When carrying a heavy load, it is paramount that you are using the correct equipment to keep you, and your colleagues, safe. But when it comes to carrying heavy loads upstairs it is even more crucial that you are tackling the task with the appropriate equipment, having fully evaluated potential risks.
The added hazard of falling and/or crushing means carrying loads upstairs is something you should take very seriously. The good news is, Safety Lifting Gear offers the equipment you need to make lifting loads upstairs easier and more efficient! Read on, to find out How to Safely Carry Loads Upstairs:
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Working at height comes with high-level risk – it goes without saying that you need the right equipment to keep you safe. Our height safety services are of an incredibly high calibre (no pun intended). To prove we’re not afraid to put our money where our mouth is, we’d like to share the story of an exciting installation done for the Clifton Observatory in Bristol.
Before we delve into the details of the installation – and the height safety equipment used – we need to turn back the clock to tell you all about the Clifton Observatory and how it came to be:
In the 19th century, the artist William West renovated the Clifton Observatory from what was then a humble derelict mill and turned it into the observatory building it is today. It was West who first introduced the camera obscura – in England, this is the only camera obscura open to the general public.
To keep the camera obscura in tip-top condition, maintenance staff were required to clean the lens. Doing this meant getting pretty high up – and considering all the health and safety consequences that came with that.
To keep staff safe, we provided a bespoke fall restraint solution meaning staff could navigate the observatory rooftop sure in the knowledge the equipment provided by Safety Lifting Gear would prevent any dangerous falls.
While the heights weren’t for the fainthearted, the gorgeous views of Clifton bridge from the top of the observatory definitely make for some pictures to remember.
We know that safety is of the uppermost importance when there is a need for working at height – this is why we provide a wide selection of equipment to meet all of your height safety needs. From our safety harnesses to our wide selection of climbing cord and rope, you can rest assured any job can be done safely from falls.
For those who haven’t worked at height before, or if you’d like a refresher on best practice when working on a height-based project, check out our comprehensive height safety training courses! From reliable products to effective training, we can make your job easier and safer.
There are some important differences between the terms fall restraint and fall arrest, and it's extremely important to understand these differences (and use the correct safety equipment) when working at height.
According to current height safety regulations, you must:
All fall protection systems - including fall restraints AND fall arrests - consist of three essential pieces of equipment: anchors, lanyards and harnesses.
Anchors Lanyards Harnesses
Let's take a closer look at the two different types of fall protection system...
Fall restraints prevent the worker from being able to reach fall hazards in the first place. Fall restraint systems normally includes a fixed-length lanyard connected to a suitable anchorage point at one end and the worker's safety harness at the other. The length of the lanyard is adjusted to prevent the worker from being able to reach a fall hazard. Fall restraint systems are also referred to as work restraint or simply restraint systems.
A fall restraint system should always be considered before a fall arrest system (in accordance with the current working at height regulations) since fall restraints prevent falls from happening at all. A fall restraint system might also be considered where limited ground clearance is available below the work area. Restraint equipment typically requires less intervention from the worker as they're able to work continuously at a fixed distance from the anchorage point.
Fall restraints are also typically more cost-effective than fall arrest systems due to the fact that shock absorbers are not necessary, and you're not required to have a rescue plan in place for the duration of the work as there should be zero chance of the worker falling or being suspended in their harness.
A fall arrest system provides maximum freedom of movement for the worker - however, in doing so, it also enables the worker to reach a position where an accidental fall could occur. In the event of a fall, the fall arrest system ensures the worker will be caught before descending. Fall arrest equipment must be selected and positioned to limit the distance and consequences of the fall.
When using a fall arrest system, you will need to utilise a fall arrest harness and an appropriate lanyard. Fall arrest harnesses decelerate the momentum of a fall by absorbing the kinetic energy. Fall arrest harnesses are ergonomically designed to provide utmost comfort, both while working at height and in the event of a fall.
When using fall arrest systems, it's essential that you always use the correct equipment. Click the links below to browse the wide range of fall arrest anchors and fall arrest blocks available from SafetyLiftinGear.
