WORKING AT HEIGHT - HAZARDS AND CONTROL

Work at height accounts for about 50-60 deaths - more than any other workplace activity - and 4000 injuries each year. During the first two weeks of June 2003, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive visited 1446 construction sites and stopped all work at one quarter of them due to concerns about the level of risks of falls from height. Another 5% of sites visited were issued with improvement notices. Other problems included a lack of or inadequate toe boards and intermediate guard rails on scaffolding and working platforms. 

Attempts have been made to address these concerns by the introduction of the Work at Height Regulations which apply to all operations carried out at height not just construction work so that they are also relevant to, for example, window cleaning, tree surgery, maintenance work at height and the changing of street lamps. 

In 2002/03, 223 painters and decorators were seriously injured due to falls from height, 103 of which were falls under 2 m 

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If demolition or refurbishment is to be undertaken, then hazards associated with structural collapse, fire, working at height, lifting and carrying and electricity must be considered together with health hazards from lead, asbestos, vermin and insects. As mentioned in Chapter 10, a structural survey before work commenced should reduce the risk of unintentional structural collapse. The issue of hot work permits, provision of fire-fighting equipment and suitable storage facilities for flammable substances should control the fire risk. Health risks can be controlled, for example, by the use of licensed contractors for the removal of asbestos, specialist contractors to eradicate vermin and the provision of suitable personal protective equipment. 

Healthcare organizations must monitor contractor activities and point out any uncontrolled hazards. Contractors must address and control aU hazards. Some anployers incorrectly assume that contractors who work at heights possess knowledge of OSHA fall protection requirements. Contractor safety can be addressed by a prequaUlication process that allows only contractors with demonstrated skills to bid on projects involving work at heights. 

Construction hazards and controls from working at height... 

Where work at height is involved, debris netting, fans or other suitable measures to protect the public must be installed where assessment of the risk requires. Flammable and hazardous materials must be identified in advance and correctly controlled and stored. 

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