One of the most significant risks of injury in many working environments is working from height; it is highly dangerous. This is why it is essential that your employees are thoroughly trained, have the correct equipment, and adhere to health and safety guidelines to avoid any accidents. It is down to you, as an employer, to ensure that you have done everything you can to make sure all your staff remain safe while carrying out their work. Not only are workers at risk while working at height, but having heavy items on a raised platform creates an additional risk of falling objects. According to the Health and Safety Executive statistics, falls from height are the biggest cause of fatal injury in the workplace. There were a total of thirty-five deaths from falling between 2020 and 2021, with the construction food industries being the most frequent setting.
As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring all your staff remain safe while working. Our comprehensive blog aims to explain the intricacies of working at height, guiding you through regulations and best practices to ensure that you and your team are always working safely.
- What is the Definition of Working at Height?
- Working at Height Regulations: Explained
- The Regulations Hierarchy
- How to Work at Height Safely
- Common Working at Height Situations
- Common Causes of Accidents When Working at Height
- Working at Height Myths
- Working at Height FAQs
What is the Definition of Working at Height?
Working from height is classified as working from any position where somebody could fall such a distance that could cause injury. If you work above ground level, on platforms such as ladders or ledges, or even conduct work underground from ground level.
To have fallen from height while at work, you must have fallen from one level down to another. To minimise the risk of your employees falling from height while at work, you must ensure all appropriate measures are in place to ensure their safety.
Not only are workers at risk while working at height, but having heavy items on a raised platform creates an additional risk of falling objects. According to the Health and Safety Executive statistics, falls from height are the biggest cause of fatal injury in the workplace. Thirty-five deaths were from falling between 2020 and 2021, with the construction food industries being the most frequent setting.
Working At Height Regulations: Explained
The Work at Heights Regulations 2005
The main legislation that covers working at height is the Work at Height Regulations 2005. This regulation states that employers are liable for any injury sustained by an employee. You must ensure all work is planned, your workers are thoroughly trained, you have assessed all risks, and your equipment is fully serviced and inspected.
You must thoroughly read the working at height regulations to ensure you are doing everything you can as an employer to maximise your workforce’s safety. As an employer, you have a duty of care and responsibility to your employees to provide them with all necessary measures to remain secure while working from height.
They are putting their lives at risk to carry out their instructed work. This means they need the appropriate equipment and briefing to make them less at risk of severe or fatal injury. Government regulations apply to employees and anyone employed for them, self-employed individuals, and anyone operating under their instruction. They do not apply, however, to a shipmaster and their crew.
The Regulation Guidelines
- Each employer must ensure that they have adequately planned for their work to take place.
- They must also ensure that all work is appropriately supervised and carried out responsibly.
- It is also stated that everyone involved should have received sufficient training in working at height or managed by an experienced person.
- All work that could be completed more safely from ground level should avoid any unnecessary risk.
- If any extra measures taken cannot reduce the risk of a fall under extenuating circumstances, then everything must be done by the employer to ensure that the potential fall distance is minimised and the severity of the consequences is reduced.
- You MUST NOT work from a height under adverse weather conditions, such as high winds or rain. This will massively increase the risk of falling as the number of hazards increases. This type of work should be planned for a day with fair weather to remove the risk of causing an accident. If, in due course, the weather changes, then you must change your plans accordingly to avoid any unnecessary incidents.
- A full risk assessment must be carried out to assess the structures and the necessary safety equipment that should be used. Any equipment used should not pose any additional risk to the employee; therefore, choosing the most appropriate equipment is paramount
Each employer must ensure that they have adequately planned for their work to take place. They must also ensure that all work is appropriately supervised and carried out responsibly. It is also stated that everyone involved should have received sufficient training in working at height or managed by an experienced person. All work that could be completed more safely from ground level should avoid any unnecessary risk. If any extra measures taken cannot reduce the risk of a fall under extenuating circumstances, then everything must be done by the employer to ensure that the potential fall distance is minimised and the severity of the consequences is reduced.
The Regulations Hierarchy
The Regulations Hierarchy applies to the order of the steps taken to ensure a safe environment when working from a height. The collective protective measures are prioritised over the protection of the individual. For instance, ensure you have installed sufficient scaffolding that complies with safety regulations over providing your workforce with personal protective equipment.
The Hierarchy consists of:
- Avoiding working from a height wherever possible
- Using an existing place of work that is deemed safe
- Providing the appropriate equipment
- Reducing the distance and, as a result, the consequences of a fall
- Providing sufficient training/supervision by a trained individual
Fundamentally, working from a height should be avoided wherever possible. Due to the risks your employees face when carrying out such work, it should not be a matter that is taken lightly.
