What is “workat height”?
Abarrier isnotasufficientprotection
- It isworkperformedat least 1metreabove the
- when thenatureofwork requiresemployees to lean
groundor floor level.
over the rail or the edge of a piece of equipment
where it isplaced.
Whendowenotspeakof“workatheight”?
The term “work at height” does not apply when the
worksurface(irrelevantof itsactualheight):
- is protected on all sides to aminimum height of 1.5
metresby fullwallsorwallswithglazedwindows;
- is equipped with other permanent structures or
devices protecting the worker against falling from
height.
What is the right order for selectingmeans of protection
against falls fromheight?
- Eliminate the necessity towork at height altogether
by, for example, building an attic at least 1.5 m
high,orerectingawallontheexposedside.
- Change themethodof performinga specific taskat
heightby, forexample,usingahydraulic ramp.
- Employ passive restriction of a work area by, for
example, installing a temporary safety barriers, or
usingvertical safetynetsof theU-type.
- Employ active restriction of a work area by using
individual protective equipment in a way that
excludes thepossibilityof a fall (i.e. the lengthof the
Whatare thebasicemployers’ responsibilities?
system prevents employees from getting within 1
Employersare requiredto:
metre fromthe roof-edge);
- assess the risk at all work places and acquaint their
- Passively limit the potential fall duration and its
employeeswithsuchevaluations;
consequences by installing horizontal safety nets of
- refer all candidates for work at height to an
theS-typeandT-typeexactlyatthework level.
occupational healthcare specialist in order to
- Actively limit the potential fall duration and its
acquire a medical certificate and determine
consequences byusing individual safetyequipment
possible restrictionsconcerningworkatheight;
thatprotectsagainsta fall.
- comply with medical certificates and possible
- Minimise the consequences of a fall by installing
restrictions, i.e. working at the height of up to and
horizontal safetynetsof the Sand T -typesat a lower
above 3metres, or workingat the height of up to 3
level.
metresonly;
- refer all employees working at height for periodic
medical exams (once every 2-4 years, and for 50+
year-olds -onceayear);
- carry out an introductory health and safety training
andspecificworkplacetraining;
- acquaint employees with the work safety
regulations;
- ensure that work at height is performed in teams
consistingofat leasttwopeople;
- supply employees with proper personal protective
equipment freeofcharge;
- inspect all personal protective equipment at least
onceayear;
- keepPPE records.
How toprotectemployeesworkingatheight?
Fall factor(FF)and itssignificance?
- It is advisable to install barriers consisting of safety
The fall factor iscalculatedbydividing theheightofa fall
railingsat theheightofat least1.1metres,and safety
by the length of the rope deployed. Its value ranges
kerbs at least 0.15metres tall. Halfway between the
between0and2.
rail and thekerbacrossbar shouldbeplaced, or the
space shouldbeblocked inaway thatpreventsany
When the fall factorhasavalueof1-2 it isnecessary touse
person from fallingout.
proper safetyequipment inorder to limit the impact force
- Ifdue to thenatureandconditionsofworkatheight it
ontheclimber tonomorethan6kN.
is not possible to install barriers, other means of fall
protectionmustbeprovided - suitable for thenature
andconditionsofwork.
- These requirementsdonotapplyto loading ramps.
10
Workingat height
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