Potential risks associated with working at height
Whether from a fall or from falling objects, the risk associated with working at heights can lead to injuries such as concussion, fractured and broken bones, paralysis and even death. Because of the seriousness of the risks, working at heights should be executed with the utmost caution before leaving the ground, whilst at work, and after feet are firmly back on the ground. Reports showed that working at heights was the most significant cause of injury and death in the workplace (HSE). Regulations must be followed with care, and all essential measures should be carried out to mitigate risk. The Work At Heights Regulation 2005 sets out clear instructions for employers and employees' legal expectations when work at heights is required. The following guide will highlight key aspects of this regulation, but if you or your employees are expected to be working at heights, you must read the regulations in full yourself.Before working at height
Employers have a legal responsibility to assess the risks to their employees' health and safety, which includes working at heights. Like any risk assessment, identifying the risks posed is critical to both those on and off the ground. It includes an assessment of equipment, work area, weather and other factors that could impact the operation's safety.Working at height: Things to consider
First and foremost, is the work essential? Wherever possible, do not work at height. It's a simple step, but it is fundamentally the best way to avoid injury to yourself or others; if you don't need to work at height, then don't. The employer should ensure that the work is undertaken in an existing workplace. The employer must provide equipment to ensure that the height risks are mitigated as much as is feasibly possible. Employers should ensure that work at heights is thoroughly organised before execution and are appropriately supervised and carried out safely. Consider important factors such as the height at which the employer will work. This also extends to plans for emergencies and rescue in the case that things go wrong. Consider those below, address the potential risk for those nearer the ground. Make sure you use tool tethers to prevent this.Once the checks are complete
Checklist complete, now you have addressed the necessity of working at heights. Additionally, those working at heights are sufficiently trained and prepared for the task. Protective measures have been applied, and the surrounding environment has been assessed. Lastly, emergency planning has been organised if needs be.Working at height: the importance of safety equipment
Appropriate equipment is always vital to managing the safety of those on-site and for those working at heights. Below is the list of all crucial equipment that will reduce the risk of injuries. The range will include personal protective equipment to protect workers individually. It's vitally important that all equipment used when working at heights is sufficiently assessed, safety checked, and faults are identified before use to prevent failure when in use.Personal Protective Equipment and Workwear
For those working at heights, critical pieces of equipment need to be used to protect the worker from possible risks. For the most part, this equipment is standard PPE, such as protective headgear, protective clothing such as full-length trousers and weather defensive attires, and appropriate footwear.Important considerations
How effective the grip on your footwear is. Consider how cold it will be when off the ground and how the cold or wind could affect your ability to act safely and in a calculated manner. Question your headgear, will this protect me, and will I carry out the work professionally.We stock all personal protective equipment.
CMT stocks a diverse range of personal protective equipment and workwear from a range of trusted suppliers. You can browse our head protection here, where you'll find a range of different specifications to find one that suits your work. You can also browse our high-quality Rockfall footwear, with various options and multiple features. Don't forget we stock industry leaders such as MAX.Harnesses
Besides classic PPE, you can check out our harnesses and other fall arrest equipment for work at height. Good quality, reliable harnesses are an essential piece of protective equipment for working at heights. In the case of a fall, these are the pieces of equipment that will catch you before you hit the ground, making them vital to safe practice. DO NOT cut corners with safety checks for equipment like harnesses and the TOOL tethering equipment holding you in. Always make sure that your equipment is thoroughly checked for faults and weaknesses, as this is key to making sure that your equipment won't fail on you if you fall.Tool Tethers
Tool Tethers are another critical piece of kit when leaving the ground. Whether tethering yourself to an anchor point or tethering tools, you must use quality use high-quality tethers. Trusted suppliers like NLG are a great choice. In 2017/18, dropped tools were the third biggest workplace killer and caused over 7,000 reported injuries. These accidents are easily avoided - the use of a variety of tool tethers and making sure that you choose your equipment appropriately. Consider the max load of your tethers and make sure you aren't using tethers that can't handle your tools' weight. Also, make sure that the attachments and carabiners are made of resilient materials and design. We stock a range of tool tethers and lanyards, from heavy-duty webbing lanyards to helmet lanyards and tethering bags. These are all load tested and made of materials that are built to last.Site Safety Equipment
When establishing danger zones and keeping worksites safe, it's necessary to choose the right access equipment, barriers, and signage to construct a safe and informative worksite. Essential items can include well-positioned barriers in bright and standout colours with clear and understandable instructions. Use trusted supplies such a ladders and scaffold towers. The Work At Heights Regulation 2005 describes in detail when and where employees should use collective means of protection. For example, it specifies the importance of guardrails, toe-boards, and other sorts of necessary and appropriate barriers. For full details on the requirements of collective protection equipment, see here.Keeping your site safe
Here at CMT, we take safety seriously. Accidents and injuries are nasty experiences and ones that should be avoided at all costs. Our job is to provide you with top-quality equipment that you can trust. Whether on or off the ground, we have the right equipment. As the UK's leading PPE provided, we strongly advise you read the Work at Heights Regulation 2005 in full. Please remember, this is our guide to remaining safe at heights. Always check the law thoroughly and do your due diligence.
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