Do you know the hierarchy of hazard controls when working at heights?

Working from heights is hazardous. However, with the right controls in place, work from heights can be completed safely, efficiently, and correctly. Fall arrest harnesses reduce injury and fatality, but they’re the least effective hazard control.

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Fall arrest harnesses are an example of a PPE hazard control placed at the worker level

What is Working at Heights?

Working at heights can be generally defined as any work that takes place where a worker could fall a distance if precautions are not taken. This could include falls off roofs or open ledges, through fragile surfaces, or from equipment such as aerial lifts or ladders.

Controlling Hazards

Hazard controls reduce or eliminate exposure to hazards. To place hazard controls, consider the following:

Source: Place a control where the hazard originates. For example, lockout processes control hazards at the source.
Path: Place controls where the hazard travels. For example, having pedestrian lanes in warehouses to prevent struck-by injuries.
Worker: Placing hazard controls at the worker level includes the use of job-appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, gloves, and fall arrest harnesses.

The Hierarchy of Controls

There is a hierarchy of hazard controls. The higher the control on the hierarchy, the more effective and sustainable it is. It requires less supervision and doesn’t rely on worker participation or buy-in. The lower a control on the hierarchy, the more supervision is required, and the less effective the control. Controls lower on the hierarchy are also generally not sustainable long-term solutions.

The hierarchy of controls is:

Elimination: Remove the hazard entirely
Substitution: Substitute with a less hazardous option
Engineering: Machine guards, air ventilation systems, monitoring alarms, etc.
Administrative: Policies, programs, and procedures, as well as training
PPE: respirators, gloves, fall restraint harnesses, etc.

The PPE Problem

While PPE is often an incredibly useful and helpful control, it is the least effective control and the last line of defence against hazards. Why?

The use of PPE requires complete participation and a positive attitude toward safety from workers. They must fully buy-in to the idea that PPE must be worn correctly and at all times to be effective. Training is also required, and workers must remain engaged during training to fully gain the benefit. Supervisors must be extremely diligent in observing workers to ensure they’re wearing and using PPE correctly. They must also be comfortable correcting workers who are not doing so. Because PPE is so reliant on so many human factors, it is the control that is most likely to fail.

Fall Arrest Harnesses

Fall arrest harnesses are an example of a PPE hazard control placed at the worker level. While they’re very, very effective in reducing injuries and fatalities result from falls from heights when worn correctly, they are the last line of defence.

Falls can be more effectively prevented through the use of hazard controls that are higher on the hierarchy of controls. For example:

Elimination: Eliminate the need to work from heights
Substitution: Use a mobile work platform instead of a ladder
Engineering: Place guard rails and bump lines, install appropriate anchor points
Administration: Implement a working at heights safety training program, place signage warning of unprotected edges, and enforce a PPE policy to ensure that all workers
PPE: Fall arrest harnesses are still worn as a last line of defence against injury and fatality

Fall arrest harnesses are still recommended when working from heights, even when other hazard controls are in place. They’re extremely effective when worn correctly and can save a life. So, while they’re considered a last line of defence against fall injuries and fatalities, they’re still a very important component of working safely at heights.

Training

The Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development made working at heights training mandatory in Ontario for any worker who completes work at heights. They aimed to reduce the number of fall-related injuries and fatalities in Ontario. You must take training with a CPO-approved training provider using CPO-approved course training materials.

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Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting

MidSouthWest Training and Consulting is a CPO-approved Working at Heights training provider You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.

To ask questions about fall arrest harnesses or working at heights training, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.

Last updated July 19, 2021

Fall Arrest Harnesses: The Last Line of Defence​