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Work Activity

Working at Height Safety

Essential guidance for preventing falls, providing safe access, verifying anchorage systems and preparing an effective rescue plan.

OSHA8 min readHigh Risk

Overview

Working at height includes any activity where a person could fall and be injured. A safe system should begin by eliminating the hazard. When elimination is not possible, collective protection and personal fall-protection controls must be selected, inspected and correctly used.

Main Hazards

  • • Falls from unprotected edges
  • • Improper or damaged access equipment
  • • Incorrect anchorage selection
  • • Dropped objects
  • • Adverse weather conditions
  • • Fragile surfaces and openings
  • • Suspension trauma after a fall
  • • Inadequate rescue planning

Required PPE

  • ✓Safety helmet with secured chin strap where required
  • ✓Full-body harness
  • ✓Compatible lanyard or self-retracting lifeline
  • ✓Slip-resistant safety footwear
  • ✓Work-positioning or restraint equipment when required
  • ✓Task-specific gloves and eye protection

Essential Controls

  1. 1Complete the risk assessment and permit process before work begins.
  2. 2Eliminate work at height where practical by completing the task from ground level.
  3. 3Prioritize collective protection such as guardrails, platforms and barriers.
  4. 4Inspect full-body harnesses and compatible connecting systems before use.
  5. 5Verify anchorage suitability, position and adequate strength.
  6. 6Inspect ladders, scaffolds and elevating platforms before use.
  7. 7Barricade the area below and control dropped-object hazards.
  8. 8Prepare and communicate a practical rescue plan before starting work.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Connecting fall protection to handrails or unsuitable structures
  • ×Using damaged or expired fall-protection equipment
  • ×Working without a rescue plan
  • ×Standing on improvised platforms or unsuitable objects
  • ×Using ladders without securing or maintaining three-point contact
  • ×Ignoring weather, wind or slippery-surface conditions

Pre-work Checklist

  • ✓Risk assessment and permit are approved
  • ✓Access equipment has been inspected
  • ✓Harness and connecting equipment are serviceable
  • ✓Anchorage points have been verified
  • ✓Open edges and floor openings are protected
  • ✓The area below has been barricaded
  • ✓Weather conditions are acceptable
  • ✓Rescue plan and rescue equipment are ready

Rescue Readiness

A fallen worker suspended in a harness may require rapid rescue. The rescue method, equipment, access route, trained rescuers and communication arrangements must be confirmed before work begins. Emergency services alone should not be treated as the complete rescue plan.

OSHA References

OSHA 1926 Subpart MOSHA 1910.28OSHA 1910.140

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