Think you know everything about working at height? Think again! There are a lot of myths floating around that could put you or your team at risk. Let's clear up the confusion.
In this post, we’ll bust 10 common
work at height myths and replace them with solid safety facts.
Let’s get started!
Work At Height
Many people assume that Work at Height is only necessary for high-risk industries like construction, oil and gas, or search and rescue. However, Work at Height is essential for various sectors, including telecommunications, wind energy, and even film and theater production. Any job that requires working at elevated positions, whether it's changing a light bulb or performing routine maintenance, falls under the category of Work at Height.
The techniques, methods and elements for carrying out Work
at Height continue to evolve every day to make the work easier and also to make
it increasingly safer and more efficient.
10 myths about Work at Height
People who are unaware of the methods, training and other
aspects of rope access work often believe a number of myths. But today we are
going to debunk them and explain the reality of them.
1. Work at Height is dangerous
It is common to hear comments that refer to people who work
at heights as risking their lives. This happens because they relate it to
extreme sports such as climbing, mountaineering and others.
The truth is that the level of safety with which Work at
Height is carried out is much greater than that of mountain activities. In
addition, these are tasks that can only be carried out by experienced and
trained personnel.
This does not mean that these are jobs in which operators
are not exposed to any type of danger. But the risk is low.
Danger is present when there is a situation that could cause
a possible injury or negative effect on a person's health.
On the other hand, risk is the combination of probabilities
and consequences that result from a given dangerous event occurring. These,
unlike hazards, are evaluated.
So, even though the danger of Work at Height is high, the
risks that operators must assume are quite low. Since, in general, they
strictly comply with a series of safety protocols and use fall protection systems.
This does not include people who work at heights and do not
have the necessary training. They carry out work using their own or incorrect
methods.
2. You must be a climber or mountaineer to perform Work at Height
This myth was created because, in the formal beginnings of
high-altitude work, companies were interested in hiring people with experience
in the world of mountain sports. Climbers and mountaineers were highly sought
after for these jobs.
In the 80s and 90s, some mountain sports professionals were
bricklayers. They began to use their knowledge in the sporting field in the
professional field and Work at Height emerged. This is where this myth comes
from.
Nowadays, anyone can train to become a professional in Work
at Height. This is thanks to the professionalisation of the sector by the
associations ANETVA and IRATA. In other words, individuals do not need to have
knowledge of mountain sports.
3. Descenders without an anti-panic function cannot be used in Work at Height.
The anti-panic function is a system that allows a descent to
be stopped. To do this, a large force must be applied to the descent lever. It
is not required by any regulations for Work at Height.
However, it is mandatory that the work rope be equipped with a safe ascent and descent system. This in turn must have an automatic locking system. This way, the user is prevented from falling freely if he or she loses control of the situation.
4. Work at Height training is a one-time process
Many people believe that once you receive training for Work at Height, you are certified for life. However, this is not the case. Training and certification for Work at Height are ongoing processes. Technicians must complete regular refresher courses and re certification programs to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques, equipment, and safety protocols. This ensures that workers remain competent and safe while performing tasks at height. In fact, most certification bodies, such as IRATA and ANETVA, require technicians to re certify every 3-5 years. Additionally, many employers and clients require workers to have current certification before allowing them to work on site.
5. Work at Height is expensive
Many people limit themselves from requesting Work at Height
services because they believe that they are very expensive. But the reality is
that the total costs decrease significantly, since cranes do not have to be
hired or scaffolding installed.
In addition, operators make better use of their time, which
allows work to be carried out more efficiently.
On the other hand, a good Work at Height Company will try to
adapt to your needs and budget. They will surely offer you several
alternatives.
6. Only one type of professional can perform Work at Height
This is completely false. Although there are many Work at
Height technicians who have the necessary training to carry out multiple tasks,
there are also others who are more specialized in certain areas. For example,
in painting and maintenance of facades, electrical installations, welding and
others.
7. Work at Height is only carried out outdoors
Although it is more common to see operators on the outside
of buildings, roofs and covers in Validation, Work at Height can also be
carried out in closed spaces. For example, in very deep wells, caves, pipes,
tunnels and similar elements.
You can even see professionals in this field inside elevator
shafts in buildings or in interior courtyards.
8. You can work at height alone
Trying to carry out vertical or high-altitude work alone is
a serious mistake. Ideally, there should be at least two professionals in
the field at the workplace.
In this way, in the event of an accident, the second
operator can take the necessary rescue or emergency actions.
If someone is doing a job alone and has an accident, there
will be no one to help him.
9. The same harness can be used for climbing and for Work at Height
There are specific harnesses for carrying out certain
activities at height. And although some are very similar, each one of them has
different characteristics to adapt correctly to the movements you are going to
carry out, the time you are going to be suspended, the environment and other
factors.
This means that you cannot use a climbing harness to perform
Work at Height, and vice versa. This is one of the most popular myths about Work
at Height.
Harnesses for Work at Height must comply with a series of
standards and these must be certified. They are selected mainly according to
the task you are going to perform. They can be for retention, fall protection,
suspension, rescue and others.
In addition, unlike climbing harnesses that only have
adjustments at the waist and legs, they have adjustments at the chest and back
for greater stability and safety.
If you select the wrong harness for any activity at high
altitudes you are putting your life at risk.
10. Operators can work with a single rope
Work at Height technicians must always carry out their work using two ropes. One that allows them to descend, ascend and move around the places they need to access. And the other that serves as a safety rope in case of emergencies.
