Working at height has a high level of risk, which can cause injuries, fractures or even fatality to employees.
Most occurrences of this nature are related to negligence in individual and collective protection, as well as the absence of a prevention policy in companies.
With this in mind, we created this post. In it, you will learn about the importance of following the standards and requirements of this activity in the organizational environment, as well as the most recommended PPE for working at heights.
The importance of protection when working at height
To ensure the safety and health of those directly or indirectly involved in working at heights, it is important to meet the requirements and protective measures set out in Regulatory Standard 35 (NR 35), which determines: duties and obligations of the employer and employee , requirements for working at height; qualification and training; planning and fall protection system.
What equipment is necessary for the inherent risks of working at height?
To comply with the criteria of the regulatory standard and preserve the health and well-being of workers, the following PPE must be used for working at heights.
Paratrooper style safety belt
It is a fall protection system, consisting of a device attached to the body, designed to stop a fall.
Fall Protection Lanyard
There are two types of lanyards:
Fall Protection Lanyard I or Y
It is recommended for working at heights to prevent the employee from falling. Allows horizontal and vertical movement in anchoring system.
Positioning Lanyard
It is recommended for positioning work where free hands are required.
Fall arrest
This equipment allows the worker to have greater and more precise movement.
Its purpose is to lock the belt to contain sudden movements or falls. There are two types of fall arresters:
Sliding fall arrest
It is indicated for movements along an anchor line, accompanying the user without requiring manual intervention. Furthermore, it allows vertical movement and automatically locks onto the line and anchorage if a fall occurs.
Retractable fall arrest
It is recommended for working at heights where vertical and horizontal movement is required. Offers automatic locking feature.
Auxiliary equipment
Equipment used in rope access work that complements the parachute harness, lanyard, fall arrester and rope, such as ascenders, descenders, connectors and pulleys.
What equipment is needed for the additional risks of working at height?
In addition to the PPE suitable for this type of activity, there are other essentials to ensure employee safety. See below.
Helmet with jugular
This accessory protects the employee's head against impacts from objects on the skull and electric shocks. When working at heights, using the jugular is crucial, as it prevents the helmet from falling after a sudden movement.
Glasses
They are recommended for activities with exposure to sunlight, particle projection, intense light, chemicals, ultraviolet and/or infrared radiation.
Gloves
Gloves are essential to provide greater safety when handling equipment and tools at height, preventing injuries from:
abrasions and punctures;
chemical and corrosive agents;
electric shocks;
inclement weather (heat, cold and humidity);
wood chips and splinters;
sharp materials.
Safety shoes
Leather shoes with a steel or composite toe cap, depending on the task, protect your feet against frontal collisions, falling objects and punctures. Furthermore, they provide greater grip, preventing possible skidding and twisting.
How to choose the most suitable equipment?
The occupational safety professional is responsible for analyzing the inherent and additional risks of the environment and checking which PPE is most suitable according to the anchoring system.
Important! It is worth noting that it is the supplier's responsibility to provide information about the operation of the equipment and its limitations of use.
Is it necessary to train employees for working at heights?
Yes, according to NR 35, the employer must provide training before employees carry out work at height. The course needs to be theoretical and practical. Instructions must be carried out during working hours and the workload is eight hours.
In addition, the company also needs to retrain training every two years or when new risk situations and changes in procedures arise.