Hazards of working at height in occupied buildings: public protection, falling objects, overhead cables, and interface with residents and other trades
Hazards of working at height in occupied buildings is the domain that tests how you protect the public, residents and other trades while working on a live facade.
Public protection and falling objects
Before erecting, define the drop zone and protect it with robust hoarding, covered walkway, fan net or catch platform as designed. Fix toe boards, close-boarded platforms and mesh; tether tools; use tool bags and controlled lifting. Never throw or drop materials. Barricade the area below and use signs and lights; a net is not a substitute for a closed platform and toe boards.
Overhead cables and services
Check for overhead power lines, telecommunications cables, gas pipes and drainage before setting anchors. Keep the required clearance, arrange isolation or diversion with the utility owner, and use a permit where required. Treat cables as live until confirmed otherwise; do not use metal tubes near exposed conductors.
Residents and other trades
Notify residents of dates, hours and noisy or dusty work; control access to windows and balconies; protect property from dust, water and debris. Coordinate with air-conditioning, signboard, window and renovation trades so no one removes ties, boards or mesh. Agree a single person to control alterations and inspections.
Worked example
A worker drops a wrench from a third-floor truss-out into a courtyard used by residents. Immediate actions: stop work, secure the area, check for injury, report the near miss, review tool tethering and toe boards, and check whether the platform mesh or catch fan was adequate. Correct reasoning: the hazard is not just the dropped tool but the uncontrolled public access below.
Traps
Do not assume a debris net catches every item. Do not let residents use the area under the scaffold because 'the work is only small'. Do not ignore overhead cables because the scaffold is 'not touching them', and do not let other trades alter the scaffold without authorisation.