Working at height can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. This blog post will provide some general safety guidelines for working at height. Whether you’re a construction worker, roofer, or window washer, following these guidelines can help keep you safe and injury-free!
General Safety For Working at Height
As a worker, you should take the time to understand and adhere to the general safety guidelines for working at height.
1. Wear Appropriate Clothing And Protective Gear
Before starting any job at height, ensure you wear the proper safety gear. This could include hard hats, safety glasses, harnesses, lanyards, fall protection equipment, and steel-toed boots.
2. Understand Your Surroundings
Make sure you understand your environment and the equipment you’re working with. Check for hazards such as power lines, uneven ground or gaps in the scaffolding that could cause a fall.
3. Falling Objects
Wear a hard hat if there is a risk of head injury from falling or thrown objects (for example, flown scenery, lighting equipment, tools, or tail ends of the cable). Although some companies provide hard hats, workers are responsible for providing their own approved ones, if necessary.
4. Inspect Your Safety Gear
Before using any safety gear at height, inspect it for signs of wear or damage. Make sure all components are secure and properly adjusted to ensure your safety.
5. Follow The Proper Procedures
If there are specific procedures in place for working at height, make sure you follow them to the letter. This could include checking the scaffolding or harnesses before beginning work to following a specific sequence of steps when completing a task.
6. Slippery or Unstable Surfaces
Performers and technicians must wear footwear that protects against existing hazards. Suppose it is not practicable for a performer to wear standard safety footwear. In that case, the employer must take other measures to protect them from injury — for example, fit costume shoes with nonslip soles, change the floor surface, or remove the hazard.
7. Have An Escape Plan
If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, prepare an escape plan. Know the safest route to get off the height, and be prepared to use it if necessary.
8. Always Stay Focused
Working at height is no time for distractions or daydreaming! Make sure you always focus on your task to stay safe and avoid accidents.
9. Ask For Help When Needed
No one is expected to be a safety expert, so don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek assistance if you’re unsure. It’s better to take the time and ensure it’s done right than rush through and risk an accident.
10. Take Regular Breaks
Working at height can be physically demanding and mentally draining, so take regular breaks. This will help keep your energy levels up and reduce the risk of fatigue-related accidents.
11. Low light levels
- Install running lights backstage.
- Mark unguarded edges, if possible, with conspicuous warning markers such as white tape, glow tape, LED lights, or laser markers. Don’t rely entirely on electrical illumination in case of a power failure.
- Make portable lights (such as trouble lights, forehead flashlights, and mag lights) easily
- available to technicians working near unguarded edges.
- Include the running crew and technicians in technical rehearsals so they can orient themselves to the conditions.
12. Report Any Incidents
If you witness or suffer an accident at height, report it to the appropriate authorities and make sure it gets documented. This will help prevent future accidents and protect others from harm.
13. Pay Attention To The Weather
Paying attention to weather conditions before and during work at height is important. Strong winds, rain, thunderstorms, and other extreme weather can increase the risk of an accident, so make sure you take extra precautions when working in these conditions.
14. Be Aware Of Your Limits
Working at height can be intimidating and physically demanding, so always be aware of your limits. Don’t attempt to do something you’re uncomfortable with or push yourself too hard.
15. Get Training
If you’re unfamiliar with working at height, get the proper training before attempting any job. This will help ensure that you know how to safely use any equipment and take the necessary precautions to stay safe.
16. High voltage
Don’t violate the limits of approach when working near the energized high-voltage electrical equipment. In the Regulation, high voltage “means a potential difference (voltage) of more than 750 volts between conductors or between a conductor and ground.”
17. Utilize Fall Protection
Always use appropriate fall protection when working at height. This could include safety harnesses, guardrails, anchor points, and other equipment designed to prevent falls and protect you in the event of an accident.
18. Follow The Three Points Of Contact Rule
Follow the three points of contact rule when climbing ladders or other structures. This means keeping at least two hands and a foot or two feet and a hand on the structure to maintain your balance and prevent slips or falls.
19. Strike
When assessing risks, including the work that will be done at heights when striking. Circumstances can be more hazardous during the strike: there is often a sense of urgency, crew sizes may have changed, all departments may be working simultaneously, and fatigue is often a factor.
If the installation requires special equipment, ensure you have it for the strike. Ensure that stairways and other access methods are left intact until workers do not need access to the areas they serve.
20. Have The Right Tools
Having the right tools for the job can make a big difference in your safety. Make sure you have the right ladder, scaffolding, harnesses, and other gear for the task at hand to ensure that you can complete it safely.
21. Hard Hat Requirements
- Keep your hard hat clean. Don’t use solvents to clean it; they weaken the plastic.
- Don’t drill holes in your hard hat.
- Don’t paint it or apply stickers to it.
- Inspect it regularly. If it is cracked or damaged, replace it.
- Warn anyone not wearing a hard hat in an area where hard hats are required to keep clear of that area.
By following these guidelines and taking the necessary safety precautions, you can ensure that you stay safe while working at height. Always be aware of your surroundings, use proper protective equipment, and never attempt something you’re uncomfortable with. With the proper knowledge and preparation, you can ensure that your work is done safely and efficiently.
The safety of yourself and those around you should be your number one priority, so take the necessary steps to ensure a safe working environment. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can ensure that everyone stays safe while working at height.
