Height safety equipment is our speciality at Altus Safety, from fall protection to fall arrest systems, collective edge protection to PPE for individual workers, we cover it all. We make fragile roof surfaces safer, drastically reduce the risk of falls on your site with our thorough working at height risk assessments, and can install and maintain a wide array of working at height equipment and systems.
We say all that not to brag, but to show that we’re UK leaders in the industry, making us best placed to support you with all your working at height needs. But how can you know what you need if you don’t know what’s on offer? Well, that’s the purpose of our guide today – to help health and safety managers, site owners, employers and duty holders understand what working at height equipment is out there, what each one does, and how they can be used to make your site safer.
The right height safety equipment is the difference between a safe site and one plagued with workplace accidents. Improve worker safety at your site and get the most out of your workers today!
Why is height safety equipment necessary?
Personal protection equipment, such as safety harnesses, hard hats, and the like, and fall arrest equipment, like safety line systems, are all covered by the Working at Height Regulations (2005). These regulations made clear that employers had to provide individuals working at height on their site with the proper safety equipment and systems to ensure the work they carried out was as risk free as possible.
Before any work at height begins, an employer must:
- consider if there’s an alternative way to complete the work without a worker having to put themselves at risk at height
- if no alternative can be found then a thorough risk assessment must be carried out to identify all possible risks of personal injury to the worker and others
- provide the worker with appropriate safety equipment and systems
- maintain those systems and equipment
- consider a rescue plan should the worst happen to protect workers
So, why is safety equipment necessary? Because it’s your legal requirement to ensure that it’s on site, regularly maintained and ready to be used by competent people with the appropriate training in place.
Do I need working at height equipment?
If you have workers on site carrying out work at height, then yes, you will need equipment to support their safety. If you’re unsure exactly what you need, then we can help with one of our working at height risk assessments.
Below we’ll cover all of the different types of height safety equipment we offer so you can get an idea about the sort of things you might need. We work with a range of clients from construction sites to commercial properties, stadiums to warehouses, so you’re sure to find something to suit your needs from our list of safety equipment and systems below.
Different types of working at height equipment – fall protection & fall arrest systems
You can have any one of the following systems or equipment installed at your site by our expert team of height safety installers. Already have one installed? Even if we didn’t install the system ourselves, we offer testing and maintenance services to help give you the confidence that your systems and equipment are in proper working order.
Guardrails
We install fixed and freestanding guardrail systems that create a continuous physical barrier at roof or platform edges to prevent falls. They’re specifically engineered for the collective protection of multiple workers at once and remove the need for fall arrest lanyards and full body harnesses when carrying out routine work. These are the ideal solution for those with regular access requirements, and all systems are corrosion-resistant, installed, and tested to the highest safety standards and regulations.
Safety line systems
Our safety lines (both horizontal and vertical lifelines) provide secure attachment routes for harnesses and fall restraint devices. Horizontal line systems let teams move around roofs and platforms freely whilst being attached securely to the safety line, and vertical lifelines work with ladders and fixed routes when travelling up and down them. When properly installed and inspected by members of our team, they arrest falls, reduce impact forces and provide safe routes for workers.
Mobile man anchors
Mobile man anchor systems are portable, counterweighted anchors that provide temporary fall restraint or arrest for short-term tasks. They can be assembled quickly and with ease, and without needing to be fixed to roofs, meaning they won’t damage the roof’s surface. These systems are ideal for lower level maintenance tasks that happen infrequently. Our systems are all certified and meet the latest height safety standards.
Skylight protection
Fragile roof surfaces are the leading cause of falls from height in the industry. To prevent this, you need skylight protection. At Altus Safety we offer lightweight UPVC covers and galvanised mesh systems which can be permanently or temporarily fixed over the skylight to physically prevent a worker from stepping on the fragile rooflight surface. Skylight protection removes the need for safety nets beneath the skylight, and can be integrated with other fall protection systems to support worker safety.
Eyebolts and anchor points
Eyebolts and anchor points provide secure, tested attachment points for harnesses, lanyards and abseil or rope access kits. They can be installed temporarily or be fixed in place permanently depending on your needs. All of our eyebolts and anchor points are installed and certified to EN & BS standards and we can support you with continued safe use with ongoing compliance testing and maintenance to guarantee your system’s integrity.
Access gantries
Access gantries and step over platforms create stable routes across roofs and over obstructions so maintenance teams and work at height specialists can move around without risk. Our bespoke access gantries can be designed to suit plant locations and any commercial space. We design, install and maintain your access gantries to provide protection in low-risk access situations.
Access ladders
Fixed, caged and fall arrest system compatible access ladders give your workers full peace of mind. Providing secure and stable access in plant areas and to roofs and higher platforms our fixed access ladders are designed to meet the strictest regulations and standards. With us, you get full installation and regular inspections to keep your workers safe when accessing roofs and higher platforms.
Walkways
Purpose built roof walkways are anti-slip routes across fragile areas of roofs and platforms, designed to protect operatives and your roof surface. We offer a full range at Altus Safety, from UPVC and aluminium to galvanised steel to GRP. Our walkways also include handrails, anti-slip designs and toe boards where required for the ultimate safe route whilst working at height.
Davit arm systems
Davit arm systems are made up of a pivoting arm and a strong base designed to suspend or lower personnel and equipment safely over facades or into confined spaces. They give controlled reach over an obstacle to lower an individual and can be used for facade access or rescue situations. We provide bespoke davit systems which are regularly maintained to support its safe continued use.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE for working at height includes harnesses, connectors, lanyards, hard hats, non-slip boots, eye protection, hi-vis clothing, and more. All of these are your last line of defence should a fall occur, as they’re designed to protect the worker. Specific equipment must be used for specific tasks following a risk assessment and must be properly fitted to the individual. We advise on suitable PPE for specific tasks and can supply equipment to ensure effective, compliant use on site.
Let Altus Safety help you with your height safety gear
Working at height doesn’t have to be complex when the right equipment, systems, planning and support is in place. From collective protection such as guardrails and walkways through to personal fall arrest solutions, access systems and specialist anchor points, Altus Safety can provide fully compliant, bespoke solutions designed to really improve the safety of your commercial site. With expert surveys, installation, certification and ongoing maintenance, we make sure every work at height task is able to be carried out safely and with full confidence.
To discuss your project or request a site survey, contact Altus Safety today and let us support you in creating a safer, compliant working environment at height.