Erik Bergsman is a stage builder and ropewalker and has experience of working at height as he has worked with building and rigging festival stages. For three years, Erik has been an instructor at C2 and with us he holds training and courses focusing on safe work at height. Here Erik talks about the methods available and how to find the best method.
Erik often goes out to customers to give a method consultation in their own work environment. Trainings and consultations are also held at C2 in a safe and controlled environment indoors, where there is access to simulated wind turbines, among other things. There are many different methods for performing the same tasks, so how do you know which one is the most suitable?
Method and equipment
The range of methods and types of equipment is incredibly wide, but not everything can be used for everything. If you're looking to buy rope, step back and think about what you're going to do, maybe rope isn't the most effective and compatible method for the task at hand? The most important thing is that the method and technique is both safe and ergonomic. The technique should also be effective and easy to use.
Active vs. passive method
There are two different types of methods when it comes to safety equipment and fall protection: active and passive methods. A passive method means that something catches you if you fall. An active method means that a piece of equipment is tensioned or stretched and prevents you from falling at all.
Within these two methods, there are hundreds of different solutions that branch out to suit different purposes and situations, but active fall protection is a superior method because it prevents an accident from happening in the first place. Which do you prefer, to fall or not to fall?
Risk analysis, rescue plan and fall risk
When working with different techniques and methods, it is important to have a rescue plan and a risk analysis, so that there is a ready-made plan that works in different situations that may arise during the work. If you need help from rescue services when working on a wind turbine, they will not be able to get up, but instead stand on the ground and wait. It is therefore important that your colleagues know how to get you down to the ambulance. The rescue plan should be updated and the knowledge from it should be available to people who carry out hazardous work every day.
We have a theoretical course in Risk Management aimed at supervisors and project managers. This produces a good template and formula that the company can rely on, which weaves together the link between technicians and project managers," says Erik.
Fall risk and height are factors that can influence the choice of method. We humans are naturally afraid of heights and if you are very afraid of heights and lose control, it is a high risk, which makes the method very important. It is important that the method and equipment are safe and easy to use. These two criteria are most easily met by selecting the method and equipment specifically for the tasks to be performed and the environment in which they will be carried out.
Three tips for finding the best method
1. Skills and training
If you have good skills, you understand the function of different techniques and methods, which allows you to twist and turn equipment to get the function you want. If you don't have the same level of expertise, you need a lot of specific equipment for each separate step.
2. Equipment and good tools
Answer first what your task is and then think about what you will do with the method you are looking for. With good aids and tools that are adapted to the specific situation and the tasks you intend to perform, you can find the best method.
3. learn from your mistakes and achievements!
Many of us make a big deal out of making a mistake, and then everyone is quick to reflect on what went wrong. When something good happens instead, we are not as good at reflecting and thinking about what we can learn for next time - something we should all get better at!
Need help finding the right method for your business? Get in touch with us here.
