Height Aware Campaign

Height Aware Campaign

• Background

• Work at height

• Who the campaign is for

• What will happen

• Work at Height Regulations 2005

Background: Statistics

• Biggest Killer 53 Fatal Accidents 2004/05

• 3783 Major Accidents 2004/05

• Falls are one of the main causes of major accidents

• 2/3 of all major injuries caused by ‘low falls’ (below head height)

Height Aware - audience

• Aimed at people in the building and plant maintenance sectors in widest sense

• Building and maintenance sector account for approximately 50% of all falls from height injuries each year

Height Aware – objectives

• ‘Procurers’:– Ensure you select competent contractors to

work at height

• ‘Doers’:– Identify suitable activities and precautions

– Select the most appropriate equipment for the job

Height Aware – is it you?• Do you carry out maintenance work or other related

tasks?• Are you an electrician or a mechanical/ electrical

fitter?• Do you clean windows are part of your job?• Do you paint and decorate whilst at work?

• If so, then are you Height Aware?

Height Aware – is it you?• Do you use a ladder as part of your work?• Do you work from low level platforms, such as

podium steps, hop ups or trestles?• Do you use scaffolding or specialist equipment such

as cherry pickers or scissor lifts?• Do you stand on chairs or desks to carry out tasks?

• If so, then are you Height Aware?

Height Aware – is it you?• Do you plan the work at height you do?• Do you see work at height as part of your job, or as

something that someone else should worry about?• Do you realise the dangers (both physical and

financial) of falling from height at work?

• If not, then you need to be Height Aware!

Height Aware - activities• Media – radio and newspaper adverts

• Events – Safety and Health Awareness Days, breakfast meetings, point of sale initiatives

• Inspector visits – HSE and Local Authority

Media activities – what you might see

Work at Height Regulations 2005

• Came into force on 6 April 2005

• Regulations consolidate good practice

• Height Aware will help consolidate the requirements of the WAHR

Organisation, Planning, CompetenceWork at height should be

• Properly planned• Appropriately supervised• Not carried out if weather conditions

jeopardise health and safety

Those working at height should be• competent or if being trained supervised by a

competent person

Risk Assessment• Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and

Safety at work Regulations

• Do a risk assessment

WAHR - Hierarchy

Avoid work at height • if you don’t have to go up there DON’T!

Prevent falls • use an existing place or means of access• Use the most suitable way of working

Mitigate distance and consequences

Hierarchy - Avoid

Hierarchy – PreventEdge Protection – good and bad

Hierarchy – PreventScaffolding – good and bad

Hierarchy – PreventMEWPs – good and bad

Hierarchy – MitigateAir Bags – good and bad

Hierarchy – MitigateNets – good and bad

Personal fall arrestWork restraint Fall arrest

Select the right work equipment• Working conditions• Access and Egress• Distance and consequences of a fall• Duration and frequency of use/task• Collective measures before personal• Ease of rescue/evacuation• Risk of use, installation and removal of

equipment

Other requirements• Avoid risks from Fragile Surfaces• Prevent Falling Objects• Warn about Danger Areas• Inspect work equipment• Persons at work should:

• Follow instructions and training• Advise employer of hazards/risks to health and

safety

Ladder Use• Risk assessment must justify use;

Low risk, Short duration, Or Site conditions dictate

• Follow good practice

If it’s right to use a ladder, use the right ladder, use it safely.

Key Messages• Take a moment, not a fall• Protect your business from falls• Do a risk assessment, plan and organise

your work properly• Follow the hierarchy: avoid – prevent –

minimise• Use the right equipment – use it safely

Further Information

• Email: falls.campaign@hse.gsi.gov.uk

• Height Aware - Campaign pack

• The Work at Height Regulations – a brief guide

• Safe use of ladders and stepladders – an employers guide

• HSE website: www.hse.gov.uk/falls