The primary responsibilities of every employer include ensuring the proper planning and organization of all work at height, as well as providing employees with the necessary training to safely carry out their duties.
To accomplish this, employers should:
- Conduct a Risk Assessment: Assess the risks associated with the work and document the necessary control measures. This process is known as a risk assessment.
- Select Appropriate Work Equipment: Choose the right work equipment based on the hierarchy of control measures. This will be discussed in more detail later in this module.
- Inspect and Maintain Equipment: Ensure that all equipment is regularly inspected and well-maintained, and that it is used correctly to guarantee safety.
- Enforce Safe Work Procedures: Implement safe systems of work. For instance, ensure that no employee passes across or works on, from, or near a fragile surface unless effective safety controls are in place to prevent falls.
- Prevent Falling Objects: Take steps to prevent any materials or objects from falling from height, reducing the risk to workers and those in the vicinity.
