Seven Common Mistakes in Work at Height
Most work-at-height incidents do not come from broken equipment. They come from small habits repeated until they look normal.
Set-up mistakes
Outriggers set on soft ground or a drain cover are the most common reason a unit becomes unstable. Use spreader pads.
Underestimating overhead obstructions such as power lines. A boom touching a live cable is a fatal incident, not a property one.
- Outriggers on soft ground
- No spreader pads
- Overhead hazards not checked
- Zone below left open
Mistakes during the work
Clipping the harness to the basket rail instead of the designated anchor point. The rail is not built to take a fall load.
Climbing out of the basket to reach a little further. If you need to climb out, the unit is in the wrong position or the wrong size.
Planning mistakes
Booking a shorter unit to save money, then forcing an unsafe position to reach the work point.
Scheduling work on a windy day. Check the forecast and be ready to postpone.