Working at heights refers to any work where you could potentially fall and injure yourself.
Disclaimer: The following information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation
KEEP SAFETY IN YOUR SIGHTS WHEN WORKING AT HEIGHTS
Working at height can include the:
- Use of stairs or a ladder to access machinery or an elevated platform
- Edge of a dock within the warehouse
- Getting in and out of plant / mobile equipment or vehicles
TIP: Try to do as much work as you can while you are on the ground
THREE POINTS OF CONTACT RULE
Following the three points of contact rule can help prevent slips and falls. This means maintaining three points of contact when mounting or dismounting equipment or when climbing or descending stairs and ladders, such as:
- Two feet and a hand holding a rail
- Two hands holding a rail and one foot to support your body
TIP: Secure all items when at height so that you and others are protected from falling tools
SAFETY TIPS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS
Whether you work at heights every day or just once in a while, there are basic steps you can follow to ensure your safety:
- Always have good footwear to reduce the risk of a slip or trip
- Inspect the equipment to ensure handrails and other parts are safe and not faulty or damaged
- Make sure that handrails and foot plates are in good working order
- Check for any wet areas or slip hazards
Finally, if you are going to work on a platform, always ensure that there is adequate fall protection in place and you are correctly licenced and trained.
IMPORTANT: If you have a phobia of heights, or have not been trained or you are not comfortable undertaking the task, then inform your supervisor or Labourpower consultant immediately.
SAFETY GOES 24/7
Labourpower values your health and wellbeing and has an ongoing commitment to safety in the workplace.
We are also proud to partner with Workactive to bring you safety and wellbeing programs throughout the year.
We look forward to bringing you more safety tips as part of our Toolbox Tuesdays.
Look out for our regular Toolbox Tuesday and Wellness Wednesday posts on Facebook, LinkedIn and the Labourpower website.