Working at Height - Video

Working at Height
The Working at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) have no minimum height requirement for work at
height. They include all work activities where there is a need to control a risk of falling a distance liable
to cause personal injury.

You are working at height if you are:

• Working on a ladder or a flat roof
• Could fall through a fragile surface
• Could fall into an opening in a floor or a hole in the ground

Before working at height you must work through these simple steps:
• Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so
• Where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using either an existing place of work that is
already safe or the right type of equipment
• Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, by using the right type of equipment where the
risk cannot be eliminated.
Hierarchy for Working at Height
Working at Height
Fragile roofs
Sadly there are still many fatal and serious injuries from people falling through fragile roofs
and roof lights. Asbestos cement sheets are common, but fragile roof lights, which look like
the more secure surrounding roof structure over time, are not so obvious.
A safe system of work must be put in place by:
Providing a suitable access (such as a stair tower or ladder) installing safety netting,
crash decks or airbags underneath the roof.
If this is not possible then:
Use of staging with handrails, which are sufficient to span the underlying supports, must be
provided.
If this is not possible then:
Use of crawling boards to spread the weight should be provided.
Working at Height - Voids and Holes

Any hole or void where a person could fall any distance and hurt themselves must be
protected.

• Any opening must be protected with secure barriers, covers, gates or doors, which are
secured in position and display appropriate warning signs
• Never remove a protective cover unless authorised to do so
• If you think something should be covered speak to your supervisor, employer or site
manager
 Working at Height -Preventing Falls
The best prevention of falls of persons should be by physical barriers and equipment.

Methods include: Scaffolding, mobile towers, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs),
podiums, edge protection systems.
• The minimum height of any guard-rail is 950 mm.
• Any gap on the barrier must be not more than 470 mm.
• Plastic barriers, netting or rope and pins are not suitable as
edge protection to prevent persons from falling.

Fixed scaffolding
• must be erected and dismantled by specialists
• minimum platform width – 5.4m
• must be professionally designed, if over 38m high
Working at Height - Scaffolding
• Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Mobile scaffolding
Manufacturers' Association Certification
(PASMAC) required • Before working at height you
• Place on even, solid surface must work through these
• erect only by trained personnel
• minimum of two people to erect tower simple steps:
• edge protection on platform • Avoid work at height where it
• must have lockable wheels is reasonably practicable to do
• The Working at Height Regulations 2005
(WAHR) have no minimum height so
requirement for work at height. • Where work at height cannot
• Work at height means work in any place
where, if there were no precautions in be avoided, prevent falls using
place, a person could fall a distance liable to either an existing place of
cause personal injury. For example you are
working at height if you: work that is already safe or
• Are working on a ladder or a flat roof the right type of equipment
• Could fall through a fragile surface
• Could fall into an opening in a floor or a • Minimise the distance and
hole in the ground consequences of a fall, by
using the right type of
equipment where the risk
cannot be eliminated.
• day course and is valid for 5
years
Working at Height - Arresting Falls
Harnesses - These should only be used if falls can’t be prevented by physical
barriers or minimised by using fall collection systems.

Harnesses are there to protect a person if they fall.

• The selection of the type of harness and lanyard to be used is vital. It should
take into account where it is being used, how far the wearer may fall, any
obstructions they may hit and any pendulum effect.
• You must receive training before using a harness and lanyard.
• It is vital you know how to inspect a harness for damage, how to fit it properly,
where to attach it and where not to attach it.
• Inertia reel – retracting mechanism on fall arrest harness
• Suspension trauma – common injury when using fall arrest harness

A harness could be the one thing preventing you falling to your death.
Never use a harness to work at height unless you have been trained.
Working at Height - Arresting Falls
 Working at Height - Summary
Types of Access Equipment

