SAFed Health and Safety Passport Scheme Module 15 — Working at Heights 15.1
Introduction This document
forms one of a series of modules on various health and safety subjects that
comprise the examinable material considered necessary for the award of the
SAFed Health and Safety Passport. When you have
studied this module you should have acquired sufficient knowledge to be able
to complete the questions detailed at the end of the module.
Upon satisfactory completion of all modules, you will be eligible to
undertake the final assessment for the award of the SAFed Health and Safety
Passport. The SAFed
Health and Safety Passport is issued to Engineer Surveyors by the Health and
Safety Manager of their employing company upon satisfactory completion of the
Safety Passport final assessment. The award of the SAFed Health and Safety Passport provides evidence that the holder of the Passport has the appropriate knowledge and awareness in health and safety matters considered necessary for an Engineer Surveyor to undertake the duties for which they are authorised by their employing company. The passport is valid for a maximum of three years. |
15.2
Key Objectives Having studied the module you should have an
awareness of ·
Legislation
applicable to Working at Height ·
Precautions
necessary prior to Working at Height 15.3
Legal
commentary Whilst new legislation will be introduced in the near
future, (UK Work at Height Regulations), currently the following regulations
ensure that equipment and workplaces meet the health, safety and welfare needs
of all members of a workforce. On
clients sites this becomes a shared responsibility between you, your employer
and the clients’ employers. ·
The
Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. ·
The
Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992. ·
The
Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulations 1998 (PUWER 98). ·
Lifting
Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 98). · The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999. |
15.4
Discussion Falls
from height are the biggest cause of fatal accidents at work. There
are on average 80 deaths and 5,500 serious injuries per year due to falls from
height. Ladders are one of the biggest causes of accidents at work and every month more than a thousand people need hospital treatment due to stepladder accidents. |
15.5
What is working at Height? Working at height is defined as work in any place
from which a person could fall a distance liable to cause a personal injury.
Previously, legislation required protective measures at heights greater
than 2m above the ground. However,
working below 2m should not be considered as safe.
A number of people die at work each year from falling 2m or less and
60% of falls occur below 2m. Therefore,
all working at height situations need to be assessed for their potential to
cause a personal injury and appropriate preventative measures taken. |
15.5.1
Risk Assessment Before commencing any work at height the situation
must be assessed and an appropriate safe method of work adopted.
Whenever possible working at height should be avoided but in many
instances this will not be possible. Examples
of avoiding working at height include; choosing local exhaust ventilation test
points at ground level and checking a mobile crane’s ropes at ground level
(if possible). When considering how to work safely at height preference should be given to measures that protect all people (‘collective measures’ e.g. guard rails, safety nets etc) over those that only protect individuals (‘personal measures’ e.g. harnesses and lanyards). Preference should also be given to measures that prevent a fall (e.g. guard rails, restraint lanyards etc) over those that only minimise the effects of a fall (e.g. safety nets, air bags, fall arrest lanyard etc.). |
15.5.2
Hierarchy of Methods for Working at Heights Using the principles above, a general hierarchy of
methods for working at height can be listed as follows, bearing in mind that
each situation would need to be assessed individually and the most appropriate
safe technique adopted. a)
Avoid working at height. b)
Work from a location, or using equipment, where the risk of falling is
prevented or minimised, for example: ·
Fully
guarded permanent platform or surface. ·
Mobile
Elevating Work Platform (MEWP). ·
Fully
guarded temporary platform. ·
A
suitable man-carrying cage on a fork-lift truck. c)
Work from a location where the possibility of a fall is minimised but
not prevented. For example, work
needs to be carried out outside of the guarding or the guarding is
insufficient. In these situations
protective measures will be required e.g. harness and lanyard, safety nets
etc. d)
Work from an appropriately secured ladder with three points on the
ladder (e.g. two feet and a hand). e) Specialist techniques, e.g. rope access techniques and ‘man riding’ on a crane. |
15.5.3
Permanent and Temporary Platforms and Surfaces All platforms
and surfaces
used for working at heights must have the following features: a)
