Falls from height – Your questions answered

More than a million British businesses and 10 million workers are estimated to carry out jobs involving some form of work at height every year. Falls are one of the biggest causes of death and serious injury at work. That’s why this year’s #OSHtober focussed on working at height and raising awareness of the dangers. In this article, we look at some of the common questions relating to working at height.

Question: Do you need to be formally ‘qualified’ before using a ladder at work?

Answer: You need to be competent. This means having the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to use a ladder properly for the work you will carry out, or, if you are being trained, you work under the supervision of somebody who can perform the task competently. Training often takes place on the job and does not always have to take place in a classroom. What matters is that an individual can apply what they have learned in the workplace.

Question: Can I still use ladders on a building site?
Answer: Yes. Ladders and stepladders can be a sensible and practical option. They can be used for work at height when the use of other work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration (short duration means working on a ladder for no more than 30 minutes at a time); or when there are existing workplace or site features which cannot be altered.

Question: Am I working at height if I’m walking up and down a staircase at work?
Answer: No, you are not. Work at height does not include walking up and down a permanent staircase in a building.

Question: Do you need to have two feet and one hand on a stepladder at all times when carrying out a task?
Answer: No, this isn’t true. When you need to have both hands free for a brief period to do a job using a stepladder (e.g. putting a box on a shelf, hanging wallpaper, installing a smoke detector on a ceiling) you need to maintain three points of contact at the working position.  This is not just two feet and one hand, it can be two feet and your body (use your knees or chest to help with stability) supported by the stepladder. Ensure a handhold is available to steady yourself before and after.

Question: Have HSE banned the use of ladders to access scaffolds?
Answer: No, this isn’t true. Ladders can be used for access as long as they are of the right type (i.e. a suitable grade of industrial ladder), in good condition and effectively secured (tied) to prevent movement. You should ensure they extend at least one metre above the landing point to allow for a secure handhold when stepping off.

To find out more about #OSHtober, visit HERE and follow us @RoSPAWorkplace