ECS Health Safety and Environmental Assessment 07

Falling from a height is the most frequent cause of death on construction sites.

Only one person should be on a ladder at a time, even if someone else is footing it for stability.

The ideal angle for a ladder is 75 degrees, which can be assessed using the '1 in 4 rule' (for every 4 meters out, there's 1 meter up).

The rung of a ladder has started to break. Do not attempt to use it or repair it yourself. Immediately inform your supervisor about the damaged equipment.

Ladders should be in good condition, tied or footed, and at the right angle to prevent falls. They should be inspected by the user before use.

Ladders are primarily for access, not for working from for extended periods. Only use them for short tasks if other safer options are unavailable and the risk is low.

When working above public areas, prioritize preventing falling materials, as it poses a significant risk to the public below.

Scaffold towers must be erected by trained and competent personnel to ensure they are built safely and securely.

The top guardrail of a scaffold should be at least 950mm (37.4 inches) above the edge from which someone could fall.

A working platform used for construction work, from which a person could fall 2 meters or more, needs to be inspected by a competent person every 7 days.

Always attach your safety harness to a secure anchorage point inside the mobile elevated work platform. Do not attach it to external structures.

If high winds make using a mobile elevating work platform unsafe, do not operate it. Prioritize avoiding work in hazardous conditions.

When working at height and other equipment is unavailable, a full-body safety harness and lanyard must be worn at all times.

Protect fragile roof panels by covering them with a strong material, securing it to prevent displacement, and clearly marking the panel locations.

Crawling boards should always be used when working on a roof with fragile panels to provide a safe working surface for the person.

Falls from height account for half of all construction site deaths. They are a major safety concern.

If the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is unavailable, immediately stop work and inform your supervisor. Do not use improvised equipment.

Stepladders may be used on site if a risk assessment determines that safer alternatives are not feasible, the task is low-risk, and the time required is short.

Tying a ladder to a suitable point, securing both stiles, is the safest way to secure a ladder during use.

Footing a ladder is the least safe method of securing it and should be avoided if possible. Other access equipment should be used where practicable.

Before moving a mobile tower scaffold, the platform height should be reduced to a maximum of 4 meters.

Proper training in safe erection and use of scaffolds is essential for anyone involved in construction.