Working at height is a high-risk activity that poses significant threats to worker safety. Falls from heights are a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities.
In this post, we'll delve into the hazards associated with work at height and provide comprehensive guidance on control measures to minimize these risks. Learn how to ensure a safe working environment for yourself and your team when working at height.
Working at height is associated with significant risks and may lead to severe accidents if safety precautions are not followed. In this section, 10 of the most common accidents when working at height are collected:
Inadequate training
When working at height, accidents can lead to severe consequences such as serious injury or even death. One of the main reasons for these incidents is insufficient education. When workers are not properly trained, they may not be able to recognize potential hazards, use equipment properly, or implement safety measures effectively. This issue significantly increases the risk of falling and the possibility of other accidents. Inadequate training can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Inadequate emphasis on safety principles: Employers may not consider safety training as a priority, resulting in workers not receiving sufficient training to work safely at height.
Lack of educational resources: Small workshops or those with limited financial resources may not have access to comprehensive training equipment, specialized courses, or professional instructors. This issue causes the workers to not be properly trained.
Incomplete or outdated training resources: Workers may have completed training courses at some point. However, it is possible that the previous courses did not cover all the topics or were old, which leads to a gap in the knowledge and skills of the worker.
Inconsistent training: Different workers receive different levels of training, leading to inconsistencies in the knowledge and skills of team members.
Overconfidence: Many workers who have worked at height for a long time are overconfident and forget the importance of continuing education and attending refresher courses.
Employers are required to ensure that their workers are trained to work at Height providing regular and in-depth training enables workers to develop the necessary expertise and confidence to perform their tasks safely and effectively.This program includes training on hazard recognition, proper use of equipment, and emphasis on the implementation of safety measures.
It is necessary for employers to consider the implementation of such programs as a priority to reduce the risk of accidents and improve the safety of the work environment for all workers. In addition, it is necessary to update the training regularly to ensure that knowledge and skills are maintained over time.
Inadequate fall protection
The absence of essential safety measures, like safety nets or guardrails, greatly increases the likelihood of accidents involving falls from heights. Fall protection is very important when working at height, as falls can result in serious injury or even death. Inadequate fall protection occurs for a variety of reasons, including:
Failure to identify risk factors: Employers may not be able to identify all potential fall hazards, and as a result, appropriate fall protection equipment is not provided.
Inadequate equipment: The protective equipment provided may not be sufficient in terms of quantity or quality to protect the workers.
Improper maintenance or use of equipment: Protective equipment is ineffective if not used properly. For example A harness or guardrail that is not correctly connected or fitted provides zero safety benefit and can be just as hazardous as not having one at all. In addition, if the equipment is not taken care of enough, they lose their performance. For example, Hardens may suffer from wear and tear if they are not cared for and repaired on time.
Lack of proper planning: Unfortunately, some employers are careless about the type of fall protection equipment and therefore provide equipment that is inappropriate or insufficient.
Financial restrictions: Some employers are forced to spend less money on safety equipment due to financial restrictions.
Employers must take the protection of workers against falls seriously; Failure to pay attention to this issue can result in serious or even fatal consequences. Employers should always carefully assess the workplace to identify any potential hazards to ensure worker safety. After completing the risk assessment, employers must:
- Provide workers with all the necessary protective equipment to prevent falls.
- Check protective equipment regularly and repair if needed.
- Ensure workers receive proper training on the correct usage and maintenance of safety gear to maximize its effectiveness.
If you are an employer, do not forget that worker safety is your first priority. Never sacrifice it to cut costs. If you are a worker, take care of your safety and always use safety equipment properly.
Poor maintenance equipment
The use of poor support equipment, for example ladders, scaffolding or damaged personal protective equipment, with inadequate support and protection leads to work-related accidents. Poorly maintained equipment can be dangerous and lead to accidents in a workplace because of following reasons:
Lack of inspection: Since employers and workers usually do not check their equipment before work, there is a possibility of having an accident by using worn or damaged equipment.
Inadequate maintenance: Employers may not take good care of the equipment and may not notice the failure or damage of the equipment due to reasons such as not lubricating the joints, not tightening the screws and not replacing the worn parts.
Storing equipment in inappropriate places: Equipment stored in inappropriate places, for example humid and acidic environments, are prone to damage and are dangerous to use.
Improper use: Some workers do not use the right equipment. For example, failure to comply with weight limits on ladders or scaffolding can lead to equipment failure.
Depreciation: Equipment that is very old or out of date lacks the necessary safety standards and wears out over time. Therefore, it is very dangerous to use them.
Working at height is an activity that requires proper and reliable equipment. Using improper and weak equipment can lead to serious accidents including falls, injuries and even death. In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary for employers to check all the tools and devices used for working at height and to standardize them in an environment and replace the damaged items as soon as possible.
