Tool Box Talk: Why Consider Falls from Heights

Why consider falls from heights?

Falls from height are responsible for many serious and fatal injuries every year. If a person falls from a height above two metres the likelihood is that they will sustain serious injury.

In the 2009 3rd quarter Quarterly Report, the International Aluminium Institute reported that an employee of a particularly refinery died after falling from a height of 2 metres.

The employee had completed his task and went to put away his tools in a toolbox placed on a platform about 2 metres from the ground floor. He fell from the platform and succumbed to the injury.

Many work activities involve working at height. Working from ladders, scaffolds and platforms are obvious examples, but there are many more activities where people are required to work at height. Examples include roof work, working over tanks and pits, at the edge of elevated structures, or on top of vehicles or trailers.

The Risks Associated with working at Heights:

The main hazards associated with working at height are people falling and objects falling onto people below. These may occur as a result of inadequate edge protection, or from objects in storage being poorly secured. Workers in maintenance and construction and many other people in a variety of jobs could be at risk of falling from height at work. Examples include: painters, decorators and window cleaners and those who undertake one-off jobs without proper training, planning or equipment.

Assessing the Risk:

If work at height cannot be avoided, a risk assessment must be carried out before any work at height is undertaken. The assessment must highlight the measures that must be taken to ensure people are not at risk of falling from height. The risks associated with working at height must be assessed.

A five-step approach to risk assessment is recommended, and the risk of slips, trips and falls should also be considered.

Step 1

Look for hazards associated with falls from height around the workplace. Where are people required to work at height? Do they carry out work from ladders, platforms, scaffolds, or unprotected or fragile roofs?

Step 2

Decide who might be harmed and how. Who comes into the workplace? Are they at risk? Are some groups more at risk than others?

Step 3

Consider the risks. Are there already measures in place to deal with the risks? Look at areas with unguarded openings or without guardrails and covers. Are regular inspections carried out?

Step 4

Record your findings if you have five or more employees.

Step 5

Regularly review the assessment. If any significant changes take place, make sure that precautions are still adequate to deal with the risks.

Good Practice

Ladders:

Ladders are acceptable only for access or work of short duration.

They are to be:

• erected at correct angle (4 up to 1 out)
• secured (preferably at top) or footed
• positioned close to the work to avoid over-reaching
• sufficiently protected at the base of any ladder or access equipment to prevent pedestrians or vehicles bumping into them

Stepladders:

When using stepladders the following precautions shall be taken:

• Always spread them to their full extent and lock them off
• Do not work on the top platform
• Do not use the top tread, tool shelf or rear part of the steps as a foot support
• Only one person shall be on the ladder at any one time
• The ladder must be appropriate and of the correct grade for the intended use

Access equipment:

• Any hired equipment must be fit for the purpose. Hired contractors must provide information about the risks involved
• All access equipment must be properly maintained and regularly inspected
• Those erecting and using access equipment must be competent to do so, and training shall be provided where necessary
• Precautions must be taken to prevent the fall of objects or persons
• Do not increase reach by placing ladders on access equipment

Mobile elevated platforms:

• Use the platform only on level, firm ground
• Only use the equipment with outriggers and stabilisers
• Work with a trained operator at ground level
• Safety harnesses must be worn while on the platform
• Keep the platform within safe working limits and radius, taking account of wind speeds

Scaffold towers:

• must be erected by a competent person
• have a height to base dimension ratio not exceeding 3 to 1 indoors, or 2.5 to 1 outdoors
• have all casters firmly locked before use
• have ladder access to the working platform
• never be moved while the tower is occupied
• be regularly inspected and maintained

And a bonus quote from Colin Powell:

“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”

Thanks for the share, TO!