Different types of work require different safety measures. Therefore, it is vital that when working at height, you are properly equipped to complete the specific task-at-hand. However, with so many different working environments, operations and equipment, it can be a challenge to know exactly what type of equipment is needed for what task. Here, we break down the features of working at height, what is required when doing so and the several different working conditions, providing the necessary equipment needed to carry out work in the safest possible way.
Managing work at height follows a hierarchy of controls – avoid, prevent, restrain, arrest, which begins with the question “can the work be done safely from the ground?” Fall arrest equipment should only be considered as a last resort if other safety equipment cannot be used. For situations where work cannot be completed from the ground collective protection equipment such as nets and railings must be considered first.
A common solution is utilising scaffolding or mobile platform (MEWP) that provide easy and safe access at height. If none of the above methods can be implemented, individual fall protection equipment safeguarding from falls must be used. i.e. restraint equipment.
The basic features of individual fall protection equipment protecting against a fall from height are:
RESTRAINT:
FALL ARREST:
All fall protection systems must comprise three basic components:
As mentioned, different work conditions consist of different height safety requirements and procedures as a result of the environment they occur in and the dangers involved. Here we take a look and break down the safety requirements for working on a roof, fragile surfaces, ladders and scaffolds and the correct equipment that is needed to carry out work safely.
All work on roofs is highly dangerous, even a job that can take only minutes to complete consist of potentially fatal risks. Therefore, proper precautions are needed to control all the risks that are involved. The individuals managing and conducting the work need to be properly trained, competent and must fully plan the work to be completed in relation to the main risks, causes of accidents and equipment required.
Falls from roofs, either through fragile surfaces and openings or from roof edges can occur on both commercial and domestic projects as well as new build and refurbishment jobs. Many deaths happen every year involving smaller buildings working on the roof of domestic dwellings, which tend to fall under two types:
Work on a fragile surface roof requires a combination of stagings, guard rails, fall arrest and safety nets slung beneath and close to the roof. All roofs should be treated as fragile until they have been confirmed as not. Fragile rooflights are also a hazard as some may be difficult to spot in certain light conditions or maybe hidden by paint. These areas must be protected by using either barriers or covers that are secured and labelled with a warning. Here at SLG, we provide a number of products that ensure when working on sloping and flat roofs, you are completely protected against falls. You can view our best products for working on flat roofs below.
Fall Arrest Harness > Fall Arrest Block >
Every time a ladder is used to carry out work at height, a pre-use check needs to be conducted to ensure that it is safe for use. This should be carried out by:
The benefit of carrying out pre-use checks is to identify any immediate or serious defects that can cause an accident. The areas of most concern are the ladder’s stiles, feet and rungs. Once this has been completed and you are satisfied that the ladder is in good working condition, you must then ensure that all of the required safety precautions to carry out work whilst on the ladder are in place, including wearing the right equipment. At SafetyLiftinGear, we provide a range of secure ladder safety equipment that ensures your safety whilst working at height, including quality fall protection kits.
Ladder Safety Kit Level 1 > Ladder Safety Kit Level 2 >
Tower scaffolds are one method used to prevent a fall when working at height on a sloped roof. The type of scaffold selected needs to be suitable for the work and erected and dismantled by people who have been trained and are competent to do so. However, despite scaffolds existing to prevent a fall, dangers still exist once the scaffold has been set up, with many people injured each year as a result of falling from them. Incidents with scaffolds often occur as a result of dangerous methods of erection or dismantling, defects in the erected scaffold or the scaffold being misused. To ensure maximum safety whilst working on a scaffold, it is recommended that all workers wear appropriate protective equipment, such as specialist scaffold harnesses. You can view ours below!
Scaffold Harness Kit >
When using mobile elevated work platforms such as cherry pickers and access platforms, there are a number of safety precautions that need to be implemented in order to avoid and prevent falls from occurring. Such as:
If all of these things are adhered to, then the likelihood of a fall or serious consequences as a result of a fall occurring is dramatically decreased. You can find our best-selling access platform harness below!
Safety Harness Kit For Access Platform >
In order to avoid potentially fatal falls when working at height, it’s vitally important that you understand the specific requirements of every task you carry out. The working environment needs to be assessed by competent and qualified people, who can identify dangers and hazards before they cause a real accident. When the work is actually being carried out, the importance of wearing the correct equipment as well as setting up the necessary safety precautions cannot be understated. As well as the above products, we supply a whole range of height safety equipment, perfect for a variety of operations at height. You can browse our extensive collection below.
