Climbing involves ascending or descending structures or objects using the feet and legs, and or hands and arms. Climbing ladders, stairs, poles or posts, scaffolding, ramps or environmental aspects can be part of many job roles and can be challenging for people with physical or sensory disability.
Climbing and working at height can also be an occupational health and safety risk within a workplace. Employers or people who are self employed have a responsibility to assess any safety risks and implement appropriate strategies to eliminate or control the risk of injury for employees.
The following fact sheets contain information about safety at work:
For employers and managers:
For job seekers and employees:
WorkCover New South Wales has produced a guide that provides practical advice and solutions for creating and maintaining a safe working environment when working at height, please refer to the related links section. This guide is in Portable Document Format (PDF) and may not be accessible to some users of assistive technology. If you require help opening or using this document, please contact the JobAccess Advisers on 1800 464 800.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people who have difficulty climbing or for whom there are risks associated with climbing, there are a range of strategies that can help:
- elimination and substitution—consider completely removing or eliminating the employee's requirement to climb
- minimisation—decrease the frequency of climbing during the day where possible
- engineering—use of a handrails, stair lifts or more regular landings in ramps
- administration—modification of work systems and practices, for example, job rotation and good housekeeping
- training and supervision—ensuring workers operate equipment safely and properly to minimise risks associated with climbing; training to assist with safe work practices for climbing and prevention of falls from heights
- personal protective equipment—for example provision of gloves or harnesses.
Aids and modifications that assist with climbing or reduce the risks associated with climbing include:
References and resources
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2007, Review of Products, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 4 March 2010, <http://www.ilcaustralia.org>.
Lechner, D 1999, ErgoScience: Job Demands Analysis, University of Alabama, Alabama.
WorkCover New South Wales 2010, Manual Handling-Hierarchy of Controls, New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 4 March 2010, <http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/formspublications/publications/Documents/hierarchy_of_controls_5620.pdf>.
WorkCover New South Wales 2006, Safe Working at Heights Guide, New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 5 March 2010,<http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/formspublications
/publications/Documents/safe_working_at_heights_guide_1321.pdf>.