Fall Arrest Anchors Fall Arrest Blocks
IMPORTANT: When choosing a fall arrest harness, you must ensure that it is fit for purpose. A fall protection harness that's designed to restrain the worker may not be able to safely halt a worker who has fallen from height. Choose a harness that's specifically designed to be used as part of a fall arrest system.
A fall arrest system should be used where it is not possible to restrict the worker from reaching a fall hazard. Fall arrest systems would typically be used when work needs to be completed on fragile surfaces, or when the worker is required to work over the leading edge of a fall hazard. If a worker is able to reach a fall hazard, fall arrest equipment (e.g. a fall arrest harness) must be used. Following a fall, consideration must be given to the rescue of the worker - leaving the worker suspended in the air for an extended period of time can result in suspension trauma.
The law states that, when planning work at height, consideration must be given to a full and comprehensive rescue plan. The rescue plan is intended to reduce the risks associated with the worker being suspended after a fall has occurred, and must ensure that the rescue is completed in a prompt and safe manner.
There are several methods of rescue available that are specific to the work environment and location of a fall. Here at SafetyLiftinGear, we offer variety of emergency rescue systems to allow the fast and efficient rescue of a suspended worker.
Click the button below to explore our full range of fall arrest and fall restraint equipment...
Fall Protection Equipment
...and if you have any questions about our fall protection systems, don't hesitate to contact SafetyLiftinGear today.
Oh dear, can you spot the safety issue in the image above?
Your safety is important to us, which is why we stock such an extensive range of height safety equipment to help protect you and your team during various working at height jobs. Height safety equipment is something we particularly pride ourselves on, from harnesses to fall arrest blocks we can help you stay safe - There's just one catch... You need to know how to use it!
As you can see in the above image, you can have access to the most high-quality height safety equipment, but you need to know how to use it correctly and safely - in this case, knowing to attach yourself to a suitable engineered and improvised anchorage point before approaching a leading edge! As we've said, we supply a huge range of safety gear, all of which you can browse by clicking here. But in accordance with the working at height regulations 2005, you also need to ensure that anyone required to work at height is suitably trained and competent.
To be in compliance with current regulations, you must undergo appropriate height safety training to make sure you understand the risks associated with working at height and that you can have a better understanding of how to minimise the risks. Working at height courses should provide you with all the essential knowledge and training that anyone working at height would need. We highly recommend this for those working at height and also their supervisors/managers to ensure health and safety regulations are being met.
The best advice we can give you is NOT to ignore the instruction manuals supplied with our products and follow the current regulations regarding working at height. View the HSE's guide to height safety here. Without knowing how to use the equipment properly, you are still putting yourself and others at risk.
All of our products are supplied complete with instruction manuals. These manuals can also be easily downloaded from our website, it's vital that you read the instructions carefully before using the equipment. Many of our products also have videos that give additional specific information. If a video is included you will find it on the right-hand side of the product pages. As you can see:
To see our full collection of product videos you can visit our YouTube channel.
We also have a huge range of blogs on height safety that can help you meet all the safety requirements necessary for jobs up high. Read the following blogs before working up high to ensure you don't make any silly mistakes:
Height Safety Solutions
Working at Height Risk Assessment
Working at Height Rescue Plan
Working at Heights - Regulations and Employer Responsibilities
Working at Height Safety: Questions and Answers
If you have any questions about how to use any of our safety equipment please do not hesitate to get in touch. Always remember to put your safety first and ensure you know how to use our equipment before using it! Contact us today for more information.
If you work at height, you'll know that safety is a top priority. Working at height is the leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry, and this is no surprise with workers commonly working on rooftops, ladders, and fragile surfaces.
The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have working at height regulations that must be adhered to for safety when working at height. These regulations are not only to help individuals understand what they can do to help protect themselves, but also to alert employers to the responsibilities they have for their employees.
This working at height guide should help explain the official UK working at height regulations and responsibilities, whether you're an employer looking to take the necessary steps or an employee who wants to know their rights are being followed.
