Working at Height

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Contractors may find themselves working at height often. Whether in construction work or civil maintenance, individuals work at height every day. Not only can this potentially be daunting, but it also poses numerous risks.

Let’s discuss the common questions regarding working at height and how SMS Europe can help you tackle the related risks.

What Is Working at Height?

Working at height refers to work that could lead to a person falling from a distance which could be liable for personal injury. This could include work such as:

On trestles
On a ladder
Near or close to fragile surfaces/materials (such as a fragile roof)
Within an excavation site

Work in heights does not always have to be above ground level - you could be working on ground level or below it, and it would still be classed as working at height.

Working at height regulations UK - The Work at Height Regulations 2005 - state that you, as the employer or person who controls work at height, must:

Ensure work is supervised, properly planned, and only carried out by competent people
Assess the risks before any work

As an employee expected to work under these conditions, you must:

Report any safety risk or hazard that you spot
Use suitable equipment, as well as protective equipment appropriately
Comply with all health and safety regulations as set out by the employer

How Is Working at Height Defined?

According to the The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), state that you are working at height if you:

work above ground/floor level
could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface, or
could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or hole in the ground

Safety Risks to Consider When Working at Height

From risk of falls to the risk of objects falling, there are a wide range of safety risks to consider for work at heights. This is why it is incredibly important to undertake a working at height risk assessment to identify potential risks and safety hazards at your work site.

Here are several safety concerns for working at height to be aware of:

Risk of Falls

A fall from an elevated surface can be serious, potentially even fatal, if from a considerable distance. Falls can happen at any time, from climbing ladders and scaffolding to using a harness, to simply standing on unstable surfaces.

Risk of Objects Falling

From adverse weather conditions to accidental slips, objects could fall from one level to the one below, and possibly injure or hurt another worker.

What Measures Should Be Taken to Prevent the Risks?

You must ensure that you have sufficient measures that can mitigate these risks. Investing in working at height training courses for you and your employees is one actionable way to minimise the likelihood of safety risks. Adequate training can ensure that your employees are aware of how to manage working at height in a safe manner.

A health & safety course focussing on working at height can also train workers in how to use the right equipment for the job at hand. Risk assessments should always be carried out to identify potential hazards and ways to approach tasks safely. Following working at height regulations is crucial.

Choose SMS Europe for Your Health and Safety Consulting Needs

At SMS Europe, we offer best-in-class working at height training and consulting services to help you minimise risk when it comes to the safety of your employees and yourself. SMS Europe provides professional and bespoke solutions to meet your specific business needs.

For more information on our services, or if you have any further questions about working at height, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.