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If you have any questions regarding our range of height safety equipment or any of the listed products, please do not hesitate to contact us today.
A roofing company boss has been sentenced to jail after one of his builders fell 30ft to his death whilst working on a £7 million home in Kensington.
The owner of G&L Scaffolding and Roofing, Kevin Leathers, 41, had “flagrantly ignored” safety warnings when father-of-five Jon Currie, 36, was not wearing a harness when he fell, leading to “catastrophic brain damage” and ultimately his death in July 2017.
The experienced scaffolder lost his footing while taking down a temporary roof of corrugated iron panels. Leather pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and was eventually jailed for eight months, having been previously warned about his employees working in dangerous conditions.
Prosecutors stated that Leathers had been sent a letter reminding him of strict health and safety requirements and that his working practices were “unsafe” when his crew were spotted working without safety harnesses. When Mr Currie fell, he and another worker were again not wearing safety harnesses and no risk assessment had been carried out to identify potential dangers. Curries was also not qualified for the job that he was doing that day. Prosecutor stated that Leathers “failed to exercise his duty of care and as a result, Jon Currie died while working for him. Leathers intentionally breached or flagrantly ignored the law.”
Passing sentence, Judge Joanna QC said “after the letter in April, Leather could not have been warned in clearer terms about the dangers of the activities undertaken. He failed to take appropriate steps. If death results from such failures you must expect to receive an immediate prisons sentence.”
Leather was charged with manslaughter by gross negligence after Curries fell working on an extension to a double-storey basement.
This is another example of the extreme dangers faced when work is carried without the required equipment. Here at SafetyLiftinGear, we provide quality, effective height safety equipment including harnesses, lanyard and fall arrest blocks that assure your safety when working at all heights. You can browse our range below!
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For more information on our height safety equipment or to speak to one of our experts about any of our products, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today by calling 0117 9381 600 or emailing sales@safetyliftingear.com.
When working within the lifting industry, it is not uncommon to find certain operations requiring workers to work at height. Lifting equipment used within industries such as shipping, construction and engineering often involves significantly tall structures as well as smaller heights, both of which carry risks of harm if something were to go wrong. For this reason, it is imperative to have a height rescue plan in place to identify and avoid risks where possible and to react to problems should they ever occur. Here, we talk you through some of the things you can do to develop an effective height rescue plan.
When it comes to working at height, there are very clear laws in place for people to follow. Previously, the law required that anybody working at a height greater than two metres would have to wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). However, the law has since changed and now states that PPE is required “where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury.”
While some say this new guideline can be open to some sort of interpretation, this can be defined as:
Before creating an effective height rescue plan, there are several considerations you will have to make. The first is to ensure you have the correct equipment and that it has all been fully inspected before use. Another is to ensure all staff members are properly trained to use all rescue equipment in the correct way. Once these things have been put into the place, you can then make a start on creating your rescue plan, which should include the following:
As part of your height rescue plan, you will have to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the site before any operation can begin. You will have to inspect any hazards that could be posed by the task and evaluate the risks involved. Falls from height are one of the most common causes of fatality in the UK each year, and for this reason alone, it is crucial that you have a rescue plan in place should anything go wrong.
If you’re wondering how SafetyLiftinGear can help you create an effective height rescue plan, we have an extensive range of PPE and height rescue equipment that will ensure your rescue plan is carried out in the safest and most efficient way possible. A wide selection of our equipment is available for hire as well as full purchase and can be customised to match your exact rescue needs.
Browse Our PPE Collection > Browse Our Rescue Equipment >
For more information, be sure to get in touch with a member of the SafetyLiftinGear team today by calling 0117 9381 600 or emailing sales@safetyliftingear.com!
If you don't provide your employees with the equipment they need, it can pose a serious safety risk to them, and a serious legal threat to your business. AU Roofing and Building Ltd found this out the hard way after one of their employees sustained serious injuries. We've got the inside scoop on the story for you here.
Back in October 2018, a team of employees from AU Roofing and Building Ltd were working on a roof in Elmes Avenue, Kent. The team of roofers were required to carry buckets of materials by hand down the scaffold access ladder to the street level below.
One particular employee, Davey Battams, struggled to keep 3 points of contact with the ladder as he descended down the ladder, and fell the remainder of the way onto the pavement. Battams suffered serious back injuries and was unable to continue working.
The HSE investigated this accident and was able to determine that the employer hadn't provided the basic lifting equipment aids that should be in place for tasks such as this. A simple wheel and pulley would have given workers a safer way to lower the broken tiles while dramatically reducing the chances of an accidental fall.
