Work at Height - What it means?
Work at height means working in a place where a person could be injured if they fell from one level to another. This can be above or below ground level.
HOW TO MINIMIZE HAZARD WHILE WORKING AT HEIGHT
A hazard assessment shall be carried out for all work at height. It is essential that the hazards are identified before the work starts and that the necessary equipment, appropriate precautions, and systems of work are provided and implemented.
Preventing falls from height is a priority for the work scenario as it expects that work at height is actively managed so that people are not harmed. The best method of hazard control is eliminating the potential of a fall. Appropriate fall prevention controls shall be put in place, regardless of the time duration of the task. Meanwhile, Consideration of elimination controls should occur early in the project development stage to allow necessary design, planning, and coordination. Established controls, starting with the most effective – elimination, and then working through isolation and minimization can proceed. if there is a potential for a person at work to fall from any height, reasonable assistance for selecting the best equipment for keeping people safe at height.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Here we can discuss the range of controls to isolate or minimize the potential for harm resulting from a fall.
1) GROUP CONTROL APPROACH
The preferred approach is to apply group controls that isolate multiple workers from the risk of falling.
- a) Scaffolding
The scaffold is used as a means of protecting people working on a roof, it is preferred that the scaffold is set up in a manner that prevents a fall from occurring, regardless of the distance of the fall. Scaffolds are a common way to provide a safe work platform. There are a wide variety of scaffolding systems available.
- b) Safety mesh
Safety mesh is the preferred system for protecting construction workers against falling through a roof while they are laying roof sheets. If securely fixed, it also provides fall prevention for maintenance and repair workers.
2) HARNESS SYSTEM
A harness system enables a person to be positioned and safely supported at a work location for the duration of the task being undertaken at height. Harness systems are used for gaining access to, and working at, a workforce where there is a risk of a fall.
3)KNUCKLE BOOM
A knuckle boom has a second articulated joint partway along the arm to allow for extra flexibility and reach for the work platform. The arm can be folded away when not in use, and to vary the reach in use.
4)GUARDRAILS
A guardrail is a barrier that is capable of physically preventing workers from falling. Guardrails are a group control that can be installed to protect workers from building edges, roof edges, building openings, lift shafts and other similar ducts with a wall or floor openings.
5) MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS (MEWPS)
Common forms of MEWPs include cherry pickers, scissor lifts, hoists, and travel towers.
Have you secured the right scaffolding structures to ease access, boost balance, and ensure everyone in and around the site is safe?
If not yet, start by looking for the best company for scaffolding rental, CT.Tips for Choosing a Dependable Scaffolding Rental CompanyWhen it comes to choosing a company to hire scaffolding from, due diligence is required of you.
Use the following tips, too, when searching.Understand your needs firstThe first thing to work on is identifying what needs you have and what scaffolding structures will help you meet them.
You can ask your site manager or contractor to help you understand what the project requires and what equipment will be viable in such a case.
Once you identify your needs, it will be easier to get a scaffolding rental company that can get you the best equipment for that.Consider your budget against different companies’ ratesThe other most crucial thing to consider is your budget as well as how much you are willing to stretch your pocket to fit the prevailing rental rates.
If you are unsure about how to navigate that, ask an expert to help you work on the budget.
