Guidelines On Working At Height

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Contents
Part 1: Introduction
The Working At Height Regulations 2005
Useful Links
Hazards
Risk Assessment & Hierarchy of Control Measures
General Precautionary Measures
Falls of Persons
Falling Objects
Structural Collapse
Access Equipment
Decision Flow Chart

Part 2: Use of Step Ladders and Trestles

General Standards
Ladders
Stepladders
Trestles

Part 3: Use of Tower Scaffolds

General Standards
Specific Requirements For Tower Scaffolds

Part 4: Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

General Standards
Specific Requirements For MEWPs

Part 5: Use of Scaffolds

General Standards
Specific Requirements for Scaffolds

Part 6: Roof Work and Fragile Surfaces

General Standards
Fragile Roofs and Surfaces

Part 7: Steeplejack Access

General Standards

Part 8: Rope Access

General Standards

Part 9: Fall Protection & Fall Arrest Devices

General Standards
Safety Nets
Airbags
Safety Harnesses and Lanyards
Inspection of Harnesses and Lanyards
Part 1: Introduction

Throughout the UK in 2001/2002, 68 people died and nearly 4,000 suffered a

serious injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Falls from
height are the most common cause of fatal injury and the second most
common cause of major injury to employees, accounting for 15% of all such
injuries. Many activities in a sugar factory involve working at heights
(WAH).

This section covers the Company procedures to be followed when engaged in

work at height activities.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 define Work at Height as meaning

Work in any place, including a place at or below ground level;

Obtaining access to or egress from such a place while at work, except by a
staircase in a permanent workplace, where, if measures required by the
Regulations were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause
personal injury.

Work at height includes:

The use of ladders, step-ladders,

The use of scaffolding,
The use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs),
The use of scaffold towers;
Steeple jacking, rope access;
Roof work and access to roofs;
Work in lift shafts;
Sheeting vehicles or access to top of road tankers;
Working near and access to pits and excavations;

In the selection of work equipment and the use of access or work areas,
additional reference must be made to any food safety/hygiene requirements
laid down in Company procedures.

The regulations can be viewed at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/uk.htm

Then enter work at height in to the search engine.

Useful Links

The HSE Falls page: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

http://www.irata.org/

http://www.ipaf.org/

http://www.narc.co.uk/
Hazards

The main hazards associated with work at heights are:

People falling;

Things falling onto people. These may occur as a result of inadequate

edge protection or securing of people or equipment or due to structural
collapse, e.g. caused by component failure or subsidence.

Risk Assessment & Hierarchy of Control Measures

 A risk assessment should be carried out before any work at heights is
undertaken. The risk assessment should consider the hierarchy of
prevention as follows:

Most 1. Avoid working at height where it is reasonably practicable to do

Important so, for example by working from existing platforms and/or using
long reach equipment or valves with extended operating
spindles:

2. Prevent falls of people and objects by carrying out a risk

assessment and taking measures to prevent so far as is
reasonably practicable people or objects falling. This might
include doing the work safely from an existing work place or
choosing the right work equipment to prevent falls;

3. Mitigate the consequences of a fall by minimizing the distance

and choosing suitable fall arrest equipment;

Lower 4. Give collective protective measures (e.g. guardrails, nets,

Importance airbags) precedence over personal protective measures like a
safety harness.

The risk assessment should focus on:

The people (fitness e.g. injuries which could affect ability to climb, scared
of heights, susceptible to epileptic fits or other special circumstances)
The task and activity involved;
The equipment to be used (e.g. ladders, scaffolds) including erection and
dismantling;
The location (e.g. near or over water, proximity to roads, overhead power
lines, confined spaces, process vessels, steam vents, explosion vents and
other vents);
The environment, poor conditions and slippery surfaces (e.g. weather
temperature both hot and cold, wind);
Application of safe procedures;
The affect on pedestrian access, rights of way, falling objects;
Emergency arrangements and rescue plan.
General Precautionary Measures

