We are about to carry out maintenance work soon; how can we take proper safety measures for working at heights?

Don’t you have a management system for working at heights? It is recommended to study carefully the AQ3025-2008 Safety Regulations for High-Height Work in Chemical Production Units; obtain the necessary high-altitude work permits, wear protective equipment, and assign dedicated personnel to provide supervision

1. Conduct safety training prior to maintenance work (content: precautions for maintenance, requirements for work at heights, permits for hot work, and procedures for entering confined spaces). 2. Strictly implement safety measures for all types of work. 3. And assign safety supervisors to each workshop.

1. Strictly control the approval process for safety permits related to work at heights. 2. Implement appropriate safety measures and wear the necessary personal protective equipment. 3. When carrying out cross-task operations, take other potential hazards into account

Obtain the necessary certification for working at heights, and establish detailed safety measures based on the nature of the work. Pay special attention to ensuring that scaffolding is built securely, that escape routes are in place, and that safety belts meet safety standards.

High-altitude work is divided into level 1, level 2, level 3, and special high-altitude work. 2.1.1 When the working height is between 2 and 5 meters, it is referred to as level 1 high-altitude work. 2.1.2 When the working height is between 5m and 15m, it is referred to as level 2 high-altitude work. 2.1.3 When the working height is between 15 and 30 meters, it is referred to as level 3 high-altitude work. 2.1.4 When the working height is above 30m, it is referred to as extra-high-altitude work. 2.2 Classification of work at heights Work at heights is divided into three categories: special work at heights, work at heights in chemical processing environments, and general work at heights. 2.2.1 Special high-altitude work a. High-altitude work in strong winds, carried out when the gust wind force is at level 6 (wind speed of 10.8 m/s) or above. b. High-altitude work at different temperatures, carried out in high-temperature or low-temperature environments. c. High-altitude work in snowy conditions during snowfall. d. High-altitude work in rainy conditions during rainfall. e. Nighttime work at heights carried out entirely under artificial lighting outdoors. f. Working at heights under live conditions, in proximity to or in contact with live parts. g. Working at height in a suspended position with no footing or a unstable footing. 2.2.2 High-altitude work in chemical processing environments a. High-altitude work carried out on slopes with a gradient greater than 45°. b. Work at heights carried out above or near lifting (hoisting) openings, pits, wells, tanks, ditches, holes, etc. c. High-altitude work carried out in areas prone to fire, explosion, poisoning, or burns, or near rotating equipment. d. Working at heights on chemical containers, equipment such as towers, kettles, furnaces, and tanks, as well as overhead pipelines, that lack platforms or guardrails. e. Working at heights inside equipment such as towers, kettles, furnaces, and tanks. 2.3 General high-altitude work: High-altitude work other than special high-altitude work and high-altitude work in chemical processing environments. 3 Safety Requirements and Protections for Work at Heights 3.1 Safety Requirements for Work at Heights 3.1.1 Organizations carrying out work at heights must obtain a \"High-Height Safety Work Permit\" and implement safety protection measures before proceeding with the work. The format of the ‘High-Place Work Permit’ is shown in the appendix. 3.2.2 The approver of the ‘High-Place Work Permit’ must visit the high-place work site to inspect and confirm that the safety measures are in place before granting approval for the work to be carried out at that height. 3.1.3 Workers working at heights must receive safety training and be familiar with the site environment and construction safety requirements. Persons with occupational contraindications (such as heart disease, high blood pressure, anemia, fainting, epilepsy, etc.), as well as those who are old and frail, overly fatigued, have poor eyesight, or are under the influence of alcohol, are not allowed to work at heights. 3.1.4 Before working at heights, workers shall check the \"High-Height Safety Work Permit\"; construction may only proceed after confirming that safety measures have been implemented; otherwise, they have the right to refuse to carry out the work. 3.1.5 Workers working at heights must wear safety helmets and other required protective equipment as specified, and fasten their safety belts in advance before climbing. The safety belt must be carefully inspected before use; it should be worn with the higher end at a lower position and attached to a strong and sturdy fixture. After use, it should be stored properly, and strength tests should be conducted regularly. When it is truly impossible to fasten a seat belt, the worker must wear protective equipment with reliable anti-slip properties, and there must be someone to supervise them. Fall protection equipment, as well as climbing tools and devices, must be used correctly during work. 3.1.6 For work at heights, a supervisor should be assigned to oversee the workers performing such tasks. The supervisor must remain at their post, fulfill their supervisory duties diligently, and promptly stop any violations of safety rules during the maintenance work. 3.1.7 Workers performing work at heights must concentrate and operate with care. 3.2 Safety protection for work at heights 3.2.1 Before carrying out work at heights, the construction unit shall establish safety measures and fill them in carefully on the \"High-Height Safety Work Permit\". 3.2.2 Materials, tools, and equipment that do not meet the safety requirements for work at heights shall not be used. 3.2.3 Tools, materials, parts, etc., used for work at heights must be placed in tool bags; no items should be held in the hands when going up or down. It is forbidden to throw tools, materials, and other items. When tools and materials that are prone to sliding or rolling are placed on scaffolding, measures should be taken to prevent them from falling. 