In brief

Introduction
Tasks on scaffolding, ladders and roofs carry amongst other dangers the risk of falling. Dangers occur when ladders or scaffolding are not stable or stand too flat. Carrying material up a ladder can result in loss of balance. Focused work in the neighbourhood of a roof edge or rafter can also be very risky. A separate chapter has been written to focus on these risks.

What is working at height?

Working at height is:
•    If the floor where the work is being carried out is of a height of 2.5 meters or more above the ground.
•    If someone finds themselves working less than 4 meters distance from the edge of a roof.
•    If someone is working less than 2.5 meters from the ground but is on a projecting piece, or has a chance of falling into water, or of falling into the line of traffic.

Safety measures for roofs and ladders
Roofs are regularly serviced. The servicing is carried out on apparatus such as cooling, wind meters, but also on detectors (for example Hisparc).  In 2008 there was a Risk Inventory & Evaluation, (RI&E,risk assessment) study done. It was therein concluded that there must be measures put in place to reduce/remove the risk of falling. Since then, there has been a safety system introduced to prevent falling. It consists of a security point attached to the roof to which the worker can attach him/herself with a rope. On top of this measure yellow dividing lines are also used between safe and unsafe zones. (See Mechanical dept. roof photograph above)

There have also been measures provided for working with ladders. These are, amongst other things, designed to prevent the ladder from slipping away whilst in use.  It is not permitted to work with ladders at a height of 10 meters or more.

See here (document currently only in Dutch).

The measures necessary for working at height, such as use of ladders, scaffolding and the security system against falling are obtainable at Facilities.  

Click on the FOM-ARBO logo on the right to read what FOM dictates about this subject.