7 Work at Heights Safety Tips For PCBUs
Posted on November 1, 2024
7 Work at Heights Safety Tips For PCBUs
Sydney Safety Training is dedicated to helping businesses in Australia provide the safest possible work conditions and ensuring the Australian workforce conducts themselves in the safest possible way. When it comes to working at heights, this is paramount. However, tragically, falls from height remain one of the leading causes of death and injury nationwide. Indeed, from 2015 to 2019, 122 Australians fell to their death whilst at work. That’s 122 fatalities too many.
As fully accredited, leading experts in working from heights training, we’ve prepared some top tips that Persons Conducting a Business of Undertaking (PCBUs) can implement immediately to make their workplace safer.
What is Classed as Working at Height?
Any work that risks someone falling more than two metres is deemed a high-risk construction activity. In such a scenario, the PCBU must prepare a safe work method statement to help mitigate the chances of this happening.
1. Know The National Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011
It’s not light reading, but it’s fundamental knowledge for anyone working in heavy-duty industries. We recommend that all course participants familiarise themselves with the Act and the Code of Practice for Managing the Risk of Falls in the Workplace. This might seem like a big ask, but it’s certainly preferable to having an OH&S accident in the workplace.
2. Ensure Everyone Has a Working at Heights Permit
Anyone who works at height in an Australian state or territory must have a valid Working at Heights Australian Standard permit. Our nationally recognised courses provide all the knowledge and practical skills necessary to maintain a safe work area and respond to any falls. One-day courses run Monday to Friday and we never cancel. Find out more or enrol today.
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3. Maintain and Update Working at Height Training
Safety working at height is not a one-hit-wonder; this is the kind of training that should be done over and over and over again. When death or life-long severe physical injury is at stake, you can never overdo training. You want everyone in the workplace to have safety built into their DNA. Besides, it’s a legal requirement to update training every two years.
Good news—Sydney Safety Training offers one-day refresher courses Monday through Friday, with Saturdays also a possibility. Contact our team to find out more.
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4. Perform Regular Height Safety Checks
They say change is inevitable, and that applies to types of fall hazards as well. Risk levels can change quite quickly as a project progresses. What may have been deemed safe when you first started out may now be a potential threat, and it’s your job to spot it. Conduct regular risk assessments to stay one step ahead and either avoid an incident or remove the potential for it altogether.
5. Check Personal Protection Equipment Before Every Use
It sounds like going overboard, but a working at heights PPE pre-check before each use is a small sacrifice for potentially saving a life. We recommend annual harness and lanyard checks undertaken by a competent person. Sydney Safety Training has the right people for this task should you want to outsource it. Additionally, every individual user should be responsible for conducting their own pre-use checks.
We should also add that it’s crucial to have the correct PPE equipment available, particularly if you’re using Fall Arrest Systems.
6. Ensure The Right Working at Heights Equipment is Available
Different industries and tasks require different fall protection systems. For some, that might mean a ladder or scaffolding, whilst others could rely on a railing or a scissor lift. It’s essential to understand the potential risks and provide accordingly. Our team is available to offer advice.
7. Ask Yourself: Can This Work Be Done From The Ground?
Stop and ask yourself this basic question before you automatically pull out a ladder. Is there a way to safely do this work from the ground instead? You’d be surprised how often the answer is yes.
Contact Us About Working With Heights Training Courses
We take heights safety very seriously, and so should you. To ensure your workplace is as safe as possible and mitigate risks, speak to us about a work-at-heights permit.
We don’t want you and your team to simply tick boxes. We are passionate about ensuring safety is first and foremost in your minds; we want it to be second nature in everything you do.
Our team is here to help with all questions and enquiries, and we look forward to hearing from you.
You can contact us here.