Working At Heights E-Learning
Working at heights within business remains one of the biggest causes of major injuries and fatalities. The most common causes include falls from ladders and through weak surfaces.
The definition of ‘Work at height’ is working anywhere, if there were no measures in place, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury (for example a fall off a ladder when you are working on a roof).
What do I have to do?
As an employer you have the responsibility of ensuring that all work carried out by your employees has been carefully planned looking at the risks involved. These should then be measured using a risk assessment to ensure that you are doing everything possible to manage the risk by adopting the avoid, prevent and minimise rule.
Where possible you should introduce equipment that minimise the risk you personnel ensuring everyone is kept as safe as possible.
Dos and don’ts of working at height
Do….
- Ensure that when working at height their is a safe route to and from ground level
- try to do as much of the work required from ground level
- ensure all equipment is suitable and maintained
- ensure extra precautions are taken when working near weak surfaces
Don’t…
- overload ladders refer to all mechanical information that is provided to ensure the machinery if fit for purpose
- overreach on ladders or stepladders
- rest a ladder against weak surfaces, eg glazing or plastic gutters
- use ladders or stepladders for strenuous or heavy tasks, only use them for light work of short duration (a maximum of 30 minutes at a time)
If you are looking for information on Working At Heights E-Learning and providing training for your staff we can help.
