Ensure you are working safely at height

With so many occupations reliant on working at height, knowing and following the recommended safety procedures in this area is paramount. Yet, recently released statistics make for a harrowing read. According to the latest bulletin from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there were 50 fatal injuries due to falls from height during 2023 to 2024.

As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure the necessary precautions are taken by your workers and contractors to put safety when working at height first and prevent falls. Read on for further guidance and make working at height as safe as possible…

Take steps to prevent falls

Here at National Training Services, we understand that sometimes working at height cannot be avoided. If this is the case, it is up to you to lower the risk of falls and ensure your workers have the means to put safety first. As an employer, you should provide a safe place of work as well as the right equipment. You can also take steps to reduce the distance of the fall and in turn the consequences should the worst happen.

Prioritise employee education

There are many things workers can do before they attempt working at height. As a starting point, advise employees to undertake as many of their duties as possible from the ground. When the time comes to ascend, workers should not be overreaching or overloading work at height equipment.

Extra precautions should also be taken when working on or near fragile surfaces, or in the vicinity of falling objects.

Make sure equipment is up to task

The equipment used when working at height should be suitable for the job. It must be robust and reliable as a rule of thumb.

Be sure equipment - like fixed scaffolding, tower scaffolds, mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPs), ladders and stepladders, trestles and staging, and personal protection equipment (such as harnesses, ropes and shock absorbers) - is in good working order with regular maintenance.

Call in the trainers!

You don’t have to take on employee training alone. Whether you have your own trainer in-house or are recruiting outside help, ensuring they have the knowledge and latest insights to deliver effective workplace safety training is important.

Our two-day Working at Height Train the Trainer course is suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners, and provides delegates with a solid understanding of basic safe working at height as well as the safe use of ladders and steps.