Be of suitable strength, rigidity and stability. b)
Be of sufficient dimensions and at least 600mm wide. c)
Not be overloaded. d)
Be constructed on a surface suitable for supporting it. e)
Be prevented from moving, e.g. by secure attachment or by locking the
wheels on mobile structures. f)
Include measures to prevent objects falling on to people below. Where guarding
is provided
it should comply with the following general requirements: a)
Toe boards should be at least 150mm high. b)
The main guard rail should be at least 1m above the edge from which any
person is liable to fall. c)
There should be no unprotected gap exceeding 470mm. d)
Any gap between the toe-board and work surface should be as small as
reasonably practicable. For temporary
platforms
(e.g. scaffolding) the following additional requirements apply: a)
An assembly, use and dismantling plan should be drawn up by a competent
person and a copy kept available at the site. b)
The dimensions, form and layout should be suitable for the work to be
performed and the loads to be carried. The
platform of a general purpose scaffold should be at least four boards wide. c)
It must only be assembled, dismantled or significantly altered under
the supervision of a competent person and by people that have received
appropriate training. d)
It must be inspected by a competent person under these circumstances: ·
Before
first use. ·
After
any significant alteration. ·
After
anything that may have affected its strength and stability. ·
At
least every seven days. |
15.5.4
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) MEWPs must only be operated by someone with the appropriate training. A harness and lanyard must be worn in a MEWP when there is a suitable anchorage point. |
These
points on the safe use of MEWPs should also be followed: ·
The
work platform should be provided with guard rails and toe boards or other
suitable barriers. ·
It
should be used on firm and level ground.
The ground may have to be prepared in advance. ·
The
tyres must be properly inflated. ·
Any
outriggers must be extended and chocked as necessary before raising the
platform. These should also be
protected from damage, e.g. by passing vehicles. ·
If
there is a risk of people being struck by the MEWP or falling objects, the
area must be cordoned off or other suitable measures put in place. ·
Always
ensure that the Safe Working Load (SWL) of the MEWP is not exceeded. ·
Everyone
must know what to do if the machine fails with the platform in the raised
position. ·
Do not
operate MEWPs close to overhead cables or other dangerous machinery. ·
Do not
raise or lower the work platform near open windows or other structures that
could cause it to tip. ·
Do not
allow any part of the machine to protrude into a traffic route when working
near vehicles. ·
Do not
move the MEWP with the platform in the raised position unless it is designed
to allow this to be done. ·
Do not
use MEWPs in adverse weather conditions or ensure that it is adequately
protected against such conditions, e.g. in high winds, storms or when it is
snowing. · The guarded platform of the MEWP must not be left while working at heights, e.g. to gain access to a neighbouring structure, unless there is an emergency. |
15.5.5
Working Platforms on Fork-lift Trucks Fork-lift trucks are not specifically designed
for carrying people and so should only be used in exceptional circumstances
when more appropriate equipment (e.g. a mobile elevating work platform) is not
available. Under no circumstances must anyone ride on the
forks of a fork-lift truck or on a pallet placed on the forks. The following safety points should be followed
when using a working platform on a fork-lift truck: ·
The
fork-lift truck must be designated for carrying people and be thoroughly
examined by a competent person at intervals not exceeding six months. ·
The
cage or basket for carrying the person must be of suitable construction with
adequate guarding, it should be thoroughly examined by a competent person at
intervals not exceeding 6 months. ·
The
cage or basket must be attached to the truck with a suitable attachment and
locking device. ·
The
person travelling in the basket or cage must be protected from contact with
moving machinery. ·
The
floor must be level and the mast vertical. ·
The
total load (platform, equipment and person to be carried) must total less than
50% of the rated capacity of the fork-lift truck. ·
Ideally
there should be two suspension ropes or chains but this is not compulsory. · No person must be transported in the raised cage or basket. |
15.5.6
Harnesses and Lanyards There are two main types of lanyard: a) Restraint Lanyards — These prevent the wearer from reaching zones where a risk of falling exists. |
b) Fall Arrest Lanyards — These minimise the effects of a fall by preventing the wearer colliding with the ground or a structure beneath them. |
|
Fall arrest lanyards must be worn when a risk
of falling exists as they contain an energy absorber to cushion a fall.
