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People arrive at their jobs every day with a lot on their minds.
What do I have to get done by lunchtime? How many phone calls or emails do I need to respond to? Whose turn is it to bring the donuts?
Most people do not come into work worried about “Risk Assessment.” Yet, regardless of the type or size of the business, ensuring the safety of employees is a top priority. The way to accomplish this is to conduct a risk assessment and proactively take action to mitigate any work hazards.
Although there can be many potential risks at a workplace—air quality, toxic substances, heavy lifting—working at height, and other fall hazards, are major concerns. According to the Association of Workers, Compensation Boards of Canada, of 348,747 Lost Time Claims in 2022, 50,214 were due to a fall.
1. Prevent Accidents
Protecting individuals from harm, injury, and, at worst, death is clearly the main benefit of risk assessment and mitigation.
2. Comply with Regulations
Compliance not only avoids legal penalties—including fines and imprisonment—it fosters a culture of safety that gives workers confidence in their employer.
3. Employee Engagement and Empowerment
Employees are the ones most familiar with their day-to-day operations and potential hazards. Involving them in risk assessment promotes individual responsibility, that can improve morale and preventive action.
4. Cost Savings
There is an initial investment in safety measures; however, it can lead to long-term savings by reducing medical expenses, compensation claims, and property damage. Investments in work safety also help avoid lost productivity, absenteeism, and damage to the company’s reputation.
5. Continuous Improvement
Risk assessment and mitigation is not a one-time effort. Work conditions can change. Regulations can be updated. Continuous review of on-the-job risks—including recertification of safety measures where necessary—helps ensure that protocols are current and effective.
1. Guardrails
Whether installed at ground level, on stairs, mezzanines, walkways, access ramps, or anywhere in a workplace where there is a risk of a slip and fall, guardrail systems are highly effective and often required by regulatory bodies.
Modular, pipe-fitted guardrails are easy to install and do not require welding or drilling. Either aluminum railings or galvanized steel railings will provide strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, though aluminium is often the choice for greater aesthetic appeal.
2. Self-closing Safety Gates
Self-closing gates can be integrated into railing systems to provide added fall protection for stairs, limited-access areas, and roof access points, such as roof hatches and ladder systems.
3. Roof Perimeter Guardrails
Speaking of the rooftop, the workers who inspect, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and other building services equipment located on the roof must be protected. For flat and low-slope roofs, a perimeter guardrail system is the preferred fall protection method because it protects multiple workers without special equipment or training.
4. Roof Walkways
Wet, icy, and windy conditions can make traversing a rooftop hazardous. A specialized roof walkway, constructed of galvanized steel frames and anti-slip treads enables workers to navigate the roof safely. Walkways can be fitted with guardrails for added fall protection.
5. Crossover & Stepover Platforms
Roofs often have obstructions such as ductwork, piping, cables, and conduits that present fall hazards. Adapting the roof walkway concept, crossover platforms enable workers to overcome obstacles or a change in roof level. Smaller obstructions may need only a “mini stepover.
6. Horizontal Lifelines
Horizontal lifelines are an “active” fall protection measure that employs stainless steel cable anchored in spans of up to 39 feet. The system can support up to three workers at once. It can be installed on membrane, structural, or metal roofs and is available with fixed (rigid) or mobile anchors.
7. Work Platforms
Constructed of galvanized steel frames and guardrails with anti-slip treads for steps and platform floors, work platforms enable workers to perform tasks at elevated heights without the inherent inefficiencies and safety concerns of using a ladder. Work platforms can be static, ideal for frequent tasks at a fixed station, mobile for station-to-station flexibility, and customized for adjustable height, or shop services (e.g., air, water, electricity).
Covers theoretical and practical knowledge of Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE) and other safety systems needed for working at heights.
Specific training concerning the legal requirements, equipment types, and inspections, plus the fitting and use of work restraint, work positioning, and fall arrest equipment.
Even with comprehensive fall protection measures in place, there is always the possibility of a fall—and the need to rescue the worker. The type of equipment and how to use rescue equipment are covered thoroughly.
Risk assessment is a cornerstone of workplace safety, enabling organizations to identify hazards, prevent accidents, and comply with regulations. Although companies should involve their employees in risk assessment, outside, experienced professionals can be brought in to analyze the hazards and recommend the proper safety measures.
As companies seek to enjoy long-term cost savings and promote an atmosphere of continuous improvement, third-party experts can also be called upon for recertification services.
Kee Safety Fall Protection Experts perform a critical analysis of the entire rooftop surface to identify the hazards where workers are exposed to the greatest risk. This ensures that the most dangerous areas are protected immediately with state-of-the-art fall protection systems and OH&S compliant solutions.
As fall protection experts, we can perform a critical analysis on your rooftop to identify the hazards where your workers are exposed to the greatest risk. This ensures that the most dangerous areas are protected immediately with state-of-the-art systems and OH&S compliant solutions.