Improving worker safety at height through innovation

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries. Working at height spans a wide range of industries, from construction and maintenance to emergency access and rescue. Each operation will have its own challenges but in all cases, worker safety is paramount.

Each year it is estimated that £12.3 million worth of working days are lost due to work-related injury and fatigue is implicated in 20% of work place accidents. Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show musculoskeletal disorders are the biggest risk to British workers, with more than a million cases reported each year, at a cost of more than £5.7 billion. Understandably, improving worker safety is at the heart of any ergonomic innovation.

From our experience of working in these sectors, we have found that companies can improve safety, efficiency and save money by using powerful and ergonomic lifting and pulling solutions. There is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution and a key benefit of evolving technologies is the ability to design bespoke solutions for companies and their specific operations.

The question of cost often comes into play when we are talking to decision makers about improving the safety and efficiency of operations for those working at height. We argue it would cost businesses a lot more not to invest in safety. Advances in load-management technology are contributing to enhanced safety while working at height, resulting in efficiency for operators and reduced costs for business.

Our approach to load handling focuses on taking the weight, friction, and effort out of operations. If companies can achieve this, they can mitigate the impact on their bottom line through reducing injury, stress, and therefore creating an efficient and motivated workforce. We have been managing heavy loads through winch and pulley systems within the marine industry for decades, where lifting loads can involve anything from 100 kg to 50 ton working loads. More recently, we have taken our innovative approach into industrial markets, where people are looking to maximise their power-to-weight ratios, enhancing human efficiency by providing greater agility and mobility. In scenarios of high-load, low-friction, weight-critical applications, where safety and load management are paramount, hardware technologies are offering real breakthroughs.

As architectural structures evolve, so do the challenges of working at height. Modern buildings created for their aesthetics are presenting great challenges to those responsible for maintenance. Innovative new products are now revolutionising work in industrial maintenance, such as sit-on power ascenders. Designed to be used anywhere that rope access is possible, these products allow the user to ascend quickly, stay in position longer and work in comfort. Power ascenders eliminate the risk of strain on operators, significantly reduce operating time and use brake systems to protect the user from accidental free fall. In an emergency, power ascenders can be evacuated safely and left behind as the operator is already clipped to conventional harness equipment.

Solutions for improving working safety do not have to be complicated and often companies can start by taking a look at materials used in operations. Lightweight, modern materials are making products more portable and are taking the strain and fatigue out of working at height. For example, the latest innovations in rope technology can make working practices safer and more efficient for operators. Using strong fibre rope instead of traditional heavy wire makes products lighter, and having unlimited lengths of this lighter rope makes heights or drops more accessible.

For example, when changing an aerial on a telecoms mast, traditionally this would involve several workers to initially carry heavy equipment across fields before starting the job. Using lighter products such as fibre rope can reduce the manpower needed, and a seated power ascender would enable an engineer to quickly get into location without the strain of manual climbing, halving the time and effort it takes to replace the aerial.

Other innovative products include low-friction ball bearing cars and tracks that provide a smooth, simple, and low-maintenance system to move loads along a rail. These systems act as a perfect anchorage for external maintenance, as they provide freedom of movement at height by giving the operator the ability to lock into one position as they work. These systems allow workers to move smoothly around structures, no matter the complexity of the architectural design, making them suitable for industrial cleaning and maintenance operations. Rail systems provide a secure, reliable solution for use in fall restraint, fall arrest, and suspended working applications.

The ever demanding needs of companies involved in working at height will ensure that engineers continue to design and develop more innovative load management technologies. It is critical that companies continue to consider the application of new technologies and explore different approaches to deliver practical solutions for safer working practices. This will help to drive greater efficiency, productivity and ultimately, give companies the edge over competitors.