However, methods to prevent a fall should always be used in preference
to a fall arrest lanyard, as the person may be injured during the fall and
would also need to be rescued. For a harness and fall arrest lanyard to be
used these three requirements must be in place: a)
A
suitable anchorage point
capable of withstanding the shock load of a person falling, this is usually
classified as a shock load of 1000kg. b)
Sufficient
free space
for the person to fall into without being injured.
This can be up to 6.5m below the anchorage point depending on where the
anchorage point is situated in relation to the wearer. c)
A
means of rescuing
a suspended person promptly. Serious
injury and even death can occur if a person is suspended for a period of time,
especially if they are unconscious. Supplier information should be consulted on
the correct use, maintenance and cleaning of individual items of equipment. Inspection of fall arrest equipment is vital
to ensure that it will function correctly during a fall.
Research has shown that even a 1mm nick in a lanyard can reduce its
strength by 5-40%. The HSE
recommends three types of inspection for fall arrest equipment: a)
Pre-use inspection by the user. b)
Six-monthly inspection by a competent person (or three monthly in
arduous environments). c)
Interim inspection by a competent person when a specific concern is
identified. A lanyard or harness must be withdrawn from
use: - a)
After it has been involved in a fall. b)
If the inspection detects a fault. c)
When is working life has expired, (as specified by the equipment
manufacturer). |
15.5.6
Ladders Falls from
ladders are one of the biggest causes of accidents at work.
Every year in the UK there are 3,000 to 4,000 accidents involving
ladders, many resulting in death or serious injury. More than half of accidents occur because ladders are not
securely placed and fixed. Many
happen when the work is of 30 minutes duration or less. Due to this large number of accidents ladders
should only be used for access or for work at height under the following
circumstances: a)
More suitable work equipment is not justified due to the low risk and
short duration of use. b)
Existing features of the site, which cannot be altered, prevent the use
of other equipment. In many cases a ladder will be the only method
of access. In these cases the
following must be in place: a)
The ladder must be inspected before use. b)
The ladder must be secured, preferably by tying it off or using a
suitable ladder-securing device. Footing
by another person is the least favoured method, as people become distracted. c) The user must have three points on the ladder (e.g. two feet and a hand), including when carrying any equipment. |
Some further points to remember about ladder
safety: ·
The
ladder must comply with one of the following standards: BS 1129
Wooden ladders. BS 2037
Aluminium ladders. BS EN 131
Wooden, aluminium and glass fibre ladders. BS 4211
Ladders for permanent access to chimneys, other high structures, silos
and bins. ·
The
Safe Working Load of the ladder (also called Duty Rating or Maximum Static
Vertical Load) must not be exceeded. ·
Support
the foot of the ladder on a firm level surface. Do not use loose material to raise the height of the ladder
or level uneven ground. ·
Rest
the head of the ladder against a solid surface capable of withstanding the
imposed load and on which both stiles can rest securely.