Falls of persons

In general measures have to be taken where a person could fall a distance

liable to cause injury. This is often considered to be about 2m or more.
However many injuries also occur when a person falls less than 2m. If,
therefore, there are factors which make the risk of injury more likely,
precautions will be needed if a fall of less than 2m is possible (e.g. working
near a traffic route or above a fragile, sharp or dangerous surface).
There are three main ways of controlling the risk of people falling that must
be considered in the order listed:

Provision of edge protection;

Use of safety harnesses;
Maintaining a safe distance (3 metres minimum) by means of a physical
barrier (a painted line or bunting is not acceptable), from the edge, gaps or
a fragile or dangerous surface of flat roofs or slightly inward sloping roofs.

Where edge protection is provided it must extend at least 950mm above the
working platform.

There are a number of ways of mitigating the effect of a fall which include
minimizing the distance which a person call fall, the use of airbags, safety nets
and fall arrest devices which slow down or arrest the decent.

Falling objects

The risk of objects falling onto persons may be controlled by:

Providing a barrier, e.g. a toe board, or brick net guard, to prevent items
from slipping or being knocked off the edge of a structure;
Securing objects to the structure or lifting equipment, e.g. lashing of
scaffold boards;
Danger zones should be clearly marked with suitable safety signs,
indicating that access is restricted to essential personnel and that hard hats
must be worn.
All objects should be conveyed mechanically or manually both
horizontally and vertically, not thrown. Scaffold poles and planks should
be conveyed vertically either attached to a rope or by mechanical means to
minimize the risk of falling objects.

Structural Collapse
Only those competent to do so, must build structures. They need to have
sufficient knowledge, understanding of the risks and precautions and
experience in the erection/dismantling of the structure. The skills, knowledge
and experience required with depend upon the nature of the structure
concerned and the intended use(s).

In general, greater care will be required in the case of structures that will
support people than those that support only material.

Access Equipment

A wide range of access equipment is available. There are certain

considerations that apply to all types of work at height equipment as follows:

Where equipment is hired it must be fit for purpose. Where contractors

are used they must be competent and there must be an appropriate
exchange of information about the risks involved.

All equipment must be properly maintained and regularly inspected.

Anybody who is expected to use access equipment must be trained and

competent to do so. Competence is a combination of appropriate practical
and theoretical knowledge, training and experience, which collectively
enables a person to undertake the task safely and detect any potential
risks, defects in the equipment and recognise any implications for health
and safety.

Precautions must be taken to prevent the fall of objects or persons.

The height of any working platform, etc. must not normally be increased by
placing ladders on it, and never when there is a risk of falling off the edge.
Build another platform or use alternative means of access.
Decision Flow Chart

The following diagram should be used to help make decisions on working at

height.
Part 2: Use of Ladders Stepladders and Trestles.

General Standards

Ladders, stepladders and trestles should be manufactured to appropriate

standards as follows:

Timber - BS1129 Kite marked Class I: Industrial

Glass fibre and aluminium - BS EN 131 Kite marked Industrial;
Aluminium - BS 2037; 1994 Kite marked Class I: Industrial S7377: 1994

Access equipment must comply with food safety and hygiene requirements
with no timber in sugar areas. Ladders for electrical work should be non
conductive. Aluminium access equipment may only be used in a zoned area
in accordance with corporate procedures under the DSEAR regulations.

All ladders, stepladders and trestles must be:

Stored and handled with care to prevent damage and deterioration.

Subject to a programme of regular inspection (there should be a marking,

coding or tagging system to confirm that the inspection has taken place).

Checked by the user before use.

Taken out of use if damaged and destroyed or repaired.

Any person using ladders, stepladders or trestles must be competent and

follow Company safety rules.
Ladders

Ladders are best only used as a means of access to a workplace. They

should only be used at a place of work for low risk tasks of short duration.
Low risk means that it is not more than 6 metres high, a secure handhold is
available all the time, the work involved is of light/minor nature which does
not produce significant sideways or outward (for leaning ladders) forces on
the equipment.

