When working from height, an employee is constantly faced with a high risk of falling. It is therefore important that all safety measures be carefully taken when working from heights. There are quite a number of accidents that occur as a result of negligence. 99% of such accidents are fatal and are also major drawbacks to companies too. Working from heights requires diligent preparation, protection, and strict adherence to the health and safety measures set by the government, as highlighted by the alarming statistic that almost 20 percent of workplace fatalities were in the construction sector in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employers also need to make sure that the employees are properly and regularly trained and that all safety equipment is made available. Regardless of the height, you are working from, fall protection is a necessity. In this post, I share a few tips for accident prevention.
Employers can further ensure workplace safety by providing ongoing safety measures and education, as emphasized by ConsumerShield, a company dedicated to supporting workers in high-risk industries.
1. Identify Any Fall Hazard
Whether you are in demolition, construction, maintenance, or working with any rigging equipment, you need to first check for any potential hazards. Be aware of your environment at all times so that you can know when something is out of its place and is posing a risk. Carefully check every safety equipment daily before you begin your work. This way you will know if the ropes have gotten weak and cannot support your weight just in case you slip.
2. Assess the Risks That Might Cause You to Fall
There is always a possibility of falling whenever you are working from a height whether you are working on a roof, or working on a tall building. Check out the size, layout, nature, and every aspect of the site you will be working from before you begin working. Should you find any risks, you should immediately report them so that they can be addressed with the relevant experts.
3. Use All Protective Measures to Minimise Accidents
There are several safety measures required from employees working from a height. These safety measures must be implemented every time. Some safety measures include:
- Having the right PPE
- Using railings
- Using roof anchor points
- Understanding fall heights
- Practicing ladder safety
- And so much more
You should also understand the dos and don’ts of working from a height so that you can take all the necessary precautions.
4. Have An Emergency Procedure in Place
Ensure you have all safety measures in place and follow them keenly, as anything can still happen. This is why you need to have an emergency procedure that will immediately respond to an accident.
A fall, depending on the distance does not have to be fatal and many how quickly you respond to the accidents will determine the outcome of the accident. Employees on the site need to be sufficiently trained on how they should react and respond effectively to a fall.
5. Regularly Update Your Safety Measures
Safety precautions change from time to time to adapt to the rise in technology and the high demand for safety. You need to update all your safety measures regularly so that you are always at the top of your game when it comes to the safety of your workers and the work site as well.
Conclusion
Fall protection is the responsibility of the employee and the employer as well. This is because both will be affected should there be an accident at the site.
Another major fall hazard is falling objects or tools. Employees working from a height should also make sure that they keep the tools they are working with safely so that they do not injure the workers below.
Remember, use safety measures that protect everybody at the work site and not the employees working from a height only.
