Working At Height REGULATIONS Assessment

 

WHAT IS A WAHR ASSESSMENT?

 

The assessment is of the risks to health of your staff/visitors/members of the public from Working at Height. Note that under the new regulations working at height does not necessarily mean working above ground level, the new regulations define working at heights as applicable when work activities  produce a possibility of a fall liable to cause injury - excluding slip trips and falls on the level or permanent workplace stairs. It does apply to ladders, scaffolding, backs of lorries etc.

 

WHO DOES IT APPLY TO?

 

Absolutely everybody, from your staff, to members of the public.

 

WHY DO WE ASSESS?

 

To reduce the risk to your staff or members of the public from incidents related to working at height.

 

WHAT SHOULD BE ASSESSED?

 

Every operation that produces a potential for an injury from a fall. for example by the new regulations before every use of a ladder a new assessment of risk has to be carried out and documented.

 

PREPARING FOR AN ASSESSMENT

 

All tasks that entail a risk of a fall need to be identified in order that an assessment can be carried out

 

CARRYING OUT ASSESSMENTS

 

Assessments can be carried out by your own competent person or by an external consultant every task has to be analysed for the risks and precautions taken noted and additional precautions highlighted. The assessment may also identify the need for new/additional equipment or training in order to minimise the potential risk.

 

USING THE RESULTS

 

Analysis of the assessments will indicate where new equipment or procedures need to be implemented, where safe working practices or operating procedure needs to be generated or amended or where additional training of staff is required. Although this my result in additional expenditure the reduction in risks to your staff and the public could easily recompense this, one claim from an injury pedestrian could result in a financial obligation far exceeding the cost of the remedial action required to prevent the incident in the first place.

 

Specialist Assessments

 

Assessing risks associated with sling and harness use, abseiling, scaffolding erection etc. may be required that need a thorough grounding not only in the regulations but in the techniques themselves.

 

For more information on Working at Height Assessment