Health and safety when working at heights – what to pay attention to when working at heights

Working at heights is particularly dangerous and is a frequent cause of serious and fatal accidents. Therefore, it is extremely important to take exceptional precautions when working at heights, and occupational health and safety regulations provide clear guidance on this subject.

Photo Work at heights can be carried out using basket lifts.

Performing work at height

According to occupational health and safety regulations, work at height means activities performed on scaffolding, ceilings, chimneys, ladders, building structures and other elevated structures that are at least one meter above ground or floor level. 
It is not considered work at height work (regardless of how high-level it is) if:

• the place is covered on all sides (to a level of at least one and a half meters) by solid walls or walls with glazed windows,
• the workplace is equipped with other permanent structures or devices that protect employees against falls from height.

They are necessary to work at heights height qualifications. To obtain them, you must surrender altitude research. 
As part of the tests for working at heights are necessary visits to doctors of three specializations – at the ophthalmologist, laryngologist and neurologist. After consultations with these specialists, if there are no contraindications, the occupational medicine doctor issues a certificate constituting a permit to work at a specific height (indicated in the referral). The higher the altitude at which work is to be carried out, the more frequent the mandatory inspection visits - especially when it comes to eye checkups. In Poland, working at heights while wearing glasses is unacceptable, but wearing contact lenses may be a solution in this situation.
Height permits are issued temporarily, depending on the height at which the work is to take place:

• work at a height of up to 3 meters – permit issued for 3 to 5 years, depending on indications,
• work at a height above 3 meters – permit issued for 2 to 3 years, depending on indications.

If the employee is over 50 years old, the tests are repeated annually. How much height tests above 3 meters cost depends on the location and facility where they are performed. Prices start from around PLN 150.

Who can work at heights? 

Working at heights is possible provided that the employee passes height tests and obtains the authorization to work at heights. Authorizations can be obtained by completing specialized training, culminating in passing an exam in a unit authorized to organize this type of courses. The training program includes, among others:

• occupational health and safety regulations and legal requirements regarding work at heights,
• characteristics of work at height,
• principles regarding the selection, use and control of equipment,
• rules regarding individual and collective insurance,
• discussion of the risks when working at heights,
• rescue techniques,
• practical,
• first aid classes.

Work at height may only be performed by people who:

• have a curlease medical certificate confirming there are no contraindications to work at height,
• have a referral for height tests, which clearly states whether they are working at a height above or below 3 meters,
• received training in occupational health and safety regulations, as well as on-the-job training, which familiarized them with the specificity of working at heights and the threats occurring at this workplace,
• have guaranteed access to personal protective equipment and know how to use them,
• were familiarized with the assessment of occupational risk associated with working at heights.

 

Work at height and the employer's obligations

Since work at heights is considered particularly dangerous, the employer has a number of obligations. The most important include:

• direct supervision of work at heights by persons designated for this purpose,
• providing individual and collective protective equipment,
• providing employees with appropriate on-the-job training, including:
  • personal division of work,
  • the order in which individual tasks are performed,
  • occupational health and safety requirements for given activities.

The employer is also obliged to ensure that only authorized and properly instructed persons have access to places where particularly dangerous work is performed.

Safety measures required when working at heights

Work at heights should be carried out using appropriate safeguards. In the case of surfaces located at a height of more than one meter above the ground or floor level, on which employees may stay (or which serve as passages), it is required to install balustrades consisting of protective handrails located at a minimum height of 1,1 meters and curbs at least 0,15 meters high.
If the type and conditions of working at heights do not allow the installation of balustrades, it is necessary application of others personal protective equipment employees. They are to have access to equipment protecting against falls from heights, which includes, among others: protective helmet, harness for working at height with a safety rope attached to permanent structural elements, suspenders with belt hip (for supported work) or harness for working at height. 
A special type of work at height pose mountaineering works, which require specialized training, equipment and advanced skills and are usually entrusted to companies specializing in such work at heights.

Basket lifts working at heights

Often used for work at heights basket lifts. This is not only a universal, but also a very safe solution. There are various types of such lifts available on the market.
Depending on the method of movement, basket lifts are divided into:

• self-propelled lifts,
• lifts on trailers,
• car lifts.

Depending on the type of their construction, the following are distinguished:

• telescopic boom lifts,
• articulated boom lifts,
• articulated telescopic boom lifts,
• scissor lifts,
• mast lifts.

In the case of a basket lift, the leaseal price - depending on, among other things, the type of device - starts from about PLN 80 per hour, although it often depends on individual arrangements. Basket lift leaseal provides the opportunity to carry out various works at height, including repairs to street lighting, removal of tree branches or installation of advertising. 
However, regardless of the type of work at height, When using a basket lift, the employee should be equipped with a helmet, harness, gloves and shoes with a rubber sole that ensures adequate grip on the ground. Work sites should also be properly secured - the area should be fenced with tapes that prevent unauthorized persons from entering the area where - due to work performed at height - their safety could be at risk (such as when cutting down tree branches).