Workers should also be trained on the correct use, inspection and care of work tools and tools and learn to recognize wear and tear. Workers are obliged to inform the supervisor of the workshop as soon as possible if they observe wear and tear on tools and equipment while staying away from it. These precautions play an effective role in preventing accidents while working at height.
Instability of working surfaces
Working on slippery, uneven or unstable surfaces can lead to falls and accidents. Unstable work surfaces can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
Environmental factors: Working at height outdoors due to the influence of weather conditions can place workers in unstable working levels.
Surface conditions: Uneven or slippery surfaces, such as cracked, potholed or frozen surfaces, can make working at height unstable and increase the risk of falls.
Inadequate support: Some surfaces do not provide enough space to support the worker or his tools and are therefore unstable and dangerous.
Improper Safety Equipment: Equipment that is not securely positioned, for example a loose ladder or scaffolding, can compromise worker safety by shifting and moving and creating an unstable work surface.
Working on unstable surfaces can result in slips, falls, or even death. Employers are required to assess the working environment of workers by providing appropriate equipment such as platforms and non-slip shoes, and provide necessary precautions to maintain stability while working at height.
It is obvious that all the provided safety tools should be installed carefully and stably and should not be loaded more than the allowed limit. These measures will prevent workers from slipping and falling to a great extent while working at height.
Climbing or carrying excessive loads
Workers who walk a long distance or carry a lot of weight while working at height may lose their balance and fall. Traveling a long distance or carrying a heavy load can occur for the following reasons:
Inadequate equipment: Equipment that is too short or unstable forces workers to travel unsafe distances to perform their tasks. In addition, such equipment does not have enough support to carry the load and will lead to instability and fall.
Improper use of equipment: Some workers do not properly follow safety precautions when using equipment. For example, in order to climb to a higher height, they stand on the upper steps of the ladder, or they carry the weight of the platform or scaffolding with them to finish the work faster.
Lack of planning: Some employers do not provide the necessary equipment to do the work due to lack of planning. As a result, workers are forced to take initiative or overwork to complete their work.
Rushing or multitasking: Workers may rush to complete their tasks or have to take on multiple tasks at once. This problem not only reduces the accuracy of the work, but also leads to accidents due to carrying excessive loads or traveling long distances.
Working at height is dangerous and if employers or workers do not take necessary precautions, they will suffer irreparable consequences. In particular, traveling non-standard distances or carrying loads beyond capacity can lead to falls, injuries and even death. For this reason, it is necessary for employers to carefully calculate enough time to complete the project and make sure that all the necessary equipment is provided to the workers before starting work.
Incomplete risk assessment
Failure to identify and assess possible risks before starting work can lead to work accidents caused by unforeseen risks. Incomplete risk assessment can occur for the following reasons:
Lack of awareness: Employers or workers may not have the necessary knowledge and expertise to identify the risks associated with working at height.
Arrogance: Employers or workers may have too much faith in their abilities and assume that working at height is normal for them. This issue makes them not consider possible risks.
Failure to consult with experts: Employers may not use the help of experts and safety experts to identify and assess possible risks.
Traditional or incomplete assessment: risk assessment may not have been done completely or may have been done in the past. This issue can lead to not identifying some risks or handling accidents inappropriately.
When working at height, it is necessary for employers to comprehensively and correctly examine possible risks. In addition to timely detection of risk, this helps the employer to manage the project properly and take necessary measures to maintain the safety of employees.
Improper use of equipment
Improper use of equipment or using the right equipment for the wrong purposes increases the risk of accidents. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
Lack of knowledge or training: Workers may not have received adequate training on the proper use of the equipment or may not have the necessary knowledge to use the equipment safely.
Lack of equipment: The employer may not have provided the appropriate equipment to the worker. This issue forces workers to use equipment that is not suitable or safe for their work.
Improper use: workers may use the equipment inappropriately by not following the manufacturer's instructions or by not following the safety tips.
Improper maintenance and non-repair of tools: Equipment that is not properly maintained may lose its function and lead to accidents.
Working at height carries many risks. If safety protocols are not followed properly, they can lead to serious consequences. Any tool that is used must be suitable for doing that work. Improper use of tools can cause workers to lose control of their work and fall.
Weather conditions
Adverse weather conditions, for example strong winds or snow and rain, can make working at height more dangerous by impairing visibility, making surfaces slippery or disabling equipment. Adverse weather conditions can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
Seasonal changes: Seasonal changes can bring big changes in the weather. For example, strong winds are more likely during hurricane season, and winter can bring lightning and frost. Being aware of these changes can help you stay safe.
Location: Working at height in certain geographical locations such as coastal areas can expose workers to harsh weather conditions such as strong wind or rain.