Ladders should not be used if it is reasonably practicable to use a safer

alternative (scaffold, MEWP, tower scaffold or in permanent cases a staircase).
When using a ladder make sure that:

The ladder is angled to minimise the risk of slipping outwards. As a rule

of thumb the ladder needs to be one metre out for every four metres up.
(Note: rungs are about a 1/3 metre apart).

The top of the ladder rest against a solid surface. Ladders should not rest
on fragile or other insecure materials such as cement sheet, or plastic
guttering. If necessary use a stay or standoff resting on a firm surface
nearby.

Both feet of the ladder are on a firm, level footing (not house bricks or
similar) with rungs horizontal and non-slip.

All ladders should be secured from falling. This will usually be by fixing
at the top, or sometimes the base.

If the ladder cannot be fixed, a second person foots the ladder while it is
being used (this also applies while the ladder is being fixed).

The ladder extends a sufficient height (about 1m) above any landing place
where people will get on and off - unless some other adequate handhold is
available.

Where ladders are used in a run measuring a vertical distance of more

than 9m, suitable landing areas or platforms are provided.

Users face the ladder at all times whilst climbing or descending and keep
their body centred between the stiles.

Users always maintain 3 point contact i.e. tow hands, one foot or two feet
one hand when ascending or descending.

Only one person at a time to climb or work from a ladder.

 It is kept away from overhead cables and similar hazards.

Stepladders

Stepladders provide a free-standing means of access, but they require careful

use. They are not designed for any degree of side loading and are relatively
easily overturned. Avoid over-reaching. People have been killed getting
down from workplaces such as loft spaces when they have stepped onto the
top stop of a stepladder that has then overturned. The top step of a
stepladder should not be worked from unless it has been designed for this
purpose. Stepladders should b e fitted with a loop top handrail or other
equally effective handrail.

The small platform fitted at the top of many stepladders is designed to

support tools, paint pots etc., and should not be used as a working place.
However some stepladders have been designed with larger lower platforms
specially designed for standing on with adequate handrails.

Where practical steel or aluminium stepladders fitted with secure full-length

handrails and a top platform with handrails on three sides should be used.
These are usually fitted with locking wheels to move them easily and then
secure in position when in use.

When using a stepladder make sure that:

It is on a secure surface, and with due regard to ensuring stability at all

times.

It is long enough for the work in question

There is enough space to open them out fully.

They are kept away from overhead cables and similar hazards.

Trestles

Platforms based on trestles should be fully boarded, adequately supported (at

least one support per 1.5 metre of board for standard scaffold boards) and
provided with standard edge protection where a person could fall a distance
liable to cause personal injury. This involves handrails, intermediate rails and
toe boards.
When using a trestle make sure that:

It is on a secure surface, and with due regard to ensuring stability at all

times.
It is kept away from overhead cables and similar hazards.
Any work platform is long enough to work without overreaching.
Part 3: Use of Tower Scaffolds

General Standards

Section/prefabricated (usually aluminium) scaffold towers can be erected

quickly and can give good safe access. However they are involved in
numerous accidents each year. These accidents usually happen because the
tower has either not be erected properly or had not been used properly.

Tower scaffolds must only be erected by people who are trained and
competent to do so, as set out by PASMA or their equivalent. Scaffolds
should be used within their designed safe operating limits. As with
scaffolding in general, Platforms should be fully boarded out and fitted with
edge protection (guardrails, intermediate rails and toe boards). There must be
a safe means of access to the working platform and the scaffold inspected
before use.

Tower scaffolds are often made of lightweight materials and care is needed to
ensure that the scaffold remains stable while in use.

The manufacturers of aluminium towers recommend a maximum height,

shortest base ratio of
3:1 if the tower is to be used outside; increasing to
3:5:1 if the tower is used inside.

