Key to safe working at height

Safetyworks and Solutions explain why specification, training and maintenance are the key to safe working at height.

At a time when the health and safety of workers is ever more important, industry is increasingly turning to fall protection systems that provide a fail-safe solution for keeping workers safe while working at height.

The Work at Height Regulations offer a comprehensive guide when it comes to working at height and also address the important issue of training and annual inspections - two areas that are often overlooked.

By working in partnership with an experienced and professional supplier of safety solutions you can be assured that you are providing your workers with the most advanced and 'fit for purpose' safety solution for working at height.

The poor selection, care and maintenance of equipment can be a particularly common cause of falls.

Carrying out a risk assessment and installing the appropriate safety equipment goes only part of the way to preventing a fall.

Work at height is by nature dangerous so it is imperative to ensure that those who carry out this form of work have the knowledge and skills to do the work safely, as failure to do so could result in a serious accident.

It is essential to ensure that anyone who requires access to an area at height such as a roof or plant gantry must have adequate training and supervision.

This includes contractors, sub-contractors and any maintenance operative employed directly or indirectly by the company.

Regular training courses, periodical reassessment and a record of this practice will minimise the risk of an accident.

Training must also include instruction on the correct usage of equipment and in accordance with the manufactures' recommendations.

It is extremely important to remember that each product has been designed to address the differing working requirements and has its own specific safety considerations When compared with the price of a person's life, safety systems are an extremely cost effective means of providing long and short term protection - as long as those doing the work are properly trained, the equipment has been supplied and installed by a professional company, and a regular inspection programme has been implemented.

Safetyworks and Solutions Limited has established itself as a professional manufacturer of highly developed fall protection solutions.

They have built their excellent reputation on not only supplying their customers with the most effective fall protection system, but also with a step by step guide as the 'best practice' methods for working at height, as well as being able to provide the essential yearly equipment inspection.

Falls from height remain the biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury.

Injuries caused by falls whilst working at height can be caused by falls from gangways and walkways, ladders, scaffolding, and roofs and roof edges.

Under the current legislation, employers have a duty of care to safeguard employees working at heights regardless of the distance.

In addition to this CDM legislation has placed a responsibility on architects and specifiers to ensure that the building they are designing have safe means of access for maintenance and inspection.

Safetyworks and Solutions provide complete solutions for safe access in and around buildings, and as a supplier of both.

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