Working at a great height regularly can cause a significant amount of risk to your personal safety. Depending on the type of work you are carrying out, the risk level can vary. Taking the correct safety precautions and ensuring that you are equipped with the correct gear can ensure that you are in less danger when working at heights. Following certain protocols and taking advice on board, can ensure that working at heights is a perfectly safe activity for you to do.
Hopefully the following advice can help to reduce your fear of working at heights. Mitigating any immediate danger, thinking about potential hazards and putting your safety first, will ultimately help you to protect yourself and others when you are carrying out work at great heights.
Wear The Correct Safety Gear
Depending on the type of role you are carrying out, there will be different types of safety equipment for different people working at height. Personal protective equipment should always be worn even though the outfits themselves can vary from role to role. In many cases workers will wear harnesses which will ensure that falling is minimised if there ever is an accident. If you are unsure about the type of safety equipment you need for your role please do you get in touch with your manager for more information.
Anchor Points Are Extremely Valuable To Use
In order to carry out your job from a height safely, you may need to use an anchor point. This helps you to feel supported when you are working and it will hold the weight of you as the employee. An anchor should be able to hold about five thousand pounds per person attached, which should give you a good amount of safety when you are working. Good anchor points may not always be able to support such heavy forces, but your manager will know the best route to take. If in doubt consult an engineer for more information about anchor points when working from heights.
Take Health and Safety Seriously With Ladders
Using a ladder may seem like a generic day-to-day task, however it is extremely important to follow health and safety procedures when using ladders. Using a ladder improperly can cause you to harm yourself so make sure you take on board your basic training and make sure there is an anchor in place before you climb a high ladder.
Set a Limit For How High You Go
When you work in an elevated position, it is important to set a clear limit on how high you are going. You need to know your height and prepare accordingly to the risks and make sure you have all of the relevant procedures in place. The higher you go the higher your risk, so you should be selective with the Heights that you’re working at and understand your surroundings. This will ensure that you’re as safe as possible whilst you work.
Sign Up to Working At Heights Training Courses
Before you embark on your job working at height you should be enrolled in some form of professional training. In order to work in a safe and secure way when elevated you need to make sure that you adhere to the rules of your training at all times. In many cases these rules and regulations may seem obvious, but it is extremely important to study the risks and demonstrate your understanding. Working safely is your ultimate priority so it is extremely important to remain educated and well prepared about your particular role no matter how long you have been there.
Use Railings & Support
Protecting yourself whilst working at height is extremely important, so why not consider using railings and other support systems whilst you work? If you are ever working from a platform at great height you should be equipped with railings so that your immediate vicinity is protected. Railings will also help you to maintain a sense of balance when you are elevated and working.
With all of this advice in mind, you should feel well equipped to carry out your work in a safe and secure manner. There are a number of reasons why you may be working at great heights, so make sure you contact your manager if you have any worries or concerns regarding your own well-being. You should always be provided with the necessary safety equipment when you are working at a great height, so speak with your manager if you need to update your gear or take any further training regarding working at height.
