The most important aspect of any workplace is safety. However, some working environments, such as working at heights, are more dangerous and pose a high risk of injury or accidents. Because of this, workers must undertake a working at heights course as part of the precautionary measures put in place to ensure their safety.
Most accidents that happen are a result of either negligence or failure to implement the proper procedures. Luckily, there are courses like the Alert Force training. They teach employees how to use safety equipment such as harnesses, lanyards, and guardrails correctly, as well as how to perform tasks safely and efficiently at heights. In this article, we look at some of the safety mistakes that are common when working in these environments.
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A Lack of Protective Barriers
This is one of the most overlooked safety measures that would save many lives and prevent catastrophic accidents. All it takes is one wrong footing or a slip, and someone could plunge to their death simply because they had nothing to hold on to.
All work or walking areas located at least three meters high should have rails on the sides. The rails should be at least 39 inches (approximately 100 cm) high, but we recommend installing higher rails since this is the minimum height. Protective barriers that exceed 45 inches (approximately 115 cm) have the potential to save lives if installed correctly and meet other fall protection requirements.
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Untrained Workers
Most governments require anyone working at more than 3 meters above the ground to undergo training. The workers must know how to conduct themselves in these types of environments to minimize the risk of accident or injury. These courses cover everything from precautions to what to do in the event of an accident. Taking non-trained workers is a recipe for disaster, as there is a high likelihood they probably won’t utilize their safety gear appropriately or maintain proper balance and posture.
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Poor Risk Assessment
Whenever work is scheduled in a high-risk environment, assessing the risks and what measures can be implemented to minimize them is critical. Some people assume that taking shortcuts will save them time and get the job done much faster, but their decision could lead to severe injuries or accidents. Risk assessment helps you analyze the working environment and take the proper steps, such as setting up nets and rails to ensure your workers’ safety.
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Safety Procedures
Sometimes accidents happen either way, even if you take the necessary precautions, so when an accident happens, what should you do? There must be a set of safety procedures that the employees should know about and be alert for potential mistakes. Proper on-set education is essential, as it can help to save a life during dire moments.
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Relying on Body Belts
A common mistake that people make is fully supporting their weight on body belts when working at heights. Although body belts offer positional safety, we recommend using full protective harnesses as they minimize the risk of falling. Positional safety means they will protect you from getting too close to the edge. However, they won’t help if the worker falls off the platform.
The body belt’s design places the impact on the individual’s lower back or waist, which would cause injury should the person remain suspended for a long time. We recommend a full harness because it distributes the force around the individual’s body, giving you better support when suspended in the air. This prevents the impact from being centralized, allowing you to pull yourself back to safety.
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Using Equipment the Wrong Way
While having the proper equipment is necessary, it is another thing to know how to use it effectively. Many accidents result from improper use of equipment. For example, allowing ropes to become tangled can lead to entrapment or strangulation. Also, failing to secure harnesses at the proper anchor points prevents them from preventing a fall. Therefore, it’s important to ensure everyone working at the site is trained on these things and that anyone operating machinery has the proper training for it.
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Unsafe Scaffolding
Scaffolding collapse is one of the most severe accidents when working at heights. It can occur due to overloading, improper assembly, or insufficient bracing and support. A collapse can lead to workers falling from height, struck by falling debris, or trapped under the collapsed scaffolding, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. To avoid these issues, you should assign experienced and competent personnel to erect, inspect, and supervise scaffolding and provide proper safety training to anyone who will be working on them.
Takeaway
There is nothing more important than the safety of workers. Therefore, before any project begins, you must ensure that everyone on the team is well trained, provide the proper gear, and put safety measures such as nets and rails in place.