Working at Heights
A safety talk focused on working at heights, including fall hazards, ladders, lifts, scaffolds, roof edges, openings, dropped objects, and fall protection planning.
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Key Hazards
- Falls from ladders, lifts, scaffolds, roofs, or platforms
- Unprotected edges, holes, skylights, or floor openings
- Improper or missing fall protection
- Dropped tools or materials striking workers below
- Unstable access equipment or poor footing
- Weather, wind, poor lighting, or surface conditions increasing fall risk
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Working at heights creates one of the most serious hazards in the workplace because a fall can cause severe injury or death in only a moment.
Height hazards are not limited to roofs or scaffolds. Ladders, step stools, trucks, tanks, mezzanines, platforms, lifts, trailers, and floor openings can all create fall exposure.
Before work begins, workers should identify where a fall could occur and what protection is required. Guardrails, covers, restraint, arrest systems, lifts, or other controls may be needed.
Access equipment should be inspected and used correctly. A ladder, lift, scaffold, or platform that is damaged, unstable, or set up incorrectly can create the fall hazard instead of controlling it.
Workers should watch for openings and fragile surfaces. Skylights, roof panels, floor holes, hatches, and temporary covers should never be assumed safe without verification.
Tools and materials should be controlled at height. Dropped objects can injure workers below, damage equipment, or create additional hazards.
Weather and surface conditions matter. Wind, rain, ice, dust, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces can reduce footing and make a task unsafe.
Safe work at heights depends on planning before climbing. Identify the fall hazard, choose the correct protection, inspect equipment, and stop work if conditions change.
Safety Reminders
- Identify fall hazards before starting work.
- Use fall protection when required.
- Inspect ladders, lifts, scaffolds, and platforms before use.
- Protect holes, openings, skylights, and edges.
- Keep tools and materials secured at height.
- Maintain three points of contact when climbing.
- Stop work if weather, footing, or equipment becomes unsafe.
Ask the Crew
- Where could a worker fall during this task?
- What fall protection or access equipment is required?
- Has the ladder, lift, scaffold, or platform been inspected?
- Are openings, edges, and fragile surfaces protected?
- Could tools or materials fall onto workers below?