Why is it important to assess height safety equipment.
Height safety equipment is mandatory in the workplace, when working at heights. Workers must be familiar with the types of height safety equipment they are using. Fall hazards that can occur and the type of work carried out at the workplace determine the type of safety equipment required. Working at heights simply means a place where if you don’t take precautions seriously, you could potentially end up with a serious injury or worse, death. Before starting the work, you must assess the risks and safety equipment whether they are working properly or not. Using the right type of safety equipment helps in reducing and eliminating the risk of falls. Make sure all devices are suitable, stable, strong, maintained and inspected regularly. In addition to this, make sure a competent person is using the devices.
Below are some of the important height safety products and an explanation of their features, installation and testing:
Roof Anchor Points
- Protects the worker from a potential fall whilst working at heights
- Designed for a fall arrest system
- It involves anchor points and other height safety systems.
- Permanent roof anchor points require 12 months inspection and reporting, by a competent person.
Ladder Access Bracket
- It provides safe and permanent or temporary access to a rooftop or wall.
- They are designed to support substantial loads
- Install can be customized according to the need and requirement of the work site
- Make sure workers work safely at heights
- Reduces the risk of falls and injuries
- Annual maintenance, inspection, testing, and certification is not necessary but recommended, by a competent person
Safety Harness
- Are designed to use in a combination with other safety equipment like a lanyard, shock absorbers, roof anchors, etc.
- It is used to protect a roof worker in a potential fall.
- Do not use the equipment in an adverse environment
- Store them in good condition, when they are not in use.
- Inspect them after six months
- If the expiry date is near, make sure you have an inspection copy which you must show at the worksite.
- Ensure you are connected at all times, to a compliant roof anchor point or structure, as per AS/NZS 1891.4:2009
Risk Assessment, Maintenance and Inspection
Equipment must be free from damage and defects to makes the workplace safe and secure. Before starting the work, make sure your safety equipment is inspected prior to use and daily where required. No matter when you spot a defect in the safety equipment, replace the equipment right away. Make sure you have extra equipment to save time, effort and most importantly someone’s life. Faulty and dirty tools can result in a serious accident. To avoid such disasters, every organisation must arrange regular cleaning and inspection of the height safety equipment. In addition to this, provide workplace safety training to the workers. It will help in minimize hazards and fall risks.
Check out ANKAme’s wide range of safety equipment.