Staying Safe at Elevation

Working at elevation is inherently dangerous; recognizing that fact is a good first step in making yourself safer. It’s also good to look at some of the unsafe acts that have sent people to their deaths. When it comes to preventing fatal falls, it’s always best to learn from the mistakes of others than to learn (at that final quarter second) from your own!

Getting there

• Failing to inspect scaffolding before using it. Always assume scaffolding is incorrectly erected and assembled until you have conducted a good visual inspection and corrected any deficiencies.
• Using a ladder that is bent, broken, or especially dirty.
• Wearing old, sole-worn shoes. Among other problems, doing this sets you up for slipping and falling while climbing to the elevation.
• Carrying things up a ladder to the elevated location. This includes a ladder built into scaffolding. Doing this upsets your balance and typically leaves you with a maximum of three points of contact/adhesion.
• Not securing all materials on a scissor lift before ascending. If it won’t fit into a bucket, tie it down. Tie down any buckets, too.
• Not securing outriggers before raising the platform.
• Saving time by not securing a net or other barrier. If the portable platform will be above energized equipment, a barrier is needed between the two. Think of this issue in relation to dangerous process equipment, too (e.g., grinders, acid vats, molten metal pots, etc.).
• Saving time by assuming combustibles you will be working over (or close to) won’t combust. What if they do? Establish more than one exit path from that platform or remove the hazard.

Working there

• Tying off to process piping. It won’t arrest your fall, and your weight could easily cause a major release of whatever is in that piping.
• Getting those last few inches on a scissor lift. This scenario involves standing on a portable ladder or inverted bucket while using a scissor lift or other platform.
• Leaning way over the guard rail or standing on it so you can reach. Always keep your center mass within the platform’s “cage,” established by the guard rails.
• Using any part of the elevated platform (scaffolding, scissor lift, etc.) as a brace for bending raceway.
• Leaving work material scraps on the job site. Directing insulation scraps, wire scraps, and other work material scraps onto the elevated platform or leaving them there add a slipping hazard. For example, when stripping or cutting wire, work over a bucket if you can and direct the cut-off parts into the bucket. Frequently check to see if the platform has slipping hazards such as these, and clean them up to eliminate the hazard.
• Driving a scissor lift between elevated spots while the platform is extended. Always lower the scissor lift before moving it; doing otherwise creates an unacceptable tripping21253189 hazard.