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LANDSCAPING FEATURE

a fall risk position as per Construction Remote fall arrest rescue
Regulations GNR.84 of 7 February 2014, Photo courtesy of HeightSafety
Section 10.

Basic safety requirements that
should always be considered for
working at heights include the
following:
• provide safe access to the roof surface;
• do not work on a roof during inclement
weather conditions such as rain, hail or
electric storms;
• obtain a ‘Roof Work’ permit;
• ensure effective communication;
• check safety harnesses prior to use and
ensure the correct length is used for
application;
• secure tools and equipment by means
of lanyards;
• do not throw any tools or equipment
from the roof surface.
Unit standards

The South African Qualifications Authority
(SAQA) has developed many unit standards
for different industries, and in the case of
working at heights, SAQA 120362, 229995,
229998, 229999 and 222994 apply. These
unit standards cover being trained to work
at heights, the prevention of falls, fall arrest, qualified, these people are able to develop • developing a fall protection and fall
equipment used to stop a person falling fall protection plans for those working at arrest plan;
from an elevated position, developing a heights, as required by the Occupational • managing the safety of personnel
fall protection plan and rescue techniques. Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993). working at heights.
The qualified person is capable of:
The purpose of unit standards is to • performing a risk assessment of the Personal Protective Equipment
enable a person to acquire knowledge worksite, where work is to be done at (PPE)
and competencies, where he/she is height;
responsible for the safety and protection • demonstrating a knowledge of fall This term refers to protective clothing,
of people working at heights, and where arrest equipment and advanced fall safety harnesses, hard helmets with a
there is a risk of injury from a fall. Once arrest rescue; chin strap, gloves, goggles, visors, non-
slip safety footwear with steel caps, close
fitting overalls and any other equipment
that protects workers’ health and safety
Safety harness and equipment for working at heights. in work places or public areas. PPE is part
Photo courtesy of Delta Health and Safety of the fall arrest system which prevents
workers from colliding with the ground,
a structure or any other obstacle during a
free fall. Besides fall arrest systems, workers
can also be protected by restraint systems
when working on roof tops.
It is important to note that a fall protection
safety harness will not do much good in the
event of a fall if a worker hits the ground
before the harness or other fall protection
equipment engages. The length of the
lanyard, as well as body length, should be
taken into consideration.

Rescue aspects when working at
heights

Personnel working at heights need to be
able to provide prompt medical treatment
if a worker is injured on a jobsite. They may

Landscape SA • Issue 93 2020 23