The Safety DO's and DON'Ts of Working at Heights

Working at heights can be extremely dangerous. It can be particularly dangerous for those who are not used to being so high off the ground. Despite the laws in most countries making it possible for workers to work from heights, there is still a huge problem when it comes to actually enforcing these laws and creating a safe environment for everyone. Thankfully, however, there are many safety measures that employers and employees can follow to make sure that accidents do not occur. In this article, we'll take a look at some of these measures and explain what they mean to your safety.

The first thing that you need to remember is that the majority of injuries that occur while works at height were caused by either failure to follow safety rules or a lack of understanding of them. You should always inform other workers on the job about any special rules or instructions that you need to use. The most common way of doing this is through hand signals or a headset, but whichever you choose, always make sure that you read and understand your company's safety regulations and always follow them.

It is very important that you work in a safe environment at all times. Whenever possible, work at heights using low structures. Even if there is not an opportunity to do so, you should never assume that there will always be an easy way down. Falling is never an easy experience, but if you know that you could fall and are prepared for the impact, you should make every attempt to avoid it happening.

It is also very important that you are properly equipped. The most common piece of equipment that is needed by a construction worker is a scaffold. Scaffolds are usually made out of steel, but there are also other types available. Always ensure that the scaffolding you are using is strong enough to hold the weight of the construction worker without being at risk of falling. You should also use hand holds, ropes and harnesses whenever possible.

The other main piece of equipment that is required by workers operating work at heights is a full-power aerial. These are usually operated by trained pilots and require very little training in order to operate. The most popular aerial is the ladder; however, there are other options including the use of a scaffold and step posts. Always ensure that the aerial is stable before using it, as even the slightest swaying can cause a catastrophic accident. Never ascend to a height where you are not in complete command of your movements and be careful at all times to keep the control panel away from your face.

The last piece of equipment that is required by workers operating work at heights is the fall arrest system. This is basically a net that is used to arrest any falling materials. It is extremely important that this is installed correctly. Any movable parts such as rope or scaffolding should be secured within the net. Never force the net or any other part of the apparatus into a user, as this can cause serious injury.