SAFETY TALK 7

Working at Heights

Introduction
Falling from height is the major cause of fatalities in the construction industry. More than half of falls
from a height of over 2 metres result in death or serious injury. All such deaths and serious injuries
are preventable.

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

© SpeechBubble 2008; www.speechbubble.ie

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Main Points:
Talk 8: - Illust
• Plan work at height. Think about safe access/egress, edge protection (for people and materials),
PPE and what training is needed. There should an emergency plan in place for any working at
height which will include rescue.

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Main Points: Talk 8: - Illustration :

• Any work at height, including excavations, requires guard-rails, intermediate guard-rails and
toe-boards to be fitted.

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Main Points:
• Where it is not practicable to fit guard-rails, intermediate guard-rails and toe-boards (for example
for short duration working) can safety nets, airbags or, as a last resort, fall arrest equipment be used?

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Other points to consider:

• Where roof work is required, first identify any fragile areas and/or openings and implement
suitable precautions.
Talk 8: -

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Other points to consider:

• Access ladders must be secured and extend sufficiently beyond working platforms to allow for safe
access/egress. Talk 8: - Il

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Talk 8: - Illustratio
Other points to consider:
• Where access ladders run for more than 9m then suitable intermediate platforms must be provided.

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Other points to consider: Talk

• Consider weather conditions - wet, windy and/or icy conditions can have a serious impact on
safety at height.

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Talk
Other points to consider:
• Ensure workers are suitably trained and physically capable for tasks being undertaken.

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Talk 8 : - Illustration
Other points to consider:
• If guard-rails, fragile surface covers, void protections, etc, are removed for any reason then they must
be replaced as soon as possible, and in the interim should be physically guarded.

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!

SAFETY TALK 7
Working at Heights

Other points to consider: Talk

• Use crawling boards/roof ladders where applicable.

It’s not the falling that hurts - it’s the landing!