Working at height: Requirements, training and safety
Working at heights is not for everyone, since it not only requires having nerves of steel to concentrate and work so far from the ground. Also maintaining all safety measures to avoid accidents that can be fatal.
In our country, there is regulation that seeks to protect all workers who perform work at height. They must receive adequate training, in addition to having all the necessary safety elements.
What is work at height?
Work at height is considered to be any work that is done suspended from the ground at a distance of 1.8 meters. Either using fixed restraints, such as scaffolding, or mobile restraints, such as ropes.
But height is not only measured upwards. For example, a worker who must descend from the ground into a small hole. Excavation by going down more than 1.8 meters is also considered to be working at height. Click Here for Working at height Course
To regulate work at height and protect those who must do it, in Chile there are regulations that manage it.
Requirements for working at height:
As we said at the beginning, not everyone can work at heights. Especially if they are going to be hanging with a harness several meters or descending down a well. But in our country there are only safety regulations and not personnel selection based on their state of health or physical and psychological characteristics.
Although there is no legal requirement in terms of health. A person not suitable for working at heights will hardly be able to go through the mandatory training process. Without which they will not be able to perform in any position that involves being suspended above or below the ground. .
The Occupational Safety Institute recommends that those people who suffer from overweight, vertigo, pressure above or below normal, and other conditions. It can complicate working at heights, should not work in this area.
The government department also recommends that all personnel frequently undergo medical examinations. It certify that they meet the conditions to perform in high altitude conditions.
These are only advice and not legal obligations, since the regulations only refer to safety conditions.
Training to work at height:
If you are capable of working at height, it is not a matter of putting on a harness and launching into your work suspended 5 meters above the ground.
Chilean regulations require that workers first undergo training.
But it is not a course that provides a diploma that can later be used for another job, but rather it is specific for each job.
Establishes that all workers must be trained, something that is the obligation of the employer. The training is different both depending on the work being done. If it is a common employee, or if the employee acts as a supervisor, being in charge of work groups.
This training emphasizes the use of safety and personal protection equipment of different types. Reviewing them before using them, handling them once at a height, and what to do in dangerous situations or when they feel at risk and requires help.
Likewise, workers are trained to manipulate tools and work implements once they reach the place where they will perform their duties.
Both the correct use of personal protection implements, as well as tools, is the worker’s obligation.
Obligations for employers:
Employers must not only take care of correctly training their workers, but the regulation makes a series of demands on them about the equipment they will use during work at height. The demands are extremely technical and specific.
Thus, before starting any work, they must evaluate it and determine what risks exist in it. Thus design a safety strategy, the implements they will need, and that they are in good condition.
It is also the employer’s obligation to install and constantly inspect safety elements. Railings, walkways, lifelines and other systems as required by the work, since each workplace is different.
The regulation is very specific regarding each element, its characteristics. How they should function and their maintenance, and classifies works according to the risk of falls or accidents. Thus imposing minimum standards for both work implements and also personal protection.
Now that you know the requirements for working at height and the obligations of employers. You will be able to evaluate whether the job you are applying for complies with the safety regulations that protect you from accidents that can be serious, and even fatal.