Controlling the risks in the work place
‘The Work at Height Regulations aims to prevent deaths and injuries caused each year by falls at work,’ setting out three easy steps to follow:-
- Avoid work at height – if possible;
- Prevent falls by selecting and using the right access equipment;
- Minimise the impact of any fall
Any work at height MUST:-
- Be kept to a minimum;
- Be properly planned;
- Be appropriately supervised;
- Be carried out by somebody trained and competent enough to complete the job
If you are going to work at height you should be trained and competent and able to safely complete the task and appropriately operate the selected access equipment.
All work at height should be accompanied by a risk assessment. If this is not completed, and an accident occurs, you may have a claim for compensation. Although the Regulations don’t expect all risks to be eliminated, the risk should be minimised as far as is reasonably practicable.
Stepladders specifically cause Claimant’s a great deal of problems as each brand and style carries with it different requirements. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommend that workers should align steps facing the activity of work and refrain from working off the top two steps, or top three steps for double sided ladders, where the step forms the very top of the stepladder, unless a handrail of suitability is available.
For any further information visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/wait/stepladder.htm or contact Ringrose Law if you have been involved in an accident which was not your fault. Contact our Personal Injury team today where we can advise you if you have a claim. Where an employer fails to comply with their duty to keep their employees safe, we are very proud to be able to help workers get the compensation they deserve. Contact any of our offices at Lincoln, Boston, Spalding, Sleaford, Grantham and Newark.