Working at heights means working on a surface at a height of at least 1.0 m above floor or ground level, if that surface is not screened on all sides to a height of at least 1.5 m by solid walls or is not equipped with other permanent structures or devices to protect the worker against falls from height.
Working at heights includes work on ladders, braces, scaffolding, poles, masts, tower structures, chimneys or building structures without ceilings.
Pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 26 September 1997 on general health and safety at work regulations (as amended) (Journal of Laws of 2003, No. 169, item 1650, as amended), work at heights is classified as particularly hazardous work. The employer should determine the specific health and safety requirements when carrying out this type of work and provide training for the employees carrying it out. Pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labour of 27 July 2004 on training in the field of occupational safety and health (as amended) (Journal of Laws No. 180, item 1860, of 2005. No. 116, item. 972, of 2007. No. 196, item.1420), periodic training of employees performing work at height shall be conducted in the form of detailed instruction, at least once a year.
The training programme shall be determined by the training provider according to the nature of the work carried out on the farm. An example of a training programme for workers performing work at height includes the following:
- health and safety regulations for working at height,
- equipment and organisation of work at heights,
- Worker safety and protection measures (collective and individual),
- working on ladders / scaffolding / platforms / tower structures,
- prevention of falls from height,
- principles of first-aid in the event of accidents.