Injuries from falls are especially common
to people working at heights.
"Working at heights" is one of
the highest risk jobs across the industry and over the years, it retains its
rank as the second biggest cause of major injuries and fatalities worldwide.
Every year in Australia, approximately
12,000 people die from unintentional falls and almost half a million are
treated in the emergency rooms. This is why Safe Work Australia put more focus
on fall prevention measures to reduce height-related injuries.
Injury and damage can occur as a result of
·
Lack of training in safety and
unclear job procedures
·
Poor working conditions (poor
lightings, slippery floor, etc.)
·
Protective devices (like
guardrails or covers) are missing from work site
·
Fall-protection items are
unavailable, not used at all, or used improperly
In 2016, news about the death of a height
worker in Singapore raises discussion among labor advocates and experts. Mr.
Mohan Suresh, an Indian national, fell 14 storey to his death 3 days before he
was flying back to India for his wedding.
Mr. Mohan did not put any safety harness
when he decided to check some pipes on the roof of an HBD block. His safety
gears and helmet are lying in a storeroom 12 minutes’ walk away from where the
incident happened.
This unfortunate event made us realise that
a fall accident can be prevented only if safety precautions are always observed
when doing the job. Proper training. well-maintained equipment's and a common
sense will keep height workers safe from any harm.
Take a look at 5 essential tips we've put
together to keep workers from falling from heights.
Assess risks present in the workplace
Risk assessment is a vital element and the
first step in effective health and safety management. You need to carry out a
workplace risk assessment to examine the hazards and determine what could
potentially cause harm the workers.
Implement protective measures
Once you’ve identified the risks, proceed
with implementing protective measures to lessen the risks. Discuss with the
business officials/workers involved on what fall protection systems needed to
create the safest environment possible.
Fall prevention systems mostly include barriers,
guard rails, scaffolding, roof safety mesh and elevating work platforms.
Emergency procedures in place
In case of a fall incident, every effort
must be made to ensure the safety of the casualty. In order to do that, the
emergency services should have the right tools and knowledge to cater to all
fall emergencies and respond to them effectively.
Periodically re-evaluate risks
Doing a regular update on all safety
measures and risks assessments in the workplace are crucial to keep on top of existing
and developing hazards.
Invest in Worker Training
Workers need to undergo regular safety
training sessions and classes on handling emergency situations. Sending your employees on height safety and
first aid training courses can reduce the chance of accidents and injury to the
workplace.
Safety should always come first when
working at height. Don't take unnecessary risks and let small mistakes or
negligence cause a person's life.
Know
more about safety and first aid courses, please visit https://www.firstaidpro.com.au/
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