October 2020

Article
Working at Height
SAFETY STEPS TO WORK AT HEIGHT
When working at height, it is crucial that roofers are aware of the many different tools and
equipment available to them that can help to minimise the risk of falls. Below, Jamie
Brassington, Product Manager at WernerCo, discusses the different equipment that should
be used and the support available that can help educate roofers on the safest ways of
working.
Whilst trade bodies and manufacturers
have continued to educate tradesmen
on the dangers of working at height, the
recent figures from HSE show that there is work
to be done. The latest ‘Workplace Fatal Injuries in
Great Britain 2020' Annual Statistics report
showed that whilst there was a reduction in
fatalities caused by a fall from height during
2019/20, it still remains the main cause of fatal
accidents, accounting for almost a third of all
those recorded.
To help combat this, it is crucial that roofers are
utilising the correct tools and that employees and
employers are up to date on best working
practices in order to safely work at height.
“Ladders should only
be used for short
periods, for light work
and should also not be
used if the user has to
overreach”
Using equipment safely
When it comes to finding safe ways to work at
height, there are a range of different tools and
equipment available that are suited to different
types of jobs.
Ladders, for example, should only be used for
short periods, for light work and should also not
be used if the user has to overreach. Work at
Height regulations prohibits overreaching as this
can cause injury, and if the user cannot move
around easily or needs to frequently reposition a
ladder in order to work, this can
hinder productivity.
Any work that is done
with the aid of a
ladder should always
be carried out faceon
and three points
of contact should
always be maintained.
When working on roofs,
the suitability requirements
are also often different as
access to another level is usually
required, meaning any ladder used must extend
past the stepping point by at least 1 metre.
For the majority of work carried out on a flat roof,
temporary fall protection is usually needed to
undertake work safely. Although it might seem
obvious, when working on a sloping roof, workers
should never work directly on slates or tiles
unless they have additional safety measures,
such as a roof ladder. The Youngman 5766 Roof
Ladder series is designed especially for roofs
pitched up to 55° and is fitted with ridge hook
assembly, support bearers and wheels to help
easily position the ladder and secure it when in
use.
Be properly informed
For any ladder user looking for more information,
the Access Industry Forum’s (AIF) new Safety
Steps handbooks are a good starting point.
Created in conjunction with other work at height
organisations, the handbooks include
comprehensive advice for anybody using a ladder
or specifying working at height equipment. This is
done through handy flow charts
and checklists, which
operatives and managers
can follow to make the
correct safety
decisions.
As part of the
guidance provided by
AIF, it is also
highlighted that anybody
working at height must
have sufficient knowledge and
training before undertaking any job. In
order to comply with this, WernerCo offers
specific work at height training such as the
Ladder Association’s Ladders and Stepladders for
Users or PASMA’s Towers for Users course, both
which have recently been tailored to
accommodate social distancing. These short
courses provide those working at height with the
knowledge they need in order to work safely and
use equipment correctly.
As well as taking careful considerations to ensure
the correct tools and pieces of equipment are
made available, both employers and employees
have a responsibility to ensure their correct use.
By enhancing their knowledge and following the
guidelines set out by trade bodies, such as the
AIF, roofers can play their part in helping reduce
the number of accidents that occur when working
at height.
Contact Youngman / WernerCo
www.youngmanaccess.com
www.wernerworldwide.com
62 TC OCTOBER 2020