In court, AU Roofing and Building Services Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 and the court issued them a fine of £28,800!! On top of this, they were also ordered to pay legal cost amounting to £4,213.70.
At SafetyLiftinGear, we know that the right equipment could have prevented this accident from ever happening, and while we can't go back and change the past, we can advise you on how to work safely in the future. Here are just a few different pieces of equipment that AU Roofing and Building Ltd could've purchased to lessen the risk of a fall.
Our ladder fall protection kits are designed to keep you tethered to the ladder, preventing an accidental slip or fall from height.
Designed to take the pressure completely out of your hands, our powered scaffold hoist can move cumbersome items from on top of the scaffold to ground level safely.
These simple, manual pulley systems can take the strain of heavy items and lower them to safety, leaving your hands free to grip the ladder.
When you need to lift or transport important materials you'll find the following lifting solutions safe and easy to use.
If you can't find a lifting solution that fits the requirements of your upcoming job, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Our friendly sales team will talk you through various different lifting options to help you find one that's right for the task at hand.
If you work in a job that involves working at height, chances are that you will be fairly well-acquainted with the humble ladder.
However, what you might not be so familiar with is the recent change in ladder regulations that has rocked the UK ladder industry to its very core…
Okay, while that last statement may be a little bit of a stretch, the fact remains: new ladder regulations have indeed been implemented in the UK and the times they are a-changing.
Luckily, for ladder users nationwide, things are looking up!
The new and improved EN131 regulation was introduced in January 2018, replacing the old version of the same name. After a year’s grace period, the new ruling came into official effect in January 2019.
The move represented the changing of the guard and signalled to the industry that both Trading Standards and the HSE will expect all new ladders created thereafter to adhere to the new rule.
But what exactly is this new rule and how does it affect you?
To handle such laddery queries, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to the EN131 regulation for questions just like that.
When it comes to working with ladders, one thing is for sure – it certainly has its ups and downs… and ups and down… and ups and downs...
However, while regulatory changes can often spell headaches for those directly affected, the recent change in ladder regulations is actually a change for the better in many ways.
Prior to the updated amendments, UK ladder regulations were split into three categories: covering industrial, trade and domestic use.
However, the old version of the EN131 had some gaping holes in its armour, notably the absence of slip, stability, strength and durability precautions.
As these are generally the key areas that account for primary causes of ladder-related accidents, the European Commission set about making a change.
As a result, the new and improved EN131 was created and released to the world like a new iPhone, boasting all the perks of previous model but with a few tweaks and handy new features attached.
Fresh from its regulatory facelift, the EN131 now uses a simplified two-class system, clearly dividing ladders into either professional or non-professional categorisation.
The new ruling should (in theory) harmonise standards for ladders across the board, ensuring that all ladders meet the minimum safety standards required.
While there’s very little in terms of wholesale changes, the EN131 does feature numerous essential criteria in the interest of user safety.
According to the amended regulation, all ladders over 3m must now feature stabilisers and be appropriately tested. Meanwhile, all new ladders must also have an MWL of at least 150kg.
While the new ladder regulations should help keep ladder manufacturers on the up and up, what does that mean for ladder-using professionals nationwide?
If you already own ladders for work purposes – whether you’re a window cleaner, a roofer or Santa Claus – it’s worth remembering that this new regulation is a guideline for manufacturers creating ladders from now on.
As a result, the regulation change shouldn’t directly impact professionals, so don’t worry about any ladder inspectors stopping by to check the quality of your gear and repossess your equipment.
That being said, while professionals won’t be forced to replace their existing hardware, they will be expected/urged to upgrade to an EN131 certified ladder when their current one bites the dust.
If your job involves working with ladders and you’re looking to take your ladder game to the next level, why not check out the range of ladders available at SLG today?
From step ladders and extension ladders to fibreglass ladders and telescopic ladders, we have everything you could ever need to help you up your game and take you straight to the top.
While you’re at it, be sure to breeze by our ladder safety equipment too. Our range of ladder safety kits are perfect for anyone looking to make working at height a little less hazardous.
For more information on any of the ladders available on SafetyLiftinGear.com, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0117 9381 600 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.
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A chemical firm has been handed a hefty fine after a worker suffered a nasty injury following a fall off a ladder.
The incident occurred at the company’s site in Workington when the employee was attempting to inspect a steam leak at height.
While scaling a ladder to do so, the ladder failed, resulting in the worker falling two metres to the ground below, incurring a serious elbow injury in the process.
The incident resulted in the firm, Vertellus Specialties UK Ltd, being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive.
