Hazards and Responsibilities

Hazards and Responsibilities

The main hazards associated with working at height are falling and dropping things that may harm other people.

Falls from height remain the most common cause of workplace fatality. In 2008/09 there were 35 fatalities associated with Falls.

Your employer has a responsibility to:

• Follow the risk assessments carried out for work at height activities and make sure all work at height is planned, organised and carried out by competent persons

• Follow the hierarchy for managing risks from work at height - take steps to avoid, prevent or reduce risks;

Choose the right work equipment and select collective measures to prevent falls (such as guardrails and working platforms) before other measures which may only mitigate the distance and consequences of a fall (such as nets or airbags) or which may only provide personal protection from a fall.