Introduction:
Working at heights considers all work activities performed at the peak of height by the workers at the workplace. It constitutes a life threatening situation to workers’ lives if they are not aware about the risks associated within the work they undertake. The risk may cause injury, accidents or sometimes loss of life of a worker.
Hence, Understanding the risks related to work, creating awareness about the risk to employees and ensuring health and safety of workers at the workplace by implementing EHS Management Software Solution is very essential for company prosperity.
What is the meaning of Working at Heights?
Work at height refers to any work at a workplace where,if there are no precautions in the workplace,a worker could fall a distance liable to cause major injuries and even biggest causes of fatalities.
Common causes are falls from roofs,ladders,fragile roof down,stairwells,etc..
It not just only considers working above ground level it even includes working below ground level as there is a chance of falling from ground level to basement .
However it is very important for an organisation to implement several key control measures to reduce the chances of accidents and major injuries in any kind of work at heights like painting work, construction work, decoration work, cleaning work,etc..
Permit To Work Software plays a prominent role in controlling working at height risks through digitized solutions.
Why It Is Important To Understand The Risks of Working At Heights ?
It is very important to understand the involvement in working at height by completing a risk assessment task by the employer.
There are various hazards to include while working at height with inadequate risk assessment. Working at heights is related to various industries and it exposes numerous risks and hazards.
Hence, Conducting a risk assessment helps prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities at the workplace to ensure health and safety of workers.
For better understand the risk the following 5 steps of risk assessment process must be conducted by employer:
- Identifying the Hazards
- Analysing who and how they are harmed
- Evaluating the risk and deciding precautions
- Recording the findings and implementing it
- Reviewing the risk assessment and updating it.
Permit to work software provides working at height permit as it authorizes work undertaken at elevated heights, like working on scaffolding, roofs, or elevated platforms by ensuring fall protection measures at the workplace.
Different Kinds Of Risks Involved In Working At Height and How to To Prevent Them:
While working at height workers get used to various risk they are:
- FALLING FROM HEIGHT: Falling from height is the common hazard associated with working at height. It causes severe injuries and fatality of workers at the workplace. It is usually caused in situations like falling off ladders, falling from fragile surfaces, Scaffolding, roofs etc.. each situation requires different corrective prevention measures.
- Unprotected Edges: Unprotected Edges increases the risk of falls, it is the prominent hazard when working at height. It occurs in situations like when working on roofs, near excavations, etc.,
- Improper Handling of Equipment: The improper handling of equipment might cause accidents while working at heights it mainly consists of usage and maintaining of equipment not correctly.
- Falling Objects: Fall objects are hazards done while passing or lifting up of objects or tools at working at height this may cause when workers drop tools or materials from ladders or elevated platforms.
- Inadequate Personal Protective Equipment(PPE):PPE are the equipment used by the workers who work at height. Without proper equipment the worker may fall from height and faces hazards.
How E-Ptw software helps to prevent the risks of working at heights?
A permit for Working at Height is required for all work at heights of 2 meters or above. Software solution for working at height Permit:
- Medical Certificate: Medical certificate for all workers is essential for those who want a permit for work at height.
- AI integration with PTW system: AI can automatically analyze PTW forms and suggest potential risks that might have been overlooked by human operators.
- Personnel Protection Equipment: As AI PTW systems suggest potential risks involved the worker should use suitable PPE related to risk to prevent risk.
- Mobile Application: It is accessible through web browser and mobile app which ensures seamless communication and adherence to safety protocols.
- Notification and alerts: PTW software provides automatic alerts and notification of workers to create a strong safety culture.
- Customized Checklist: The employer can customize the permit checklist as per required for various tasks at working at height.
CONCLUSION:
Working at height is the high risky task undertaken by the organization. It should be considered by ensuring safety precautionary measures, by engaging employees in understanding programs and to prevent hazards at the workplace by enhancing Environment Health and Safety features by installing Permit to work Software in their organization.
