Page 274 - IGC BOOK

Risk Factors for Work at Height

There are several risk factors that contribute to work at height, the significant risks include:

• Vertical distance – work carried out above 2 metres above has the risk of injury of

death.
• Overhead obstructions – powerlines, fixed structures.

• Fragile roof surfaces – that does not support weight of a person or loads they carry.

• Sloping roof surfaces - are pitch with greater than 10º. Potential to cause worker to
slip down with increase acceleration force liable to cause serious injuries.

• Working platform - Unprotected edges of scaffold, overloading of platform.
• Poorly Maintained Access Equipment – ladders, tower scaffold, MEWPs.

• Environmental factors including – adverse weather conditions, floor condition, poor
housekeeping.

• Falling Materials – due to poor housekeeping or absence of toe boards. e.g. bricks,
hand tools could fall.

Methods to control work at height

The employer has responsibility to control the risk associate with Work at height, which is
regulated by Work at Height Regulations 2005. The regulation applies to all work at height
where there is a risk of fall liable to cause personal injury.

Simple Hierarchy of Control

• Avoid work at height
• Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where working at height

cannot be avoided.

• Where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, use work equipment or other
measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.

Wherever possible work at height must be avoided, alternatively carry out the tasks from
the ground level.

When selecting the control measures, employers must give priority to collective protective systems
(scaffolding, nets, and soft-landing systems) that will protect groups of workers. Individual

protective system relies on the behaviour of the individual. For example, providing safety nets,

prevent falling of workers as well as materials is a collective protective system, whereas fall arrest
system is an individual protective system which protects only those who wear it correctly.

ENSIGN | General Workplace Issues 7