As part of February’s Hazard of the Month, Working at Height, we’re highlighting two key areas: Working at Height and Managing Health and Safety.
Working at Height
When managing the risks associated with working at height, a structured, step-by-step hierarchy of controls must be followed.
The first consideration is whether working at height can be avoided entirely. This may be possible by carrying out the task from ground level, either by using suitable equipment or by bringing the work down to ground level—for example, assembling edge protection or installing cables on the ground.
If working at height cannot be avoided, the next priority is to prevent a fall from occurring. This can be achieved by using appropriate work equipment, such as scaffolding or mobile elevating work platforms, or by ensuring the work is carried out in a safe, non-fragile area with effective edge protection or guardrails in place.
Where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, measures must be taken to minimise the distance and potential consequences of a fall. This may involve the use of collective protection, such as safety nets or soft-landing systems, or personal protective equipment, including fall-arrest systems.
Learn more about how to work at height safely with our Working at Height Online Course. Get 10% off this course this month only with the code ‘heights10’!
Managing Health and Safety
Employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of their business activities, including managing risks and safeguarding employees and anyone else who may be affected by their work. To meet this responsibility, effective systems must be in place to:
- Plan the necessary actions
- Do what’s required to implement those actions
- Check that control measures are effective
- Act to address any issues
Following the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) approach helps organisations maintain control of health and safety risks, create a safer workplace, and manage safety effectively. It also promotes continual improvement by enabling issues to be identified early, addressed promptly, and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
A structured management system can support this process – click here to learn more.
Learn more about keeping your workplace safe with our Managing Health and Safety online training. Get 10% off this course this month only with the code ‘heights10’!
Working at Height and Managing Health and Safety training courses are essential tools in protecting the safety of your workers. Make sure you don’t miss out on our 10% off deal on these courses, available until the end of February. Simply enter the code ‘heights10’ at checkout to save!
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