Working at Height: Start With the Hierarchy of Control

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of serious workplace injury. The most effective way to reduce them is to follow the hierarchy of control rather than reaching straight for a harness.

First, ask whether the work at height can be avoided altogether — for example, assembling components at ground level or using extendable tools. Where it cannot be avoided, prevent falls with collective measures such as guardrails, scaffolds and mobile elevating work platforms.

Only when those options are not reasonably practicable should you rely on personal fall protection, and even then a restraint system that stops a person reaching the edge is preferable to a fall-arrest system that stops them after they fall.

Whatever controls you choose, plan the job, inspect the equipment before use, and make sure there is a rescue plan. A worker suspended in a harness needs to be reached quickly.