The use of outriggers to extend the base minimum dimension can allow an
increase in height provided the formula of 3:1 or 3:5:1 is followed.

Where practicable the tower should be secured to the structure being worked
on. This is essential for heavy work such as grit blasting and water jetting, or
where high wind loadings on the tower can be expected.

Follow the manufacturers instructions for erection, used and dismantling.

Have a copy of the instruction manual available if the scaffold has been
hired, the hirer ought to provide this information.

They muse be inspect as for a normal scaffold

Specific Requirements for Tower Scaffolds: -

The tower is vertical and the legs rest properly on firm, level ground

Any wheels and outriggers are locked base plates provide greater
stability if the tower does not have to be moved.

With mobile tower scaffolds,

> The wheels are firmly fixed to the base of the uprights so that they
cannot fall out when the scaffold is being moved.
> The scaffold is never moved with anyone on the working platform
> Check that there are no power lines or overhead obstructions in the
way
> The tower is only moved by pushing at the base and check there are
not holes or dips in the ground
There is a safe way to get to and from the work platform for example,
internal ladders. Climbing up the outside of the tower may pull it over

Ladders are never place on tower scaffold working platforms in order to

increase the height which can be reached or apply other horizontal loads
which could tilt the tower.

Edge protection, (guard rails and intermediate rails or other suitable

barriers and toe boards) are provided at platforms

Guard rails are provided on any intermediate platforms and also toe
boards where these platforms are being used as working platforms or for
storing materials

The tower is rigidly tied to the structure it is serving or provide other

additional support if,
> The tower is sheeted
> It is likely to be exposed to strong winds
> It is used for carrying out grit blasting or water jetting
> Heavy materials are lifted up the outside o the tower or the tower
base is too small to ensure stability of the height of the platform
If ties are needed, check that they are put in place as required when the
scaffold is erected. Do not fix ties to the centres of the walled aluminium
tubes. Make sure the ties are checked from time to time and that necessary
ties are kept in place when the scaffold is dismantled.

The working platform is not overloaded.

Part 4: Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
(MEWPs)

General Standards

Mobile elevating work platforms shall be used only after a suitable and a
competent person has completed a suitable and sufficient risk assessment.

Only those trained to IPAF standards and holding a PAL (Powered access
Licence) card or equivalent, for the type of MEWP being used shall be
permitted to operate a MEWP.

When in use there shall be a designated supervisor to ensure a safe system of

work is adhered to:
A harness or fall arrest system shall be used.

Ground stability shall be assessed and regularly checked

An emergency rescue plan shall be in place

The platform shall be suitable guarding and edge protection

When in use, the platform shall be subject to a daily inspection check. This
includes a daily check of tyre pressures, (when pneumatic tyres are fitted),
as the stability of MEWPs is highly dependent on correct tyre pressures in
these cases

Specific Requirements for MEWPs: -

Ensure the work area is cordoned off by, for example, using cones and
warning signs. If there are other vehicles around guidance should be
obtained from the Site Safety Coordinator.

Enter and leave the platform in the fully lowered position using the steps
or walkway provided.

Check for appropriate safety harness lanyards that are attached to secure
anchorages inside the cage. Safety devices must never be overridden or
interfered with.

Ensure controls are engaged gently and smoothly

Check for obstructions or people before raising or lowering the platform

Ensure that materials and/or tools are not leant against the outside of the
platform
 Ensure the MEWP is never used a s a jack prop or tie to support other
structures or machines

Ensure it is not used as a crane or for suspending loads beneath the

platform

Check that guardrails, ladders or staging are not used to extend the reach
for any purpose.

Check that hoses and cable are not left hanging free without proper
support

The machine must never be used to tow other vehicles unless it is properly
designed and equipped to do so

Ensure that self propelled MEWPs are not towed as this can cause serious
mechanical damage

It is only permitted to travel with the platform of a MEWP occupied when

the machine has been specifically designed for this purpose. The
manufacturers instructions must be followed carefully.

