Work at Height Safety Toolbox Talk (TBT)
Introduction:
Good morning, everyone. Today’s toolbox talk is about Work at Height Safety. Working at height is one of the most dangerous tasks on-site, and falls from height remain a leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries.
Before we begin today’s work, let’s discuss the hazards, safety measures, and best practices to ensure we all stay safe when working at height.
What is Work at Height?
Work at height refers to any work conducted where a person could fall and suffer injury. This includes:
✅ Working on ladders, scaffolding, or roofs.
✅ Working on elevated platforms, cherry pickers, or MEWPs.
✅ Working near open edges or unprotected holes.
✅ Working above fragile surfaces such as skylights.
Hazards of Working at Height:
⚠️ Falls from height – A leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities.
⚠️ Falling objects – Tools or materials falling and hitting workers below.
⚠️ Fragile surfaces – Walking on skylights or weak structures.
⚠️ Weather conditions – Wind, rain, or poor visibility can increase risks.
⚠️ Improper use of ladders or scaffolding – Leading to slips, trips, and falls.
Control Measures to Prevent Accidents:
🔹 Plan and Assess:
- Always conduct a risk assessment before working at height.
- Use permit-to-work (PTW) if required.
- Identify fall hazards and control measures before starting work.
🔹 Use Proper Equipment:
- Full-body harness with a properly anchored lanyard.
- Scaffolding, guardrails, and toe boards to prevent falls.
- Safety nets or fall arrest systems where required.
- Ladders should be secured, inspected, and positioned correctly.
🔹 Safe Practices While Working at Height:
- Never work alone – always have a buddy or supervisor monitoring.
- Avoid overreaching while on ladders or scaffolds.
- Keep work areas clean and organized to prevent tripping.
- Use tool lanyards to prevent tools from falling.
🔹 Training and Competency:
- Only trained and authorized workers should work at height.
- Ensure all workers know how to use harnesses, ladders, and scaffolding correctly.
🔹 Emergency Preparedness:
- Always have a rescue plan in case of a fall.
- Keep first aid kits accessible.
- Workers should know how to report hazards immediately.
Example Scenario:
Let’s say a worker needs to fix a pipe on a platform 5 meters above the ground. The worker must:
✅ Wear a safety harness and secure the lanyard to an anchor point.
✅ Use a ladder that is stable and properly secured.
✅ Ensure another worker is present to monitor and assist if needed.
✅ Inspect tools to prevent accidental drops.
If these safety steps are not followed, the worker risks falling, which could cause severe injury or death.
Final Reminder:
- Take work at height safety seriously.
- Use proper equipment and never take shortcuts.
- If something seems unsafe, STOP and report it!
- Your safety is your responsibility – look out for yourself and your coworkers.
Does anyone have any questions? Let’s work safely!
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