Working at height refers to work where any person carrying out a job is in a position which could see them fall a distance which could cause them injury.
Working at height is one of the biggest causes of serious injury and remains the most common workplace fatality.
IRATA approved rope access
Rope access workers are specially trained professionals. Skilled and competent at using ropes for specific tasks at height in all types of industry.
The use of rope access techniques provides significant advantages over other access methods. This system of working means that personnel can get to and from difficult locations and perform any work safely and quickly.
Most technicians and companies will register with IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association). IRATA is the sole global trade association in the work at height sector. Widely recognised as the world’s leading authority on rope access.
Other tradespeople working at height
Sometimes working at height will involve normal trade people (not rope access trained) required to perform some task at height. This is where rope access companies, like Abfad Limited, will come in. Providing a rope rescue team to ensure that any person working at height remains as safe as possible. And, should something go wrong whilst they are working, they have skilled personnel on hand to perform an urgent rescue.
It is vital to take all practical precautions when working at height. Take all necessary assessments on risk. Only suitable, competent people should be in a position which requires them to work at height. Plan all work and supervised by people with the right skills and experience to do the job that is required of them.
Working at height regulations
The ‘Working at Height Regulations 2005’ state:
“every employer shall ensure that work at height is properly planned; appropriately supervised, and carried out in a manner which is so far as is reasonably practicable safe”.
Worker safety is essential and must be the principal factor when planning work at height. Assess the risks of the job and determine how much can be completed from the ground. Make sure all workers can get safely to and from where they are working. Provide suitable equipment, along with protection from any possible falling objects. And, importantly, have emergency evacuation and rescue procedures be in place.
Rope rescue for a quick recovery
When working at height takes place there should be suitable arrangements in place to ensure worker rescue and retrieval is possible. A rapid response to incidents should be achievable.
Rope rescue teams are the safest method of providing this. Any rescue attempts by untrained individuals will only increase the risk to the injured party. Putting even more people in jeopardy.
Bringing rescue teams for any job involving working at height is common practice in power generation and offshore. As a lot of work takes place at height in these industries. This ensures any fall or incident has a team to provide quick reaction and recovery.
Keeping people working at height safe is a fundamental part of Abfad’s and other rescue teams’ daily life.