There are several management strategies that can be implemented to reduce the risk of working at height injuries. These strategies are based on the hierarchy of controls, which is a framework for prioritising risk control measures. The hierarchy of controls ranks risk control measures from most to least effective, as follows:
- Elimination: Eliminate the hazard altogether.
- Substitution: Substitute a less hazardous process or material.
- Engineering controls: Use physical barriers or other engineering controls.
- Administrative controls: Implement safe work practices and procedures.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): Provide workers with PPE.
Elimination
The most effective way to reduce the risk of working at height injuries is to eliminate the need to work at height altogether. This can be achieved by designing tasks and equipment so that they can be safely completed from ground level. For example, instead of sending a worker up a ladder to clean a window, it may be possible to use a long-handled brush or a robotic cleaning device.
Substitution
If it is not possible to eliminate the need to work at height, the next best option is to substitute a less hazardous process or material. For example, instead of using a ladder to access a roof, it may be possible to use a mobile scaffold tower or a fixed access platform.
Engineering controls
Engineering controls are physical barriers or other engineering devices that can be used to isolate workers from the hazard. For example, guardrails can be installed to prevent falls from edges, and safety nets can be placed below work areas to catch workers if they do fall.
Administrative controls
Administrative controls are safe work practices and procedures that can be implemented to reduce the risk of working at height injuries. For example, workers may be required to undergo training on safe working at height practices, and they may be required to wear a safety harness when working at height.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE is the least effective risk control measure, but it can still be used to reduce the risk of injury if other controls are not feasible. Common types of PPE used for working at height include safety harnesses, hard hats, and fall arrest systems.
In addition to the hierarchy of controls, there are several other management strategies that can be implemented to reduce the risk of working at height injuries. These include:
- Risk assessment: Carry out a risk assessment for all work at height activities to identify and assess the hazards, and to develop appropriate control measures.
- Planning: Carefully plan all work at height activities and ensure that all necessary equipment and resources are in place before work commences.
- Supervision: Provide adequate supervision for all work at height activities to ensure that safe working practices are followed.
- Training: Provide workers with adequate training on safe working at height practices.
- Maintenance: Ensure that all work at height equipment is properly maintained and inspected on a regular basis.
By implementing a combination of management strategies, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of working at height injuries.
Examples of management strategies to reduce working at height injuries
- Use mobile scaffold towers instead of ladders for tasks of long duration or tasks that involve carrying heavy loads.
- Install fixed access platforms, such as walkways and platforms with guardrails, for tasks that need to be performed regularly at height.
- Use nets or other fall protection devices to catch workers if they fall.
- Require workers to wear a safety harness when working at height.
- Provide workers with training on safe working at height practices, such as how to use fall protection equipment and how to rescue workers who have fallen.
- Develop and implement safe work procedures for all work at height activities.
- Regularly inspect all work at height equipment to ensure that it is in good condition.
By following the hierarchy of controls and implementing other management strategies, organisations can create a safer workplace for their workers.
The iProtectU health and safety software provides:
- An inspection and Audit App which allows for safety inspection of the workplace and associated report
- eLearning on working at height
- Scheduling functionality for managers to send eLearning, risk assessments and documents out to all staff via the software with tracks completion and compliance
- Risk assessment templates covering working at height
- Management system to document control the policy on working at height
- Method Statement module for the creation of work at height working instructions
- Legal register that provides legislation guidance on working at height safely
- Incident investigation module that tracks incidents involving work at height, both with an app and via desktop
- Hazard observation app where staff can report and record any concerns regarding working at height to the organisation
- Asset management App ensuring assets are recorded in the software
