64 WORKING AT HEIGHT www.ipesearch.com
FEATURE
THERE’S NO doubt that
worker safety across
Europe is becoming a more
important focus in industry.
Many employers are taking
an increasingly holistic approach to
health, safety and wellbeing, recognising
that a wide range of factors can affect
employee performance and decision-making.
This approach, underpinned by
diligent safety processes and
sophisticated safety equipment, can
help to mitigate risk in the workplace.
But, while fatalities in the workplace due
to falls from height across the EU’s 28
member states have decreased in
recent times, just one fatality is one too
many and falls from height remain the
single biggest cause of workplace
fatalities. After all, a fall from height is an
extremely serious thing. A fall of 3.05 m
(10 ft.) takes just 0.8 seconds and the
velocity reached on impact with the
ground is 7.74m/s (17.3 mph). In the UK,
falls from height accounted for 25% of
fatal injuries over the five-year period
2014/15 to 2018/19 – an average of 36
fatalities a year (Source: RIDDOR). So,
how can you minimise risk? What
should you consider and where should
you start?
Avoid if at all possible
Quite simply, the best way to prevent a
fall is to eliminate – as far as possible –
the need to work at height in the first
place. This means carrying out as
much work as possible from the
ground, using extendable tools,
installing cables at ground level,
lowering a lighting mast to ground
level, or assembling edge protection at
ground level (to name just a few
examples). If working at height is
unavoidable then help to prevent falls
using either an existing place of work
that is already safe or the right type of
equipment. This equipment needs to
be suitable, strong enough for the job,
properly maintained and checked
Beyond
compliance:
Taking a 360°
approach to
fall protection
While employers are increasingly
conscious of safety responsibilities, falls
from height, however, remain the leading
cause of workplace fatalities. So what
issues need consideration to keep those
working at height safe? Jon Rowan offers
advice on how to go beyond compliance
and take a 360° approach to fall protection
The best way
to prevent a
fall is to
eliminate – as
far as possible –
the need to
work at height
in the first
place
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