Working Up High



Statistics show us that fall-related accidents are some of the most common in the work environment.

Between January 1st of 2003 and December 31st of 2015, 359 workers lost their lives after falling from a height (1). That’s an average of 27 deaths each year. 

The most common places to fall from were roofs, ladders, and vehicles.

Another statistic shows us that in the 2010-11 period, there were a total of 7730 serious injuries reported due to a fall from a height (2). A further 6900 workers were hospitalized due to a fall from a height in the 2006-09 period, accounting for 9% of all work-related hospitalizations.

It’s clear that we need to take workplace safety more seriously, especially when it involves the risk of falling from a height and causing serious injury or even death.

Here are some ways workers can decrease their risk of falling:

1.Have a stable platform

Having a stable platform to work on is of utmost importance. If the foundation you are standing on is flawed or wobbly, your risk of falling off increases exponentially. 

The platform also needs to be big enough to accommodate you, your colleagues and any equipment that might be required to perform the job.

Other safety features such as fall prevention safety should be planned and installed to ensure even more safety for the workers. Examples include barriers and guard railing.

2.Practice safety and minimize the risk

There are many ways to ensure a safe work environment. Some of them include:

•    Know the plan and objective. This may sound simple, but it’s crucial to establish a work plan and to have specific objectives you want to achieve. This makes the operation smoother, everyone understands their tasks, and you minimize the risk of having to go back and forth.


•    Use the proper equipment for the job. For many tasks, this might only mean safety equipment such as protective eyewear, proper footwear, and gloves. Whatever the requirements are, they are there to help keep you safe.


•    Avoid risky maneuvers. If there is a risk of you falling or hurting yourself otherwise while performing a given action, it’s important to find another way to do things. Common examples include reaching to something far away and standing on the edge of the platform.


•    Stay calm. Working in high places can be intimidating, especially at first and it’s important for everyone involved to stay calm and collected. Fear and anxiety are great ways to cloud your judgment, make rushed decisions and react poorly to any situation.


3.Use a ladder properly and stay safe

As we saw from the statistic above, ladders are the second most common place where people fall from and being educated on proper use, and safety practices are crucial.

a)    Make sure the ladder is in good condition. This might sound like a no-brainer, but many old ladders (especially those made of wood) are still used today and that, on its own, is a big risk factor for falling. Risk factors include a bent body, cracks, missing steps, loose or missing bolts and nuts, and an overall worn-out look.


b)    Make sure the ladder is clean. Slippery materials such as grease, oil, mud, snow, and paint should be cleaned off right away to avoid falling off.


c)    Make sure the ladder is placed on a firm foundation that will keep it stable from the ground up. Soft and slippery ground can cause the foundation to weaken, and you can easily lose balance and fall.


d)    Make sure the ladder also has rigid support on the top and that it’s placed at an angle recommended by the manufacturers.


e)    Don’t place the ladder where it can easily be knocked down by someone. Examples include near entrances where a door opening can hit it or on a sidewalk where a careless pedestrian might bump into it.


f)    If possible, have someone at the bottom of the ladder to look after you and hold it, just in case.


g)    When climbing or going down a ladder, always face it and keep your body centered between the side rails.


h)    Always keep a firm grip with both hands while you’re on a ladder. Also, make sure that your footing is solid before you move onto the next step. A good rule to follow is the “3 points of contact” one. Always have two hands and one foot or one foot and two hands in contact with the ladder at all times.


i)    Never overreach while on a ladder. If needed, get down and move the ladder to a different position.


j)    Avoid carrying anything while going up or down a ladder. This could compromise your grip and cause you to fall.

k)    If you have to use the ladder for outside work, make sure the weather supports that. Avoid using it in windy weather or during storms.
 

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