Working at a height is quite a daunting task. However, this feature is quite strongly plausible in a large number of working profiles. Whether you a labor or an executive, working from heights is a dire necessity and mandatory in a large number of work profiles. From different factory related work to electrical inspection and installation task to that of a number of construction-related tasks, working at a height is an all-inclusive parameter in a large number of professional roles.
The Risks And Hazards
This task comes with its own risk factor and hazard of the labor or the worker falling down from the height and gets some critical injuries that could be life-risking at certain points. It is in this perspective that preventive measures have been taken and safety tools and equipment have been invented that could be used for protecting the workers from falling from a height when they are working. Even if they do fall down, the momentum can be arrested in a plausible manner. Some of these are called the roof access equipment.
Support System
To be more precise, the roof access equipment is artificial platforms that allow a worker to stand firmly on fragile or unstable platforms such as the roofs and do various works like inspection or installation. The roof access equipment mostly consists of railed platforms that are portable and easy to carry, rests on several battens. Hence, it offers a stable platform to stand on and has safety railings that offer adequate security to the people standing on them.
However, even you are using roof access equipment, there are certain guidelines and measures that must be borne in mind. These are the rules that will contribute to reducing the chances of fatal or otherwise accidents and mishaps. Let us now look at these points:
- Training – Even if a labor or a worker is given the facility of roof access equipment, it does not mean all the required steps are taken. The most important aspects are that the person must be trained to make an adequate use of this platform. Hence, IPAF or CPCS certified training is the type of training that must be provided to the workers, for their own better security.
- Fall Arrest – Even, if a person is standing on roof access equipment, it does not mean that the person cannot meet with an accident. Hence, in this perspective, the equipment must have the required support that can provide a fall preventive attribute. This can prevent a large number of accidents and fatal mishaps.
- Design Of The Platform – The design of the roof access equipment is important. This attribute must first be understood well so that the workers can make a proper use of the equipment. Hence, do not use all the designs, which do not support workers looking over the railings for the purpose. This can dislodge the whole platform risking the lives of all those within it.
- Safety Ropes – No matter what, at the time of using equipment, you must ensure in all designs there has to be the feature of safety ropes. This is mandatory by most of the authorized standards of designing these platforms.
- Suitable Descent – In case there is an issue, the people within these platforms must have a safe way of getting down from the platform. This aspect must be seen into before using the actual equipment.
One of the most important thumb rules is that a proper checking of this equipment is a must on a regular basis. The checking’s and the status of the report should not be less than 6 months, which otherwise can lead the employers to trouble.