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How to do a Working at Height Risk Assessment

Updated: Jan 21

A man working on scaffolding

What is a Working at Height Risk Assessment?

 

A working at height risk assessment is used to identify the hazards surrounding the area of work and will ensure that safety measures are put into place to maximise the safety of the employees while working at height.


If a workplace requires employees to work at height for certain tasks, it is a legal requirement for a risk assessment to be performed regularly. This will ensure that all workers remain healthy and safe and will also prevent or reduce the risk of injury by removing all hazards.


The working at height risk assessment consists of 5 steps and it must be performed regularly to ensure that workers are always safe and that the equipment is always safe for use. If a fall from height does occur, a new risk assessment must be carried out to assess what happened and change the outcome by adding more safety measures. A risk assessment must also be repeated with the addition of new employees to ensure they receive the required training and know what to do when working at height.


 

A Risk Assessment Matrix

When are Working at Height Risk Assessments Required?

 

A working at height risk assessment is required prior to any tasks that require being above ground level. As stated by the HSE, a person is considered to be working at height if they are working anywhere which if precautions aren’t taken, they could fall a distance that could cause injury. This includes working on a ladder or a roof, working near the edge of an opening or fragile surface or working on any platform that requires employees to be at any height above the ground.


The regulation also states that work shouldn’t be carried out at height where it is reasonably practicable to carry out the work safely. For example if an object on a roof needs fixing, the worker should bring the object safely down to ground level where it should be fixed before being placed back. This reduces the amount of time an employee is required to work at height.


Employers must ensure that all working from height tasks are properly planned, supervised and performed by competent and fully trained workers. Employers must also provide the correct equipment, protective equipment and ensure that employees have received the appropriate training to keep themselves and people around them safe.


 

Exemptions

 

A working at height risk assessment is always required for any tasks that are performed at height. However, there are some exemptions not explicitly stated in the regulations due to certain activities or specific considerations.


Some scenarios where work is exempt from a working at height risk assessment may include:


Short duration work: certain low risk and quick tasks may be exempt from the regulations, however basic safety measures are still required to ensure the safety of the workers.


Domestic work: some work that is carried out by home owners is not covered by the regulations although basic safety measures are still required.


Emergency services: some work performed by emergency services doesn’t always adhere to the same requirements due to the nature of their services but they are not exempt from all regulations.


While some working at height tasks are exempt from the regulations, it is still required that people adhere to the basic safety measures to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy and the risk of a fall and injury is prevented.


 

A Man working at height

The Hierarchy of Control

 

The hierarchy of control consists of 8 steps used alongside a risk assessment to help reduce the hazards in the workplace to ensure employees are protected when working at height.


Each step is in the order of prioritisation:


1. Avoid working at height – sometimes jobs can be done on the ground, such as lowering an object for repairs or using equipment that can be controlled on the floor.


2. Ensure workers at height are fully trained and supervised – employees must be trained and know exactly what to do to increase safety with supervision at all times.


3. Select work equipment that prevents falls – equipment such as harnesses, nets and barriers are vital to enhance safety.


4. Ensure equipment is safe, strong and suitable – choose the correct equipment for each job and check that it is stable and safe.


5. Regularly inspect and maintain equipment – an employee must be chosen as the inspector of the equipment and ensure it receives regular maintenance.


6. Provide necessary PPE and protection from falling objects – hard hats and harnesses should be worn to protect workers at height and people on the ground level from falling debris.


7. Ensure working environment is safe – clear all hazards and risks from the surrounding area and always check that the weather is safe if working outside.


8. Plan for emergencies and rescues – a rescue plan must be created to be used in cases of emergency if a worker falls while working at height.

The hierarchy of control provides a guide to reduce the risks of falls to ensure employees stay safe in the workplace.


 

10 Most Common Working at Height Hazards

 

There are many hazards that need to be identified and assessed when working at height. It is important that the risk assessment is performed to discover the hazards and make sure they are dealt with.


Hazards can include:


1.       Falling objects

2.       Fragile surfaces

3.       Structures with sharp edges

4.       Unguarded openings

5.       Weather

6.       Incorrect / damaged equipment

7.       Overhead structures

8.       Nearby utility services such as electricity lines

9.       Moving vehicles and pedestrians below

10.   Unstable or uneven ground conditions


The majority of these hazards can be reduced and sometimes eliminated with the implementation of certain safety measures to maintain the health and safety of all workers in the workplace.


 

Two Men Working in a quarry

5 Steps to Assessing the Risks of Working at Height

 

A working at height risk assessment consists of 5 major steps to follow to correctly assess all tasks that require working at height in the workplace. The risk assessment will help you to find all hazards in the workplace, determine if enough precautions have been added and if more safety measures are needed to prevent injuries and keep everyone safe at all times.


A risk assessment will include:


1. Identification

The identification of all nearby hazards such as unsecure scaffolding, fragile surfaces and incorrect or damaged equipment.


2. Assess who is at Risk

Decide who could be injured from the hazards such as the workers at height, workers on the ground in the nearby vicinity and members of the public.


3. Evaluate the Risks

The evaluation of potential risks including none or minimal training for employees, poorly


4. Record Findings

Record the risk findings and ensure all safety measures are implemented to effectively reduce and eliminate the risks to create a safe working at height environment.


5. Regular Review of Risk Assessments

Review the risk assessment regularly to ensure that no further risks have appeared (after equipment has been changed or an event).


The Working at Height Regulations 2005 state that employers must know how to perform a risk assessment and manage the discovered risks to ensure workers are kept safe when working at height in the workplace.


 

Implementing Control Measures

 

As part of the risk assessment process, safety control measures must be implemented to ensure the risks are minimised and that all workers are safe from injury or accidents. There are various control measures that can be used to increase safety, reduce hazards and prevent injury.


This includes:


Working at height training

All employees that are required to work at height must receive the appropriate training and be fully competent. This ensures employees know what to do to keep themselves and others safe.


Work at ground level whenever possible

An effective way of minimising risk is to work on the ground if possible and use equipment suitable for ground work which will eliminate the risk of a fall.


Store tools and equipment safely

The safe storage of tools prevents items falling and prevents employees from tripping over equipment that has been left out.


Fall prevention devices

Equipment such as harnesses, scaffolds, guardrails and elevated work platforms will prevent the worker from falling from height.


Supervision at all times

The working at height tasks must always be supervised to ensure the safety of all workers both at height and on ground level.

 

A working at height risk assessment must be regularly performed to ensure all hazards are minimised and safety measures implemented to keep workers safe.


 

a document showing legislation

Risk Assessments in the Working at Height Regulations 2005


As stated by the Working at Height Regulations 2005, it is essential to conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards in the workplace, thereby minimizing the risk of falls or injuries for those working at elevated levels. Additionally, it is crucial to routinely inspect and maintain the protective equipment used for working at height to guarantee its safety and effectiveness.


 

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