Work at Height
What is the Risk?
Falls are the second biggest cause of death in agriculture and while not every fall from height is fatal, catastrophic injuries can result from falls from even relatively low heights.
Falls can occur when working from ladders, on roofs, on top of machinery and equipment, in mechanical access equipment, from ladders and scaffolds and on work platforms. Falling into something is also classed as working from height.
There is no height at which work from height is considered to be safe, and despite the view that anything below 2 meters in safe, in fact the old 2 meter rule was removed from health and safety legislation when the Work at Height Regulations 2005 was introduced.
Learn More
The Health and Safety Executive has some excellent resources available in respect of work at height. There is information specific to the Agriculture Industry.
Risk Assessment
What does the Law say?
You must make sure that work at height is properly planned and supervised and carried out by persons who are competent to undertake the work.
There is a clear hierarchy set out in work at height legislation and this must be followed. The hierarchy is as follows:
- Avoid work at height where you can.
- Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls.
- Use work equipment that minimises the distance and consequences of a fall.
When using a contractor to undertake work at height you must ensure that they are competent to undertake the task and that they are following safe working procedures.
The risk assessment process is carried out in the same way as you would risk assess any of your activities.
When looking at the task to be undertaken ensure that you have considered the following:
- The height;
- Duration of the work;
- Frequency of the task;
- General conditions of the work are;
- Who is to be involved in the task.
You should ensure that you consider everyone who could be affected which would include those undertaking the work at height and those that may be in the vicinity of the works.
Step 1 - Identify the Hazards
Step 2 - Estimate the Risk
Step 3 - Evaluate the Risk
Step 4 - Record the Risk
Step 5 - Review the Risk
Remember the first thought is can the work at height be avoided? i.e. can the work be done from ground level?
If this is not possible then you should work equipment or other measures to prevent falls. Collective measures that protect everyone are more effective and provide a greater level of safety than those who only protect the individual undertaking the work.
It is not acceptable to simply opt for the quickest or cheapest way of completing the work. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be your last resort as it relies on the individual knowing how to use it correctly and actually using it.
Case Studies
The HSE has produced a number of case studies related to Falls from Height in Agriculture. You can access the case studies here.
Work At height equipment
MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform /AWP (Aerial Work Platform)
MEWPs and AEPs provide a safer way of working at height, however, there are limitations to this equipment and you must ensure that anyone using them is trained and competent in their operation. Some of the limitations can include height, reach, uneven ground conditions, stability, lack of space, lack of maintenance etc. All work at height equipment that lifts a person is also subject to inspection under the Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations and must be inspected at least every 6 months. You must ensure that someone knows how to lower the Platform in the event of emergency or failure for the equipment and MUST have a rescue plan for anyone using the platform. You must also consider the presence of overhead hazards such as power lines and their vicinity to the work. Remember power can Arc and there does not need to be direct contact.
Ladders and Stepladders
Ladders and step ladders are not banned and they are permitted for use where work is of short duration and there is no safer way of doing the work.
Scaffolds and Towers
Scaffolds and Towers are safer than ladders, however, they are also prone to failure if they are not erected correctly. Scaffolds and Towers must be erected by competent and experienced workers and must be inspected regularly by a competent person.
Work Platforms on Lift Trucks (Man Basket)
Man Baskets attached to Fork Lift Trucks and Telescopic Handlers are in use on farms around the UK. These were seen as a 'safer' option for most farmers. Unfortunately any platform that is not integrated to the machine used to lift it is vulnerable to failure in a number of ways. These non integrated work platforms are covered by HSE Guidance PM 28 which can be accessed below. PM28 states that for planned or regular work at height you should use a fully integrated and properly constructed working platform and not non integrated working platforms.
Non integrated work platforms should only be fitted to compatible machines and the machine and the platform must be inspected at least twice a year under the LOLE Regulations. When attaching a non integrated work platform to a telehandler you must ensure that you can lock the tilt and turn mechanism.
Non integrated work platforms should only be used for unplanned, emergency work of short duration. The bucket of a telehandler must never be used to access work at height.
Edge Protection
Edge protection should always be considered when working in areas where there is a risk of a person falling. Edge protection can be permanently fitted or can be removeable depending on the location of the works. Any edge protection provided should be fit for purpose, should be robust and installed by a competent person.