Working At Height

Work at height” would mean working at any place above ground or floor level where, if precautions are not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. 

Work at height does not include a slip or a trip on the level, as a fall from height has to involve a fall from one level to a lower level, nor does it include walking up and down a permanent staircase in a building.

Control Measures

  1. Working at a height of more than 1.8 meters, ISI approved Fall Arrestor type Safety belt, safety net should be provided depending upon site conditions, job requirements.
  2. Working at a height of more than 1.8 meters, permit should be issued by a competent person before commencement of the job. 
  3. Worker should be well trained on usage of safety belt including its proper usage at the time of ascending/descending. 
  4. Precautions must be taken to ensure that portable tools should be carried in tool kits, hand tools etc, used in elevated work areas to avoid falling onto below person.
  5. Always to provide a safe working platform. 
  6. Keep working area neat, clean  and dry. 
  7. Remove scrap material if any.
  8. Equipments/ tools / safety items / ladder etc which are to be used for work at height must be pre checked before using at site.
  9. If the job is on fragile /sloping roof, roof walk ladders shall be used.
  10. Provide lifeline wherever required. Keep both hands free while climbing. Don’t try to bypass the steps of the ladder.
  11. No one must be allowed to work on wet surfaces or work in exposed positions in the rain, heat or strong winds. Also, plant and equipment such as cranes, mobile elevating work platforms, cradles etc. must not be used in such conditions.

Training programme for working at height should cover the following points:

  1. PPEs (fall arrestor, lifeline, double hook full body harness, safety net).
  2. HSE Policy.
  3. Planning of workplace at height.
  4. Risk can occur performing work at height.
  5. Safe use of ladders, scaffolding erection.
  6. Maintaining daily equipment update records.
  7. Rescue techniques – if someone is suspended from a safety harness or falls on a safety net.
  8. Actions to be taken in case of emergency

Dos and Don’t dos of working at height:

 

  1. Work on ground level as much as possible.
  2. Ensure workers can get their work done safely.
  3. Ensure equipment is suitable, stable and strong enough for the job.
  4. Take precautions while working on fragile surface.
  5. Provide protection from falling objects.
  6. Consider emergency evacuation and rescue procedures.

  1. Overload ladders. 
  2. Rest a ladder against weak upper surface.
  3. Use ladders or step ladders for heavy tasks. 
  4. Let anybody perform work who don’t have skill, knowledge and experience to do job