Below is work at height risk assessment that covers work in any place including at or below ground level and/or obtaining access to a place of work where an employee could fall a distance liable to cause injury.
Scope of work may include work at or below ground level – roofs, open edges, opes, risers, shafts, excavations, false floors, excludes permanent staircases.
Remember there is no safe height to work.
Hazards of work at height may include:
- Persons falling from height
- Materials falling from height
- Failure of access equipment
Work at Height Control Measure
Work will be assessed before commencement, and hazards associated with work at height, identified. Working at heights training to be conducted for workers.
Where possible collective measures of fall prevention will be used.
Where not feasible, safe systems of work will be implemented.
Avoid work at height, i.e. redesign the work layout to carry out work from the ground.
Reduce work at heights, redesign to minimize work from height to carry out work from the ground.
Safe means of access and egress will be provided to the area of work.
Minimize distance of fall, use safety nets, bean bags.
Use Approved and certified equipment only.
Choose a work platform that is reasonably practical to carry out the work.
For work equipment adopt a hierarchy of selection
System Scaffold (see Scaffold RA)
MEWP (see MEWP RA)
Aluminium/Mobile Scaffold (see Aluminium/Mobile Tower RA)
Ladder (see Ladder RA)
Where required, signs and barriers will be erected directly below works to warn of overhead operations.
Edge protection will be provided at all openings or edges, where a fall is possible.
Where edge protection is not practicable an alternative means of fall prevention / fall arrest will be identified.
Where there is likely to be debris falling, fans, chutes or full enclosures will be used to protect 3rd parties.
All operatives/subcontractors/visitors, working/passing below overhead operations to wear a safety helmet.
All equipment used will be checked to ensure it is in good working order, to correct specification and in date for inspection.
All inspections to be recorded on prescribed form and kept in the safety file.
Work will be monitored to ensure that additional precautions and equipment is taken into use if edge protection is removed.
All work at heights is to be supervised and carried out by a competent person.
Ensure emergency procedures are implemented, communicated and adequate resources for rescue training and equipment are allocated.
Podium Ladders Risk Assessment
Where work at height cannot be avoided and a system scaffold, mewp or aluminum /mobile tower are not feasible due to existing features on site that cannot be altered and the work is of short duration a ladder may be used.
LADDERS ARE FOR SHORT DURATION WORK ONLY‐ TYPIACALLY 15‐30 MINUTES.
Hazards related to podium ladders include:
- Persons falling from a ladder
- Materials falling from a ladder
- Death, Bodily Injuries
- Equipment failure
- Overturning of the Podium Ladder
- Overloading Access Equipment
Control Measures
Ladders to be used only for low risk work and short duration (less than 30 min).
Ladders should not be used when more suitable means of accessing work at height is available e.g. Scaffolds, Alloy tower, M.E. W. P.
Ensure employees are physically capable and trained in the proper safe use and inspection of ladders.
Existing features of the building may prevent use of more suitable work equipment.
Only 1 person is allowed on a ladder at a time.
Always face the ladder when moving or working.
Do not carry loads up or down ladders, pass loads hand to hand or use rope, maintain 3 points of contact at all times.
Ladders should not be painted or treated in such a way as to conceal defects.
Never lean ladders against fragile surfaces e.g. windows, and protect surfaces from damage.
Ladders should be inspected before use, on a weekly basis and recorded on prescribed forms.
They should be free from splits cracks or other defects. Any defects should be reported immediately.
Footwear worn by persons using a ladder must be clean and of the type to provide satisfactory grip, overshoes must have grips on the soles.
Metallic ladders must not be used near electricity or certain chemicals.
An Exclusion Zone may be required around the work area if there is a risk of falling objects on personnel underneath.
Overreaching/Overloading should be avoided.
The ground conditions should be considered. Ensure the ground is level and solid.
Ladders should be stored securely after use.
Damaged ladders will be broken up or removed immediately.
Alert others visitors, public to risks associated with the work carried on, i.e. provision of signage, barriers.
Podium ladders should not be moved whilst persons are mounted on them and may not be climbed unless the wheels are locked.
Podiums must be wheeled in preference to manually handled and where this is not possible, any detachable parts should be removed to lighten the load.
Ensure that the gates are closed on the podium ladder before any work commences.