Working at Heights
6. High Rise Work
Two different protection systems are required for all types of work at heights:
- 1. A positioning and securing system: a set of PPE that allows the worker to securely occupy his work position and work with his hands free. For example: a safety belt with an adjustable anchoring element.
- 2. A fall-arrest system or safety system: the set of PPE that allow the fall of a worker to be arrested under safety conditions. For example: a fall-arrest harness and an anchoring element with an energy absorber.
All access (in our case feet and hands) or positioning systems must be accompanied by a safety system, because all access or positioning manoeuvres at heights entail the risk of falling, which must be protected against.
Access and positioning systems must be active at all times (supporting the load of the worker), while we are carrying out our work.
Likewise, all safety systems must remain inactive until the moment when the hazard is effectively produced. Consequently, in no case whatsoever must a manoeuvre be carried out without the provision of a safety system that arrests the fall if the other systems fail; its ultimate function is to arrest the fall under safety conditions.
