Work at Height Safety ..Toolbox Talk Material...

What is working at height?
Any work to be performed at a height of 2 meters or above from the ground level where a person is standing is defined as work at height. Even a job being carried out below the ground level is classified as work at height. (Eg: Work in an excavated area is a work at height).
For jobs at more than 2 mtr. height, where there is no permanent platform, the job requires a permit to work along with a work at height checklist.

Working at height includes working on:-
o Ladders
o Rooftops
o Scaffolds
o Mobile Scaffolds
o Mobile Elevated working platforms
o Erection of a scaffolding
o Pipe racks
o Towers /columns (In between working platforms, where there is no direct approach)
o Exchanger Banks
o Heater/Boiler stacks
o Flare stack/ structure
o Fragile Roofs
o Communication towers
o Gantries for Tanker trucks /Rail wagons loading operation.
o Truck roof top sheeting.
o Window cleaning at height. (Using a Rope)


Avoid; working at height if possible
Prevent; should you have to work at height, prevent falls.
Minimize; what happens when someone falls, Fall arrest system (Last resort)

The major hazards to consider when working in an elevated position are: Falling, and Dropping objects onto people below.

Dropped Objects
 Any object dropped from height can cause serious injury or death if it falls on somebody below
 Even a bolt or hand tool dropped can be very serious
 Wherever possible tools should be fastened by lanyard to ensure it doesn’t fall if dropped
 We should avoid working at different levels on a scaffold or structure and we should barricade off the area under where people are working at height – this way if something does fall it is less likely to hit somebody as it falls.
 Good housekeeping at height is essential – loose objects left at height can easily be kicked or
knocked causing them to fall

When it is necessary to work at height, ensure that any precautions are taken to prevent anyone falling and to prevent anything being dislodged or dropped onto.

Work at heights is safe providing you use a proper means of access and take the necessary precautions to prevent falling.

 Never climb the structure of the plant.
 Never use the bucket of a loading shovel or the forks of a forklift truck as a means of access
 Never work at any place unless there is safe footing, or at any place from which you could fall a
distance that could cause harm. Always consider the use of handrails and toe boards, fencing and
other equivalent protection. Also, ensure you are wearing a safety harness attached to a suitable
anchor point.
 Never climb on a scaffold having a RED tag.

Fall Protection

Fall arrest:
• Consists of ;
• Lanyard
• Anchorage Point
• Full Body Harness

They should
 Be inspected prior to use
 Be protected against being cut or abraded
 Be attached to an anchorage at height and not at the same level.

Carrying tools to worksites at height
The workers should carry their tools in a secured bag/pouch. Their hands should be free to maintain the 3- point contact while using the ladder.

Heavy tools / materials like big wrenches, spanners, heavy blinds, blind flanges etc. are to be lifted by a suitable winch or a secured chain pulley block to the designated level
.
Abnormal weather conditions
Work at height jobs shall be suspended during harsh weather conditions like stormy winds, rains and
thundering & lightening.

Welding / Cutting jobs at Height.
It should be ensured that the sparks flying out from welding/Cutting jobs are contained properly to avoid their falling on adjacent pipes / vessels & at ground.

General Do’s & Don’ts for working at height

Do’s…..
 Do a visual inspection of work at height equipment before each use.
 Provide protection from falling objects
 Make sure equipment used for work at height is well maintained and inspected regularly.
 Area barricading at the ground while working at height.
 Carry tools / tackles securely at height.
 Make 3-point contact while ascending or descending a ladder.
 Only one person should use a ladder at any one time.

Don’ts……
 Use a ladder horizontally as a working platform.
 Use a wooden/ Bamboo ladder.
 Lean or overstretch.
 Work on incomplete scaffold.
 Make any modification/ alterations to the standard work at height equipment.