Following the successful launch of GAP’s ‘Think Safe’ health and safety initiative, in an industry first GAP Hire Solutions launched ‘Interactive Toolbox Talks’; which is made up of 15 interactive modules based on health and safety at work. Free to access via an online portal, these modules highlight the risks and dangers that could arise in the workplace and explain how you can identify and avoid them, in a fun and eye-catching way.
One aspect covered is Working at Height. Work at Height means work in any place where, if there were no precautions in place, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury, this includes:
- Working on a ladder or a flat roof
- Fall through a fragile surface
- Fall into an opening in a floor or hole in the ground.
The Work at Heights Regulations 2005 is “to prevent death and injury caused by a fall at height”.
Employers and those in control of any work at height activity must make sure work is properly planned, supervised and only carried out by competent people. A risk assessment should also be conducted prior to any work at height activity. Always take a sensible approach when considering any precautions. The risk assessment should consist of three key stages:
- Avoid
- Prevent
- Minimise.
These can be broken down into the following actions: you should avoid working at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so, prevent falls by using either an existing place of work that is already safe or by choosing the right type of equipment, and minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.
All measures should be taken into consideration to protect everyone who may be at risk.
Before working at height, the work area should be assessed to identify any and all possible hazards. Safety at work is your responsibility, you should make sure any dangerous areas are clearly marked and reported immediately to a supervisor.
Selecting the right equipment
When preparing to Work at Height, you must always ensure you select the right equipment for the activity, never ‘make do’ for a quick job. This could lead to serious injury or fatality. Whilst selecting the right equipment you should consider the following:
- Working environment, the weather and the ground
- Duration and frequency of work
- Dimensions of the equipment
- Fall potential and the distance of fall
- Risks of erecting and dismantling the equipment
Types of equipment
In the industries GAP operates, there are a number of equipment types that can ensure Working at Height is as safe as possible. These include:
- Ladders – should only be used for low risk and short duration tasks, secure and at the correct angle
- Scissor lift – should only be used by those who are trained and competent. Lifts should be inspected in accordance with LOLER 1998
- Access tower – must be erected by competent persons and ensure guardrails, toe boards, stabilisers and intermediate platforms are fitted. Non-Conductive GRP access towers should be used when there is a risk of electrocution.
When planning to Work at Height the keys things to plan for include: inspecting all equipment and ensuring all use is supervised. Competence should never be assumed, if in doubt ask for advice and training. And finally, never Work at Height unless competent.
So, when Working at Height, the main point to always remember is avoid, prevent, minimise.