Nowadays, ‘health and safety’ is everywhere but nowhere is more important than in dangerous working environments. As working at height specialists, we understand the utmost importance of establishing a safety culture in rope access. Any process that involves working at height or a confined space poses high risks. Ultimately, keeping workers safe, injury-free and comfortable in their environment is a priority.
What is a safety culture?
A safety culture is the creation of an environment in which exceptional standards of safety become second nature and risk management tactics are deployed. Safety should be a shared responsibility across the entire team, with no individual spared. As well as applying to all workers involved in a project, this culture of safety also encompasses the surrounding environment and protection of client assets.
Rigorous training and an awareness of safety protocol will enable a safety culture to flourish. There needs to be a system in place for upholding best practices and safety standards, in which workers are able to voice any concerns with ease and efficiency. Undergoing the appropriate training will help to establish these systems.
Goals and objectives
The primary objective of a safety culture is to uphold unbeatable standards of safety in order to reduce any dangers posed to the workers and protect the client’s assets. This should involve comprehensive risk management that utilises tactics to minimise risk in all areas of work. At the heart of these goals is a commitment to meeting and exceeding industry best practices and ensuring that regulations are adhered to at all times.
A safety culture will not only minimise risk, it also facilitates a happier and more efficient working environment in which work can be completed promptly and on schedule. It is important to note, however, that working fast does not mean a compromise on safety. When it comes to working at height, safety must never be compromised. As long as it remains the number one priority of everyone involved in the project, then a safety culture will thrive and unnecessary accidents prevented.
Communication is key
A good safety culture will not exist without clear and frequent communication between all stakeholders of a project. Senior members of staff should act as champions of risk management, driving the safety culture that the workers can embrace. Employees should feel empowered to uphold a safety culture and voice any concerns where appropriate.
Clear expectations need to be set, monitored and adhered to, whilst continuous education is crucial to staying afloat of the latest updates and developments in rope access regulations. Employees should have a genuine interest in the work they are doing. In turn, this will feed an appreciation of the hazards involved and an acute awareness of their own personal safety. This culmination of attitudes will help to build a solid safety culture.
Conclusion
Rope access is inherently bound up with safety requirements. Establishing a safety culture will ensure that all workers are implicated in upholding rigorous safety standards, whilst simultaneously creating a happy and efficient working environment. Here at Martin Castle Ltd, we work closely with IRATA to keep rope access employees trained to the highest possible standards. Contact a member of staff to see how we can help you with your rope access needs.