Safety guidelines when working at heights
At some point in time, individuals may be required to work at heights. Working at heights involves any situation when a person could potentially fall and get injured. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration defines working at heights as any height change of four feet or more. Individual industries may have their own workingat-heights standards.
Falls from structures while working are a constant threat. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reported that there were nearly 900 deaths due to falls in 2018. Consequently, OSHA lists falls among its Òfatal fourÓ workplace fatalities. In 2016 in Canada, 11,495 lost-time injury claims due to falls were made in Ontario alone, which equates to 31 workers a day suffering serious injury after falling.
OSHA indicates roofers, structural iron and steelworkers and electrical power line installers and repairers have the highest overall fatal fall rates. Falls from ladders, scaffolding and lifts onto debris or floors can cause serious injury, even when the height is not thought to be dangerous.
Preventing fall injuries or deaths comes down to adopting safety measures and educating everyone about fall risks. Workers should get training. The Health, Safety and Environment Encyclopedia advises employees should be properly trained and fully understand what working at heights means. Educate employees about the dangers of working at heights, safety measures to mitigate such dangers and appropriate use of fall protection equipment. Check equipment stability. Equipment used for working at heights should be strong, stable and suitable for the work at hand. Equipment should be maintained as well.
Work from the ground first. Workers should do as much work as they can while on the ground, which can include readying supplies or making plans for what to do when elevated. Avoid reaching too far. Reaching far while on a ladder or scaffolding can throw off balance and contribute to falls.
Install guard rails. Guard rails are an excellent option for protecting employees working at heights. Accurately measure fall distances. Calculate fall distances so workers know which personal protective equipment they need for each job. A harness thatÕs effective for a 10-foot fall may not be adequate for a 20-foot fall. Stay current with training. Workers who routinely work at heights should engage in safety training as needed, especially as protocols change and workspace modifications are made.
Working at heights is a major safety concern for professionals and doit-yourselfers working around the house. Anyone working at heights should follow protocols established by various workplace safety organizations.