Preventing Falls: Working at Heights Training is The Only Safety Net

Working at heights remains one of the most hazardous tasks across industries, especially in construction. Each year, falls from heights are a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities with over 42,000 annual incidents in Canada alone. However, these risks can be significantly minimized with the right training and safety measures. Let’s explore the dangers of working at heights without adequate training and why comprehensive training is vital to any organization’s health and safety strategy.

 

 

The Risks of Working at Heights

When workers are required to perform tasks at heights, whether on rooftops, ladders, scaffolds, or elevated platforms, they face unique risks. Falls from any height, even as little as 3 feet, can result in severe injuries or death. Some of the critical dangers of working at heights include:

· Loss of Balance: Without proper training, workers are more likely to lose their balance when navigating narrow or unstable surfaces, often due to overestimating stability or not using the right support.

 

· Misuse of Equipment: Without knowing how to inspect and use equipment such as harnesses, ladders, or scaffolding, workers are at risk of serious injuries due to equipment failure or improper handling.

 

· Environmental Hazards: High winds, rain, icy conditions, or slippery walking surfaces can create additional risks. Workers need specific training to recognize and adapt to these environmental dangers.

 

· Inadequate Risk Assessment: Trained workers are better able to recognize potential hazards, like weak structures, poor lighting, or inadequate housekeeping. An untrained eye might overlook these risks, leading to preventable accidents.

 

 

The Importance of Training for Working at Heights

Proper training for working at heights addresses these dangers by ensuring that workers are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe. Training includes:

· Identifying Hazards: Workers learn to recognize various hazards associated with working at heights, including fall hazards, environmental risks, and unsafe structures.

 

· Using Fall Protection Systems: Fall protection equipment, such as harnesses, lanyards, guardrails, and anchor points, can save lives. Training helps workers correctly select, inspect, and use this equipment.

 

· Emergency Procedures: In the event of an incident, trained workers know the appropriate actions to take, minimizing injury and potentially saving lives.

 

 

Consequences of Inadequate Training

Failing to provide proper training can lead to major consequences, not only for individual workers but also for the company. Some of these include:

· Higher Injury Rates: Without training, workers are more susceptible to falls and other accidents, which can lead to injuries, disabilities, or fatalities. Every day, an average of 100 workers are injured in a fall. In Ontario alone, 10 people died due to workplace falls in 2013. 10 Families lost a spouse, child, sibling, or parent.

 

· Legal Liabilities: Companies are legally obligated to provide a safe workplace, and lack of training can result in fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage. A roofing contractor was fined $10,000 and jailed for 90 days when a worker fell 21 feet without fall arrest equipment. Other companies have been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for workers losing life due to falls.

 

· Productivity Loss: Injuries and accidents can lead to downtime and productivity losses, affecting project timelines and budgets. Falls alone represent a huge piece of “lost-time injuries.”

 

 

Investing in Safety Training

Falls are preventable. Workers aren’t falling due to carelessness, or being accident-prone, they’re falling because of unsafe workplace conditions and lack of training. Close inspection of working conditions and equipment often reveals hidden hazards. The good news is that once identified, these hazards can be effectively managed and controlled.

Working at heights training is an investment that pays off in more ways than one. Not only does it protect workers, but it also contributes to a culture of safety, boosts productivity, and protects a company's reputation and finances. By making safety training a priority, employers can create safer working conditions, empower employees, and ensure that everyone goes home safely at the end of each day.

 

Protect your team and business by ensuring compliance. Don’t wait until an accident happens. Book your Working at Heights training with Cortech today. Our expert-led training equips your team with the knowledge and skills they need to work safely at heights, reducing risks and safeguarding lives. Contact brandon@cortechsafety.com or call (416) 252-7233 now to schedule a session and take the first step toward a safer workplace.