2.3 Working at Height, Manual Handling & COSHH

The Work at Height Regulations 2005

Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries in the UK construction and electrical industries. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.

The Hierarchy of Control for Work at Height

The regulations set out a simple hierarchy for managing and selecting equipment for work at height:

1. Avoid: Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so. (e.g., assembling components on the ground before lifting them into place).
2. Prevent: Where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using either an existing place of work that is already safe or the right type of equipment (e.g., scaffolding with guardrails or Mobile Elevating Work Platforms).
3. Minimize: Where the risk cannot be eliminated, minimize the distance and consequences of a fall by using the right type of equipment (e.g., safety nets or personal fall arrest systems).

Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders

Ladders and stepladders are not banned, but their use is heavily restricted. They should only be used for low-risk, short-duration work (typically considered to be less than 30 minutes in a single position) or where existing site features mean a safer alternative cannot be used.

When using a ladder:

• It must be secured (tied off) to prevent slipping.
• It should be placed at the correct angle of 75 degrees (the 1-in-4 rule: 1 unit out for every 4 units up).
• You must maintain three points of contact (e.g., two feet and one hand) when working, unless the task briefly requires both hands and you have a secure handhold or safety harness.
• Stepladders must be fully opened, locked, and used on stable, level ground.

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

Electricians frequently handle heavy materials such as cable drums, steel conduit, and transformers. The regulations require employers to avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable. Where avoidance is not possible, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be carried out.

The TILE Assessment

The TILE acronym is universally used to structure a manual handling risk assessment:

• Task: Does the activity involve twisting, stooping, bending, or excessive pushing/pulling? Is the task repetitive?
• Individual: Does the task require unusual strength or height? Is the worker pregnant or suffering from a pre-existing health condition?
• Load: Is the load heavy, bulky, unwieldy, difficult to grasp, unstable, or potentially damaging (e.g., sharp or hot)?
• Environment: Are there space constraints, uneven or slippery floors, variations in floor levels (stairs), or poor lighting?

If the assessment identifies a significant risk, mechanical aids (like trolleys, hoists, or pallet trucks) or team lifting must be employed to mitigate the danger.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. You can prevent or reduce workers' exposure to hazardous substances by finding out what the health hazards are, deciding how to prevent harm (risk assessment), providing control measures, and providing information, instruction, and training.

The Hierarchy of Control for COSHH

Similar to work at height, COSHH relies on a hierarchy of control:

1. Elimination: Removing the hazardous substance entirely.
2. Substitution: Replacing a hazardous substance with a safer alternative (e.g., using water-based paint instead of solvent-based).
3. Engineering Controls: Using local exhaust ventilation (LEV) or isolation techniques.
4. Administrative Controls: Limiting the time workers are exposed.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Using respiratory protective equipment (RPE), gloves, and goggles. PPE is the last line of defense.

Common Site Hazards: Silica Dust and Asbestos

Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS): Silica is a natural substance found in most rocks, sand, and clay, and in products such as bricks and concrete. When these materials are cut, drilled, or ground, fine RCS dust is released. Prolonged inhalation causes silicosis (a severe lung disease) and lung cancer. Control measures include wet-cutting, on-tool dust extraction (LEV), and appropriate FFP3 respiratory protection.

Asbestos: Asbestos is responsible for over 5,000 deaths annually in the UK. Any building built or refurbished before the year 2000 may contain asbestos. If an electrician disturbs asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) during drilling or cable routing, deadly microscopic fibers are released. It is illegal to work on ACMs without specialized training and, in many cases, a license. If you suspect asbestos, you must immediately stop work, warn others, and report it to the site manager. An Asbestos Register should be checked before commencing any intrusive work.

Summary of Control Measures