There are a number of regulations that apply to working at height, many of which concern how an employer is responsible (to a reasonable extent) for their employee's safety when working at height.
Employers who are planning the work must be sure to:
Of course, employers can't control everything - there is a level of responsibility the employee has to ensure their own safety. For that reason, employees must ensure that:
Regulations state that a risk assessment must be carried out before any working at height takes place. This a full examination of the factors that could cause harm in the workplace so that the correct precautions can be carried out.
A competent working at height risk assessment will involve:
It is illegal to work at height until a risk assessment has been carried out. It is only following this assessment that an employer can review and update how they have taken steps to minimise or reduce these risks.
Even if you have taken all the necessary precautions that are legally required and have adhered to all working at height regulations, it's impossible to account for every possibility. This is why it is so important that a working at height rescue plan is in place in case of an accident or injury.
If you are creating a working at height rescue plan you must consider:
There is a wide range of equipment that can help prevent an individual from getting injured whilst working at height. We make it our business to supply the equipment that is needed in this working condition. Take a look at our full range of working at height safety equipment, or see our list below of vital equipment we recommend you think about when preparing your team to work at height:
Harnesses Height Safety Kits Fall Protection Equipment
If you would like any advice on what equipment best suits your working at height plan, feel free to get in touch.
Read More: What Does 'What Does ‘Working at Height’ Mean?
Some new additions have recently been added to our Fall Protection Beam Anchor Clamps and Trolleys G-force range!
We work to provide the best quality equipment here at SafetyLiftinGear and our new Beam Anchor Clamps and Trolleys do not fall short of this standard. Here's a quick look at the new additions and their benefits.
This lightweight adjustable Fall Protection Beam Anchor is fully adjustable and portable. This allows for hands-free horizontal mobility and is ideal for overhead use. Some further benefits include:
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Similar to our new adjustable beam anchor, this Fall Protection Fixed Beam Anchor is both portable and adjustable to suit your needs. Ideal for use as an anchor on steel beams but also can be attached to vertical l-beams due to the built-in locking mechanism that holds the device securely in place.
Our high-quality Fall Protection Adjustable Beam Trolley is the final new addition to our G-force range. This fall protection trolley is both portable and adjustable and moves along horizontal beams as a secure anchor point for your fall arrest equipment.
All of these items are available to either buy or hire depending on your needs. To hire this equipment, simply click 'hire me' when on the product page and 'enquire' once you reach the checkout. If you'd like to get in touch about any of the products mentioned today, you can do so here.
Manual handling can be a dangerous profession if not done correctly, so it is important your lifting equipment is regularly inspected. But who can inspect lifting equipment?
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), lifting equipment inspections should be carried out by competent persons. A competent person is someone who has the right experience and knowledge to thoroughly understand what they are looking for. They should be able to spot any signs of weakness or damage that could be a potential hazard. This could be a member of your team with relevant knowledge or could be someone from another organisation.
The person who carries our the lifting equipment inspection must then complete a written report. This report should detail everything about the inspection, such as:
If any defects or damage are found during the inspection, they should be reported immediately so the person in charge can get these sorted as soon as possible.
Though this is typically at the jurisdiction of the person carrying out the inspection, there are a few things which should always be checked. Often, there is a criterion which can be followed and checked off by the competent person. This will include:
This inspection will test if the lifting equipment is safe to use and will not cause harm to those who need it.
As a rule, examinations should be carried out every 6 months for lifting equipment which carries people as this poses the highest safety risk. Lifting accessories should also be inspected every half a year as they can be fatal if damaged. Other types of standard lifting equipment can be inspected yearly if necessary.
At SafetyLiftinGear we offer a professional lifting gear inspection service to help you maintain safe and functional equipment. Get in touch if your equipment is in need of an inspection!
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If you've recently carried out an inspection of your lifting equipment and found it's not fit for purpose, we supply plenty of lifting equipment to fit all your needs here at SafetyLiftingGear.
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