Working from or moving a MEWP in the vicinity of overhead high voltage

lines, or other overhead lines or cables can be extremely dangerous and
essential precautions must be taken.
Part 5: Use of Scaffolds

General Standards

N.B. See Separate guidance document: Standard For The Erection &
Dismantling of Scaffolding

Scaffolds must be erected in accordance with BS5973 (Code of Practice of

Access and Working Scaffolds and Special Scaffold Structures in Steel) BS
5974 (Code of Practice of temporarily installed suspended scaffolds and access
equipment) NASC Note SG4, (The Use of Fall Arrest Equipment whilst
Erecting Altering and Dismantling Scaffolding) and HSEs Guidance on the
Work at Height Regulations

Scaffolding must only be erected or modified by people who are trained and
competent to do so. Scaffolding should be constructed in accordance with
recognised standards from components which are of adequate design and
strength and which are inspected at regular intervals. The scaffolding itself
should be inspected by a competent person
Before it is used for the first time, once constructed or substantially
modified

After severe weather conditions or any other event which might have
jeopardised its strength or stability

In any case within a seven day period

These inspections must be recorded

Specific Requirements for Scaffolds: -

There is a plan for the scaffold with a copy available on site

It is based on a firm, level foundation. The ground or foundation should

be capable of supporting the weight of the scaffold and any loads likely to
be placed on it. Watch out of voids such as basements of drains, or patches
of soft ground, which could collapse when loaded. Provide extra support
as necessary.

Standard (uprights) are resting on suitable base place and (where the
scaffolding is not on hard standing) timer sole boards. Bricks, blocks and
other building materials should not be used as packing.

It is capable of supporting loads likely to be placed on it. Scaffolds are not

usually designed to support heavy loads on their working platforms. If
 intending to load out platforms, tell whoever is providing the scaffold - a
special design might be required.

Where there is a sheeting or some other feature which will increase the
wind loading of the scaffold, that has this been allowed for in the design.

The uprights are vertical and the horizontals are horizontal

The uprights are close enough together and the spacing is consistent.
(Note: the permissible width of bays will vary with the operations for
which the scaffolding in intended. The greater the loading, the closer the
uprights will need to be)

It is braced and tied into a permanent structure or otherwise stabilised.

Rakers only provide stability when they are braced and footed adequately,
Single tube rakers alone do not usually provide this and need to be braced
to prevent buckling. Put ties in place as the scaffold is erected. Only
remove them in stages as it is removed. If a tie is removed to allow work
to proceed, and equivalent tie should be provided nearby to maintain
stability.

Working platforms are properly supported (each board resting on at least

three supports not board should overhand the last support by a distance
greater than three times its thickness) fully boards out (not gaps for people
or materials to fall through) and wide enough to allow safe access and the
safe movements of materials.

Guardrails, intermediate rails (or equivalent Safeguards) and toe boards

are fitted to all working platforms to prevent people and materials falling.

There is safe ladder or other access onto the work platforms. Long tasks or
where there is significant movement of material should be done using a
staircase.

There are safe arrangements for the raising and lowering of materials

Scaffolds have hi-visibility sleeves (e.g. red and white bands at the corners
at ground floor level or as appropriate

Incomplete sections of the scaffold are marked with suitable warning

notices

When a scaffold is not a in sue it is marked with appropriate warning

signs (in compliance with Safety Signs and Signals Regulations) and
delineated by physical means
Part 6: Roof Work and Fragile Surfaces

General Standards

Routine access to a roof which is inherently safe, because it has fixed edge
protection (minimum hand rail, intermediate rail and toeboard) may be
undertaken using a written safe system of work. This would be included in a
notice at the access point.

Where the work involves, for example the roof structures, roof covering or
handrails or in any way affects the inherent safety of the roof, a valid Roof
Work Permit will be required.

