Safety education
July 1st 2005

While the new Work at Height Regulations are welcome and will hopefully go a long way in helping to address the issue of falls from height, they will only be truly effective if training is brought into the equation. Graham Willmott, marketing director of Safesite explains how training must become a vital part of any work at height Falls from height are still the biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury with some 67 deaths and nearly 4000 major injuries reported during 2003/4.

This April saw the introduction of the much anticipated Work at Height Regulations which have been designed to tackle this very problem, not just in construction but across all industries. The new regulations cover essential areas when it comes to working at height and also address the important issue of training - an area that is often overlooked.

Carrying out a risk assessment andinstalling the appropriate safety equipment goes only part of the way to preventing a fall. Work at height is by nature extremely dangerous so those who carry out this form of work need the appropriate knowledge and skills to do the work safely as failure to do so could result in a serious accident.

The new regulations require competence when it comes to work at height. This includes not only those carrying out the work but also anyone who is involved in the organisation, planning, supervision and the supply and maintenance of equipment. If other precautions are unable to eliminate the risk of a fall then those working at height must be trained in how to avoid falling and how to minimise injury should they fall.

Anyone who requires access to an area at height such as a roof or plant gantry must have adequate training and supervision. This includes contractors, sub-contractors and any maintenance operative employed directly or indirectly by the company.

Regular training courses, periodical reassessment and a record of this practice will minimise the risk of an accident.

Training must also include instruction on the correct usage of equipment and in accordance with the manufactures’ recommendations. It is extremely important to remember that each product has been designed to address the differing working requirements and has its own specific safety considerations. For example, harness and lifeline systems can provide effective safety for workers as long as they are trained in the correct use and are aware of the minimum height requirements for the equipment.

Similarly, fall arrest systems such as mobile man anchors provide individual safety protection and very much rely on the person using the equipment correctly. This means that prior to use, comprehensive information, instruction, training and supervision must be given to ensure users know how to wear and adjust the harness, how to inspect the equipment, recognise potential defects and finally, to understand the product’s limitations. Employers should also have a rescue plan in place in the event of a fall occurring as, unless a person is rescued quickly, serious internal injuries may result from hanging from the harness.

Training should not only be limited to the workers. Managers and supervisors need health and safety training in order to be able to identify possible risks, prepare a clear safety method statement for those involved in the work and ensure that work is carried out safely. The Work at Height Regulations requires employers to ensure that those who are involved in work at height are given the correct training so that the work can be carried out safely. It should never be assumed that workers know how to work safely or that they can learn as they go along as bad working practices can easily be picked up from fellow workers.

Whatever the work, whether it be construction, maintenance or repair, training and supervision are essential.

When compared with the price of a person’s life, safety systems are an extremely cost effective means of providing long and short term protection - as long as those doing the work are properly trained.

Committed to ensuring that work at height is carried out safely, Safesite has recently launched an online reconstruction, Project Height. Presented by Angela Rippon, Project Height has been produced with assistance from the BIFM, HSE, RIBA and the RICS and is based on the actual prosecution following the death of a contractor.

For free access to Project Height simply register at www.safesite.co.uk/caution.

More articles from Safesite Limited: