you with the peace of mind that you and your workers are safe.