5 Safety Tips for Working at Heights

16 Sep 5 Safety Tips for Working at Heights

Whenever you’re working at heights, safety should always be the number one priority. Even the slightest misstep may result in a serious injury if there aren’t any precautions in place, or if the systems that are in place aren’t performing as they should. Whether you’re two or 200 metres from the ground, safety is paramount at every height— so what are the best ways to minimise risk?

This article explores five safety tips for working at heights. For personalised advice, contact our team at Australian Height Safety Services today.

What is Working at Heights?

Sometimes, people assume working at heights means working on top of 10 storey buildings, skyscrapers, or other tall structures like the Sydney Opera House. However, working at heights doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be up that high. It refers to where, if the proper precautions aren’t in place, a person may fall from a distance that could cause personal injury.

Generally speaking, working at heights means working two metres or more above the ground. This is because falls from heights are the number one cause of death on construction sites in NSW, and the most serious and fatal injuries occur when falling from a height under four metres. This goes to show that any height can be dangerous, and you should take safety measures regardless of how far off the ground you’ll be.

So how can you minimise your risk when working at heights?

5 Height Safety Tips

It’s essential that employers, employees, and people who work for themselves, take every safety precaution possible when working at heights.

1. Undergo Training

Training is essential for any job, and cannot be understated when working from heights. Height safety training ensures workers have the knowledge and skills to work safely and understand what the potential risks are and how to navigate them if necessary. Height training should include general training as well as specific training for the particular systems that workers will be using, as these may differ between workplaces.

2. Perform Risk Assessments

It’s imperative to conduct a height safety risk assessment when any worker will be working from heights such as roofs, ladders, and scaffolding. This assessment should include identifying potential hazards and evaluating how severe they may be, how likely they are to occur, and the potential consequences. Once this has been done for every potential hazard, you should identify and implement appropriate control measures to minimise the risk of falls.

3. Use Proper Equipment and Systems

Choosing the right fall protection system may make all the difference between a near miss and a serious injury. It’s important to consider all of the factors in the intended workplace to ensure you select the appropriate equipment and systems. Depending on the job, this may be guardrails, walkways, anchor points, static lines, or a combination of systems. This is because all sites are different, so there’s no one solution that will be suitable for every job.

4. Wear Proper PPE

When it comes to working at heights, personal protective equipment (PPE) includes fall restraint and fall arrest systems. They should be high quality and compliant with Australian standards, and should be as comfortable as possible. In addition to acquiring the right PPE, it’s important to regularly inspect it to ensure it’s in good working condition. Inspect your harnesses and lanyards for damage, as well as static lines, ropes, swings, and any other equipment you may use. Ensure you check expiry dates and replace any PPE before it becomes non-compliant, even if it appears to be working well.

5. Check Weather Conditions

Keep an eye on weather forecasts for the area you’ll be working in. If the weather is predicted to be windy, rainy, or even icy, it may be best to pause or postpone work until it clears. Adverse weather conditions may increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries when working from heights, making it essential to monitor what the weather may do. Remember that safety is always the priority, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Safety is Our Priority

Working from heights can be dangerous, so ensure you take every precaution possible to keep yourself safe. At Australian Height Safety Services, we offer a wide range of services from roof anchor points and fall arrest systems to roof access ladders and hatches. Whether you’re in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane, our commitment to safety and adherence to Australian standards is second to none. To find out more, contact us today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR HEIGHT SAFETY SERVICES
1300 941 211