Whether you frequently work on at-height construction projects or occasionally, being safe should remain a top priority. A simple mistake can cause severe injuries or death. Employers should always be ready to protect employees exposed to fall hazards. Here are safety measures to reduce the risk of falls while working at heights.
Identify Hazards and Keep the Area Clean
Ensure the work area is organised and clear from any form of hazards. Identify any dangerous area within the site, both on the ground and on-site. Check for unsafe access points, electricity lines, or spots on the roof that can be potentially dangerous.
Besides, workers should avoid working on roofs during extreme weather conditions like rain, snow and sleet. These conditions have an increased risk of potential fall accidents. On the other hand, excessive heat can cause damage to the equipment, stroke or heat exhaustion.
Strap a Safety Harness
A harness is one of the most necessary fall protection gear for working at height. A perfect harness system includes a harness, roof anchor and rope. A fall arrest system can vary depending on the work and site condition. Therefore, ensure you have the right gear for the work site.
Use proper Working at Height Equipment
Like fall protection, construction equipment for working at heights like ladders, lifts and scaffolds are not one-size-fits-all. Whether you want to do some paintwork or construct a new roof, ensure you use a scaffold with railing. When a scaffold is not a viable option, you may need to use a lift.
Depending on the lift type, you can prefer to use a safety harness. When using a ladder, the fall protection requirements become trickier. You need to recognise your situation and the type of equipment required.
Inspect Your Fall Protection Equipment
Now that you have the proper fall protection equipment, it is essential to inspect the items before you embark on working at heights. If you frequently work on these projects, ensure your lanyards and harnesses are inspected yearly, if not more regularly, by a competent person.
However, the personal protective equipment should be inspected by the user before use. It is essential for anyone working with the devices to understand what should be inspected, what is acceptable and what to do in case the PPE has an issue—checking your equipment before use does not take much time but should be thorough. The inspection could mean the difference between life and death.
Hire Quality Height Safety Gear Today
Whether you want a safety harness or a roofing harness kit, Conveying & Hoisting Solutions has the equipment you need to be safe while working on a roof. Contact us today to discover more about our conveying and hoisting solutions.