All other roof work, not covered by the above, would only be done under the
terms of a valid Roof Work Permit

A roof is defined as the top covering of a building or structure or part of

such building or structure (e.g. roof of a single storey extension to a building)
and excludes terraces and balconies that have been designed as a place of
work with, for example, fixed parapet walls and handrails.

A fragile surface is defined as a surface which would be liable to fail if any

foreseeable loading were to be applied to it.

Work on roofs and/or close to fragile surfaces is always potentially hazardous.

The principle danger is that of failing, typically from the edge of the roof, but
also from ladders or other means of getting to the place where work is to be
done and through openings, roof lights and fragile or corroded roofing
materials. In view of the hazards involved with roof work:

Careful planning is essential

Suitable precautions must be taken at all stages of the work

Roof work must only be done by people who are trained and competent to
do it safely without risk to themselves or to any one else

The design of new structures should include the provision of a safe means of
access to the roof e.g. from an internal staircase. Wherever possible, features
that will help work to be done safely should be incorporated in the structure,
e.g. walkways across roofs, anchorages for safety harnesses and lines
permanent handrails.

Roof work is potentially very dangerous work that requires the closest
attention to detail at all times. To enable risks to be controlled effectively
there should be a job-specific safe systems of work in writing, agreed and
understood by all parties, before work starts.

Rigorous supervision is required to ensure that the agreed systems of work

are followed in practice. There should also be a system to allow necessary
changes to be made and confirmed. The safe system of work should be clear,
concise and include simple sketches where necessary to ensure safety.

Fragile Roofs and Surfaces

Some roof coverings may appear to be strong enough to support a persons

weight but they often cannot carry the concentrated load of someone walking
on the covering or stumbling and falling.

Many types of single thickness asbestos sheeting are liable to shatter without
warning and are likely to become even more brittle with age. Other
potentially fragile materials include wired glass; plastic sheeting and
corrugated steel sheeting.

Materials that might normally be recognised as fragile can be concealed

beneath dirt, paint, rust, sprayed coatings or other substances.

Even where the main roof structure is not fragile, parts of the roof, such as a
roof lights may well be and the appropriate precautions should be taken.

Accident prevention is based on the following:

Identification of potentially fragile materials before commencing work and
making where necessary

Awareness of the hazard by those planning and performing operations

which involve work on or access across fragile materials

The provision of use of a sufficient number of crawling boards, lightweight

staging etc, so that it is never necessary for the weight of the people (and
of their tools/materials) to be applied directly to the roof.

Use of safety harnesses attached to suitable anchorages (where

appropriate).

In some cases, it will be both possible and preferable to do the work by means
of other than working on or from the fragile roof itself e.g. by using tower
scaffolds or mobile access platforms. It should be stressed that on a fragile
roof, it is no safer to walk along the line of the sheeting bolts (i.e. follow the
purlins) than it is to work of the other parts. Where access is needed on a
regular basis, permanent walkways should be provided.
Part 7: Steeple Jacks Access

General Standards

Works must be carried by specialists who are appropriately trained e.g.

trained to the requirements of ATLAS, (Association of Technical, Lightening
Access Specialist) - formerly Master Federation of Steeplejacks and Lightening
Engineers. Information is available in the recommended safe working
methods for the Steeplejack industry, published in 1989. ATLAS now
publishes this.

To do this they require specialist skills and equipment. Registered steeplejack

labour only may be used for all aspects of steeplejack work. By this means
only can it be assumed necessary experience and skill are available to
undertake the job in hand. All grades of steeplejacks are defined in the
industry Working Rule Agreement and these skills are incorporated into
the Construction Industry Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Fitter
Record Scheme which provides for registration of all grades of steeplejack
operatives and defines their area of skills and responsibilities.

