Working at height

Working at Height continues to be the Construction Industries biggest killer, with falls accounting for 30% of all the deaths in construction. The cause of most of these accidents were very basic and simple i.e. unlashed ladders, incomplete working platform, guard-rails and toeboards missing openings in floors not securely covered or guarded.

 

[Hazards]

·  Incomplete scaffolding.

·  Unsecured ladders.

·  Falling objects.

·  Scaffold collapse.

 

[Safety Points]

·  Never work off an unsecured ladder.

·  Ladders must be lashed or footed.

·  Scaffolding must have safe access onto a completely boarded platform which is fitted with guard-rails and toeboards fitted on all open edges.

·  If you have to work outside the guard-rails even for seconds make sure you are wearing a full safety harness which is clipped to a secure anchor point.

·  Never leave openings in floors unprotected.

·  Protect openings in floors with guard-rails and toeboards or cover over and fasten down.

·  Covers over holes must be strong enough to support the weight likely to be placed on it and fixed into position to prevent accidental dislodgement.  Mark all coves “Hole below” or similar type of warning.

·  If you work off a mobile scaffold tower always lock the wheels, make sure guard-rails and toeboards are in position and the platform is fully boarded.

·  Never ride on the platform of a mobile tower scaffold.  Move it by pushing it from the base.

·  Never place steps or ladders on the platform of any scaffold.

·  All scaffolds to be marked as fit for access by competent system ie (Scafftag).

 

Falls accounted for more than 30% of fatal work site injuries

추락사고는 사망사고로 이어질 수 있는 가장 큰 위험이며, 공사현장에서도 자주 맞이하는 위험요인 입니다.

호주에 갔었을 때, 2층 건물을 시공하는데 있어서 비계 설치의 안전 수준이 높아서 놀랬던 적이 있습니다. 개인적으로 추락 사망사고를 접했던 사람으로써 다른 위험요소 보다도 우선시하여 예방대책을 강구해야 합니다. 가장 쉽게 찾을 수 있는 방법은 근로자가 일하는 방법으로 직접 고소작업구간에 올라가봐야 합니다. 

안전 부적합사항이 있다면, 내가 불안전하다면, 그에 적절한 대책이 필요할 것 입니다.