Working At Height Policy

Purpose and Scope

To define the company procedure for working at height.

Responsibilities

The Managing Director is responsible for ensuring that:

• Adequate funding has been allocated in the annual budget to allow all employees to be trained to the standards required by legislation.

The Directors, Managers and Supervisors are responsible for:

• Identifying, at risk assessment stage, instances where employees may be required to work at height and where possible eliminating the requirement.
• Where working at height cannot be eliminated ensuring, where possible, safe working platforms are provided.
• Ensuring, where possible all work is carried out at ground level.
• Ensuring that in instances where MEWP’s or scaffolds are used they are used in accordance with the manufactures instructions.
• Ensuring that ladders, if used, are fit for purpose and are only used for tasks of short duration which can be safely done one handed.
• That suitable edge protection is provided when necessary.

Employees are responsible for ensuring:

• All working at height is done in accordance with the managers instructions.

Procedure

• Eliminate the requirement.
• Provide safe working platforms.

Prior to employees carrying out any work at height the risk assessment and method statement is to be completed by the manager/supervisor. When carrying out risk assessments managers are to take account of any possible working at height which may be required. If they identify a requirement they are to, in the first instance, eliminate the requirement by carrying out the required work at ground level.

If it is not possible to carry out the work at ground level they are to ensure adequate provision is made to provide a safe working platform, either a mobile elevated work platform or scaffold. If equipment for working at height is provided they are to ensure the expertise of their employees is such that it can be used in a safe manner.