WORKING AT HEIGHT TOOLBOX TALK
Prevent falls, falling objects and fatal injuries.
Hazards, control measures and daily pre-work verification.
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Toolbox Topic
WORKING AT HEIGHT TOOLBOX TALK
Duration
8–10 MINUTES
Date
Site / Area
Supervisor
Company
Participants
Document No
OBJECTIVE
Review fall, falling-object, unsafe-access and rescue hazards associated with working at height, and verify that all required protective measures are in place before the task begins.
TOPIC EXPLANATION
Working at height is not limited to very tall structures. Platforms, scaffolds, ladders, roofs, openings and equipment surfaces are included whenever a person could fall from one level to another and suffer injury.
Falls commonly involve unprotected edges, open floor penetrations, unsafe access, defective equipment or incorrect use of fall-protection systems. Dropped tools and materials can also cause fatal injuries to people working below.
Work must begin only when the permit, risk assessment, safe access, inspected equipment and a practical rescue plan are available. Collective protection such as guardrails and working platforms must be considered before personal fall-arrest systems.
REALISTIC SITE SCENARIO
A worker leaned outside a platform guardrail to complete a short connection task. Because the job was expected to take only a few minutes, a suitable working platform was not installed.
The worker wore a harness, but the connecting hook was not attached to an approved anchor point. When balance was lost, no effective system was available to arrest the fall.
The event could have been completely prevented by providing a suitable platform, maintaining the guardrails, using an approved anchor and completing a supervisor check before starting.
REMEMBER
Wearing a harness is not enough. Correct anchorage, a suitable connecting system, adequate fall clearance and a ready rescue plan must all be provided.
KEY HAZARDS
Falls from unprotected edges or working platforms.
Open floor penetrations, access openings and trapdoors.
Unsuitable ladders, scaffolds or working platforms.
Damaged or incorrectly used harnesses and lanyards.
Unapproved or inadequate anchor points.
Tools, equipment or materials falling to lower levels.
Adverse weather, slippery surfaces or poor lighting.
Suspension after a fall and inadequate rescue preparation.
CONTROL MEASURES
Verify the approved permit and risk assessment.
Use guardrails, platforms and covers as the first priority.
Confirm inspection of scaffolds, ladders and access equipment.
Inspect the full-body harness and connecting system.
Use only approved and adequately rated anchor points.
Secure tools and barricade the area below.
Assess weather, surface and lighting conditions.
Check fall clearance and swing-fall exposure.
Provide competent supervision and communication.
Keep a practical rescue plan and equipment ready.
SUPERVISOR TALKING SCRIPT
Team, today's work at height can become a fatal fall after one small loss of balance. We will not start until guardrails, access, the working platform and the anchor point have been checked. Simply wearing a harness is not enough; the worker must remain correctly connected. If conditions change, we will stop and reassess the work. Everyone must understand how rescue will be completed if a fall occurs.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
At what height and in which area will today's work take place?
Are the guardrails, platform and safe access complete?
Who approved the anchor point that will be used?
Have the harness and connecting equipment been inspected?
How will dropped tools and materials be prevented?
Who will perform the rescue and how will it be completed?
VERIFY BEFORE STARTING TODAY
Permit approved
Risk assessment suitable
Safe access ready
Guardrails complete
Platform inspected
Anchor approved
Harness serviceable
Connection suitable
Lower area barricaded
Rescue plan ready
ATTENDANCE AND APPROVAL
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Supervisor Signature
HSE Approval
SERNEM HSE Resource — Permit conditions, risk assessments and site procedures take priority.