Working at heights

Falls from heights can cause very serious and sometimes fatal injuries. You must identify tasks that place staff, students or others at risk of a fall from heights and:

• Determine if the task can be performed another way e.g. cleaning roof gutters with a blower/vacuum attachment that can be operated from the ground.
• If heights must be accessed, the activity must have controls or systems in place to prevent falls.

The safe method of work for working at heights should include:

• a risk assessment for each activity
• development of safe work procedures for staff to follow
• appropriate equipment provided and maintained
• provision of training to staff if required.