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Working at HeightToolbox Presentation

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Falls from height - the facts• Falls from height remain the main cause

of fatality in the workplace

• There are over 35 deaths and over 5,000 major injuries a year from falls from height

• 60% of major injuries result from falls from below head height

• 45% of fatal accidents and 31% of major injuries in construction are caused by falls from height

• Slips, trips and falls from height cost society £800 million per annum

• Most accidents are preventable


But first a word on competence• Construction is a dangerous industry

• Improving competence is key to reducing accidents

• It’s people that often cause accidents

• Competence is skills, knowledge and behaviour

• Competence is thinking about: – Self-awareness: get to know yourself – Situational awareness: expect the unexpected – Risk awareness: think outside the box


Self-awareness get to know yourself• Think about YOURSELF and your role

• Consider your frame of mind

• Late nights and hang-overs can affect judgement

• Domestic disputes and emotional upsets affect concentration

• All these can affect performance and safety


Situational awareness expect the unexpected• Don’t assume today will be the same

as yesterday. Things change

• Take note of the broader context in which you work

• Stop and think about what’s going on around you

• Things change so expect the unexpected risk


Risk awareness think outside the box• Risk awareness is more than risk assessment

• It recognises the additional risks of: – Age – Inexperience – Poor eyesight – Fading light – Language

• Consider out-of-context risk due to new jobs and unfamiliar surroundings


1. Apply to anyone, anywhere, working at height

• All employees, sub-contractors and the self-employed

• On-site, in an office, in a warehouse, on the shop floor

• Above the ground at any height and below the ground


2. Risk assessment avoid, prevent, minimise

• AVOID working at height if possible: – Pre-assemble structures on the ground – Use extendable equipment

• If you have to work at height, PREVENT falls: – Use access towers, podiums, MEWPS, double guard

rails and toe boards – Only use ladders for access and for short duration,

low risk work – Podiums have guard rails and offer greater stability

than steps


2. Risk assessment avoid, prevent, minimise

• MINIMISE the consequences of a fall: – Fit collective protection systems e.g. Safety Decking – Consider personal fall arrest equipment but as a last resort


3. Select the right equipment

Access towers Anti surf podiums Fall arrest equipment


4. Use the equipment correctly

Safety decking Ladders Low level access


5. Requires competence and planning

• All work at height requires planning, organisation and competence

• Equipment must be erected, inspected and its use supervised by a competent person

• Never work at height or ask others to, unless competent

• Never assume competence and if in doubt, ask for advice or training


6. Collective responsibility

• Safety at work is your responsibility

• Watch out for hazards, especially fragile surfaces and falling objects

• Mark-off dangerous areas

• Report dangers to a supervisor

Think about the safety of others and they will do the same for you.


Summary• Competence is key – it’s skills, knowledge AND behaviour

• Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended) principles: – Apply to anyone, anywhere, at any height – Three-stage risk assessment, AVOID, PREVENT, MINIMISE – Select the right equipment – Use equipment correctly – Requires competence and planning – Collective responsibility


Quick quiz1. Competence requires skills and

knowledge and what else?

2. What are the three human factors we need to focus on to improve competence?

3. What are the regulations that cover working at height?

4. Can you name three of the six principles that make up the regulations?

5. Who does the regulations apply to and at what height?

6. What are the three stages of risk assessment?

7. What are the safe alternatives to ladders and steps?

8. It OK for anyone to erect a tower?

9. Do you have a legal obligation to implement the regulations?

10. What products could help you when working at height?

Remember you are responsible for your safety and that of your matesspeedyservices.com/intelligentsafety

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Toolbox Presentation - Speedy Hireintelligentsafety.speedyservices.com/uploads/safetytopics/working... · Working at Height Toolbox Presentation speeservices.comintelligentsafet