Head for Heights

South Africa’s legislation is unique:  we are one of the only countries that doesn’t have exclusive regulations for activities when working at height. As a result, we rely on subject matter experts to produ... Read More...

Suspension trauma, also known as harness hang syndrome, suspension syndrome, or suspension syncope, is a life-threatening condition that occurs after a fall when the human body is held upright without any mov... Read More...

Many risks can be identified if you use an “ergonomic lens” to look at various work environments, from office spaces to employees hanging from a high-rise. In 2019, the South African government published its... Read More...

Anchor points are designed to catch a person or hold them in place after they’ve fallen, so that they don’t hit the ground. You shouldn’t only be interested in stopping a fall. It is important to ensure the lea... Read More...

Those that work at heights are exposed to various fall risks. It is important to understand when and how these risks can be controlled. In this piece, our columnist takes a look at two forms of fall protect... Read More...

There is always a possibility that workers will have to change or cross over between various systems to complete their tasks while working at height. It is vital that these two manoeuvres are performed safely. ... Read More...

No matter what measures are in place to prevent it, there is still a possibility that a person could accidentally fall. When persons fall from a height, their bodies and equipment generate energy. The greater t... Read More...

Small and enclosed areas are not only found in underground industries like the mining sector. There are a number of above-ground environments that are also considered confined, including silos, water tanks, win... Read More...

The range of fall-protection equipment is so large that it can be difficult to decide what to choose to keep employees safe while they’re working at heights. Here is a simple tool for dispelling this confusion ... Read More...

Anchor points and lifelines are common pieces of equipment used when working at heights. Each plays a role in ensuring workers remain safe while accessing elevated positions where there is a risk of a fall, but... Read More...