Top 8 Working-at-Height Hazards: Risks, Responsibilities & Safety Measures

Working-at-height hazards remain one of the most common causes of serious injuries and fatalities on construction sites, in utilities, and in factories across Canada. It's important to understand these hazards and implement proper fall prevention and control systems when working on roofs, scaffolding, or towers.

Common Hazards of Working at Height

When people talk about working-at-height hazards, they usually only think about falling, but many other risks can lead to accidents. Let's look at the main dangers that workers encounter while they work above ground level.

1. Falling Objects

Unsecured tools, supplies, or personal items can cause injuries to workers below. To lessen this, use edge protection devices, tool lanyards, and toeboards.

2. Structural Failure

Bad scaffolding, flimsy ladders, or collapsing platforms are all common working-at-height hazards. Before use, all work platforms and support structures should be carefully inspected to ensure safety.

3. Environmental Conditions

The chance of slipping, tripping, and falling goes up when it rains, snows, or winds. When the weather makes things risky, delays or safety measures should be put in place.

4. Slips and Trips

Even at high altitudes, slips can occur due to poor cleaning, disorganized cords, or uneven surfaces. Keeping workplaces clean and clear of clutter is a simple yet efficient way to be safe.

5. Human Factors

Fatigue, distraction, or a lack of height training can all contribute to poor decision-making or the use of improper equipment, common working-at-height hazards. Workers need to be both physically and mentally prepared.

6. Lack of Safety Equipment

Not wearing fall protection gear like harnesses, lanyards, and roof anchors greatly raises the risk. Not having personal protection equipment (PPE) is a blatant violation of the rules.

7. Inadequate Risk Assessment

If you don't do a full working-at-height risk assessment, you can miss several possible dangers. Every safe job starts with a positive risk review.

8. Physical and Psychological Stress

You need to be physically strong and mentally confident to work at height. Fear or tiredness can reduce a worker’s effectiveness and increase the risk of working-at-height hazards.

Employee Responsibilities When Working at Heights

As an employee, you play a vital role in keeping yourself and others safe. Your responsibilities include:

• Going to safety training for working at heights
  

• Using fall prevention gear the right way
  

• Looking at the ear before using it
  

• Reporting risks or broken equipment right away
  

• Following all the rules for risk assessment at that site
  

Employer Responsibilities for Working at Height Safety

Employers are required to implement the hierarchy of controls when managing work-at-height risks:

1. Avoid

Stay away from heights if the job can be done from the ground. When feasible, utilize extendable tools or relocate tasks to lower levels.

2. Prevent

If you have to work at a height, use guardrails, safety gates, or work platforms with built-in fall protection to help prevent working-at-height hazards and keep people from falling.

3. Mitigate

If falls can't be avoided, fall arrest systems like harnesses, self-retracting lifelines, and anchor connectors must be utilized to lessen the damage done by a fall.

Employers must also ensure:

1. Proper installation of fall protection systems

2. Access to certified safety inspection services

3. Workers receive up-to-date height training

4. Emergency rescue plans are in place and understood

What to Look for in a Risk Assessment to Identify Working-at-Height Hazards

A comprehensive risk assessment for working at height should include the following elements:

• Type and duration of the work

• Condition of the work area

• Required access and egress points

• Competency and training of workers

• Selection of appropriate fall arrest equipment

• Weather and environmental risks

• Emergency rescue procedures

Key Elements of a Safe Work Plan at Height

✅ Safe Use of Ladders

Check before using, keep three points of contact, and don't reach too far.

✅ Edge Protection & Safety Gates

Use guardrails and gates to keep people from falling before it happens.

✅ Fall Arrest Equipment

Make sure that workers use certified equipment such as harnesses, SRLs, and anchor systems to reduce the risk of working-at-height hazards. Always check that the gear fits well and is in excellent condition.

✅ Working at Height Training

Ongoing training ensures that your workforce knows how to spot dangers, use fall prevention gear, and deal with situations.

Work with our height safety experts.

Height Works Ltd. offers fall prevention support, inspection, testing services, and consultancy to businesses that put safety first. Our height safety experts excel in the following areas:

• Workplace hazard analysis

• PPE selection and compliance

• Fall protection systems design

• Safety training and rescue planning

If you’re serious about protecting your workers at height, we’re here to help.

Mitigate Your Risk at Heights with our Fall Protection Experts

Many working-at-height hazards exist, but you can minimize those risks with the right fall protection solutions, proper risk assessments, and thorough training. Whether you're overseeing a large construction site or maintaining a rooftop, it's your legal, moral, and operational duty to hire height safety services.

📞 Call Height Works Ltd. today at 1-877-361-2565

🌐 Learn more at www.HeightWorks.ca