Lone working at heights - Watch your step!
Working at heights is a dangerous enough occupation at the best of times but when you add a lone working element into the mix, then it becomes even more so. For workers in pairs or teams, should an accident or fall occur then there will invariably be a colleague around to raise the alarm, summon help and provide emergency first aid if required, but for the lone worker there is no such backup available. It is in these situations that a lone worker safety system such as LookOut call can be a potential lifesaver by allowing victims of falls to summon help or to allow rescuers to quickly pinpoint the victim themselves if they are badly injured or unconscious.
Occupations which may fall into the category of lone workers at risk of falls include self-employed builders, window cleaners, painter & decorators, roofers, and other members of the construction industry. It should be remembered however that you don’t necessarily have to fall from a great height to seriously injure yourself, as figures provided from the HSE recent ‘Slips, Trips and Falls’ campaign have revealed.
According to the HSE, falls from height however remain the most common kind of workplace fatality. Falls from height in the manufacturing industries alone for instance are the third highest cause of fatal injury, comprising over 20% of fatal accidents. Other HSE findings have revealed that
- Falls from height are a significant cause of major injuries (broken limbs, fractured skulls etc) comprising over 9% of this category of accidents
- They result in about one major injury for every over-3-day absence injury
- Total more than 200 each year
- Can result in serious or even fatal injury even when the fall is less than 2m.
Watch Your Step!
According to one lone worker who regularly works at heights inspecting lofts and other raised areas, often in vacant properties the way to stay safe is to reduce the risks wherever possible. “First of all make it a two man job if it is feasible. If this can not be done, ensure you leave a list of properties you are visiting that day so that you can be located should you not return on time, or better still use a lone worker safety system. Once you are actually working at height, ensure there is good lighting and personal protective equipment if needed such as suitable ladders, never use chairs or other means of climbing upwards. Finally the golden rule when working at heights is to concentrate at all times and above all, never ever step backwards, always turn around”.
