Risks to Consider When Working at Height

Falling from working at height tops the 2019/2022 annual health and safety statistic report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as one of the main kinds of fatal accidents for workers. The report also revealed over half of the fatalities recorded were in the construction sector.

These HSE statistics paint a clear picture: there is a lot of work that needs to be done to prevent fatal and non-fatal incidents from occurring, specifically working at height from any workplace. The best place to start is to identify the many risks of working at height because the numbers show that the risks are not being managed and prioritised.

How to Reduce the Risks Associated with Working at Height

After being made aware of the risks of working at height, the next point of action is to determine the ways on how to reduce these risks.

If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to provide your employees with the right training. Through such training, they will not only be made aware of the possible risks they will face, but they will also know how to handle risky situations. Once they are equipped with the needed skills and knowledge while working at height, they can also learn how to make the most out of safety systems such as harnesses, scaffolding, pulley systems, safety netting systems, and the like.

Another responsibility that employers shoulder includes conducting risk assessments in which they have to identify the risks in their workplace. Through risk assessments, it will be easier to identify any hazard and how it can harm employees, and provide comprehensive guidelines on how to take precautions knowing that such risks exist.

The best way to really reduce the risks of working at height is to simply not work at height where possible. You can make use of machines and try to accomplish tasks on the ground where and when possible. But of course, the personnel who will operate the equipment are also capable of completing the task.

Regardless of whether it's a residential or commercial project, getting familiar with the location will put you at an advantage since you will already know your way around. And in the processing of familiarising, you can already determine the areas that are unsafe to walk on.

Work at Height Safely with Pro Netting Essex Limited

Controlling risks is the first thing you should do to avoid these from happening. One of the best ways to prevent any of the risks while working at height is to make use of safety netting systems. For your high-quality safety netting service needs, you can count on Pro Netting Essex Limited.

Our team provides safety nets for all industrial construction projects and ensures that these are regularly tested to ensure their compliance to the BS EN 1263-1&2 requirements.

Give us a call on 01708 531477 or send us an email at info@essexsafetynetting.co.uk should you have any questions or require more information regarding the services we offer.