Working at Height Safely
Assessment and Control Measures
It's no surprise that construction and repair work at height involves serious risks. Anyone looking at a scaffold can sense the danger. Despite these apparent risks, basic safety measures are often neglected, leading to devastating consequences.
To illustrate the issue, according to the HSE, out of 144 GB workers killed in accidents between 2017 and 2018, 35 died from falls from height. Over the past five years, falls from height accounted for 26% of all fatal worker injuries, with half occurring in the construction industry.
The statistics for non-fatal injuries tell a similarly troubling story. Falls from height account for only 10% of reported incidents, less than handling/lifting (21%) and slips/trips/same-level falls (31%). However, when a fall from height occurs, there is a disturbingly high likelihood that injuries could be fatal.
Common causes of falls include holes and gaps in roofs, fragile materials underfoot, unprotected edges, and a lack of fall arrest systems. These risks can be managed with appropriate countermeasures. This is why confronting the dangers, carrying out roof work assessments, and implementing control measures is integral to keeping workers safe.
While not a replacement for industry-recognized training, this blog aims to raise awareness of typical assessment and control measures required for working at height safely. If any of the following points raise alarm bells regarding your current working practice, then it’s time to take action.
Assess the Risks and Hazards
Before any work at height begins, it is vitally important to assess the risks and hazards presented by the environment, conditions, and the required operation.
Providing managerial expertise is adequate, considerations should be made as to what control measures are required, whether workers are adequately trained for the situation, whether predicted weather conditions may interfere, and whether related legislation is being adhered to.
The key to maximizing safety is by reducing exposure to identified hazards and lessening the potential impact of an accident.
For example, if there is a substantial drop from a roof edge near the working area, edge protection such as guardrails should be fitted before any work ensues. In addition, fall protection may also be required, such as fall arrest harnesses, safety mesh, nets, and personal alarms on workers’ belts. Most crucially, a proper platform and suitable structural support should be provided to prevent instability or collapse.
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s this general mindset that site planners and managers should adopt to ensure the possibilities of injury, loss of life, and penalty fines are as low as possible.
Hierarchy of Control
It’s worth considering whether work at height can be avoided altogether if possible, with the job in question being carried out through safer means.
A risk assessment of working at height should adhere to the following hierarchy of control:
- Wherever practical, avoid working at height.
- If possible, use an existing safe place of work.
- Provide and implement suitable equipment to prevent falls.
- Introduce control measures to mitigate the distance and consequences of a fall from height.
- Provide safety training, instruction, and other means to keep workers safe.
The above prioritizes broadly protective measures (e.g., scaffolding) over personal protection (e.g., fall arrest systems), reducing the chance of an accident before introducing controls to lessen its impact.
Training and Communication
Training is crucial in construction, and working at height is no exception.
Workers involved must possess relevant expertise, experience, and physical attributes to carry out their roles effectively and safely. Proper training should be given to them, and they should have some form of recognized Health and Safety Training to support their practice.
If they lack a basic knowledge of commonplace risks and safe practices, they will struggle to adhere to established systems and procedures, thus increasing the likelihood of catastrophe. PPE, control measures, and reliable equipment could easily become hazards if an employee does not understand how to use them correctly.
The importance of communication should not be underestimated either. Assessment of risks and consequent control measures should be clearly explained to the workforce to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE will always be required to some degree, with hard hats, goggles, and gloves being some of the most common.
The required degree should be informed by legislation and your risk assessment. However, other factors must be considered. PPE must fit each employee as intended, be in a suitable state of repair, and manufactured to industry standards. Otherwise, it may provide reduced protection or even create new risks and hazards.
Consider that an ill-fitted helmet may slip down over someone’s eyes or gloves with poor grip might cause someone to lose their grasp. Ensure your on-site PPE serves its intended function, meets project requirements, and is worn on a compulsory basis.
Roof and Structural Materials Inspection
Existing roof and structural materials need to be inspected before starting a project as they will likely be the foundation of work undertaken.
