Working at Heights
1. Definition
Work carried out at a difference in level of 1.5 m above the base (floor or protected platform) is considered “work at heights”.
For a platform to be protected, it must have railings around the entire perimeter, openings or different levels built of rigid materials with suitable strength, made up of a handrail at a minimum height 90 cm, an intermediate protection that impedes stepping or slipping off from below the railings and skirting that stops objects from falling to lower levels.
Falling to a different level is one of the most common and most important risks faced by workers on ISASTUR Group jobs .
It must always be borne in mind that working at heights is only to be carried out with the aid of purpose-designed equipment or using collective protection devices, such as railings, platforms or safety nets. If this were not possible due to the nature of the job, means of safe access are to be made available and safety harnesses with energy absorbers are to be worn.
Workers carrying out this type of work must not present any medical constraint for working at heights and are to have received suitable training for this kind of work.
A safety system or fall-arrest system is required to work at heights: i.e. the set of PPE that permits the fall of a worker to be arrested under safety conditions. For example, a fall-arrest harness and a fastening element with an energy absorber. In addition, depending on the case, it is also to include a positioning or anchoring system: the set of PPE that allows the worker to securely occupy his work position and work with his hands free. For example: a safety belt with an adjustable anchoring element.
All access and positioning systems must be accompanied by a safety system, because all access and positioning manoeuvres at heights entail the hazard of falling, which must be protected against. Access and positioning systems must be active at all times, while the safety system must remain inactive.
In no case whatsoever must a manoeuvre be carried out without the provision of a safety system that stops the worker from falling if other systems fail; its ultimate function is to arrest the fall under safety conditions.
