Prior to performing work in hazardous areas, what safety measure should be taken regarding highwalls?

Scaling highwalls from a safe location is essential because it allows workers to assess the stability of the highwall without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk. Highwalls can be unstable, and scaling them can reveal loose rocks or other hazards that may pose a threat to safety. This practice enables foremen to identify and mitigate risks before any work begins, ensuring that everyone on site is better protected.

While other options such as drilling holes or installing artificial support structures might seem beneficial, they do not address the immediate and critical safety concerns associated with assessing the highwall's condition before work commences. Staffing the area with additional personnel could provide more eyes on the situation, but this alone does not actively assess or rectify potential hazards. Therefore, proper scaling from a safe distance remains the most effective safety measure prior to undertaking work in hazardous areas.