Working at height is regulated by NR-35, which considers that any task performed above 2 meters from the floor is considered a hazardous activity. In this content, we will give tips on how to ensure worker safety in this type of activity, highlighting the importance of resources such as the roof lifeline. Check it out!
What is the best way to ensure safety when working at height?
The adoption of preventive measures is the most appropriate way to make working at height safe. As the saying goes, "prevention is better than cure. This makes perfect sense when you consider the fact that accidents involving work at height tend to be serious.
Besides compromising the worker's physical integrity, these accidents undermine the company's credibility and can also lead to labor lawsuits. Therefore, every care is needed when it comes to regulating this type of activity.
So much so that NR-35 exists so that Occupational Safety teams can assess employees' compliance with safety regulations. This includes the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the appropriate configuration of the corporate environment, so that tasks can be carried out without any risk of accidents.
6 prevention measures for working at height
Let's now go to the main preventive measures to avoid accidents when working at height.
1. Create an Internal Commission for Accident Prevention
The Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA) is a body that operates within industries with the aim of preserving the physical integrity and well-being of employees. This team is essential to monitor the progress of work at height, facilitating communication between teams and the configuration of the internal space.
2. Invest in an occupational health program
The occupational health programs are part of the day to day of the Labor Safety teams. The intention is to mitigate risks related to operational conditions in companies and industries.
From a complete mapping, it is possible to evaluate compliance with safety standards and also define internal rules regarding the use of protection equipment, medical examinations, among other relevant items.
3. Always have an up-to-date risk assessment
It is very important to have in hand a complete map of industrial operations, in order to assess which activities offer greater risk and thus define actions to mitigate them. It is also worth remembering that, in some cases, it is possible to completely eliminate the risks involved. Be aware of this and try to reduce the dangers as much as possible.
4. Mitigate possible risks while performing the work
When we talk about risk reduction, complex safety measures usually come to mind. However, some simple measures can already considerably reduce the risk of accidents at the workplace. One example is the presence of weather shelters - in the case of open-air work - or the use of the lifeline in roof maintenance.
Want to know more about this resource? Understand what the lifeline is for and how it relates to NR-35!
5. Encourage the use of PPE
The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory for a number of industrial activities. Working at height would be no different. It is the managers' duty to provide all the necessary equipment to employees, in addition to encouraging and supervising the proper use of all items.
6. Sign the environments appropriately
All the environments that present risk in the plant must be duly marked, especially those into which people are not allowed to enter without specific protection equipment.
How to ensure safety when working at height?
The following summarizes the best practices for ensuring safe operations when working at height.
Map and analyze possible risks
As we saw in the previous topic, the previous survey of risks involved in the workplace is the first step to define a good mitigation plan. Therefore, before starting the tasks at height, assess very well the entire internal environment, including simulating alarm situations to verify that the safety measures are really effective.
Train all employees
Training is fundamental for the correct use of safety equipment and the work tools themselves that may put the physical integrity of employees at risk. This task is crucial for everyone involved to feel more confident in dealing with challenging scenarios, such as working on roofs.
Have secure anchor points
Anchor points are often talked about when it comes to work at height, such as in roof maintenance situations. This feature consists of a steel cable installation fixed to the structure of the building. The points are attached to the worker's safety belt, allowing the worker to travel safely across the roof while performing the necessary activities.
Use the lifeline
The lifeline, as mentioned above, is a primordial resource for working at height, preventing the risk of workers falling and other incidents. This mechanism is formed by a highly resistant cable, connected to anchor points that will keep employees safe.
Importantly, anchorage points must be strategically inserted according to the potential risk involved in the location in question. With this care, the work at height can be done in a practical, agile way and in accordance with the safety regulations of the Ministry of Labor.
Learn more about these norms and understand how to guarantee healthfulness in the industry, providing quality of life and well-being to your employees!
