Safety briefing - working at height

This briefing addresses the key risks and control measures associated with working at height.

What’s covered?

The aim of this Safety Briefing - Working at Height is to ensure that all staff are fully aware of the issues associated with this type of activity.

Hazards and risks

The briefing identifies the hazards and risks including incorrect selection and use of work equipment, missing or damaged scaffold and not preventing public access to work areas.

Management

Control measures include completing a risk assessment, avoiding work at height where possible, providing staff with correct training and issuing them with personal protective equipment.

Key points

Attendees must take note of the following key points:

• “Work at height should be avoided if possible.
• A competent person should properly plan all work at height and complete a risk assessment.
• Always choose the safest type of access equipment.
• Ladders should only be used as a last resort and only for short duration activities.
• Only use the correct type of stepladder.
• Scaffolds, including tower scaffolds, should only be erected, dismantled and moved by a competent person.
• Mobile elevating work platforms should be operated by trained personnel only.”