3.2.4 When working at locations where vent pipelines are present in or near areas where chemical hazardous materials are produced or stored, it is necessary to contact the workshop supervisor or shift leader (on-duty supervisor) in advance, establish a communication signal, and enter this signal in the remarks section of the ‘High-Altitude Safety Work Permit’. 3.2.5 When working with lightweight materials such as asbestos shingles and corrugated sheets, a sturdy scaffold plank must be laid down and secured, with anti-slip measures in place on the scaffold plank. 3.2.6 When work at heights is carried out concurrently with other types of work, movement must take place along designated routes; vertical work is prohibited. If vertical work is necessary, reliable isolation measures must be implemented (such as installing safety nets and protective shelters). 3.2.7 Workers working at heights should maintain communication with those on the ground. For work at heights of level 2 or above, necessary communication tools should be provided according to the specific conditions on site, and a dedicated person should be assigned to oversee this process. 3.2.8 Work at heights should be carried out at a distance of more than 2.5 meters from high-voltage lines. Work at heights with live electricity must comply with electrical safety regulations. 3.2.9 Scaffolds, hangers, manual hoists, suspension rails, and winches used for work at heights must be erected in accordance with relevant regulations and procedures. 3.2.10 Fencing should be installed at work sites at heights, and unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter. 3.2.11 When working at heights in toxic environments, sampling tests should be conducted; if the levels of toxic gases exceed the permissible limits, ventilation must be improved, gas masks should be worn, or other reliable safety measures should be taken, along with the assignment of a dedicated person to supervise the work. 3.2.12 In the event of strong winds of force 6 or above, outdoor work is prohibited; moreover, high-altitude work should be avoided as much as possible at night, in snowy conditions, or during rain. If work must be carried out, the following must be ensured: a. When working in strong winds, reliable fall prevention measures (such as protective nets) must be employed, and a dedicated person must be assigned to supervise the work. b. For night work at heights, adequate lighting must be provided, and a dedicated supervisor must be assigned. c. When working at heights in snowy or rainy weather, appropriate measures to prevent snow, rain, and slipping must be taken. d. For high-altitude work in different temperatures, appropriate ventilation and cooling measures or heating and cold protection measures must be taken. 3.2.13 Equipment used for work at heights must comply with the following safety regulations: a. Scaffolds must meet the relevant provisions of the \"Safety Technical Regulations for Building Installation Projects\", and the ends of the scaffold planks must be securely fastened. b. The platform must be sturdy and reliable, and equipped with safety guardrails. c. When performing work at heights along pipes, the pipes being climbed or stepped on must be firm and non-slippery. d. For work at heights, the climbing surface must be secure and reliable, and ladders must have effective anti-slip measures. e. For work at heights using a scaffold, the scaffold must be secure and equipped with reliable protective railings ； Lifting gear, rigging, and special-grade steel cables shall have a sufficient safety factor. f. Other high-altitude work facilities must comply with **the corresponding safety management regulations. 4 Management of the “High-Altitude Work Permit” 4.1 High-altitude work that falls under Category 1 of high-altitude work as defined in the classification system, as well as high-altitude work in chemical processing environments as specified in Points 1 and 2, is to be approved by the workshop. High-altitude work that falls under Category 2 or Category 3 as defined in the high-altitude work classification system, or high-altitude work specified in Articles 3 and 4, shall be reviewed by the workshop before being submitted to the Security Department for approval. Those tasks that fall under the categories of extra-high-risk high-altitude work, special high-altitude work, and high-altitude work in chemical processing environments as specified in Article 5 of the high-altitude work classification system must be reviewed by the Security Department before being submitted to the Deputy General Manager in charge of safety or the Chief Engineer for approval. 4.2 The approval process for working at heights to repair lighting equipment in our company is as follows: a. Work at heights of 2 to 6 meters is approved by the electrical team leader. b. Work at heights of 6 to 15 meters is approved by the workshop safety officer. c. Work at heights of 15 to 30 meters is subject to approval by the company’s security department. In case maintenance work on lighting equipment at heights is required during middle or night shifts, it shall be approved by the shift supervisor on duty. The personnel in question must earnestly fulfill their respective management responsibilities. 4.3 The construction supervisor must submit an application to the approval authority, in accordance with the grading and categories of work at heights, to obtain a \"High-Height Safety Work Permit\". The “High-Place Work Permit” is issued in two copies: one is given to the worker performing the work, and the other is retained by the workshop. 4.4 For projects with a long construction period, the person in charge of the construction unit should frequently conduct on-site inspections, address any potential hazards promptly, and keep proper records. If the construction conditions change, a new High-Altitude Safety Work Permit must be obtained.

