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10 Common Working at Height Hazards and Control Measures
10 Common Working at Height Hazards and Control Measures
10 Common Working at Height Hazards and Control Measures
Control Measures
May 23, 2023
Working at heights presents a unique set of challenges and hazards. In
industries such as construction, maintenance, and utilities, where tasks are
often performed several feet off the ground, the risk of serious accidents and
injuries can be high. Understanding and mitigating these risks is crucial for
maintaining a safe working environment.
In this blog post, we will explore 10 common hazards associated with working
at heights and provide practical control measures to reduce the associated
risks. These hazards range from falls from heights – a leading cause of
fatalities in many industries – to the dangers posed by unstable working
surfaces, weather conditions, and the improper use of equipment.
Falls from heights are among the most common causes of fatalities and
serious workplace injuries, particularly in the construction, utilities, and
industrial sectors. It’s important to note that “height” doesn’t necessarily mean
hundreds of feet above ground. A fall from a relatively low elevation, such as a
ladder or a rooftop, can still result in serious injuries.
The circumstances of falls can vary widely but can include situations such as
falling through fragile surfaces, falling off ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or
other elevated work platforms and areas, and falling into holes or service
shafts. Each scenario might need different prevention methods.
Control Measures
Effective control measures should aim at preventing the fall from occurring in
the first place. Here are some ways to achieve that:
Unstable, uneven, or slippery surfaces can increase the risk of slips, trips, and
falls when working at heights. The instability can be due to various factors
such as weather conditions (rain, ice, snow), dirt or debris on the surfaces,
structural deficiencies, or the nature of the surface material (for example,
gravel roofs or loose scaffolding planks).
To mitigate the risk associated with unstable working surfaces, the following
control measures can be put into place:
Edge protection is critical when working at heights, especially near the edges
of roofs, platforms, and other elevated work surfaces. Inadequate or non-
existent edge protection significantly increases the risk of falls, one of the
most serious hazards when working at heights.
Control Measures
Here are some control measures that can help prevent falls due to inadequate
edge protection:
4. Falling Objects
Falling objects pose a significant risk to those working at height and people
working or passing below. These objects range from small hand tools to larger
items like building materials. When an object falls from a height, it can gain
considerable speed and force, leading to severe injuries or fatalities upon
impact.
Control Measures
To mitigate the risks associated with falling objects, a variety of control
measures can be implemented:
5. Scaffolding Collapse
Control Measures
To mitigate the risk associated with scaffolding collapse, the following control
measures can be implemented:
Lifting equipment, such as hoists, cranes, and lifts, is frequently used to move
workers and materials to elevated work locations. If this equipment fails, it can
lead to serious accidents, including falls, crushing injuries, or being struck by
falling objects.
To reduce the risk of lifting equipment failure, several control measures can be
put into place:
Weather conditions can change rapidly, catching workers off guard. For
instance, a sudden rainstorm can make a rooftop or scaffolding slippery, or
strong winds can cause a worker to lose balance or knock loose materials off
an elevated work surface.
Control Measures
8. Lack Of Training
Lack of adequate training can significantly increase the risk of accidents when
working at heights. Workers may not understand the risks involved, how to
use safety equipment correctly, or what to do in an emergency.
Control Measures
To mitigate the risk associated with lack of training, the following control
measures should be considered:
For example, workers might use a too-short ladder, leading them to overreach
or stand on the top rung. Another worker might not secure their harness
correctly, reducing its effectiveness in case of a fall. Or, workers might not
store equipment properly, leading to wear and tear or damage that makes it
unsafe to use.
Control Measures
To mitigate the risk associated with improper use of equipment, the following
control measures should be considered:
Control Measures
To mitigate the risk associated with a lack of PPE, several control measures can
be taken:
While this blog post has outlined 10 common hazards and their control
measures, it is not exhaustive. Each workplace is unique, and the specific
hazards and necessary control measures can vary. It’s, therefore, essential to
conduct regular, thorough risk assessments tailored to your specific situation.