What Is Working at Height?
Working at height refers to situations where individuals are working above the ground level and in any place where there is a risk of falling from an edge, through an opening, or fragile surface, which could cause personal injury if precautions are not taken. This can also include working at ground level adjacent to an excavation, or in a trench more than a meter deep.
Typically, work at height jobs are found in scenarios such as:
- Construction Sites: Workers often perform tasks on scaffolds, rooftops, and elevated structures.
- Manufacturing and Warehousing: Tasks may involve working on high shelves, platforms, or maintenance of overhead machinery.
- Telecommunications and Utilities: Installation and repair often require technicians to climb poles or towers.
- Residential and Commercial Buildings: Maintenance work such as window cleaning or external repairs often involves working at heights.
- Transportation and Logistics: Loading and unloading tasks might require working at height when securing goods on large vehicles or ships.
Exposure to environments with a high potential for dangerous slips, trips, and falls puts workers at significant risk. Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and accidents, accounting for 18% of the reported nonfatal work injuries resulting in days away from work in 2020. Despite this, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited fall protection and fall protection training as some of the most frequently violated OSHA standards in the construction industry.
Even more, recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) state that work-related fatal incidents due to falls, slips, and trips have increased by 1.8% in 2022. This further proves the need for more stringent implementation of safety standards and regulations to enhance and ensure worker safety against fall hazards.
Work At Height: Fall Hazard and Risks
When working at height, recognizing and understanding the various hazards and risks is critical for implementing effective safety measures. Here are some of the primary concerns:
Fall Hazards
A fall hazard is anything in the work environment that could cause an unintended loss of balance or bodily support and result in a fall. They are present in any situation where work is performed at an elevation or where there is a potential to fall from one level to another. There are different types of fall hazards, depending on the setting or environment they occur:
- Height Transitions: Any time a worker moves from one level to another, there is a potential fall hazard. This can include working on platforms, ladders, scaffolds, and stairs.
- Holes and Openings: Openings in floors or walls (like skylights or unfinished edges) present significant fall hazards. These need to be adequately guarded or covered.
- Improper Scaffold Construction: Scaffolds must be constructed according to safety standards to prevent collapse or falls. Missteps in assembly, lack of stability, and inadequate access points all contribute to fall risks.
- Lack of Fall Protection: On many worksites, especially in quick, temporary, or light-duty tasks, the necessary fall protection systems (like guardrails or fall arrest systems) may be absent or improperly used.
Falling Objects
When working at height, there is also a significant risk of falling objects, which can be fatal for those below. This risk increases with the height and weight of the objects, and in busy environments where multiple tasks are being performed simultaneously. Common sources of falling objects include tools or materials that are not properly secured or tethered, structural components or debris dislodged during construction or maintenance tasks, and equipment or parts failing and dropping from their operational height.
Failure of Height or Lift Equipment
Equipment used for working at height, such as scaffolds, ladders, and aerial lifts, can fail if not properly maintained or used incorrectly. Such failures are commonly caused by using equipment beyond its specified limits or for unintended purposes, failing to conduct regular inspections and maintenance, general wear and tear, and errors during the setup of scaffolds or other height equipment leading to structural instability.
Unstable Surfaces
Unstable surfaces at height can range from man-made structures that are not securely built to natural terrains that are inherently uneven or slippery. The instability of these surfaces significantly increases the risk of slips, trips, and falls, which can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
Poor Edge Protection
Edge protection refers to systems designed to prevent people from falling from heights. Inadequate edge protection is a major cause of accidents and fatalities in environments where work at height is performed. This can be a result of the lack of physical barriers, use of non-compliance edge protection systems, poor maintenance, and inadequate barrier height and strength. Moreover, proper edge protection involves not only physical barriers but also clear markings and awareness of the risks.
