Use a safety harness when working at height.
Did you know that falls from height is the number one reason for deaths that occur in workplaces? As sited in the February 2009 issue of the “Information for Workers and Safety (IWSH)” newsletter,
- 40% of workplace deaths in 2007 were from falls from height
- 15% from fire and explosives or exposure to harmful substances;
- 20% from being struck by falling objects; and
- 25% from other causes.
Clearly, majority of deaths come from falling from high grounds.
Accidents from working at height can be avoided if workers observe simple safety precautions. The following are 5 safety tips as recommended by the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) of Singapore.
- Ensure there are guardrails and/or barriers for open sides
- Use appropriate work platforms to reach higher places (e.g. Boom Lift, Scissor Lift, Personnel Lift, Truck/Trailer Mounted Lift, Spider Lift)
- Use proper stairs and ladders to move from one level to another
- Use proper body harness (Video on How to Put on a Safety Harness)
- Check your harness
- Webbing has no frayed edges, broken fibres, pulled stitches & cuts
- No cracked or distorted D-ring
- No loose, broken or distorted buckle
- Lanyard is not worn out or broken
Visit the Workplace Safety and Health Council’s for more workplace safety articles and news. If you require assistance from an aerial work-platforms specialist, please contact Galmon.