Access is key to a steeplejack operative because that often concerns him for
more than 50% of his working day. Usually access for the steeplejack cannot,
by other means, be provided for them. More often than not they, themselves
arrange to ASCEND or DECEND to a position which is inaccessible

Ascending access can also be permanent access equipment provided during

an/or after construction of the structure such as fixed ladders, inserts, gantries,
lifts, hand and foot irons plus cradle and access rails. All are purpose made
and designed for the job involved. This access can also be by all types of
mechanical and manual man riding equipment such as winches, hoists, and
cradles or bosuns chairs.
Part 8: Rope Access

General Standards

All rope access work may only be done by a company with IRATA
membership, using workers in possession of a current IRATA certificate or
equivalent.

Anyone involved in rope access operations should familiarise themselves

with BS 7985:2002 The use of rope access methods for industrial purposes.
The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) has advice and
training courses available.

Wherever rope access is considered, as with all work at height, the safest
means of access should always be the first consideration. Such as doing the
work from inside a building, using scaffold or MEWPS.

Rope access should only be used within a defined safe system of work. The
system should be specify rescue arrangements, selection of correct equipment
selection of the people with the necessary level of competence and
arrangements for communications and control of the work

All operatives must be competent to

Properly inspect access equipment before every use

Understand all risks arising from the access method and work task

Use all access techniques required by a particular worksite

All equipment should be appropriate to its application. Most rope access

equipment carries a CE mark. All access equipment should be supplied with
a certificate of conformity, giving the specifications and performance
characteristics where appropriate. It there is any doubt as to the suitability of
equipment, obtain advise from a competent supplier.

Equipment should be inspected before each use and examined thoroughly by

a competent person in accordance with a specified schedule, normally at
intervals no greater than 6 months.
The work should be managed by ensuring:

Operatives will always be attached to at least two independently anchored

safety systems

Connections with the rope access system are in an area where there is no
risk of a fall from a height, unless there is a protection by other means

Exclusion zones are established as appropriate. This may require zones at

locations other than top and bottom of the rope access work

An efficient communications systems should be established, e.g. mobile

phone, radio whistle etc

All practical measure should be taken to avoid injury-causing impact with

the structure or obstructions

Operatives should be properly dress and equipped, appropriate to the

work situations and conditions

The results of thorough inspections should be recorded. Copies should be

available on site when specialist contractors are used. Rope access equipment
is classified as lifting equipment under the requirements of LOLER.

In addition to general controls for rope access, there sill be specific

considerations such as:
Type of access method, e.g. decent ascent, traversing suspension, aide
climbing

Ease of anchoring

Ease of access to and egress from work position

Objective hazards during the work e.g. wind, sun rain (especially wind)

Dangers to third parties

The level of skill required of operatives and the level of necessary supervision
will be indicated by these factors
Part 9: Fall Protection and Fall Arrest Devices

General Standards

It is good practice and part of the WAH regulations that collective protection
measure such as handrails, safety nets and airbags should have priority over
individual protections measures such as safety harnesses and lanyards.

All equipment should be regularly inspected and properly maintained.

Checks should be make by the users each time they are used or on a daily
basis for collective measures like airbags. All equipment should be subject to
detailed inspections at suitable frequencies of about 6 months with interim
inspections if they are used in arduous conditions. Safety harnesses and
lanyards need special care and more detail is given below.

Safety Nets

Safety nest are widely used to arrest falls of people, tools and materials from
height but competent installation is essential. The correct tensioning of the
next is important and normally specialist companies are available to fit nets.
Nets are used for roofing work and for some refurbishment work. Nets,
however, have a limited application since they are not suitable for in low-level
construction where there is insufficient clearance below the net to allow it to
deflect the required distance after impact. Safety nets should be: -

Positioned, where possible, so that people will not fall more than 2 metres,
hit the ground or other obstructions

Installed as close as possible beneath the roof surface

Securely attached and able to withstand a person falling onto them

Installed and maintained by competent personnel

If nets are used for falls greater than 2 m (max 6m or 3m within 2m of

supporting edge of the net) they should have: -
An area greater that 35m2

A minimum side length (width) greater than 5m

Maximum supporting space 2.5m

An individual anchor point capacity of 6 kn applied at 45degrees to he

horizontal and sufficient strength over combined anchor point

Have adequate clearance below to allow the net to perform satisfactorily

Safety nets should be manufactured to EN 1263 Part 1 and should be erected
to EN1263 Part II standards. BS8093 also give much information on the
installation and use of safety nets.

