Safety on Raised Platforms

Safety refers to measures that an individual puts in place to manage or minimise risks and hazards that may lead to injuries, dangers, damages or loss of lives especially in a workplace.

A raised platform is a structure or surface elevated above the ground or the surface it sits on. When working on raised platforms it is important to observe personal safety.

This minimises risks of accidents and injuries.

Think and share your ideas

In groups, discuss the following:

  1. Which raised platforms do you use when working in your locality?
  2. How do you observe safety while working on raised platforms?
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Types of raised platforms in performing tasks

Activity 1: Identifying raised platforms

  1. In groups, study the following pictures and identify the workplaces shown.

a)

Workplace:

Raised platform:

b)

Workplace:

Raised platform:

c)

Workplace:

Raised platform:

d)

Workplace:

Raised platform:

e)

Workplace:

Raised platform:

f)

Workplace:

Raised platform:

  1. Identify the raised platforms used in the pictures.
  2. Discuss the uses of the raised platforms shown in pictures a, b, c, d, e and f.
  3. Brainstorm on other types of raised platforms used in day-to-day life.
  4. Note down your points.
  1. Study the following pictures and identify the types of raised platforms shown. Use the words provided in the brackets to identify the correct name of each raised platform.

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

Fig 1.2: Raised platforms
  1. Explain how each of the raised platforms shown in the pictures are used in workplaces to ensure safety.
  2. Use digital devices or print resources to search for information on the safe use of the raised platforms shown in the pictures.
  3. Note down your findings and share them in class.

Requirements

  • a camera or smartphone
  • a pen
  • a notebook

What to do

  1. In groups, walk around your school and explore different types of raised platforms used.
  2. Identify their names and note them down.
  3. Discuss how the raised platforms are used safely.
  4. Sketch or take photos of the raised platforms.
  5. Share your work with your peers.

Answer the following questions

  1. Describe the types of raised platforms you identified.
  2. How are the raised platforms used in ensuring safety in a work environment?

Safety

Ensure that you observe your safety and that of others to prevent injuries.

Learning points

The following are various types of raised platforms used in different workplaces.

  • Ladders: These are vertical or inclined sets of rungs or steps used to access high areas. They are used in painting, reaching roofs, electrical work, maintenance work, landscaping, installation, construction and decorating. Examples of ladders include:

They have one climbable side with hinges to allow easy folding.

They have an A-frame trestle base with two climbable sides and an extension section protruding from the top.

They have steps and safety railings.

They are not self-supporting and must lean against a stable support surface.

  • Trestle: This is a horizontal beam supported by two pairs of sloping legs. It is used in pairs to support a flat surface such as a tabletop.
  • Steps: These are a series of flat, horizontal surfaces or platforms used to ascend or descend to different levels. They are commonly used in various settings, including industrial, commercial and residential environments.
  • Stands: These are supportive structures with a flat top surface, used to hold or elevate objects or people. They exist in different forms such as work stands, speaker stands and equipment stands, each serving a specific purpose.
  • Work benches: These are sturdy tables used by workers to perform various tasks. They provide a flat surface for working, often with added features such as tool storage, electrical outlets and adjustable height options.
  • Ramps: These are inclined surfaces that connect two different levels allowing the movement of people, vehicles or goods between them. They are designed with specific inclines and non-slip surfaces to ensure safety during use.

Extended Activity: Creating a scrapbook of raised platforms

  1. Search for pictures of different types of raised platforms from the internet or print materials.
  2. Sketch the raised platforms.
  3. Create a scrapbook of raised platforms.
  4. Share your work with your classmates for peer assessment.
  1. Which types of raised platforms do you know?
  2. Explain the importance of raised platforms in daily life.
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Risks associated with working on raised platforms

Think and share your ideas

Imagine you are a painter. You are working on a step ladder while painting the roof of a house. The ground is uneven. You have placed a bucket of paint on the highest step. Suddenly, as you try to reach further, the step ladder shakes and is about to fall.

  1. Explain the risks that are likely to occur if the step ladder overturns completely.
  2. What could be the likely causes of the risks occurring?
  3. Discuss how you can prevent the risks from occurring.
  4. What are other risks associated with working on raised platforms?

Activity 3: Identifying risks associated with working on a raised platform

  1. In groups, study the following pictures and discuss what is likely to happen.
  2. Identify the risks related to working on raised platforms in pictures a, b, c and d.
  3. What are the likely causes of the risks in each of the pictures?
  4. What are other risks that are related to working on raised platforms?
  5. Discuss ways of minimising the risks related to working on raised platforms.
  6. Note down your points and share them with your classmates.

a)

b)

c)

d)

  1. Relate each risk to the raised platform where it is likely to occur.
  2. Describe how each of the risks is likely to occur when working on a raised platform.
  3. What are the key factors that contribute to the overturning of raised platforms?
  4. How can these risks be mitigated?
  5. Note down your points.