Roofing can lose its integrity over time due to weather, moisture, mold, physical damage, and fire. If your workforce isn’t informed of possible weaknesses in a structure, they will operate under the assumption it is solid and likely walk right into a serious collapse.
Every year, many people suffer life-changing injuries and fatal accidents from falling through roofs. It is thus vital that raised surfaces you work on are approved to be safe by a structural engineer or fitted with appropriate control and support measures.
Safe access to the roof cavity must be provided for an internal integrity assessment that cannot be judged from the outside.
Safe Access to Roof Areas
To ensure safe access to roof areas, use portable industrial-grade ladders, not domestic ones. In the EU and UK, these should be tested for a maximum load of 150 kg to be compliant with the EN 131 standard.
When placing a ladder, it should be firmly grounded and secure at an angle where it won’t slip. The 4:1 rule is a good way to estimate this; for every four feet you climb, the base should be one foot away from the wall.
When climbing, workers should take their time, ensure three points of contact are maintained throughout, and avoid carrying heavy equipment without support.
Ladders should not be misappropriated for purposes other than what they were designed for. They are not a stable substitute for scaffolding, should not be based upon vehicles, and certainly never tied together as a DIY extension.
Prior to use each working day – or in the event of a potentially damaging drop – run a safety checklist to ensure continued reliability:
- Are the feet present and in good condition? – Missing, damaged, or worn feet could cause slipping.
- Are the stiles in good repair? – Bent or damaged stiles may risk collapse.
- Are the rungs in good condition? – Missing, bent, or loosened rungs present a severe risk.
- Are the rungs clean? – Greasy, muddy, or damp rungs may cause slipping.
- Are locking mechanisms intact? – If not, the ladder’s integrity could be compromised.
If any of the above raise a red flag, postpone use and notify the manager or employer to rectify the issue.
Managing Construction Site Failures
Understanding the risks of working at height is crucial in construction.
Asbestos Risks
While banned or heavily controlled in many countries, asbestos risks are still present in many roofs, usually in the form of asbestos cement. If any is discovered during a project assessment, call in specialist support before any work is undertaken to judge the specific risks and necessary controls.
Keep in mind a few essentials if you discover asbestos cement in roofs: AC roofs are nearly always fragile and unlikely to hold a worker’s weight without support. This is doubly dangerous as a collapse could spread deadly fibers through the air, potentially causing mesothelioma.
Removal of asbestos should only be undertaken by qualified specialists. Anyone working around it will need suitable PPE, including disposable hooded overalls, boots without laces (for ease of decontamination), and reliable respiratory equipment fit for purpose.
Controlling Risks to Passers-by
Risks of working at height extend beyond workers. Controlling risks to passers-by is also important.
To keep the public safe, ensure that only assigned personnel enter the working site. Use appropriate warning signage and barriers to reinforce this.
Isolate the area directly below roof work to prevent debris and tools from falling on passers-by. Workers around roof areas with notable fall risks should be attached to a secure anchorage point with a tested fall arrest harness.
Additionally, note electrical outlet positions during the initial assessment to keep track of related risks. Maintain minimum approach distances by workers and vehicles in relation to nearby overhead electric power lines to remove the danger of a flashover.
Weather Conditions
Weather can be an unpredictable risk, requiring a vigilant approach.
Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy storms, blizzards, or severe rain, dramatically increase the chances of misjudgment, slips, trips, and falls, along with long-term exposure to the cold. Postpone work as needed to keep employees safe.
High sun angles or temperatures can cause dehydration, sunburn, and sweating, contributing to greater fatigue and long-term health problems.
Wind speed is another issue to keep in mind. Tall objects require assessment to determine whether they can withstand high wind speeds and storms. Provide proper support systems as needed. In worst cases, remove equipment and supplementary structures to guarantee safety.
Conclusion
Working at height presents substantial risks, but there is no justification for negligence at the cost of worker safety. Everyone deserves to go home safely. Ensure a thorough risk assessment is undertaken with suitable controls implemented. Failure to do so may save time, but the potential cost in injury, loss of life, and financial penalties is never a gamble worth taking.