Following their inquiry, the HSE soon concluded that the company had failed to ensure that the job was adequately planned and managed.
Meanwhile, the HSE also surmised that Vertellus had failed to inspect the equipment and ensure it was fit for use.
While the incident took place back in June 2018, the verdict was only reached this past week.
The hearing saw company representatives plead guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The results left Vertellus Specialties UK Ltd with a lofty fine of £120k with over £5k in costs.
Such an incident could have been avoided if the appropriate cautionary steps had been taken in advance.
At SLG, we have a variety of ladder safety equipment to help prevent such instances from occurring and minimise the risks of injury, ranging from removable wall anchors to fall protection kits.
Meanwhile, we also offer permanent structural solutions in the form of our Rung Mounted Permanent Vertical Fall Arrest System, compatible with a demountable mobile anchorage device for additional safety and enhanced freedom of movement.
With so many options available in terms of ladder safety equipment, there’s really no excuse for placing workers at risk. Keep your employees safe when working at height and protect your business at the same time with ladder safety equipment from SLG.
For more information on precautions for working at height or ladder safety equipment, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0117 9381 600 or get in touch online by clicking the link below.
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With high-profile clientele including Tesco, Next and Harrods, chances are you’ve already come across AddGards products before, perhaps without even realising it.
Characterised by their hi-vis colour scheme and uniquely eye-catching aesthetic, AddGards safety products range from children's furniture to wet wipe dispensers.
However, AddGards are perhaps best known within the industry as a go-to brand for safety barriers in the British Isles. And with good reason – their safety products are top-notch.
If you’ve hit a roadblock in your quest for a decent safety barrier, check out these stellar safety products from the pros at AddGards.
As the name suggests, the Elevator Gard from AddGards is ideal for blocking off a lift for maintenance works and retuning.
With “No Admittance” signs included as standard, each pack supplied as a set of two panels, weighing 4.5kg each and measuring over a metre high and over half a metre wide.
Made from durable polyethylene plastic, each barrier also features telescopic poles stored inside, all of which are non-conductive for added safety.
Suitable for 130cm openings as ordered, these foldable modular units can also be linked together with additional units to form larger blockades, if required.
Offering a more substantial blockade for wider areas, the Supergard provides a durable, square safety barrier with an easy-clean, high-polish finish.
Meanwhile, all panels are also fitted with rubber feet for added traction, allowing them to grip to virtually any hard surface.
Available in standard sets of two, each panel comes with two caution/no entry signs and features a striking yellow and black hazard stripe pattern across the top.
For broader barricades, additional sets can be easily linked together with the patented hinge system for simple adjoining of panels. Reflective signage is also available.
What’s better than 2-panel safety barrier? A 3-panel safety barrier, of course! Featuring nylon and stainless-steel hinges, these versatile polyurethane barriers are ideal for outdoor use.
While each panel weighs an ample 4kg each, additional stability bases are available on request for additional security in windy conditions.
Standing a metre high and a metre wide, each panel has red and white reflective signage across the top of all panels for enhanced visibility.
Meanwhile, these too can also be linked together for comprehensive coverage of larger areas, such as roadworks.
Speaking of roadworks, this product also complies with UK Chapter 8 regulations for road works, making them ideal for road maintenance use.
Boasting a hi-vis red/white aesthetic across the top of each panel, the Handigard safety barrier is a high-quality modular barrier system that offers conspicuous cordoned-off safety.
Featuring a smooth finish for easy cleaning and maintenance, all panels also come with ‘No Entry’ symbols as standard.
Foldable for easy storage, the Handigard also includes snap-on hinges for simple linking of panels for wider areas.
Weighing 2.5kg each, these durable polyethylene panels are also compatible with the corresponding rubber base stand for windier conditions or linear use.
The Handigard is ideal for a variety of purposes and designed to comply with BS7801:2011 standards of use.
An iconic product in the AddGards range, the AddGards Minder is instantly recognisable and a memorable barrier that is a common feature in a variety of public places, from supermarkets and fast-food restaurants to schools and airports.
The family-friendly personality of this product has earned it the nickname of “The Little Yellow Man” – a fitting moniker for this warm and friendly way of ensuring public safety.
Each Minder comes with its own stand for solo use, while they also feature connective “hands” and “feet” for easy connection to other Minders, should you require a wider barrier.
Lightweight yet robust and durable, these hi-vis safety barriers stand at over a metre tall and just under 80cm wide with a weight of just 2.5kg.
Each product also comes with six messages, including: “Wet Floor”, “Out of Service and “Cleaning in Progress”.
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