Incorrect forecast of weather conditions: Sometimes, weather conditions are forecasted incorrectly, resulting in potential accidents.
Since the consequences of working in adverse weather conditions can be severe, employers are obliged to check the weather conditions from reliable sources and consider another time for work if the weather conditions are unfavorable.
Lack of communication and coordination
Poor communication with supervisors or lack of coordination between team members can lead to misunderstandings, using incorrect methods or ignoring risk factors, resulting in accidents. Lack of communication and coordination may occur for the following reasons:
Different work culture: Usually, workers who work in the same place have different citizenships and cultures, and as a result, they have different work styles and expectations, and sometimes this issue leads to misunderstandings and conflicts.
Lack of clear instructions: Supervisors may not provide clear instructions or assume that workers know what to do. This can lead to confusion or mistakes to the workers working at height.
Inadequate training: Workers who are not adequately trained in communication or teamwork are more likely to struggle when working in groups.
Poor communication channels: Employers may not have provided adequate communication channels to workers. For example, the lack of wireless can lead to problems in communicating and exchanging information.
When it comes to workplace safety, a lack of communication and coordination can be devastating. Without clear guidance from employers, the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and even death increases.
In order to avoid such consequences, it is necessary for employers, in addition to providing clear instructions, to ensure communication between employees by creating appropriate communication channels.
Human error
Simple mistakes, for example not ensuring the safety of the harness or not locking the ladder, can lead to falls and other work-at-height accidents. Human error can occur for the following reasons:
Lack of concentration or attention: Workers who are tired or distracted may make mistakes when working at height.
Lack of training or experience: Inadequate training or experience workers may make mistakes when working at heights.
Overconfidence: Some workers with longer working history refuse to follow safety protocols due to overconfidence.
Rushing or multitasking on the job can be dangerous. When workers hurry or try to do too many things at once, they often skip important safety steps and increase their risk of getting hurt.
The consequences of human errors can be severe; In addition to providing adequate training, employers should prioritize the implementation of safety protocols and guidelines. Workers should report their problems and concerns to supervisors and be trained on how to work safely and effectively at height.
Best control measures for working at height
When working at height, control measures must be taken to minimize risks and ensure the safety of employees. You can take reasonable steps to create a safer work environment.
Regular risk assessment
Risk assessment involves careful consideration of what in the workplace can cause injury or harm to people. This allows you to assess the risks associated with the work and whether adequate precautions are in place to prevent injury.
When employees work at heights, companies must conduct a thorough risk evaluation to identify and mitigate potential hazards, as mandated by law. The Health and Safety Executive stipulates that all height-related work must be preceded by a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure a safe working environment.:
- Assesses potential risks.
- Decides on the necessary precautions.
- Document the risk assessment.
Following these steps will help create a safer environment for everyone who works at height. Regular risk assessments also help monitor changes over time and job-to-job differences and ensure that health and safety measures are kept up to date.
Health and safety training
When employers prioritize health and safety, a better culture and a safer work environment are created. Therefore, ensuring that everyone in the business receives appropriate health and safety training is vital when working to prevent injury in the workplace, particularly when working at height.
Health and safety training ensures that co-workers can look out for each other while minimizing potential hazards and risks. Having staff who are up-to-date with health and safety training also means they can do their job to the best of their ability and in a safe manner.
Work at ground level
One of the simplest and most effective ways to control the hazards of working at height is to work at ground level whenever possible. Using equipment that allows employees to stay on the ground eliminates the possibility of falls, which can ultimately lead to death. An example is when window cleaners use advanced equipment instead of ladders.
Elevated Work Platforms
Elevated work platforms help when working at heights in hard-to-reach areas. Equipment such as cherry pickers and scissor lifts help an employee access a range of heights in a much safer manner than using alternative methods such as ladders.
There are still risks when working with elevated work platforms, as machinery falls and overturns are potential hazards of this equipment. However, when these work platforms are used properly, they help reduce many other hazards when working at height, as the user is generally better protected by a protected platform.
Safely store unused tools
There are many risks associated with poor equipment, so making sure unused tools are out of the way will significantly reduce the risks. Proper storage not only prevents items from falling and getting damaged, but also reduces the risk of people slipping or falling on things.
Fall protection fall
protection covers cover uncovered openings, so in the event of a fall, placing the protection in place reduces the impact. These covers act as a temporary platform over holes or openings and are especially important on construction sites, where falls through trenches often occur.
Fall arrest devices
or fall arrests prevent a person from falling while working at height. These devices include guards, scaffolding and mobile high work platforms.
It is important to note that fall prevention devices can degrade over time, so they should be checked regularly to ensure they are working. Poorly designed equipment can cause further injury and hinder the protection of the person working at height.
