As part of Construction Industry Federation's “Refocus on Safety” campaign, CIF Health & Safety Executive, John Egan, has provided an update on safety at heights. Working at Height continues to be the greatest causal factor for fatalities and serious injury in construction. 4 of the 5 reported fatalities in construction in 2020 relate to working at height, the other involved machinery.
Many falls occur at relatively low heights, for example, 2 or 3 metres above ground level. According to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), working at height is defined as: “work in any place, including a place at, above or below ground level, where a person could be injured if they fell from that place. Access and egress to a place of work can also be work at height”.
The key messaging from the HSA to ensure safe working at height is as follows:
• Carry out risk assessments for work at height activities and make sure that all work is planned, organised, and carried out by a
competent person.
• Follow the ‘General Principles of Prevention’ for managing risks from work at height, taking steps to avoid, prevent or reduce
risks.
• Chose appropriate work equipment and prioritise collective measures to prevent falls (such as guard rails and working platforms)
before other measures which may only reduce the distance and consequences of a fall (such as nets or airbags) or may only
provide fall-arrest through personal protection equipment.
The CIF is calling for all those engaged in construction activity to undertake risk assessments for work at height activities and to make sure the work is adequately planned and organised to avoid, or at least reduce risks as low as reasonably practicable.
Tadhg Lucey, Director, BAM Contractors has kindly facilitated a video message on safe working at height
Additionally, James Gorry, renowned health and safety keynote speaker, has shared a video of his experiences
Please use #CIFSITESAFETY to highlight your safety initiatives on social media and the CIF will endeavour to provide support.
The HSA affords access to a wealth of information on its webpage: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Work_at_Height/#
Some useful tools are as follows:
• Work at Height
• Toolbox Talk on Working at Height
• Using Ladders Safely
• Safe use of Work Platforms-Trestles
• Guide to SHWW General Application Regs, Part 4: Work at Height
• MEWPs
• Code of Practice for Access and Working Scaffolds
• CIF Recorded Webinar-Working Safely at Height
• CIF Recorded Webinar-Working Platforms & Access Scaffolds
• CIF Online Course-Safe Working at Height
The CIF is the Irish construction industry’s representative body. It provides a broad range of services that assist members in navigating the political, business, economic and regulatory environment.
Construction Jobs Expo is the new jobs and recruitment event for the construction and engineering sectors. Our next event will take place in Citywest Convention Centre on Saturday 10th October, 2020. This unique, one-day event will focus on connecting skilled talent with employers seeking to fill key job vacancies. Nowhere will you find the key players – employers at home and abroad and skilled, keen professionals – under one roof.
