Work at Height do’s and don’ts

Why the Basics Still Get People Killed

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of fatal injuries in South African workplaces. The majority of those incidents do not happen because the legislation is unclear or the equipment is unavailable — they happen because basic rules are ignored, shortcuts are taken, or workers are placed in fall risk positions without adequate preparation.

This post sets out the fundamental do’s and don’ts for anyone working at height in South Africa — whether you are a facilities manager responsible for a building’s access systems, a principal contractor managing a construction site, or a worker who routinely operates above ground level.

The Do’s — What Must Happen Before and During Work at Height

Do confirm that anchor points are certified and current

Every anchor point used for fall arrest or rope access must be inspected and certified by a competent person — in South Africa, that means an ECSA-registered Lifting Machine Inspector. Anchor points must be inspected annually and must comply with SANS 50795. Before connecting to any anchor point, check that it is clearly marked with the date of its last inspection and the maximum rated load. If that information is not visible on the device, do not use it.

Do request the safe work procedure manual before starting

Any building with permanently installed anchor points or lifeline systems should have a safe work procedure manual. This document contains the anchor layout plan, inspection records, load ratings, and the procedures that govern how the system may be used. Ask the building manager or facilities manager for this document before work commences. If they cannot produce it, that is a compliance gap that needs to be addressed before anyone goes over the edge.

Do inspect all PPE personally before each use

A full body harness, lanyard, energy absorber, and connectors must be inspected before every use — not just when they are new and not just once a month. Check for cuts, abrasion, chemical contamination, heat damage, and any deformation of metal components. PPE that has been involved in a fall arrest event must be taken out of service immediately, even if it appears undamaged. The forces involved in arresting a fall can compromise the structural integrity of equipment in ways that are not visible to the eye.

Do verify that your equipment meets the applicable SANS standards

South African work at height PPE and equipment must comply with the relevant SANS standards. For anchor devices, look for SANS 50795 compliance marked on the body of the device, or certification by a Professional Engineer included in the safe work procedure manual. Do not assume that equipment is compliant because it looks professional or comes with a certificate from an unknown testing body.

Do ensure a rescue plan is in place before work begins

This is a legal requirement under Construction Regulation 10 for construction sites, and a fundamental safety requirement everywhere else. A worker suspended in a harness after a fall arrest event can develop suspension trauma within minutes — a condition that can be fatal if rescue is delayed. Before work at height begins, confirm that a rescue procedure exists, that rescue equipment is on site, and that at least one person present is trained to execute the rescue. SAQA unit standard US 229995 covers basic fall arrest rescue and is the recognised qualification for this competency.

Do ensure workers are trained to the correct unit standard

Workers operating in a fall risk position must be trained and assessed as competent. In South Africa the recognised unit standards are SAQA US 229998 for working in a fall risk position, SAQA US 229994 for fall protection planners, and SAQA US 229995 for basic fall arrest rescue. Our affiliate Altramed offers accredited training across all three unit standards.

Do ensure a signed and dated anchor layout plan is available on site

The anchor layout plan identifies the location, rating, and inspection status of every anchor point on a structure. It must be signed and dated by the responsible competent person and must be included in the safe work procedure manual. Workers must know which anchors they are permitted to use and for what purpose — fall arrest and rope access have different anchor point requirements.

The Don’ts — What Must Never Happen

Don’t use any anchor point that is not marked and certified

An unmarked anchor point is an unknown anchor point. You do not know who installed it, when it was last inspected, what load it was designed to carry, or whether it has been damaged or compromised. Using an unmarked anchor — even for fall prevention rather than fall arrest — is not a calculated risk. It is an unacceptable one. If the anchor cannot be verified, do not connect to it.

Don’t use PPE you have not personally inspected

Never assume that equipment handed to you by a supervisor, a colleague, or a store has been inspected and is safe to use. The responsibility for verifying the condition of your PPE before putting it on rests with you. Take the time to inspect every component before every use. If something does not look right, report it and replace it.

Don’t use ropes and attachments that have not been inspected before use

Working ropes, safety lines, lanyards, and connectors must be inspected immediately before use on each working day. Ropes in particular are vulnerable to damage that can occur during storage, transport, or previous use — abrasion, cuts, chemical exposure, and UV degradation can all compromise a rope’s rated load capacity without being immediately obvious.

Don’t accept verbal assurances that a system is safe

If a building manager, site supervisor, or any other person tells you verbally that the anchor points are certified, the system is safe, or the documentation is in order — and cannot produce the paperwork to back it up — do not accept that assurance. Your life depends on documented, verifiable compliance. The documentation either exists or it does not. If it does not exist, the system is not compliant and you should not use it.

Don’t work alone in a fall risk environment

Working alone at height removes the possibility of rescue in the event of a fall arrest event. Suspension trauma, as noted above, can become fatal within a short period if no one is present to initiate rescue. Lone working at height is not permitted under a compliant safe work procedure. Always ensure a second person is present who is aware of the work being done, has access to the rescue equipment, and knows how to use it.

Don’t assume rescue equipment is on site — check

The rescue procedure is only as good as the equipment available to execute it. Before work begins, physically verify that the rescue equipment specified in the rescue procedure is present on site and in serviceable condition. Do not assume it is there because it should be there. Check.

Don’t begin work at height without a Fall Protection Plan on a construction site

On any construction site where a fall risk exists, a Fall Protection Plan compiled by a competent person must be in place before work at height commences. This is a direct requirement of Construction Regulation 10 of the Construction Regulations 2014. The plan must be site-specific, must address all identified fall hazards, and must include a rescue procedure. Starting work without it exposes the principal contractor to enforcement action by the Department of Employment and Labour, including a prohibition notice stopping work on site.

The Common Thread

Every item on both lists comes back to the same principle: work at height is not an activity that tolerates improvisation. The legislation, the standards, and the procedures exist because the consequences of getting it wrong are irreversible. A fall from height does not give you a second chance to do it correctly.

The do’s in this list are not bureaucratic requirements — they are the minimum conditions under which it is reasonable to expose a worker to a fall risk. The don’ts are not cautions — they are boundaries that must not be crossed.

If your building’s anchor points are overdue for inspection, if your workers are not trained to the relevant unit standards, or if you need a Fall Protection Plan compiled for an upcoming project, WAHS can assist. We hold ECSA LMI registration, LME registration with the Department of Employment and Labour, and 50 years of operational experience in suspended access and fall protection through our parent company Riggers Steeplejacks.

Published by Jaco Coetzer | Work at Height Solutions (Pty) Ltd