Working at Height (WAH)- Safety Tips; Planning for WAH
This short article was created for companies that need to work at height and have personnel exposed to working at height issues. Working at height is a cause of concern and companies who need to work at height should assess and manage their risks as well as the exposure of the risk of working at height that their people face.
This document does not hold Safety@Work liable for any issues. This is purely meant as a way to assist them in their planning processes.
Falls from height was identified as the number one reason for deaths that occurred in workplaces.
To reduce these number, the Ministry of Manpower and the Workplace Safety Health council have rolled out initiatives to tackle issues on the ground with a two pronged approach. The Ministry has identified training as one of the key approaches and the other is more enforcement.
Safety@Work has spent a considerable time doing expert witness cases as well as on a personal level working with Construction Industry Training Institute (CITI, now known as BCA Academy ) on their scaffolding courses. We have also provided consultation to global companies on issues pertaining to working at height.
The basic concept of safe working at height is- GET YOUR SITE SAFE.
How do you do that? You plan for work at height. Think of using a simple flowchart (Below is a sample thought process that companies should go through)
Can the work at height be avoided? Yes/No
If yes- How? Use pre-assembled guardrails or false work systems
If no; Can fall prevention be installed?
If yes- How? Provide adequate safe platforms
If no; Can you mitigate the distance of the fall?
If yes- Provide collective protection (safety nets etc)
If no- Use of fall arrest equipment and systems (attached to suitable anchorage, competent workers and supervisors)
Companies also need to understand this term- Hierarchy of Control
Again think of a simple flowchart.
Can you eliminate working at height? If yes- great!
If no; Can you provide platforms?
If no; Can you provide Suspension equipment? (If platforms are not practicable)
If no; Can you provide Fall Arrest equipment? (If suspension equipment are not practicable)
Basic concepts of safe working at height
Number 1- Avoid Working at Height
Number 2- Prevent Falls
Number 3- Minimize distance and consequence of fall