Toolbox Talk – Employee Duties
7th June 2024
Today our toolbox talk will review 5 hazards that often occur when working at heights. Working at height involves tasks that expose the employees to fall risks, these fall risk is a result of being exposed to specific hazards that may lead to serious injury or death if the employee falls or if an object falls onto the employee. Examples of such tasks include; working on a ladder, near the edge of a roof, in proximity to an opening on the floor, or even on a loading dock. It is crucial to prioritize the safety of employees by implementing various measures aimed at reducing the risk of falls.
| HAZARD | POSSIBLE HARM |
|---|---|
| Working in proximity to fragile/unstable surfaces. | Unknowingly working in proximity to unprotected fragile surfaces may lead to a person stepping on, or equipment being placed on such a surface, causing it to break and resulting in a person or equipment falling through. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Incorrect/failing hand grip while working from a fall risk position. | Having an incorrect or failing grip while working in a fall risk position may lead to persons falling or equipment being dropped. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Working below or inside an area where work at height is taking place. | Working below or in an area where work from a fall risk position is taking place, may result in persons falling on or equipment being dropped on people working in such an area. People falling on people working below may result in multiple serious injuries, fatalities and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Working on unsafe structures from a fall risk position. | Working on unsafe structures may result in the structure failing, that may cause a person to slip, trip or lose his grip resulting in a person falling or equipment being dropped. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Using an unsafe or incorrect access method while working from a fall risk position. | Using the incorrect or unsafe access method will result in workers incorrectly identifying hazards which may cause a person to trip, slip and/or lose his grip resulting in a person falling or equipment being dropped. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Working in proximity to unprotected/open edges. | Unknowingly working in proximity to unprotected/open edges may lead to a person or equipment falling off, or over an unprotected/open edge. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Working in proximity to holes, openings and/or excavations. | Unknowingly working in proximity to unprotected/open holes, openings and/or excavations may lead to a person or equipment falling into unprotected/open holes, openings and/or excavations. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Moving from one level to another (Level changes). | Moving from one level to another may cause a person to trip, slip and/or lose his grip resulting in a person falling or equipment being dropped. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Working in inclement weather while in a fall risk position. | Working in inclement weather (Rain, lightning, sleet, snow, strong wind, extreme cold or heat, etc.) may cause a person to slip, trip or lose his grip resulting in a person falling or equipment being dropped. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Being exposed to birds, bees and/or wasps while in a fall risk position. | Working in the proximity of a bird’s nest or a beehive, may cause these creatures to defend that nest or hive and cause a person to trip, slip and/or lose his grip resulting in a person falling or equipment being dropped. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
| Working in an area where workers may be exposed to radio frequency radiation (Telecoms) | Workers exposed to Radio Frequency radiation may suffer heat stroke related symptoms or lose focus, resulting in a fall or equipment being dropped. Such a fall can lead to serious injury, death and/or property damage. Falling equipment can hit people and/or property, resulting in serious injuries, death and/or property damage. |
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