Airbags

Airbags are used when it is either not possible or practical to use safety nets.
Only reputable suppliers should be employed for the provision of air bags
When air bags are used, it is important to ensure that the bags are of sufficient
strength and the air pressure high enough to ensure that any falling person
does not make contact with the ground

Safety Harness and lanyards

Providing a safe place of work and system of work to prevent falls should
always be the first consideration. However, there may be circumstances in
which is it not practicable for all or any of the requirements for guardrails etc
to be provided (for example, where guard rails are taken down for short
periods to land materials). Where people may still approached an open edge
from which they would be liable to fall a distance which may cause injury,
other forms of protection will be needed. Inc some cases a suitably attach
harness and line could allow safe working.

When using harness and lanyards, remember

A harness will not prevent a fall it can only minimise the risk of injury if
there is a fall. The shock load to the body when the line goes tight or when
they strike against parts of the structure during the fall may injure the
person who falls. A shock absorber fitted to the harness lanyards can
reduce the risk of injury from shock loads

Allow for a free fall distance of no more than 2m

Consider how to recover anyone who does fall

Anyone who needs to attach him or herself should be able to do so from a

safe position. They need to be able to attach themselves before they move
into a position where they relying on the protection provided by the
harness.

The harness lanyard should be attached above the wearer where possible.
Using running lines or inertia reels can provide extra free movement. Any
attachment point must be capable of withstanding the shock load in the
event of a fall expert advice may be needed.
 Installation of equipment to which harnesses will be fixed must be
supervised by a suitably qualified person and make sure everyone who
uses a harness knows how to check, wear and adjust it before use and how
to connect themselves to the structure or safety line as appropriate.

Inspection of Harness and Lanyards

A regime for the inspection of harnesses and lanyards should be established.

The regime should include: -

The harness and lanyards to be inspected (including their unique

identification)

The frequency and type of inspection (pre-use checks, detailed inspection

and, where appropriate, interim inspection)

Designated competent persons to carry out the inspections

Action to be take on finding defective harnesses and lanyards

Means of recording the inspections

Training of users and a means of monitoring the inspection regime to

verify inspections are carried out correctly

It is essential that the person carrying out any inspection is sufficiently

independent and impartial to allow them to make objective decisions and has
appropriate and genuine authority to discard defective lanyards. This does
not mean that competent persons must necessarily be employed from an
external company, although many manufacturers and/or suppliers offer
inspection services and training in the inspection of their products.

Additional harnesses and lanyards will be required to use as replacements, in

the event that defective lanyards have to be taken out of use.

Harnesses and Lanyards should be subject to pre-use check and detailed

inspections and (as appropriate) interim inspections. Competent persons must
carry these out, to identify defects or damage that may affect safety
Pre-use checks:
These checks are essential and should be carried out each time, before the
lanyard is used.

Pre-use checks should be tactile and visual. The who lanyard should be
subject to the check, by passing it slowly through the hands (e.g. to detect
small cuts of 1mm in the edges, softening or hardening of fibres, ingress of
contaminants). A visual check should be undertaken in good light and
will normally take a few minutes.

Detailed inspections
These more formal, in-depth inspections should be carried out periodically
at minimum intervals specified in the inspection regime. It is
recommended that there is a detailed inspection atleast every six months.

For frequently used lanyards it is suggested that this is increased to at least

every three months, particularly when the equipment is used in arduous
environments (e.g. demolition, steel erection, scaffolding MEWPs)