Safety

Use digital devices responsibly. Search only for the required information.

Requirements

  • ​​digital devices connected to the internet or printed resources with information on risks associated with working on raised platforms
  • a pen
  • a notebook.

What to do

  1. In groups, use digital devices or relevant print resources to search for information on risks associated with working on raised platforms.
  2. Discuss your findings.
  3. Discuss ways of minimising the risks related to working on raised platforms.
  4. Note down your findings and present them in class.

Answer the following questions and present your ideas in class.

  1. Explain the risks associated with working on the following raised platforms:
    1. ladder
    2. trestles
    3. ​​steps
    4. workbenches
    5. stands
    6. ramps
  2. How can the risks be minimised?

Learning points

The following are risks associated with working on raised platforms such as ladders, trestles, steps, stands, workbenches and ramps.

  • Falling from heights: When a raised platform is placed on uneven ground, overloaded or damaged, it may collapse, lose balance, overturn or break making a person working on it fall from heights. This may result in injuries or loss of lives. Also, improper use of a raised platform can make a person fall from heights.
  • Collapsing of raised platforms: Some raised platforms such as stands and trestles may collapse due to overloading, improper setup, structural weakness or unexpected events. These can lead to falls, injuries and damage to properties.
  • Falling Objects: Objects placed on a raised platform can fall on people working near or on the raised platforms causing injuries and damages. Some of the injuries can be fatal depending on the height from which the object falls from, the size of the object and the weight of the object. This can occur especially if the object is improperly placed on the raised platform, the platform is unevenly placed or the platform is damaged.
  • Overturning: Some raised platforms such as ladders, work benches, stands and trestles are likely to overturn and cause injuries, especially when placed on uneven surfaces or when the load placed on them is unstable.
  • Overturning: Some raised platforms such as ladders, work benches, stands and trestles are likely to overturn and cause injuries, especially when placed on uneven surfaces or when the load placed on them is unstable.
  • Physical injuries: Working on raised platforms may lead to physical injuries such as cuts from sharp objects, bruises, fractures, sprains and concussions, among others. These may result from objects falling from the raised platforms, slipping or overturning of the raised platforms.

Note

When working on raised platforms, always ensure that they are dry and evenly placed on a surface to minimise the risks.

Extended Activity: Assessing risks associated with raised platforms

  1. In groups, prepare a risk assessment checklist for assessing risks associated with raised platforms within your school.
  2. Walk around your school compound identifying various raised platforms.
  3. Use your risk assessment checklist to assess any risks that are likely to occur in each of the raised platforms.
  4. Discuss and suggest any measures that can be taken to minimise the risks.
  5. Record your findings and share them with your peers in class.
  1. What are some risks associated with working on raised platforms?
  2. How can they be minimised?
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Safety when working on raised platforms

Think and share your ideas

Suppose you are at home and you are required to use a steel step ladder to fix a bulb outside your house;

  1. Which safety measures would you observe?
  2. What is the importance of observing safety when working on raised platforms?
  1. In groups, study the pictures a and b and discuss what is happening in each.
  2. Identify the safety measures observed by the man in picture a.
  3. Explain the importance of the following safety measures according to picture a:

Placing the ladder on uneven ground

Neatly arranging the workplace

Working on a dry ladder

Wearing personal safety equipment

  1. Why is it important for the girl in picture b to work on a workbench that is evenly placed on the ground?
  2. Give reasons why the girl in picture b needs to work on a neatly arranged workbench.
  3. Discuss other safety measures that should be observed when working on raised platforms to minimise risks associated with working on raised platforms.

a)

b)

Fig 1.4: Safety measures when working on raised platforms
  1. Use digital devices or relevant printed resources to search for more information on safety measures to be observed when working on raised platforms.
  2. Make a summary of safety measures to be observed when working on raised platforms.

Requirements

  • A ladder (any type is acceptable), personal protective wear, a small container with a handle (small bucket), scrub brush or a sponge, water and a window.

What to do

  1. Inspect the ladder to ensure that it is not damaged.
  2. Position the ladder on the wall and below a window.
  3. Ensure that it is stable and evenly placed on the ground.
  4. Put on your personal protective wear.
  5. Put some water in the small bucket.
  6. Add a little amount of powder soap in the water.
  7. Dip a sponge or a scrub brush into the bucket of soapy water or detergent solution.
  8. Carefully climb on the ladder. Ensure that you maintain three points of contact with the ladder such as two feet and one hand. Ensure that you are stable.
  9. Move only one hand or foot at a time and always face the ladder as you climb.
  10. When at the top, ensure that there is one free rung or step.
  11. Ensure that you are stable, then take your brush or sponge and clean the window.
  12. Carefully climb down the ladder maintaining a three-point contact.

