Working at Height

If you are a tradesman there is a good chance that you and/or your employees work at height on a day to day basis. Working at height brings its own safety concerns so it is important that all necessary precautions are taken to minimise the chances of a mishap. However, accidents happen even in the safest working environments so it is also a good idea to have tradesman insurance to cover the cost of any injuries to you or to employees.

Considering some facts, falls from height account for about 70 deaths in Britain each year and about 4,000 injuries, many of them serious. The  Government has published strict guidelines about working at height in the form of the Working at Height Regulations 2005.

Many trades do not, or very rarely, require that people work at heights. However, others, such as painting, do. It is essential that you and any employees have a good knowledge of health and safety practices when it comes to working at height. People have been seriously injured by falling from ladders, tables and even chairs, so if you regularly work as a painter or a roofer one slip can be fatal.

Working at height is potentially very risky if proper care is not taken. There is also a responsibility by the employer to assess all risks and supervise anybody who is working at height. Of course, the employer will also be required to have employers liability insurance in case of a claim by an employee. However, good safety standards should prevent any accidents and claims.

The Work at Height Regulations clearly outline the employer’s responsibilities and give all the necessary advice for working at height safely. Perhaps the most important thing is choosing the right equipment and using it in the proper manner.

Ladders should only be used for short jobs or where it is the only possible option. For longer jobs there are different kinds of lifts available that are more suitable. The Regulations state the following hierarchy of responsibility for employers:

• where they cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur

• use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where they cannot avoid working at height; and

• avoid work at height where they can;

If work must be carried out at height it should be properly planned and there should be an emergency plan in place in case something goes wrong. By gaining a good understanding of the Regulations and seeking some training about how to work safely at height you, as a tradesman, will be able to ensure the safest possible working environment for both you and your employees.

However, accidents can happen in even the safest working environment. A fall for you could, at the very least, mean big hospital bills and loss of income while you recover. Or, in the case of an employee falling, it could mean a big claim against you or your company. For this reason it is essential that you have a good tradesmen insurance policy. Even if you never have to claim against it, the peace of mind that it will bring will be well worth the money. That said critically you must ensure you follow the government Working at Height Regulations 2005 and fully implement a tightly controlled health & safety plan to minimise your risks.

Your local insurance broker will be able to help you get the right insurance and work with you on your health & safety risks to minimise your chances of issues arising and you needing to make insurance claims.

(Ref: FP537)

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