Working at Height a Danger for Electricians
Working at height continues to be a major cause of death and injury at work – with 45 workers dying last year and a further 3,750 seriously injured, according to Norwich Union, part of Aviva. As part of its Simply Safety campaign, the insurer is warning electricians that they must not be complacent when working at height.
Phil Grace, liability risk manager at Norwich Union says: “Despite the Working at Height Regulations 2005, businesses still seem oblivious to the risks involved and unwilling to put cheap and simple controls in place.
“Since the introduction of the regulations, responsibility lies with employers, the self-employed and any person supervising the work of others to minimise risk. These individuals are required to ensure that work at height is properly planned and organised.
“The regulations apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury and this applies whether working at one or fifteen metres above the floor.”
Grace also notes that a high number of serious accidents occur from falling at ‘low height’ – activity carried out close to the ground.
“Work at height, for example using a ladder to access light fittings, is an essential part of an electrician’s role. Wherever possible, working at height should be avoided.
“Those involved in work at height should be competent to do so and receive proper training to operate any equipment. It is vital that the equipment selected for working at height is appropriate to do the job and is maintained thoroughly.
“Inappropriate use of stepladders is a common cause of personal injury for electricians. Simple checks and measures can be taken to ensure that the ladder remains in good condition and electricians should take care to set up the ladder at the correct angle, placing it securely on a stable surface.
“However, ladders are less suitable for higher climbs, especially if loads need to be carried. In these instances, a podium step or scaffolding tower should be used to provide a safe working platform. Installing several rows of light bulbs or fluorescent strips may justify the use of a scaffolding tower as the task takes longer.
“Workers should always avoid holding tools when climbing by using tool belts for equipment,” Grace continues.
“If the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, work equipment or other measures should be used to minimise the distance and consequence of a fall, should one occur.
“Statistics indicate that incidents commonly result from poor management rather than equipment breakage or structural failure, so this emphasises the need for those responsible for ensuring worker safety to implement effective risk assessments,” he concludes.
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