Things to Remember While Working at Height

Having to work at height always involves risk. In fact, the Health & Safety Executive findings revealed that about 26% of fatalities in the UK in 2018 was due to falling from height. This number proves how dangerous working at height can be.

If your job mainly involves heights, it is only crucial that you know the safety precautions while on duty and all the possible risks involved.

That said, we've come up with a rundown of some practical measures that should be carried out while working at height. We will also briefly touch on what it really means when working at height.

What Does Working at Height Mean?

Working at height involves any work where someone could potentially fall. It is an activity that entails extreme risks that result in significant injuries and even death. If the working area does not have safety precautions in place, it will put anyone at risk of falling.

The jobs that involve working at height include industrial cleaners, painters and decorators, technicians, maintenance engineers, repair workers, roofers, gutter installers, crane operators, sky diving instructors, construction workers, and many more.

If the nature of your business or company requires working at height, you are responsible for ensuring that your workers are provided with the proper fall equipment and protection. And while at it, think of the frequency, duration, and location as well.

How often will they work at height? How long will they work at height during their shifts? Where is the location of the work and how close is it to the hazard of falling?

What to Keep in Mind While Working at Height?

1. Use the Guard Railing

A guard railing is a passive form of protection while working at height or on any work surfaces with unprotected edges. It is mainly used a fall prevention equipment if the risk of falling is something that can hardly be eliminated.

Guard rails are easy and highly recommended as a fixed system, most especially that it does not require training or even extra equipment to keep workers safe as they work at height. All they need to do is to stay within the rail, and they can already keep themselves safe.

2. Select and Inspect Your PFPE

For business owners with businesses that involve working at height, choose the right and recommended personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) for your workers. But besides that, also ensure that you select and provide your workers with PFPE that meets the relevant industry standards. Quality PFPE often comes in a hefty sum; however, you sacrifice its functionality if you choose a cheaper and lower quality PFPE.

If you work at heights, always inspect your PPE before you start getting on with your tasks. Even though someone competent will be assigned to check the PFFPE, it is also vital for every worker to inspect the PFPE themselves and know what to look for. Report any defects immediately so you can avoid putting yourself at risk.

3. Know the Use of Safety Netting

Even if you obviously don't intend to fall, knowing the importance of safety nets is essential.

Safety nets do not prevent anyone from falling since their primary purpose is to absorb energy from falling bodies on site, save lives, and avoid significant injuries. It also offers strength and contributes to the increase of worker confidence. Other than catching falling bodies, safety nets can also be used to catch debris.

4. Utilise the Right Equipment

While working at height, use the right equipment that will meet your fall protection solutions. You can use a scaffold, a lift, or a ladder.

A scaffold is usually used for house painting and low-level window washing. Equipping it with a guard rail serves as an added protection. Some jobs will require a lift and the use of a harness and lanyard. On the other hand, a ladder is feasible in certain situations.

Work Safely at Height with Pro Netting Essex Limited

To ensure that your industrial construction projects are safe for people who will work at height, ensure that its site is equipped with safety netting and construction netting such as fall arrest nets. And where else can you get quality safety netting but from Pro Netting Essex Limited?

We provide safe netting for all industrial construction projects and ensure that these are regularly tested to meet the BS EN 1263-1&2 requirements. We also offer scaffolding and edge protection that is aligned with the relevant health and safety regulations.

Should you want to learn more about our fall safety equipment, give us a call on 01708 531477 or send a message directly via our contact page today.