Working at Height in Schools

Updated - October 23rd 2023

Working at height is one of the leading causes of major injuries & fatalities according to the HSE. In line with their definition, working at height refers to working in any place where a person could fall a distance and attain personal injury. Due to the serious nature of this type of work, it is essential that those carrying out work at height follow all necessary guidance and comply with all control measures.

During the summer months, whilst schools are closed, it is common for the majority of work at height to be carried out to get them ready for September. Fixing other issues and performing any necessary maintenance tasks will also get done during this time too.

One of the most important tasks to do before working at height is performing a risk assessment. You must consider what risks and hazards come with working from a height and how you can prevent any accidents from happening.

Safety When Working at Height

The first thing to consider is whether the specific task that is at height is actually necessary. If it is, can any of the work be done on the ground as opposed to working at height? Once you've considered that, the next step before working at height is to assess the risks. You'll need to weigh up the most important factors -

how high up you'll need to be
how long the job may take
the frequency of an accident occurring
the condition of the surface which is being worked on

Training & Supervision

Before you begin working, it's imperative you have specific working from height training. Schools and other working environments provide this training for you and you're usually asked to repeat this training yearly. Be sure to pay full attention during this training so you're safe when working on a ladder or other access equipment. When the training has been completed, you may need to be supervised whilst using specific access equipment, especially when you are using the it for the first time.

Collective Protection

If working at height cannot be avoided, falls should be prevented as best possible by utilising the space and getting the correct equipment that will keep you safe. Should a fall occur, the distance should be minimised to reduce the risk of injury. Collective protection equipment such as scaffolding, guardrails, guarded mezzanine floors and scissor lifts are perfect choices for keeping you safe and secure when working at a height and can be hired at HSS.

Personal Protection

Protective workwear is another way to keep you safe when working at a height. Safety harnesses, helmets & toolbelts are just some of the safety gear you can wear when working above ground level.

Never Overload or Overreach

When working on equipment that is at a height, you must never overload it. Overloading scaffolding, ladders, scissor lifts and other collective protection equipment could result in breakage & tipping of the equipment or platform. It could even cause someone or something - such as tools - falling from the equipment. When working from height it is essential to ensure that the equipment being used is suitable for the job and is properly maintained.

Using The Right Equipment

It may seem obvious but when climbing up at any height, you need to use the right apparatus - using a chair isn't the best choice. Ladders or stepladders are the safer options when you need to work or reach higher but make sure you have the right type of ladders beforehand. Ladders should not be rested against weak surfaces. Not only is it essential that your equipment is suitable for use but it's also important that those working at height are trained to do so.

Check The Area

Before you start working, always check the area for anything that may cause you to trip, slip or fall. Make sure there's nothing on the ground before you put up ladders so that the feet can be flat and secure. Make sure to take necessary precautions when working on or near surfaces which are fragile and provide protection from any falling objects.

No matter if you're putting up a new classroom display, fixing a leak in the roof or installing a new interactive whiteboard, always make sure you're safe and secure when completing jobs that are higher up. For any information on hiring access equipment, get in touch with our online live chat team or contact your local HSS branch.

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About the Author

Lauren King

Lauren works in our Ecommerce Team, with over 6 years of experience at HSS. She brings product knowledge and is able to give her advice on the right tool for the job no matter how big or small.

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