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How can you prevent falls from height and ensure safety in the workplace?
In 2021, falls from height were responsible for 12% of workplace accidents (source: travail-emploi.gouv.fr). Preventing these risks is the employer's responsibility, and heavy fines can be imposed if a breach of the French Labor Code is found. While the construction and public works sector is highly exposed, many other activities are also concerned: maintenance services, cleaning, logistics, etc.
What is a fall from height?
A fall from height is characterized by the presence of a difference in level, and mainly concerns people working at high levels (stepladders, roofs, scaffolding, elevators, etc.) or near an opening in the ground (pit).
There are 3 types of fall from height:
- Falling through a weakened roof
- Falling from a scaffold, for example
- Falling down a hole or staircase.
What are the main causes of falls from height?
Falls from height are most often caused by..:
- Lack of individual protection (safety harness)
- Lack of collective protection (platforms without guardrails, poor signage)
- Improperly used or damaged protective equipment (e.g. incorrect anchor points).
Falls from height in figures
Falls from height are a frequent and costly hazard, according to figures drawn up by the French health insurance scheme:
- 12% of workplace accidents are due to falls from height.
- It is the 3rd leading cause of death in the workplace.
- The average length of time off work following a fall is 73 days
- Every year, more than 126,00 workplace accidents are caused by falls
- This represents 6 million days not worked per year
Even at relatively low heights, this risk should not be overlooked: in fact, every year, many workplace accidents are caused by falls from ladders and stepladders.
How can you prevent falls from height in the workplace?
Adopt a preventive approach
The starting point for any preventive approach is therisk assessment phase. This is the responsibility of all employers, as part of their general obligation to ensure the safety of their employees. To be successful, it must be guided by several principles:
- A clear commitment on the part of management
- Choosing the right assessment tools for your company. An INRS brochure helps SMEs to assess their risks
- Adopt a collaborative approach involving employees and external stakeholders (occupational physician, social and economic committee for companies concerned)
- Produce a formal document: the Document unique d'évaluation des risques (DUER - single risk assessment document)
The principle of prevention means seeking solutions to avoid exposure to risks. When it is not possible to avoid exposure to a risk, permanent equipment must be installed to provide collective protection against it. Consideration must be given to all means of access.
What are the legal requirements for limiting falls from height?
To ensure the safety of personnel, the appropriate means of access must be chosen
If permanent installations are unable to provide a safe workstation, temporary means of access may be considered. The choice of equipment depends on the nature of the work and the height at which it will be used. Ladders, stepladders and steps should be considered as temporary means of access.
The French Labor Code specifies that :
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- Temporary work at height must be carried out from a workstation designed, installed or equipped in such a way as to protect the health and safety of workers. The workstation must enable work to be carried out under ergonomic conditions (Art. R4323-58 of the French Labor Code).
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- The prevention of falls from height is mainly ensured by rigidguardrails of appropriate strength, integrated or securely attached, placed at a height of between 1m and 1.10m. They must include at least a 100 to 150mm stop plinth, depending on the height chosen for the guardrails, a handrail and an intermediate rail at mid-height (Art. R4323-59 of the French Labour Code).
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- Ladders, stepladders and steps may not be used as workstations. However, such equipment may be used where it is technically impossible to use equipment for the collective protection of workers, or where the risk assessment has established that the risk is low and that the work is of short duration and not repetitive in nature. (Art. R. 233-13-22. ).
Recommended equipment to reduce the risk of falls
The following equipment complies with applicable standards and decrees:
Steps and stepladders
This equipment should only be used occasionally, for example to reach a work surface. They are suitable for short-term use with low-amplitude movements. Choose equipment that complies with current standards:
One-piece aluminium steps
This one-piece step has a non-slip platform. It is a wide and stable professional step . It complies with EN 131 and the safety requirements of Decree 96-333.
Double access step
This step has wide, non-slip treads and non-slip glides. It is extremely sturdy, allowing access from both sides. It complies with the safety requirements of decree 96-333.
High-access stepladders
The use of a safe stepladder is recommended for occasional, short-term work. They also facilitate access to shelving or mezzanines.
Equipped with a handrail, guardrail, stabilizer, non-slip platform and steps, and an immobilization system, these stepladders enable you to carry out your occasional operations at height with complete peace of mind.
They are fitted with wheels for easy movement, but must never be moved while a user is standing on the equipment. They are available in several versions, from 3 to 14 steps.
These stepladders comply with the EN 131-7 standard. This new standard guarantees a higher level of safety and information.
Platform for working at height
The use of an individual rolling platform is mandatory for work at height involving long (over 10 minutes), recurring or difficult tasks. Stepladders are to be avoided in accordance with the recommendations of the French Labour Code (article R. 4323-63). This also applies to tasks involving risk factors, such as handling heavy, cumbersome equipment.
Equipped with guardrails and stabilizers, the individual rolling platform is a real workstation that protects the operator from falls.
Choose a platform that complies with French standard NF P 93-353. This standard defines the minimum characteristics required, as well as the tests designed to check their strength, deformation and stability.
Protect personnel working on a floor or platform.
In warehouses, working on floors or metal storage platforms entails the risk of falls, particularly when handling materials manually or with machinery.
Several types of equipment are available to ensure safe working on floors or platforms:
Stairs
Falls on stairs are a common but avoidable hazard. Here are a few simple tips to limit the risks:
- Keep your stairs clear, and don't store anything on the steps.
- Choose a staircase with non-slip treads
- Regularly check that handrails are properly secured
- Do not carry bulky objects up the stairs
Our metal staircases are designed to minimize the risk of falling, thanks to their non-slip treads.
Barriers
The lock gate is a safety system also known as a "safety lock". It enablesloads and pallets to be moved safelyfrom one level to another.
Installed at the edge of a floor, the lock gate is required to comply with CARSAT, CRAM or INRS regulations for handling pallets on an industrial platform.
In compliance with the decree of January 8, 1965, this opening device effectively prevents the risk of falling from a platform when handling at the edge of the void.
The folding version has the advantage of taking up less space in terms of height than the tilting lock gate.
Platform elevator
Used in conjunction with a platform, the freight elevator enables parcels (crates, boxes) to be conveyed between 2 levels in a way that is safe for users. It avoids the use of stairs, which can be a source of falls.
It also delivers productivity gains that more than pay for themselves.
Our solution includes a tailor-made design to best meet your needs.