Factors to Consider When Working at Height
Working at height involves various risks that necessitate careful consideration and planning. There are several key factors that need to be considered to address the hazards and risks of working at height. By taking these into account, employers and workers can significantly reduce the risks associated with working at height and ensure a safer working environment.
OSHA Fall Protection Requirements
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established stringent guidelines to prevent falls when working at height. According to OSHA’s requirements on fall protection (1926.501), the utilization of protection systems is based on three primary considerations - frequency of work, duration, and location. These help determine under what conditions fall protection systems are required:
- Infrequent and Short-Duration Work: For work that is both infrequent and of short duration (tasks that take less than 1-2 hours to complete and occur less than once per month), OSHA allows some flexibility. In such cases, the use of guardrails or safety nets might be impractical, and a personal fall arrest system might be more appropriate.
- Frequent and Long-Duration Work: For tasks that are performed frequently or involve prolonged exposure to fall hazards, more permanent solutions such as guardrails or safety nets are preferred. Personal fall arrest systems are also commonly used in these scenarios but require rigorous adherence to safety checks and training.
- Location-Specific Considerations: The environment and location significantly influence the type of fall protection used. For example, work on steep roofs requires systems like guardrails at roof edges and personal fall arrest systems, while flat roofs might only necessitate guardrails at access points.
OSHA recognizes different types of fall protection systems designed to safeguard employees while working at height:
- Guardrail Systems: These are barrier systems placed on the edge of an elevated area to prevent or minimize the possibility of workers falling. OSHA standards specify criteria such as minimum height, strength, and construction materials for guardrails.
- Safety Net Systems: Installed below a work area to catch falling workers, safety nets must be rigged and tested in accordance with OSHA specifications to ensure they provide sufficient clearance and impact absorption.
- Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS): These include a full-body harness, a connection device, and a secure anchorage point. OSHA specifies criteria for each component to ensure maximum safety, including the strength of anchorages and the maximum allowable free fall distance.
- Positioning Device Systems: These systems are used to support a worker in a harness and allow hands-free work while preventing a fall from occurring. They are particularly useful for tasks such as window washing or construction work on vertical surfaces.
- Warning Line Systems: These are used particularly in roofing work as a means to demarcate safe zones. The warning line must be clearly marked and meet specific standards for visibility and placement.
Scaffold vs Lift vs Ladder
Aside from understanding the general requirements for fall protection in the workplace, it is also important to know the difference between work at height equipment:
Scaffolds
Scaffolds provide a temporary platform for workers to perform work at various heights. They are extensively used in construction, maintenance, and repair activities, particularly when tasks require a stable and extensive work area that supports multiple workers and equipment over prolonged periods.
The use of scaffolding offers a stable and robust platform, allowing for safer movement and positioning compared to ladders. They can also accommodate multiple workers simultaneously, along with tools and materials. Furthermore, scaffolds can be assembled in various configurations to fit different job sites and tasks.
Lifts
Lifts, including aerial lifts and scissor lifts, are motorized devices that elevate workers to required heights. Ideal for tasks such as electrical and utility work, window cleaning, and tree trimming, lifts provide access to otherwise hard-to-reach areas. One of the key advantages of using lifts is that they can move directly to specific heights and locations, providing precise positioning. Lifts are also highly versatile, with many models offering mobility to move easily while elevated. In addition, modern lifts include safety features like automatic braking, stabilizers, and fall arrest systems.
Ladder
Ladders are the simplest form of height access equipment. They are suitable for quick or short-duration tasks such as minor repairs, installations, or inspections. Generally, ladders should only be used when lifts or scaffolding are impractical. Ladders are great primarily because they can be quickly set up and used without the need for complex preparations, generally less expensive, and are lightweight enough to easily move and store.
Work at Height Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Aside from the fall protection requirements established by OSHA, there is also a wide array of personal protective equipment (PPE) workers can use to enhance their safety and security while working at heights.