When the work is unavoidable, you should take these steps to ensure that everything has been done within your power to minimise the level of risk involved. It should not involve unacceptable working conditions. Correctly planning and managing each work project means ensuring that your employees remain safe at all times. Your level of care and attention to detail will significantly impact the potential consequences of a fall.
How To Work at Height Safely
Training
Without the appropriate training, your employees can put themselves at risk and potentially endanger the lives of their colleagues by not adhering to the necessary working from height safety measures. It is the duty of anybody working from height to report another person or defect relating to their work that potentially endangers the safety of that person or any other workforce members.
All employees must also only use the specified equipment deemed safe to use for the task by the employer. Only staff trained in using the equipment can use it to avoid any additional risk.
It is down to the employer to ensure they have employed a workforce appropriate for the task. No person should be permitted to work at height unless competent and trained in such work. Alternatively, they may be supervised by an experienced staff member with adequate experience in their work.
It is essential that your workforce fully understand the risks involved when working from height. Awareness of the risks and how to combat them will put your workers in a much better position.
There is a range of courses available to enroll in, including beginner courses and even more advanced courses. Classes can also be taken for ladder control and scaffolding inspection so your employees know exactly what dangers to look out for. If your staff have the necessary knowledge and skill set, you can rest assured they have a better chance of staying safe.
At 4 Cladding, we offer training and support for anyone using our vacuum lifting equipment to lift heavy items to various heights. We will train you to safely use a suction machine to elevate equipment, and following the training, you will be sent a self-declaration certificate as proof you have completed the course and are qualified to use the equipment.
PPE and Equipment
Although ensuring that your workforce is fully trained in working at height is crucial, this will not be enough to protect them from injury or fatality. Injury risk can be minimised if people wear the proper protective clothing and use fully certified equipment appropriate for the task at hand.
Safety Harnesses
Safety harnesses will provide your workers with the best protection from falling as they are physically attached to the roof or work platform they are standing on. They will help prevent a severe fall to the ground by limiting the distance the connected person can fall. They also enable hands-free work, as being tethered to the platform removes the need to physically hold onto a barrier or railing.
Footwear
Another essential item to reduce the risk of falling is footwear with a good grip. Ensuring footwear is durable, comfortable, and safe on a construction site is vital. When footwear is the right size, it can help prevent workers from tripping, which could potentially cause a fatal fall if working on a platform. Suitable grip footwear will also help feet remain secure, especially in wet conditions.
Additional Measures
Guard rails, barriers, secure scaffolding, and a personal fall protection system are all necessary measures to reduce the risk of falling.
Vacuum Lifter
A vacuum lifter is one of the most helpful tools for minimising the risk of falling objects. It is crucial for lifting large and heavy materials such as concrete slabs, metal and glass panels, and even large bags of rubble or bricks.
Lifting items of such weight manually can put employees at a considerable risk of injury. They can become injured from struggling to lift objects physically or potentially falling. Vacuum lifters provide a completely secure grip using strong suction pads. So, they are guaranteed to raise and lower heavy items successfully and safely to whatever height is required.
Common Working At Height Situations
Many industries require regular working from heights. These job roles involve highly skilled work and experience to minimise the number of falling-related accidents.
Roofing
Roofing is one of the most notable industries where working from height is unavoidable. Roofing alone is responsible for a quarter of all working from height-related deaths within the industry. This makes it one of the most dangerous construction-based roles. Not only is there a possibility of falling through an unstable roof structure, but there is also the risk of falling off the external face of a building.
Construction and Maintenance
Professional roofers are not the only people who may need to access the top of a building. Other construction and maintenance roles require completing work from height, such as electricians, television technicians, sewage maintenance, venue technicians, and chimney and fireplace repair and maintenance. Falls from domestic household roofs often occur due to insufficient training, appropriate equipment, and planning.
Tree Surgery
Tree surgery is responsible for many work-related injuries due to the risk of falling from height and the additional risk of falling timber. In the last ten years alone, there have been an estimated 1,400 recorded injuries associated with tree surgery. Tree surgeons must wear the appropriate protective equipment to maintain their safety. This includes helmets and eye protection, and all work must be well planned out before going underway.
Entertainment
Those in the entertainment industry who are required to quickly build and dismantle tall structures such as stages and lighting are also at risk of obtaining an injury from working at height. Employees in this industry need to remain safe when building structures. Still, they must also ensure the system is stable enough to withstand use.
