Working above ground is one of the most dangerous professions and enough safety measures must be taken to ensure the safety of all who work above ground. One little mistake can lead to serious injuries or even a fatality when one is working above ground.
Fall protection like roof anchor points is required for anybody who is working four feet above the lower level this is because any fall even if it is only a few inches is considered serious. Staying safe involves proper planning, training, and following all procedures to control, identify and get rid of any potential hazards.
Here are some safety tips for all employees working from a height:
1. Perform a risk assessment
When working from a height you have to focus on the working environment so that you can analyse any potential risks. Identifying risks is one of the first steps you should take towards safety.
Ensure that all tools and equipment to be used are safe, secure, and are in their right places, inspect all the safety equipment so that you can make sure that they are in good working cording and that the lanyards have no weak points.
Any weak area in the site should also be identified and marked. Risk assessment helps to accidents because you will be fully aware of the environment you are in.
2. Only use the right equipment
You should always make sure that you have the correct equipment to keep you safe. The right equipment will depend on how far up you are going and at times only using a ladder may not be sufficient, in fact using ladders alone should be left to indoor activities like changing the light bulbs.
Make sure that you have the correct lanyards and the correct harness and hooks that can support your weight should you slip. These equipment are readily available and a quick run to a department store will get you what you need.
3. Use rails
If possible, consider using rails as part of your safety precaution measures. You can design the rails by a carpenter on the site or buy pre-fabricated rails which are easy to fix and are also very portable.
This is one of the simplest ways of keeping workers safe and rails, once set up is easy to use because all the employees need to do is to stay within them.
4. Understand the fall distance
Being safe while working from a height is not only all about having the right protective equipment but also making sure that they deploy or engage at the right time should you fall. The fall distance is the distance between your working point and the ground.
There are a lot of things that you can consider including how long or short your lanyard should be. You need to include 3. 5 inches of distance to account how your deceleration device deploys.
Your street to redemption distance should not only be about how long your lanyard should be when deployed but the body span below the D-ring and sag in the funnel and anchor system too.
5. Carry out regular training
Your employees need to be trained and re-trained on measures and proper work procedures involved in working from a height. Regular training of employees will equip them with the knowledge of handling themselves as well as their colleagues in the site. Training is also the only way to get the relevant licenses and also to keep them up-to-date.
Conclusion
Consider the above tips if you or your employees are working at heights. These tips will help all employees working from a height stay safe. Remember, before you begin working, plan each step of your work before you begin your workday. Make sure you have safety evacuation and fall protection measures for anybody working on the site including the workers on the ground.