When we are discussing working at heights, what we are talking about is people who are assigned to a task that involves pretty much any occurrence in which a fall could result in injury or worse. This covers everything, including working on a ladder, roof, unstable surface, or even merely a location that has a hole or an opening that could be hazardous if proper persuasions aren’t taken.

The basic idea for every manager of such a project is to make sure that the fall never happens, because the last thing that you want is for an employee to sustain an injury, or, in the worst case scenario, plunge into their death.

It’s a fact that falling is one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths among people who work at heights. This is why every hazard that is present needs to be properly assessed. Furthermore, safe practices and trained use of personal protective equipment need to be advocated and assisted.

Get the right PPE

The best course of action is to use a Personal Fall Arrest System, referred to as PFAS. However, you still need to make sure that the equipment that you choose is just right for your workers and the project that you are taking on. This goes for body harnesses, lanyards, webbing, anchorages, connectors, and so on.

While pretty much any body harness that is made according to ANSI standards will do, it is often vital that you consider what you are getting, because each of them has a certain functionality that comes along with the given price. Decide according to your situation whether you are going to use one made of nylon or Kevlar. Also, make sure that they fit your employees’ perfectly, as one size does not fit all.

The height at which you are working also determines what kind of lanyard you are going to require. For example, the one that you decide that you want to use might require a deceleration device. Keep in mind that such a device adds 3.5’ to the length of the lanyard. However, in some situations such a solution simply won’t work, and you might have to get retractable lanyards instead.

Make sure that your ladders are safe

As the ladder is the most common tool used for working at heights, it pretty much goes without saying that falling from one is the most common problem here. This is why it is crucial that you ensure that all the ladders that you use are suitable for the particular project, and also strong enough to hold a lot of weight.

It is important to remember that a ladder needs to be placed at a level ground in order to be stable. You really want to avoid surfaces that counter that stability, such as moist, snow, mud, and so on. Furthermore, ladders need to be properly secured before anyone uses them to get the job done. The hinged braces need to be locked down. This way the ladders will be tightly fixed, so you can be sure that they won’t fall over.

As for the tools that workers are going to use while they are on the ladders, they need to have a tool belt or a holster where they are going to carry the necessary tools and equipment. This is important because it will enable them to freely use their hands to climb up and down.

Train your workforce properly

Of course, it is not enough for you yourself to know all of the safety standards and practices. Your employees need proper training for every step of the way. They need to know all the regulations, and undergo training on how to properly use all the equipment that they are supplied with. Furthermore, they need to be able to assess every situation well enough in order to decide what the best course of action would be.

Every country has its own set of safety standards that are regularly revised. For example, Australia has its AS1657 standard which has been updated in 2018, and every business needs to adhere to it. If you are based in the Land Down Under, you could really use the help of professionals such as Sydney Rescue Consultants. Your staff will receive training through a variety of courses. You’ll also be able to utilize various services, likesafety consulting, confined space entry management, bespoke training solutions, etc.

Understand the fall distance

While it may sound like something that should go without saying, understanding the fall distance is an issue that some businesses don’t comprehend properly. For example, you may come across a situation where someone is working about 10’ from the ground and using a 6’ lanyard with a deceleration device.

This simply will not do. Why? Because, as we have previously ascertained, a deceleration device adds 3.5’ to the whole length of the lanyard. Therefore, what they are actually working with is 9.5’. So, not only must you consider this factor, but you also need to think about how tall the person involved is. Also, every sag in the anchor system or harness matters.

In summation

Basically, you must never leave the safety of working at heights to luck or chance. This is a process that requires planning, preparation, education, and proper care. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell the inherent hazards of working in such conditions.

So, make sure that you do your best to follow all the necessary regulations and fully assess the situation before you send your team out to the location. There is a lot of importance in nurturing a safety culture in your company.