LESSONS LEARNED

WORKING AT HEIGHT
Type of Incident: Working at Incident classification: Near Miss
Height

Brief account of incident:

A work party were working on a scaffold and were changing out a ladder. One crew member was
at the bottom of the ladder whilst another was lashing the ladder in place with one foot on the
scaffold and one foot on the ladder. He was not hooked on whilst doing this.

The work was witnessed by another crew member and intervened to prevent a colleague being
injured and to ensure safe working practices.

Severity evaluation Actual: Near Miss Potential: C1 / Moderate

Why it happened?
The personnel involved indicated that they felt that they did not require to be clipped on as three
points of contact were maintained during the process of tying off the ladder.

What went well?

Nobody was injured during the incident, the job was stopped and a positive conversation carried
out with regards to the correct procedures.

Lessons learned:
The Stork guidelines on compliance with the Working at Height Regulations 2005 outlines the
following;

1. A person working from a ladder shall always have three points of contact with both feet
on the rungs and a secure handhold.

2. If both hands are needed for the work then consider a platform, or if this is not possible,
then a safety harness securely clipped above head height to stop a potential fall must be
used.

1. If there is risk with working from a ladder, no matter how high off of the ground and there
is a potential for a fall, then a safety harness securely clipped above head height to stop a
fall is required

Recommendations & key actions:

 Incident discussed with work party
 Lessons Learned compiled and distributed for discussion amongst teams who carry out
working at height

For further information please contact David Crichton, david.crichton@stork.com

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