Full-Body Harnesses
A full-body harness is a key component of a personal fall arrest system. It wraps around the body in a manner that distributes the forces endured during a fall across the thighs, pelvis, chest, and shoulders. It is used in conjunction with a lanyard, deceleration device, and anchor point to provide protection against falls. This setup ensures that if a fall occurs, the worker is kept within the system, and injury risks are minimized. Harnesses must meet OSHA’s standards under 29 CFR 1926.502(d), ensuring they are capable of supporting a minimum load of 5,000 pounds per worker attached.
Lanyards and Lifelines
Lanyards connect the harness to the anchor point. There are several types, including shock-absorbing lanyards which reduce the forces exerted on the worker during a fall. Lifelines can be vertical or horizontal and are used as part of a system to connect multiple workers. These are chosen based on the type of work and the fall clearance available. For example, retractable lifelines may be used when minimal fall clearance is available.
Helmets
Helmets provide protection from falling objects and from striking the head against objects in the event of a fall. These should be worn at all times during work at height to protect against head injuries. They are especially crucial in areas where tools or debris may fall from above. Helmets must comply with ANSI Z89.1 standards, which specify performance and testing requirements for impact and penetration resistance.
Safety Boots
Safety boots equipped with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles and capable of providing adequate ankle support are crucial. They help maintain stability on potentially slippery or uneven surfaces and protect against foot injuries from falling objects or stepping on sharp objects. Footwear should meet ASTM F2412 and F2413 standards for impact and compression resistance.
Weather Condition Risk and Hazards
Working at height presents inherent risks that can be exacerbated by adverse weather conditions. Whether it is strong winds, precipitation, or extreme temperatures, each weather scenario poses unique challenges that require careful planning and response.
High winds can destabilize equipment such as scaffolds, ladders, and lifts. They can also cause loss of balance or control, particularly for workers carrying materials or working on exposed structures. Precipitation, such as rain and snow, can create slippery surfaces on scaffolds, ladders, and roofs, increasing the risk of slips and falls. Visibility can also be significantly reduced in these conditions.
Temperature changes can also play a key role in work at height safety. During cold seasons, ice can form on surfaces overnight, making the initial morning conditions particularly hazardous, while the cold temperatures can also lead to hypothermia or frostbite if proper thermal clothing is not worn. On the flip side, high temperatures can lead to heat stress, dehydration, and sunburn, all of which can impair a worker's judgment and physical ability.
Working at Height Safety Strategies and Control Measures
Working safely at height requires a comprehensive approach that combines the right tools, strategies, training, and personal safety measures. Effective safety strategies and control measures involve a layered approach, incorporating various elements that work together to address the complex risks associated with working at height.
Fall Protection Strategies
Fall protection strategies can be categorized into three primary types: active fall protection, passive fall protection, and fall restraint systems. Each type serves a specific purpose and is suitable for different scenarios and environments.
Active fall protection are essential safety measures designed to actively engage and arrest a fall, protecting workers from the potentially severe consequences of a height-related accident. These systems are particularly crucial in environments where the risk of falling is inherent, such as in construction, maintenance, or utility work on elevated structures. The key elements of active fall protection strategies include Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS), a self-retracting lifeline, and an anchorage point.
Passive fall protection systems are essential components in ensuring workplace safety, particularly in scenarios where workers are exposed to height-related risks. Unlike active fall protection systems that require personal activation or direct involvement by the user, passive fall protection provides continuous, automatic protection without the need for worker engagement after initial setup. This category includes guardrails, safety nets, and other barriers that physically prevent falls or reduce the consequences of a fall.
Fall restraint systems are designed to prevent workers from reaching a point where a fall can occur, effectively stopping incidents before they happen. This proactive approach to fall protection is particularly valuable in scenarios where eliminating the hazard entirely isn't possible. Unlike fall arrest systems, which activate after a fall has started to minimize injury, fall restraint systems ensure that the worker does not even reach the edge or open area where falls are possible.
