Youngman - Innovative Work at Height Solutions
FAQ's
Please use the links below to jump to the relevant question:
- What is Work at Height?
- Is my work covered by the regulations?
- Do the Regulations affect me?
- What do the WAHR say I have to do?
- What is a risk assessment?
- What does ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ mean in a risk assessment?
- What is a competent person?
- How do I choose the safest equipment for working at height?
- What is the hierarchy?
What is Work at Height?
What is work at height?
This is any height from where a person could fall and be injured. This includes:
- getting to and from a place at height; and
- working above or below the ground.
The regulations do not cover work on:
- permanent stairways; or
- the same level.
Is my work covered by the regulations?
Yes.!
The regulations cover all industry sectors, including:
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Maintenance
- Warehouse work
- Shopfitting
Do the Regulations affect me?
Yes.!
The regulations are aimed at everyone involved in working at height, including:
- Employers
- Employees
- Self-employed
- Contractors
- Managers and supervisors
What do the WAHR say I have to do?
The regulations say you must work safely from start to finish. This means you
must:
- Organise and plan before you start work
- Carry out a risk assessment
- Make sure everyone involved in planning, supervising and doing the work is competent
- Select safe work equipment
What is a risk assessment?
This is a careful and detailed assessment of anything that might cause harm or
injury to anyone working on your project.
The risk assessment is then used to decide if you have taken enough precautions or need to do more
to ensure maximum safety.
What does ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ mean in a risk assessment?
Hazard - anything that might cause harm or injury.
Risk - how likely the hazard is to occur, and how serious the injury might be.
Once the hazard is identified, you can put in place measures to eliminate the
risk or reduce it to an acceptable level.
What is a competent person?
This is someone with the necessary experience, knowledge and qualifications to
identify and deal with hazards and risks.
How do I choose the safest equipment for working at height?
Use your risk assessment to select the safest equipment for the job. You must take into account:
- The conditions where it will be used
- The height that needs to be reached
- If you need fibreglass equipment for electrical work
- How far someone might fall
- How long the job will take
- How often the equipment will need to be used
- Evacuation and rescue procedures
What is the hierarchy?
This is a three-step approach to safe working at height.
1. Don’t work at height
If possible, avoid working at height. For example:
- bring the work to ground level; or
- use poles for window cleaning
2. Prevent any falls
Always use fall prevention equipment to provide maximum safety, for example,
guardrails and barriers.
3. Mitigate the effects of a fall
Always reduce the distance someone might fall by using harnesses, netting or
soft landing systems.