5-Work at Height

 

The Whys ?

Temporary or regular work on a structure, a roof, a platform, a scaffolding is a major risk activity. Difference-in-height falls constitute, as a matter of fact, one of the causes of fatal work accidents.

Risky work situations :

Falls may happen from :

• Roofs, structures, building terraces ;
• Means of access to high zones : ladders, stairs, gangways, transfer onto quay ;
• Pylons or other work equipment (scaffolding, tank trucks

Preventing the risks of falling from heights :

Identification of all work situations exposing the workers to fall risks must be done as upstream as possible. One then should recommend solutions permitting to avoid exposure to the risks.

One must consider all work posts concerned by a risk of falling from heights, including those that only deal with maintenance. This has to also include examining the conditions of access to such posts.

The approach to risk prevention from falling from heights must be undertaken as early as conception and upon temporary or final modification of a piece of work or equipment.

This approach often necessitates the involvement of the various participants (designers, contracting authorities, equipment users.) so as to come to a satisfactory solution.

The must do's

Before undertaking a work operation at height, one must conduct a risk analysis to identify, if possible, other ways of avoiding work at height. If not, one has to prioritize the necessary collective protections (approved scaffoldings, stairs with handrails, lifts).

Any intervening party exposed to work at height must :

• Obtain a work-at-height authorization validated by a habilitated person ;
• Be trained in using collective and/or personal protection means as specified in the work permit (using specific PPE's, works on baskets, on fixed or mobile scaffoldings..) ;
• Before each utilization, verify all the equipment and safety organs including the anchor points, the safety harnesses, the required certifications ;
• Keep permanently fastened with safety harness to work at height
• Be under the supervision of a qualified responsible person ;
• Take account of object falling risk.