Safety is a paramount concern for those working in the construction and building maintenance industries. Whether your workers deal with heights on a daily basis or it is just the occasional need to climb up a ladder, safety should be prioritized. Otherwise, even a routine task can end with a serious injury or a fatality.
Here are five important safety tips that should be implemented if you operate a business where your employees are regularly dealing with heights and their associated hazards:
Install Railings
Railings are a great form of passive protection, and one the most straightforward ways of ensuring safety compliance. They don’t involve any additional equipment or training protocols. You’ll find there are railing systems suitable for almost every style of roof, from metal roof railings to parapet mounted versions. Regardless of which railing system you go for, this is one of the best ways to ensure roof safety.
Educate Works On How to Use Ladders Properly
Ladders are the source of a large number of workplace and domestic accidents. We often assume everyone knows how to use ladders properly, especially since they are a fairly common household item that is used for DIY purposes. The first thing people need to learn is to ask whether a particular ladder is the right piece of equipment for the task at hand. Then staff need to be trained on using ladder properly, which is rarely as simple as most people think.
Ensure You Have The Right Equipment
When working at heights, it’s essential to provide workers with the correct safety gear, such as a safety harness. Take the time to do your research and understand exactly what is required for each specific task. For example, if employees are performing welding on a structure, a standard nylon harness may not offer the heat resistance needed. Comfort is also important, especially for long-duration tasks. You should also consider protective elements like toeboards—many employers ask, “what is toe board?”—it’s a safety feature installed at the edge of elevated surfaces to prevent tools or materials from falling and causing injuries below.
Inspect Your Equipment Regularly
Simply having the right safety gear available isn’t enough, especially if the systems are worn out. You need to ensure all protective equipment is annually inspected by a qualified professional with the authority and knowledge to advise you on safety. Workers should also have some training to carry out a basic safety check on their own gear prior to each use. It is important for workers to also take accountability for their own safety and know what is acceptable. At the end of the day, ensuring their equipment is fully operational could be the difference between life and death when working at heights.
Be Mindful When Selecting Anchor Points
Once you’ve ensured you have the right safety gear and it’s in full working order, you’ll need to start thinking about anchor points that will hold the load. Anchor points can’t just be chosen in a haphazard way, and should be approved by a professional engineer. Be sure that all anchor points are also installed correctly.
Working at heights is dangerous and safety needs to be taken seriously. The five aforementioned points should be considered just the foundation of factors that are needed when implementing roof safety policies in the workplace. Regardless of how often your workers operate at heights, you should be mindful of these precautions and ensure the staff receive the correct training to take a degree of accountability for their own safety as well.
