Page 82 - RIIWHS204E Learner Guide

RIIWHS204E-Work safely at heights

LOCATE TOOLS AND MATERIALS TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMISE
THE RISK OF ITEMS BEING KNOCKED DOWN

It is vital that all work at heights is conducted safely. To help promote safety, you will need
to keep the area clean and tidy to stop people from tripping over things. You must also
ensure walkways are clear, so people have enough room to move around and work.

KEEPING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT SAFELY STORED

Your tools and equipment are vital to your job. You will need them for almost everything
that you do, so it makes sense to keep them stored safely. You must keep all tools and
equipment in a toolbox, not lying on the ground. This will not only keep your tools safe and
in good working order, but will most importantly help prevent them from being a tripping
hazard or from accidentally being knocked off the edge of the building or scaffold.

Another way to keep your tools and equipment safe is to secure them to your tool belt or fit
them with a lanyard so they can’t fall if you accidentally drop them. Kickboards
should be installed where materials rest on any surface at a height to prevent them from
falling over the edge.

KEEPING SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN PLACE

Safety equipment if your life line. At all times, safety equipment needs to stay in place
while you. If you need to install a new or different system, you must keep the old
equipment in place until the new equipment is ready to use.

If you are moving from one safety system to another, you need to ensure that there is a
safe position where you have access to both so you can secure yourself to the new
system before freeing yourself from the old one. This will ensure that at all points in
time you are safe.

When performing work at heights, the user should eliminate or minimize the risk of tools
and materials being knocked down-

 By using tool lanyards

 By having the tools stored in a tool bag when not in use

 Neatly laying leather blanket on the mesh under the work.

Also there are few methods to eliminate or reduce the risk of tools and materials
falling from heights such as

 Secure all tools and materials to prevent them from falling on people below.

 Use toe boards or guardrails on scaffolds to prevent objects from falling.

 Use debris nets or catch platforms to grab falling objects.

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