Working at height requires extreme diligence on the part of the person working, as well as the right equipment to keep you safe whilst doing so. The two together mean that you will be safe when working at height and can carry out your duties without fear for your safety. The equipment you use needs to be the right fit for you, high enough quality and in good enough condition to take your weight easily, and fit for purpose – there is no use using a height safety helmet that isn’t the right fit for you, for example. Never compromise on height safety equipment, as the consequences could be as serious as experiencing a fatal injury whilst you are working at height.
How to stay safe when working at height
Working safely at height isn’t something that comes naturally – it takes care and caution, and specialist training so that you know exactly what you are doing at all times. It’s important that you understand the ways in which to work safely; this is the most basic part of keeping yourself, and others, safe when working in challenging conditions. If you aren’t aware of the basics, then you can’t understand what it is you need to do in order to stay safe. Adhering to rules is important too, but this is secondary – the most important thing is taking care of your person safety.
Some important height safety accessories
There are some important pieces of equipment you will need for working at height, including the most important, your height safety harness. This will be used to anchor you and to protect you from falling, so the fit and quality are very important. There are also a number of accessories that you will need in order to work safely at height – here are some of them:
- Rope working accessories – these can secure items to ropes to make sure they stay safe and don’t fall.
- Anchor points – anchors that fall prevention devices can be attached to.
- Harness connectors – the devices that height safety components will be attached to, like lanyards, anchor points and harnesses.
- Height safety helmets – protective wear for your head whilst you are working at height.
There is also specialist equipment that you can buy if you are working in a confined space, or if you are going to be using the equipment for rescue. This might be applicable if you are from the emergency services or if you are completing certain training.
Using the right height safety equipment
The equipment you use to protect you at height could be the difference between life and death, so it needs to be right. Make sure you use the right equipment for the job, and make sure you update your equipment regularly so that you don’t have to worry about it getting worn out. You should always check over your equipment before use to make sure it is in perfect condition and will do what you need it to do in terms of protecting your safety.