Falls from height contribute a large percentage of all injuries or fatalities in the workplace. Over recent years we have noticed an improvement in the statistics, but the number of people being injured at work is still unacceptable. Not only is it a reasonable expectation, it is law, that risks be controlled in the workplace such that employees can go home at the end of the day as healthy as when they arrived. Whilst work at height poses a challenge for employers, it is only one consideration when developing total compliance systems.

Work at heights is high risk, no matter what the height. There is a tendency to ‘define’ the risk away by defining work at height as any work conducted over 2 metres. Whilst this might make it easy for writing policies and procedures, it must always be remembered that a risk management approach is necessary for all activities. Risk management is the foundation of all successful enterprises and sound knowledge of the process is necessary at all levels in an organisation.

There is a tendency to immediately think of harnesses and fall-arrest systems for work at heights. This fall prevention method is low on the hierarchy of controls and is not the most effective method. A thorough understanding of all other prevention measures is mandatory for employers, site controllers and affected employees. A disturbing trend is the number of workers suffering fatal falls from height who are still wearing their harness. This is often attributed to poor use of equipment, selection of anchors or inadequate rescue systems.

The provision of rescue systems is widely misunderstood and often inadequate. Many systems we have observed are notional at best and if tested, would most likely be ineffective. A mobile phone is not a safety system and emergency services can not be relied on for fast and effective rescue. System designers should be mindful of the consequences of fall-arrest. The fall is often violent and may result in a worker being in a position where rescue is very difficult to achieve. It is not acceptable to leave rescue planning for after the event, the system must be established before the task commences.

The are many aspects to height safety compliance, equipment and competency. For this reason RR+R has a suite of height safety related courses. If the course you are seeking is not listed on our web-site, please contact our National Support Centre.

Customising training to meet your specific needs is our specialty. See also RR+R's vertical rescue programs.