Staying Safe While Working At Heights
#2 Mandatory critical controls for working at heights
Think about it
To prevent falls from heights, there are four mandatory critical controls that as a minimum need to be in place at all times before working at heights can begin.
Work evaluation must be signed by a competent technical authority, determining no alternate means to performing the work at heights on an appropriately designed safe platform.
Handrails or hard barriers with accompanying warning signs present around all floor openings and open edges that are 2 metres, or more, above a lower level.
Certified structures and platforms – Permanent, temporary (including scaffolding), and mobile platforms and structures (i.e. cages) used to perform work at heights shall be designed, erected, inspected and approved for use by competent individuals before use.
Fall restraint/arrest system – Authorised personnel working within 2 metres of an unguarded floor opening, or open edge, that is 2 metres or more above a lower level, must wear and use a personal fall restraint/arrest system (harness and double lanyard) attached to approved anchor points, at all times.
Talk about it
- Do you ensure that before using any scaffolding, it has been erected, inspected and approved for use by a competent person?
- Do you know the difference between a fall restraint and fall arrest lanyard, and when to use them?
Act on it
- When you see a colleague working at height, check to make sure they are doing it safely. Intervene immediately when observing any potentially unsafe conditions and report incidents, near-misses and sources of error promptly.