What’s a High-Risk Activity?

Know Before You Submit Your EHS Plan Intake

At Steel Toe Health & Safety, we know safety forms shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. That’s why we’ve broken down the most common high-risk activities you might need to report when filling out your EHS Plan Intake.

If any of these sound like your jobsite—pause, read, and make sure you’ve got the right safeguards in place.

High-Risk Activities – Definitions & Examples

1. Work at Heights

Anything above ground level that needs fall protection.
Examples:

• Using ladders or scaffolds

• Roof work

• Wind turbine maintenance

• Aerial lifts or booms

2. Rope Access Work

Like rock climbing… for buildings and bridges.
Examples:

• Facade cleaning

• Bridge inspections

• Wind turbine rope work
  Certification like IRATA or SPRAT is required.

3. Confined Space Entry

Tight spots that can trap air—or people.
Examples:

• Tanks, silos, sewers, crawl spaces
  Requires a permit and air monitoring.

4. Excavation & Trenching

Digging deep? Then dig safe.
Examples:

• Trenches over 4 feet

• Shoring or sloping required
  Risks: Cave-ins, underground utility hits

5. Hot Work

Anything that sparks, cuts, or burns.
Examples:

• Welding, grinding, torch use
  Requires hot work permits and fire watch.

6. Electrical Work

Live wires = live danger.
Examples:

• Energized panel work

• Arc flash potential
  LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) mandatory.

7. Crane & Rigging Operations

If it swings overhead, treat it like a wrecking ball.
Examples:

• Lifting steel, HVAC units, machinery

• Mobile cranes, rigging setups

8. Hazardous Materials Handling

If it burns, blinds, or blows up—it’s a hazard.
Examples:

• Solvents, acids, flammable storage

• Cleanup and response training required

9. Heavy Equipment / Machine Guarding

Big gear with zero forgiveness.
Examples:

• Forklifts, presses, lathes

• Skid steers, bulldozers

10. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

Control energy before it controls you.
Examples:

• Servicing powered machinery

• Requires written isolation steps

11. Respiratory Hazards

If it’s in the air and not oxygen, it’s a concern.
Examples:

• Dust, fumes, vapors

• Use of N95s, half-masks, SCBAs

12. Demolition

Bringing it down without getting taken out.
Examples:

• Structural teardowns

• Risks: Falling debris, lead/asbestos

13. Blasting & Explosives

Boom work. Period.
Examples:

• Quarrying, mining, controlled demos

• Requires strict controls and licensing

14. Work Over Water

If falling means swimming—it's high risk.
Examples:

• Docks, offshore structures, barges

• Life jackets and water rescue required

15. Temperature Extremes

Too hot? Too cold? Too risky.
Examples:

• Heat in confined areas

• Freezing outdoor or cold storage work

16. Biohazards

Tiny bugs, big trouble.
Examples:

• Medical waste, wastewater, labs

• Requires PPE and decontamination

17. Lone Work / Remote Locations

Nobody around = nobody to help.
Examples:

• Backcountry sites, isolated tasks

• Needs check-in systems or monitoring

18. Energized Systems (Pipelines, Steam, Hydraulic)

If pressure’s involved, so is danger.
Examples:

• Steam lines, gas systems, hydraulics

• Energy release risks

19. Roadside or Traffic Exposure

High-speed traffic next to your crew? Not good.
Examples:

• Flaggers, lane closures, roadside work

• Requires DOT-compliant control plans

Don’t Just Check the Box—Own the Plan

These high-risk activities aren’t just a compliance checklist—they’re serious threats that need serious planning. If your site includes any of these, an EHS Plan isn’t optional. It’s essential.

👉 Mitigate These High-Risk Activities with a Solid EHS Plan from STHS