Working at height: tips on how to increase safety
Working at height is a risk for all workers. Not only is the risk of falling very high, but those at ground level are endangered if they walk under an elevated platform that is not secure. In a best-case scenario, no one will be injured by this. However, this does happen – and the injuries are often very serious. In some cases, they can be fatal. In addition to the impact on human beings, this can lead to financial consequences and adversely affect the company's image. This is why it is important to provide effective safety solutions that will keep employees healthy and safe, such as fall protection and handrails. Read on to find out what you can do.
Causes of falling from height
The most common causes of falls from height are related to the condition of the floor and fencing. Whether on stairs, an unguarded walkway or an elevated platform, workers are more likely to lose their footing on a slippery surface. As workers can be seriously injured if they fall, it is highly recommended that safety equipment is provided to prevent this from happening.
Materials or machines that employees use when working at height can also result in fatal injuries. Questions to ask include: Are they in poor condition? Are they obsolete? Is the safety equipment broken or does it need to be replaced? Regular inspections are important to prevent accidents.
It also goes without saying that protocols or instructions on how to use machinery and equipment should be followed carefully. Keep in mind that installing equipment such as scaffolding requires specific experience. Equipment and machinery should always be inspected before use.
Consequences of falling from height
Employee safety is a top priority. It is important not to neglect or trivialise the measures that need to be taken to optimise the safety of the working environment. This applies especially when working at height.
A worker who is injured after falling from height can suffer major physical consequences, including psychomotor impairment, trauma, psychological effects and, in extreme cases, death. Trauma includes common injuries such as broken bones, paralysis, internal injuries, crushing, bleeding, head injury or coma. In addition to these physical injuries, it is important to consider the potential risks of post-traumatic stress, post-concussion syndrome and even immobility. In severe cases, the victim of a fall from height may suffer later from limited movement, disruption of automatic responses and other serious psychological consequences.
These accidents also result in employees taking long periods off work. While their health is obviously a priority, this drives up costs for the company. In the event of a fall, the employer has a legal responsibility to the victim in that they are required to pay for medical expenses, daily benefits or permanent disability pension. Damage resulting from a failure to follow safety procedures is also a possibility.
Employee absenteeism also affects business operations, as the employees have to be replaced, which increases training costs. New employees need time to get up to speed, and it can sometimes takes a long time for them to perform at the same level of permanent employees. Then there is the negative impact on the company's image and the associated financial burden. In other words, the consequences are far-reaching. This is why it is important to take the right steps to protect all employees when working at height.
What precautions can you take?
The key is to minimise the risk of falls by providing adequate protection and investing in good quality materials and equipment.
Prioritise collective precautionary measures. This is a prevention package aimed at securing the work area with specific equipment such as scaffolding, lifts, guardrails, and so on. For example, fall arrest gates and handrails with kick rails can prevent workers from falling. Skirting boards also prevent goods from falling because they cannot slide under the handrails. You can complement physical safety with preventive measures such as floor markings and pictograms.
Don't forget to check the working environment itself. It is important to check and test the stability of the surfaces on which workers move.
Individual precautions should likewise be kept in mind. These aim to ensure the safety of each worker by providing them with equipment such as lanyards, harnesses, anchors, etc. To ensure the safety of people, it is also necessary to install a fall arrest system with nets, ropes, rails and the like. Depending on the activity, a helmet, gloves or goggles are also essential pieces of equipment.
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Various safety measures can help to prevent accidents when working at height. Want to know more about working safely at height? Read one of our industry-specific white papers to find out which safety solutions apply to your business: FLEX IMPACT® safety barriers, AXES GATE fall protection and floor marking.