A person’s safety should be their top concern. Keeping this in mind, you must always take certain precautions to ensure your well-being, whether at your house, in daily life, or at the workplace. Similarly, construction site workers face many challenges while working, this includes exposure to hazardous substances, electrical hazards, working at height challenges, and other different kinds of accidents.
In light of such challenges, the primary concern for the construction site workers should be to ensure their well-being and survive their day out. But ensuring your safety by taking appropriate measures takes work. While planning out these safety measures, the employer must consider all the hazards and threats the workers are exposed to while adhering to health and safety regulations.
Despite all the other challenges at a construction site, working at height undoubtedly accumupose snificant threat to the health and safety of the workers. Falls from heights and struck incidents are the primary cause of workplace injuries. So, if you are a construction site worker, you’re definitely at the right place; in this article, we will provide you with essential working-at-height tips to ensure safety while working at height.
Understanding Working at Height
Working at height refers to any task or activity that involves working at an elevated position or surface from where there is a risk of falling and sustaining potential injury. Working at a height typically involves tasks performed above ground levels, such as working on ladders, scaffolds, roofs, platforms, or elevated workstations.
However, working at height can be very threatening if appropriate safety measures aren’t implemented before carrying out the task. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, falls remain the leading cause of death in construction, with over 33% of fatal construction accidents attributed to falls from height.
As it is no surprise that working at height can be dangerous, we have specific regulations surrounding workplaces that often conduct work at peak. WAHR, also known as Working at Height Regulations 2005, is a legislation that focuses on managing risks associated with working at height. This regulation aims to prevent falls, injuries, and fatalities while working at height. And for that, there are specific responsibilities this regulation places on the shoulder of employers.
Working at Height Regulation 2005
WAHR 2005 is a regulation that aims to prevent the risk of injuries and casualties associated with working at height. This regulation dictates certain responsibilities for workplace employers related to implementing firm health and safety policies in the workplace to ensure the well-being and safety of the workers. Now let’s take a detailed look at the key provisions of WAHR 2005.
Key Provisions
Substituting work at height:
WAHR dictates employers avoid working at height tasks. This means employers should thoroughly assess the work and find alternative methods or equipment that could make the task much safer.
Conducting risk assessment:
Employers must conduct a risk assessment before any work at height. A working at-height risk assessment would help analyze and evaluate risks associated with the task. Allowing the employers to take effective control measures to eliminate or reduce these hazards.
Competent workers:
Employers should ensure that the workers performing work at height are qualified and skilled, allowing them to carry out their tasks while ensuring their safety. For that, employers must provide their workers with training such as working at height in construction training, online working at height courses, etc.
Provision of appropriate equipment:
Employers must provide their employees with appropriate equipment to ensure that they stay protected while working at heights.
Planning, organizing, and supervising:
Employers are responsible for planning and organizing work at height activities, ensuring proper supervision, and maintaining clear communication between all parties involved.
Duty to inspect and maintain equipment:
Employers or designated workers should regularly inspect and maintain work-at-height equipment to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
Duty to provide information, instruction, and training:
Employers must provide workers with clear communication, instruction, and training on the risks associated with working at height, as well as the safe use of equipment and systems.
Ensuring Safety While Working at a Height
Here are some tips for construction site workers to ensure their safety while working at height:
1. Proper selection and inspection of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Workers should carefully select the appropriate PPE for their safety while carrying work at height. This includes helmets, harnesses and lanyards, anchor points, and non-slip wear. The worker should be able to see what PPE could come in handy while working at height. Additionally, regular inspections of PPE are crucial to identify and replace damaged or worn-out equipment.
2. Assessing the workplace
The employer and worker should carefully assess where working at height would be conducted. This includes searching for defects in the work platform, broken surfaces, and faulted machine equipment and removing any obstacles or liquid that could lead to slips and trips. The worker should be competent enough to assess their workplace and take precautions accordingly. For that, the worker might need to undergo training like slip, trip, and fall training, equipment training, working at height training, risk assessment training, etc.
3. Training workers
As mentioned above, the worker must be competent and skilled in working at height practices. A professional and qualified worker has the skill set to perform work at height and give the required output.
4. Emergency procedures and first aid
No matter how strong your risk assessment is or how many preventive measures you have taken, accidents can still occur, and it is important that you, as an employer, arrange emergency procedures and first aid at the workplace to aid the worker who has suffered from the accident. Providing first aid at the workplace would allow the injured person to be treated properly before professional medical assistance arrives.
5. Reviewing and learning from past incidents
Employers should conduct thorough investigations of incidents or near misses, identify the root cause, and evaluate and implement appropriate corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.
Promoting a Safety Culture
How many responsibilities is an employer in charge of regarding health and safety policies in the workplace? Promoting a safety culture is an after-act that an employer should perform after implementing health and safety policies related to working at height.
Here are some ways an employer or a supervisor can promote a safety culture in the workplace.
- Encouraging workers’ involvement in safety initiatives: Employers should foster a safety culture by involving workers in safety programs, soliciting their input, and empowering them to identify and report potential hazards.
- Recognition and rewarding safe practices: Employers should acknowledge and appreciate workers who consistently prioritize safety. Implementing a recognition system that encourages adherence to safety guidelines and the reporting of near misses.
- Conducting regular safety meetings: Scheduling regular safety meetings to discuss safety topics, address concerns, and provide updates on safety procedures. Before each shift, toolbox talks should be held to review specific tasks and associated risks.
- Providing avenues for reporting and addressing safety concerns: Establishing channels for workers to report safety concerns anonymously, ensures that their voices are heard and that appropriate actions are taken to address the issues promptly.
Summary
Working at height on construction sites demands rigorous attention to safety protocols to prevent accidents and protect workers. By conducting comprehensive risk assessments, implementing the necessary safety measures, and promoting a strong safety culture, we can create a work environment that prioritizes the well-being of all workers. Remember, safety should never be compromised, and each individual is responsible for ensuring a secure working environment. Let us commit to working together to make construction sites safer and more efficient for everyone involved.
Also read: How Do Construction Takeoff Estimating Costs for Home
