Working at Heights: Fall Protection, Training, and Rescue Plan

Working at heights isn't just about working on roofs or many meters above the ground. The key factor is whether a fall could result in injury. The surface, openings, edges, machinery, water, materials, and work methods can also make work at lower heights risky.

This guide explains when fall hazards must be addressed, why collective measures should be prioritized, and what training in working at heights should cover.

When must an employer consider fall protection?

Employers must identify hazards and assess risks before work begins. The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority describes falls as one of the most common causes of injuries and fatalities in Norwegian workplaces. If the task can be performed from the ground, that is often the safest option.

Therefore, there is no single, simple rule stating that everything below a certain height is automatically safe. The consequences of a potential fall must be assessed in conjunction with the likelihood of it occurring.

Read the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority's guidelines on working at heights.

Collective fall protection before personal fall protection equipment

Planning should begin with solutions that protect multiple people without requiring each individual to connect to the system. Examples include guardrails, scaffolding, stair towers, personnel lifts, and covering openings. Personal fall protection equipment must be used when collective solutions are not possible or do not provide adequate protection.

There is an important difference between a system that prevents the user from reaching the edge of a fall and a system that only stops the person after a fall has begun. When using a fall arrest system, factors such as fall clearance, pendulum motion, anchorage, and how the person can be rescued quickly must be taken into account.

What should the training include?

• Hazard assessment and selection of work methods
• the sequence, ranging from avoiding work at heights to collective and individual measures
• harness, lanyard, fall arrest device, connectors, and anchor points
• clearance from falling objects, swinging objects, and sharp edges
• Pre-use inspection, labeling, storage, and disposal
• Rescue plan, emergency notification, and risk of suspension trauma

Here's How to Practice at Work

Hands-on training can be conducted locally with a mentor who has the necessary expertise in fall protection equipment and work methods. Practice checking, adjusting, connecting, and moving safely. When using personal fall protection, you must also plan for and practice relevant rescue procedures. The employer must document the training and assess the employees’ skills.

Training should be repeated or updated whenever there are changes to the equipment, work methods, work site, or risks. A signed course roster alone is not sufficient if the employee does not possess the actual skills required for the task.

What should a contingency plan address?

• How is the incident reported, and who is leading the rescue effort?
• How do you reach a person who is suspended in fall protection equipment?
• What rescue equipment is available, and who can use it?
• How can rescue personnel be protected from new fall hazards?
• How do you administer first aid and report the incident to 113?

The plan must be realistic for the workplace. It is not sufficient to assume that emergency services will handle every aspect of the rescue operation.

Documentation Employers Should Collect

1. Risk assessment and chosen work method
2. Documentation of theory and knowledge tests
3. documentation of hands-on and equipment-specific training
4. local guidelines, emergency response plan, and drills conducted
5. inspection and maintenance of the equipment