Work at Height Safety Tools and Devices
In work at height operations, the proper use of specialized safety tools and devices is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers. These tools and devices are designed to support various safety measures, both active and passive strategies.
- Safety nets are installed below work areas where the risk of falling exists, to catch falling workers or debris before they reach the ground. These nets provide a collective form of protection and can significantly reduce the severity of injuries in the event of a fall.
- Toe boards are barriers placed along the edges of platforms, scaffolds, and other elevated work areas. They prevent tools, materials, and other objects from being kicked or pushed off the edge, which could pose a hazard to those below.
- Tool lanyards are tethering devices that connect tools to a worker’s harness, wrist, or a fixed anchor point. They prevent tools from falling if dropped, which could injure someone below or cause damage.
- Netting or screens are used to enclose or cover the sides of scaffolding or building structures to catch falling debris, tools, or materials.
- Debris chutes are temporary enclosed slides or tunnels that facilitate the safe disposal of construction debris from higher to lower levels without endangering workers or passersby.
- Slip-resistant flooring materials are designed to provide higher traction underfoot to prevent slips and falls. These materials are crucial in maintaining safety, especially under wet or oily conditions.
Working at Heights Training
Training is a cornerstone of safety for anyone involved in working at heights. Effective heights safety training programs are comprehensive, encompassing not only the basic operational procedures but also focusing on safety awareness, emergency response, and regular competency assessments. The core elements of effective working at heights training includes the following:
Understanding of Fall Hazards
Workers must be trained to recognize potential fall and other safety hazard associated with their specific work environment. This includes understanding the risks posed by unprotected edges, unstable surfaces, and weather conditions. Training should cover the proper setup and use of fall protection systems like guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems, and how these can mitigate the identified risks.
Proper Use of Equipment
Effective worker at height training should provide a comprehensive discussion on the proper use of equipment including PPE, fall protection equipment, and other tools and devices. For PPEs, workers need to know how to correctly choose, wear, and maintain proper PPE such as harnesses, helmets, and safety footwear.
Detailed instructions on the correct use of lanyards, lifelines, anchors, and other components of fall protection systems are essential. This includes how to set up and disassemble these systems safely. For tasks that involve the use of tools and machinery at heights, workers should be trained on the safe operation of these devices, emphasizing the precautions to take to prevent drops or other accidents.
Emergency Procedures and Rescue Training
In case of emergency situations, it is critical for workers to know how to act and respond properly and efficiently. Training on self-rescue techniques is crucial, enabling workers to understand how to safely extract themselves if they are caught in a fall arrest system. Workers should also be trained in how to assist in the rescue of a colleague, including the use of rescue kits and emergency descent devices. Knowledge of basic first aid and CPR training can be lifesaving, especially considering the potential for severe injuries when working at height.
FAQs
How is working at height defined?
Working at height is defined as any work on, above, or below ground level where there is a risk of personal injury through falling or where one could fall from one level to another, regardless of the actual height.
What is the minimum height for working at height?
The minimum height at which safety precautions for working at height are required can vary by jurisdiction and industry. In general, OSHA requires fall protection in the construction industry for any work over six feet in height, though general industry standards set the threshold at four feet.
When working at height what should be used to maintain control of a tool?
When working at height, tools should be secured using tool lanyards or tethers. These prevent tools from falling, which can pose a serious risk to those below and prevent loss or damage to the tools themselves.
Under which circumstances must an employer provide a guardrail?
An employer must provide a guardrail when workers are exposed to fall hazards that could lead to serious injury or death. This is typically required around open sides and edges, at hole openings, and on both sides of walking-working surfaces with an unprotected side or edge that is six feet or more above a lower level.
Who is responsible for providing working conditions which are free from fall dangers?
The employer is responsible for providing working conditions that are free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm, including fall dangers. Employers must assess the workplace to determine if the walking/working surfaces on which employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to safely support workers.
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