Temporary Working At Height Guidance

INTRODUCTION

Temporary work at height involves work above ground level (usually defined as greater than two metres above ground level) where there is no fixed or permanent means of access or working platform. This definition will include:

• Erecting and working from scaffolding,
• Work from trestles, stepladders, and/or ladders,
• Work from hydraulic platforms
• Other temporary means of access including specialised rope mechanisms.

MAIN HAZARDS

The main risks associated with temporary work at heights include

• Persons falling from a height. Over 50% of all fatal injuries in the Construction industry are sustained as direct result of falling from a height.
• Materials and equipment falling from a height. Tools, components, and materials may fall causing damage or injury to persons passing underneath the work area.
• Means of access movement. Often followed by falls of persons, movement of ladders, stepladders or other means of access is a significant risk in itself.
• Restricted means of escape. In the event of an employee injury or other emergency, the temporary place of work may be difficult to leave, and further precautions may be required.
• Vertigo / Dizziness. Some individuals are prone to disorientation and sickness and should not be allowed to work at height.

CONTROL MEASURE SUMMARY

1. Undertake a preliminary risk assessment of each task to identify the potential risks

• The tasks that need to be undertaken at height,
• Ground stability
• Surrounding traffic routes
• Weather conditions (if outside)
• The duration of the tasks to be undertaken

2. Select appropriate means of access according to a hierarchy that favours the safest option.
   • Specify scaffold access where practicable for work of extended duration, where significant loads must be worked with or significant forces exerted.
   • Specify trestles where work is of short duration, does not require significant loads to be handled or forces to be exerted and does not require work significantly above two metres. Ensure the working platform provided is as wide as possible.
   • Specify stepladders where the work requiring access is of very short duration, does not expose the worker to high winds, and the work does not require goods to be carried up or down.
   • Specify specialist means of access including hydraulic platforms, fork lift cages, roped access etc only where appropriate for the task(s) to be undertaken.
   • Specify ladders only where the work is of a type that can not reasonably be done from safer means of access. Ensure that ladders are tied or footed at all times, that loads are not carried up or down by hand, and that excessive leaning or reaching is not required.

NOTE that the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations stipulate that ladders must not be used as a place of work unless it is reasonable to do so having regard to the nature and duration of the work and the risks to safety. This can only be satisfied where a suitable and sufficient risk assessment considering all factors and other means of access has been completed.

3. Produce a safe system of work for the chosen means of access
   • Produce a written system of work that stipulates which type of access equipment is to be used for the job, how it is to be used and any restrictions that may be necessary in its use.
   • Ensure that consideration is given to all the factors that may increase risks of working at height, including adverse weather, unstable ground, unstable structure, loads carrying etc.
   • Where necessary, employ specialist contractors to provide and maintain the means of access, and (if appropriate) to undertake the work required.
4. Provide suitable instruction and supervision
   • Ensure that staff employed are competent to use the means of access and to undertake the work required safely.
5. Secure all loads.
   • Where practicable, provide toe-boards to prevent tools and materials being dislodged
   • Provide toolbelts to keep equipment secure and minimise the need for carrying by hand
   • Arrange work routines to minimise the amount of loose materials stored or left at height.
   • Avoid work in strong winds when normally stable goods may be dislodged.
6. Provide suitable lifting equipment.
   • Provide a crane, hoist or fork lift truck where appropriate and necessary to minimise the amount of material lifted to height by hand.
   • Prohibit the carrying of anything by hand when climbing or descending ladders.

See also:

Temporary Work at Height Policy.

Temporary Work at Height Procedure.