Answer the following questions

  1. What safety measures did you observe in Activity 6?
  2. Discuss the importance of each safety measure you observed.
Fig 1.5: Boy working on a raised platform.

Safety

Ensure you follow all the safety precautions while using a ladder to perform a task. This will minimise risks associated with working with ladders.

Activity 7: Observing safety while working on steps

Requirements

  • Steps, personal protective wear, a long broom or brush.

What to do

  1. With the guidance of your teacher, identify any wall in your classroom or any high point that you can clean.
  2. Inspect the condition of the steps.
  3. Carefully climb on to the steps while holding your brush or broom.
  4. Clean the point ensuring that no dust or cobwebs remains.
  5. Where possible you can use a dump cloth to wipe the wall or the identified point.
  6. Take turns to clean different points
Fig 1.6: Girl working on a raised platform.

Safety

  • Ensure that you observe safety for yourself, others and the environment while performing the task.
  • Observe safety while sharing photos with your peers online.

Activity 8: Observing safety while creating a poster on a workbench and displaying it using a stand

Requirements

  • Workbench, crayons, pencils, manila papers, marker pens, rulers and wooden stands for holding a poster.

What to do

  1. In groups, inspect the stand and the workbench to ensure that they are in good working condition.
  2. Ensure that the workbench is clean and dry.
  3. Place the manila papers, marker pens, crayons, pencils and rulers on your workbench.
  4. Discuss safety measures that you should observe while working on workbench and using a stand.
  5. Using the materials displayed on your workbench, create a poster on the safety measures to observe while working on a raised platform.
  6. Using a stand, display your poster in class.

Safety

  • The raised platforms should be placed on a flat surface to prevent falls and injuries.
  • Do not litter the environment.

Learning points

When working on raised platforms such as ladders, trestles, steps, stands, work benches and ramps, several safety measures should be observed to ensure a secure work environment. Such safety measures include:

  • Regularly inspect all platforms for damage, wear or defects.
  • Using the raised platforms appropriately and for the correct purpose.
  • Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as non-slip footwear, helmets and fall protection gear.
  • Using the guardrails and handrails where necessary to prevent falls.
  • Ensuring that the raised platforms are stable.
  • Arranging the workplace neatly, especially when working with work benches and trestles.
  • Loading the platforms with the correct weight.
  • Ensuring that the work surface is at the proper height and that you are physically capable of using it.
  • Having emergency procedures in place including rescue plans for workers in case of a fall.
  • Always maintain a safe distance from overhead power lines when using a ladder or trestle.

Note

Observing safety when working on raised platforms is of great importance because:

  • It mitigates the risks associated with working on raised platforms.
  • It assures the safety and well-being of the people working on the platforms.

Extended Activity: Role-playing safety practices for working on a raised platform

  1. In groups, prepare role plays on safety practices to be observed when working on raised platforms. Include safety equipment and the raised platforms in your role plays.
  2. Use digital devices if available to record yourselves as you role-play.
  3. Peer assess each other’s role plays.
  1. Explain the safety measures that should be observed when working on a raised platform.
  2. Why is it important to educate people on safety measures that should be observed when working on raised platforms?
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Appreciating the need for observing safety while working on raised platforms

Field Activity: Identifying raised platforms

Requirements

  • a camera or smartphone if available
  • a pen
  • a notebook.

What to do

  • With the guidance of your teacher, visit various places around your school that involve the use of raised platforms.
  • Observe how the raised platforms are used and the safety precautions that are taken when working on the raised platforms.
  • Take photos of the raised platforms.
  • Discuss other safety precautions that can be observed to enhance safety when working with the raised platforms.
  • Make a report of your findings.

Safety

  • Do not touch anything in the places without permission.
  • Ensure that you follow the rules and regulations provided in the visited places as you perform tasks.

Extended Activity: Creating a chart on safety precautions to be observed while working on a raised platform at home

  1. Discuss with your parents or guardians the safety measures that should be observed when working with raised platforms at home.
  2. Create a chart or a poster of safety precautions that should be observed when working with raised platforms at home.
  3. Share your posters with your classmates.
  1. Identify the following raised platforms and describe the risks associated with each of the raised platforms.

a)

b)

  1. Describe the risks that are associated with each of the following raised platforms:
    1. trestles
    2. stands
    3. ladders
  2. State five safety measures that you should observe while working with raised platforms.
  3. Explain why it is important to use raised platforms appropriately.
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Reflection corner

Learning outcome

I can

I need help to

I am not able to

Identify types of raised platforms used in a workplace.

Describe risks associated with working on raised platforms.

Observe safety when working on raised platforms.

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