Do not place against fragile materials or plastic guttering unless the
ladder is secured by another means. ·
Extend
the ladder at least 1m above the platform or other landing place or above the
highest rung on which the user has to stand, unless there is another suitable
handhold to reduce the risk of overbalancing. ·
Ensure
rungs and shoe soles are clean and non-slippery. ·
Do not
overload the ladder. Only one person should be on the ladder at any time. ·
Place
the ladder at an angle of 75o (1m out for every 4m up) to minimise
the risk of slipping outwards. ·
Ladders
with wire reinforced stiles or rungs must have the reinforcement on the
underside when in use. ·
Do not
over-reach. This is one of the biggest causes of ladder accidents. ·
Beware
of electrical hazards when using aluminium ladders. Do not use any ladders near overhead power lines. ·
Do not
place the ladder where it could be easily hit, e.g. by fork-lift trucks or
other traffic at the feet or overhead cranes or other equipment at the head. ·
Do not
tie two shorter ladders together to obtain additional length. ·
Lower
and raise the ladder safely. Use additional people if necessary. ·
Never
use ladders for any horizontal purpose. ·
Ensure
extension ladders overlap sufficiently. ·
The
weight of the ladder should not be rested on a rung when in use or being
stored. It should be rested on
the base of the stiles. ·
When
not in use, keep ladders protected from the weather in a covered, ventilated
area. Do not hang things on the
ladder. |
Some of these points are summarised in the
figure below. |
15.5.7
Stepladders Every month
more than a thousand people in the UK need hospital treatment because of
accidents involving stepladders. Whenever possible the use of a stepladder as a
means of access or as a place of work should be avoided, e.g. by using
properly erected scaffolding or a mobile elevating work platform. To use a stepladder safely the following
points should be followed: ·
The
stepladder should be inspected before being used. ·
The
stepladder must comply with one of the following standards: BS
1129
Wooden ladders. BS
2037
Aluminium ladders. BS
EN 131
Wooden, aluminium and glass fibre ladders. BS
7377
Step-stools. · The safe working load of the stepladder must not be exceeded. |
·
Ensure
shoes and rungs are clean and non-slippery. ·
Check
the stepladder is locked into its correct position or configured appropriately
for the job. ·
If
stays, chains or cords are used to prevent the stepladder from spreading they
should be of sufficient and equal length, kept in good order and should be
renewed if found to be defective. ·
Rest it
on a firm level base. ·
Position
it front-on to the work. Never
work sideways. ·
Never
have more than one person on the stepladder at a time. ·
Do not
put loose tools where they could move or fall and cause an injury. ·
Always
have both feet on a step. Never
stand on the top handrail to gain extra height. ·
Do not
work from the top step unless it is designed for that purpose. ·
Never
over-reach. ·
Never
store a stepladder by hanging it vertically from one of the steps. ·
When
not in use, keep stepladders protected from the weather in a covered,
ventilated area. The key points on the safe use of stepladders are summarised in this picture: |
15.5.8
Specialist Techniques for Work at Heights A rope access or positioning technique for
working at heights, such as abseiling or boatswain’s chair, should only be
used in the following circumstances: a)
It can be
performed safely. b)
The use
of other safer work equipment is not justified. c)
Specialist
safety measures are in place, e.g. two separately anchored lines.
These should be fully discussed before the work is carried out. d)
All
parties have received adequate training. e)
Procedures
are in place to deal with emergencies and rescue arrangements are in place.
This will include suitable methods of supervision and communication. As cranes are not specifically designed for raising or lowering people, ‘man riding’ in a personal carrier on a crane should only be used as a means of access or working at height in exceptional circumstances when it is not practicable to obtain access by less hazardous techniques. If a crane is to be used for ‘man riding’ specific safety measures are required and this should be discussed with an appropriate person in your company. |
15.5.9
Other Factors When risk assessing work at height activities the
following additional points should be considered: ·
Weather.
When working outside the influence of wind speed,
rain, snow, ice etc needs to be considered. ·
Emergencies. How would you evacuate or be rescued in an emergency?
Have people been trained to carry out any rescue procedures?
Have the procedures been practised? ·
Communication.
How would you communicate any difficulties or ask for
assistance? ·
Slips,
trips and falls. Ensure that you minimise the chance of slipping, tripping and
falling. · Other people. Ensure that you do not drop any tools or equipment on people below or in any other way compromise their safety. |
15.6
End of module and next steps Well done!
By reaching this point you will have finished studying this particular
module. You should now have
sufficient knowledge to answer the questions contained at the end of the module. Answers to
the questions should be forwarded to your Health and Safety Manager. Provided that
you have answered the questions correctly, your Health and Safety Manager will
forward to you your next self study module. |
Click here to answer question on Module 15 |