Work at heights must be carried out in strict accordance with the safety procedures for working at heights specified in chemical plants. As already explained by previous users, I would like to emphasize a few points: when working at heights and also performing welding or similar tasks, it is necessary to obtain the corresponding permit for such welding work as well. For work at heights inside equipment, a permit for working in confined spaces must also be obtained. Safety is of utmost importance – even the slightest negligence can lead to serious accidents. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial not to be careless; every measure must be strictly followed to ensure safe operations. When applying for a work permit for high-altitude work, it is essential to consider the worst possible outcomes – what should be done if such a situation occurs? How can the people escape?

The main safety measures for working at heights can be divided into the following categories: First is the assessment of the physical condition and mental state of the workers involved in the construction； Second is the verification of protective equipment: workers must wear safety belts, safety helmets, and other protective gear correctly ； Third is the proper installation of safety facilities on site, such as whether the scaffolding is securely built, whether the escape routes are unobstructed, and whether the protective barriers on the platforms are reliable ； Fourth is the confirmation of weather and environmental factors. Working at heights is strictly prohibited in rainy or windy weather ；

1. The work arrangement office issues the “High-Height Work Permit”. 2. The person in charge of the task shall check and ensure that the scaffolding, safety belts, ropes, and other equipment used for work at heights are safe, and shall assign a supervisor to the work site. 3. Workers must wear protective equipment as required, be familiar with their tasks, and use safety belts and other devices properly. 4. When working at heights, vertical operations upward and downward are not permitted simultaneously; in special cases, approval from the unit’s management is required, and specialized isolation measures must be put in place. 5. High-altitude work at night must be approved by the relevant authorities; the person in charge of the work must conduct a risk analysis, establish safety measures, and ensure adequate lighting. 6. High-altitude work is not permitted in conditions of severe weather such as winds of force 6 or above, lightning, heavy rain, or thick fog that impair vision and hearing. 7. During high-altitude work, the safety supervisor must maintain regular contact with the workers performing such tasks; they shall not engage in any other activities, nor leave their post without permission. In the event of any abnormalities in the production system, the supervisor must immediately inform the workers to stop working and evacuate the site ； 8. When there are significant changes in the working conditions or environment, a new High-Height Work Permit must be obtained. 9. After the work is completed, ensure that all materials are removed and the site is cleaned up, maintaining good cleanliness at the location.