Know your limits
With falls from height accounting for nearly three out of 10 fatal injuries to all workers, and more specifically 50% of all fatal accidents in the construction industry, the safety of working at height can never be overlooked. Paul Bruton, product development director at Werner, discusses the importance of using the right access solution for the right job.
In the decade since the launch of the 2005 Work at Height Regulations, the popularity of ladders on site has continued to rise, however, understanding the plethora of access options and knowing when and where you can use them, is still considered by some to be a grey area. So, what are the best options for optimum site safety?
From the ground up
The traditional ladder has, and always will have, its place on the market, but correct use is vital to ensure that legislative requirements are met. Ladders should only be used for short periods of time, for light work and ideally only as a means to get to an access platform, not as an access platform itself.
Before beginning a task where work at height is required, first ask yourself a few questions: Will the task be complete in under 30 minutes? If so, will the ladder be positioned on a level and stable foundation? If not, alternative equipment must be sought.
Applications where it’s appropriate to use a ladder includes exterior decorating, exterior DIY, or as a means to gain access to an access platform or flat roof. Ladders used to access another level should be tied and extend at least 1m above the landing point to provide a secure handhold.
When using an extension ladder, always make sure that the ladder is positioned at the correct 75 degree angle and the base is correctly tied back. If it’s impossible to secure the ladder by tying it, ask a colleague to ‘foot’ the ladder by standing at the bottom with one foot on the bottom rung while gripping the stiles with both hands.
Taking it up a step
One product often overlooked as a viable access solution is the low level work system, which is perfect for long duration work and where frequent access to the working area is required. The beauty of access equipment like the BoSS Low Level Work System is that there are no specific training requirements for use. Flexibility is one of the main advantages of these units, making it a practical option for site use across a number of different building environments. The BoSS system is a two-man working unit, available in lengths of 1.3m, 1.8m and 2.5m, and at platform heights or 0.75m and 1m. It’s this type of flexible construction and versatile application that has helped to increase the popularity of access systems over permanent scaffolding options.
Reaching your ultimate height
When working at heights of over two metres, access towers provide a practical solution for a range of longer-term requirements, such as maintenance and repairs, and for general building works. Importantly, access towers are a safe and reliable alternative to permanent scaffolding, as all will come with an inbuilt guardrail to prevent falls. Access towers are portable and, in some cases, compact enough for easy storage and transportation.
When using any work at height equipment, the need to adhere to all necessary regulations is essential. As a basic guideline, when using access platforms a risk assessment must always be carried out and a competent person must build, dismantle and carry out a pre-inspection on the tower.
There’s not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ product that will meet all work at height requirements and regulations, the right choice will depend on the task, the working height, the stability of the surface below and the competence of the user.
