Minimise Risk of Slips and Falls in Winter when Working at Height
During the Winter months the amount of slips, trips and falls increases dramatically. This blog helps to minimise the risks so everyone has a safer winter when working at height.
For the last few years, falls from a height accounted for more than 25% of all fatal injuries. Height Safety is always important but becomes increasingly important in winter weather.
Snow in London 2022
The Winter Weather Risks
Wet, icy and windy weather impacts buildings. This means blocked gutters, slippery roof walkways and leaking roofs, impacting productivity and increasing costs.
With an increase in the number of buildings needing attention comes a greater number of people working at height in potentially hazardous conditions. In particular: wind, rain, ice and hail, with tree and storm debris, poor visibility, and when put together with very slippery surfaces can combine to increase risks of accident & injury when working at height.
Ice and Snow on Scaffolding
Keeping Things Safe
It's vital to make sure your people and place of work are kept safe. In order to do this you need to think about being proactive with planning and preparation. Look at the steps below to make sure that you are being proactive about safely working at height during the Winter months.
Ensure a thorough risk assessment is in place before starting any operational actions.
Ensure a safe system of work is in place.
Ensure buildings are equipped with the correct work at height systems.
Ensure all formal legal checks and inspections have been done. This includes any harnesses, lanyards, anchor bolts and other fixings.
Ensure annual testing is undertaken. This includes proactive repairs or replacements of equipment in a timely fashion.
Ensure a professional inspects temporary access solutions after and during weather changes.
Being proactive with these check will help protect your employees and your company. Poor weather brings increased levels of risk, which means that essential maintenance on all height safety equipment including roof walkways, roof access ladders and abseil solutions is vital.
If you need a professional Height Safety Expert assess your site please call a member of the Altus Height Safety Team on 0330 113 0870, who will help guide you through the next steps to ensure your workplace remains safe and your employees remain protected.