When working at heights in Victoria, or even anywhere else around the world, the key safety concerns are objects or individuals falling and sustaining grave injury or damage. The three categories of the most common hazards.
When working at heights in Victoria, or even anywhere else around the world, the key safety concerns are objects or individuals falling and sustaining grave injury or damage. The three categories of the most common hazards, how they can be accessed, and the precautions you can take with your equipment, as well as legal duties, include;
The most common height-related hazards
Some activities involve working in high places that present clear hazards. These comprise working from scaffolds, ladders, as well as platforms. Other varying examples comprise work;
- On structures that are elevated.
- On steep grounds and cliffs.
- On roofs.
- Over pits, tanks, or even water.
- On top of trailers or automobiles.
When any worker falls from a height that is two or more meters high, he’s most likely to sustain a grave injury, suffer permanent disability, or even die. Damage and injury from items or people falling can happen due to;
- Unguarded openings.
- Work in areas that don’t feature covers or guardrails.
- Poor edge protection.
- Items that are poorly secured or stored.
Also, hazards can come about as a result of changes in weather, out and inside.
Who happens to be at risk?
Workers who are employed in a wide variety of jobs can end up being at risk when working in high places. These comprise employees who work in;
- Maintenance.
- Window cleaning.
- The road transport sector.
- Agriculture.
- Construction.
- Painting and decorating.
Individuals who undertake one-off jobs working at heights in VIC or anywhere else for that matter, and without proper planning, training, or equipment are at risk too. So are members of the general public who could end up being harmed by the activities of someone who is working somewhere high.
Conduct a thorough risk assessment
When you cannot avoid working in high places, then you will have to conduct a risk assessment. You will have to consider how your employees are required to;
- Access any work location they will be working at.
- Work at any high location.
- Evacuate safely yet very quickly in case of any emergency.
There is a wide range of varying resources that teach you how to conduct a risk assessment being offered for free online. So, if you do not know how to do it, just find one of such resources and go through it.
Method of statement
In situations in which the work that is being carried out is taken to be complicated, you should make sure that you provide more detail to all those who are involved, in form of the document that is known as the method statement. This comprises how you intend to get the job carried out as well as how all the risks involved are going to be managed. Also, if you do not know how to draft a method statement, there are several sample forms you can use online.
These are the key precautions you will need to take to safeguard all of your employees who might be working at heights in Victoria or anywhere else in the world. Remember that there are official guidelines and regulations as regards such jobs. Not following them could end in an offence that could see you being prosecuted.