Common Causes Of Accidents When Working At Height
The most common causes of accidents when working height include:
- Falling objects
- Overreaching
- Unstable work platforms
- Falling from a height
While working at height, a worker’s most significant concern will likely be a potential fall. However, the more common cause of injury is falling objects. Roofers are most susceptible to this by repairing or replacing loose roof slates and tiles. These can easily slip and, because of the brittle material, can cause serious injury to anyone they fall upon.
It is also estimated that over nine people die from falling through fragile roofing every year. This fragility can be due to weather damage, delicate materials being used, such as glass, or the roof not being secured correctly. This is why you must complete a risk assessment before starting any height work. This can help ensure that all surfaces being used are secure and warn workers of areas requiring more caution.
Some of the most catastrophic injuries can result in broken bones, brain damage, and even workers being crushed or trapped under heavy fallen objects. Sufferers of severe accidents may also require mental health support for PTSD and trauma from the event.
Working At Height Myths
We have covered all you need to know to ensure you and your employees remain safe while working at height. We have gathered together some common misconceptions concerning working from height rules.
Ladder Regulations
The biggest myth is that the HSE has banned ladders on building sites. This is not at all true. Ladders and stepladders can be a secure way to get from ground level to a higher platform. So long as it is not for a duration of time longer than half an hour. They are great for low-risk work involving existing features that cannot be altered.
There is also a belief that you will be fined if you are using ladders to access scaffolding, which is false. As long as you use industrial-grade ladders that have been certified as safe, there is no reason you can’t use them to access a scaffolding platform.
Training Requirements
Another misunderstanding is that if you are using the assistance of a vacuum lifter, you do not require training to do so. Anyone operating a vacuum lifter must be fully trained in handling it. A piece of heavy machinery can cause injury if the lifted items are not correctly secured to the suction pads. They can lift extremely heavy objects to top heights, so it would cause severe injuries or even fatalities if they were to fall.
4 Cladding Services offers a complete training course for anyone operating a vacuum lifter. It is accessible and free of charge, making it even easier to gain the skills you need to operate vacuum-lifting machinery safely.
Staircase Misconception
People often believe that you are considered working from height if you are required to climb up and down a staircase to access your place of work. There is limited risk and danger in climbing a flight of stairs sensibly. Because they are fixed structures and do not require any special training, it is not considered as working at height.
It is also important to remember that you are working from a height and above ground level. Suppose your work requires you to access underground, such as opening manhole covers or laying cables or pipework. In that case, you are working from height. Even though the ground may be secure, you still risk falling and suffering an injury.
Working at Height FAQs
How is working at height defined?
Work at height is defined by the HSE as work in any place where, if precautions are not taken, an individual could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury.
What are the six steps to safety when working at height?
There are six levels of control for working at height; these include:
- Planning the job properly – the employer must conduct a risk assessment and plan a way to work on the project, if possible, not at height.
- Select the most appropriate equipment—The employer must install the most well-designed and durable equipment, ensuring it complies with the relevant standards for its intended use.
- Training—Employers are responsible for ensuring that all employees who will be working at heights are competent through training.
- Using the equipment—Training and instructions should be provided detailing the correct equipment use to maximise safety.
- Inspection and Maintenance – Prior to use, all equipment must be thoroughly inspected to determine if it is in working order. Equipment must be kept clean and stored properly.
- Effective supervision—Employers must ensure that all workers, especially inexperienced ones, are supervised at all times.
What PPE is needed for working at height?
Employees should avoid wearing loose clothing to prevent snagging when working at height. A coverall can secure loose clothing, and a hi-vis jacket should be worn for added security. Other standard PPE for workers includes a helmet, eye protection, and protective gloves.
When working at heights, workers will have work restraint systems, fall arrest systems, and horizontal lifelines in place to ensure that if they trip or slip, the severity of their fall is minimised.
Work at Height Safely with 4 Cladding Services
Ultimately, working at height comes with unavoidable risks. That is why it is crucial to ensure you have put every possible safety measure to reduce the chances of fatal accidents. They are at the safest by ensuring your employees are well trained, have all of the necessary tools to hand, and follow an entire risk-assessed plan.
At 4 Cladding, ensuring employee safety is at the core of our products and training courses. If you require further information about improving your working at height procedures or want to enquire about a vacuum lifter to help with the task, do not hesitate to get in touch. We will help you take the best steps for you and your team to ensure everyone is as safe as possible.
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