The following are all requirements in law that a Company must carry out when working at height:
(a) Provide the most suitable equipment appropriate for the work.
(b) Take account of factors such as the working conditions (e.g. weather).
(c) Take into account the nature, frequency and duration of the work.
(d) The risks to the safety of everyone where the work equipment will be used.
Below are a number control measures you should consider prior to working at height.
(a) Ensure that work at height is properly planned, adequately supervised and carried out in a safe manner by suitably trained and competent staff.
(b) Ensure equipment is suitable, stable and strong enough for the job, maintained and checked regularly.
(c) Stop materials or objects from falling or, if it is not reasonably practicable to prevent objects falling, take suitable and sufficient measures to make sure no one can be injured, e.g. use exclusion zones to keep people away.
(d) Store materials and objects safely so they won’t cause injury if they are disturbed or collapse.
(e) Plan for emergencies and rescue, e.g. agree a set procedure for evacuation.
(f) Ensure that injury is prevented from the fall of materials, tipping or throwing of objects.
(g) Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, by using the right type of equipment where the risk cannot be eliminated.
(h) Do as much work as possible from the ground.