Working at Height

Fall from heights is the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and injury 2/3 of all major injuries caused by low falls (below 2 metres)

Work at Height Regulations 2005 came into force in April 2005, These regulations apply to all industries, and all employers, self employed and anyone in control of people who works at height, to the extent of their control. The regulations apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury

Work at height is defined as any height where a person could be Injured falling from it. This includes access and egress work at or below ground level but not stairways or slips or trips on the level

What are the legal requirements?

• Those involved in working at height are competent
• The risks from working at height are assessed i.e.  RISK ASSESSMENT
• The appropriate work equipment is selected and used
• All working at height is properly planned and organised
• The risks are properly controlled
• Equipment for working at height is properly inspected and maintained
• The place where working at height “IS SAFE”

Managing and selecting equipment for working at height

• AVOID working at height where possible
• Use work equipment or other measures to PREVENT falls where working at height cannot be avoided
• Where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, use work equipment or other measures to MINIMISE the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur

Select the right work equipment

• Working conditions
• Access and egress
• Distance and consequences of a fall
• Duration and frequency of use / task
• Ease of rescue / evacuation
• Risk of use, installation and removal of equipment

Key messages

• If you follow good practice you should be doing enough to comply
• Do a risk assessment, plan and organise your work properly
• Follow the hierarchy: avoid – prevent – minimise
• Choose the right equipment - select collective protection before personal
• Guide supported by Industry Specific Guidance

Assessing safe roof access

When evaluating roof safety requirements you need to consider the following:

• Why am I on this roof – clean the gutters?
• Who else needs to access this roof – maintenance engineer?
• How do I get on to this roof – roof access hatch?
• How often do I need to get on this roof – annually?
• Are there any hazards on this roof – glass roof lights?
• What is the roof type – asbestos?
• What is the best form of safety to use?

 Safety precautions to prevent falls

The following is a list of safety measures in the order of preference by the health & safety executive:

• Designed parapet
• Guardrail at roof edge
• Permanent walkway
• Temporary sockets
• Line systems

 Summary

Adequate measures need to be put into place and risk assessments need to be carried out.

Minimise risk of falls and injury, by looking at ways to gain safe roof access

Check list:

1.       Why do I need to gain roof access?
2.       What are the risks?
3.       How can I minimise the risks?