Scaffolding

Mobile Tower Scaffolds

Stepladders

Ladders
Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) Podiums
Information on this can be found in the Method Statements under
the Risk Assessment on Working at Heights
Ladders
Ladders are a key tool on any construction site but great
care must be taken.
• Check the ladder each time you are asked to use
one.
• Defects and damage must be reported to your site
supervisor or manager
Look out for wear and tear and any defects that the
ladder may have and report it straight away
Basic Rules
• The correct angle of a ladder is 75 degrees or
1:4 ratio
• Only ONE person should be on a ladder at any
time
• Secure the ladder at the top and preferably at
the bottom if possible.
• Ensure the footing is stable and get a colleague
to steady if possible.
• Only use for short periods and light work
• Use only if other methods are not available
• Never use class 3 (domestic) ladders on site
Drugs and Alcohol on Site
 Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on Site
Drugs and alcohol on site can lead to accidents
When working on a construction site, you need to be:
• alert
• able to function
• able to think straight
• aware of the safety of others

Working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can

cause:
• loss of balance
• traffic and machinery accidents, if you are driving or operating
plant
• loss of concentration
• unconsciousness while working
• injury to others
RISK ASSESSMENTS
What is a Hazard? What is a Risk?

A physical situation with potential to cause The likelihood to cause harm or injury or
harm or injury or damage to property, damage damage to property, damage to the
to the environment or a combination of these environment or a combination of these

In other words – anything with the potential In other words - the chance of the hazard
to cause harm. actually causing harm.

What is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could
cause harm to people or damage to property, damage to the environment or
a combination of these. so that you can weigh up whether you have taken
enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm.

Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and

Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Risk Assessment Scoring Matrix
Table B. Risk analysis / Priority of Action Matrix
LIKELIHOOD
1 2 3 4 5
Ver y Unlik ely Unlik ely Po ssible Lik ely Ver y Lik ely
SEVERITY (High Level of Controls and/or (Low Level of Control and/or (Rudimentary Control only and/or
Minimum Exposure) Medium Exposure) High Level Exposure

1
Neg ligible Lo w Lo w Lo w Lo w M edium
(No visible injury - no pain) 1 2 3 4 5

2
Slig ht Low Lo w M edium M edium M edium
(Minor cuts, bruises - no long term 2 4 6 8 10
effects)

3
M o derate Lo w M edium M edium M edium Hig h
(Heavy bruising, deep flesh wound. 3 6 9 12 15
Lost time accident)

4
Sev ere Lo w M edium M edium Hig h Hig h
(Lost time accidents and major 4 8 12 16 20
injuries)

5
Ver y Sev ere M edium M edium Hig h Hig h Hig h
(Long term disability or death) 5 10 15 20 25

You are working in an old concrete property and have been tasked with
drilling a hole 150mm in diameter through a 225mm thick reinforced
concrete wall to take an extractor fan unit, which is to be mounted
above the new cooker.
 THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
MANAGEMENT (CDM) REGULATIONS
The customer must choose a main designer and main contractor

Main designer and contractor must have :

• expertise
• resources

The safety of everyone on that job must be planned before the work starts
• control the risks
• provide information about the risks

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

must be told about all large construction projects
Method Statements Purpose
The method statement is another way of assessing
and reducing risk and describing how a job will be
carried out.
A method statement will include:
• a description of the work
• precautions to make sure the work is carried
out safely
• address and contact details
A method statement may include:
• a plan for completing difficult works
A typical method statement is laid out on the
following slide.
Method Statements Purpose
Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4
• A title • Summary of main • Any training • A step-by-step guide
• A brief description hazards that are required to how the work is to
of the work to be present and the • Permits to work be carried out
carried out measures put in place • Any machinery meeting all H&S
• The details of the to deal with them shut and lock- requirements at all
organisation doing • PPE requirements down procedures times
the work • Environmental or • Site access
• Start and completion quality procedures • Welfare and first
dates for the work aid details
• Site address, contact
details, emergency
numbers

For example specify the type of plant that is to be used:

• bulldozers, for clearing the site
• dumper trucks, for carrying materials
• road roller, for compressing soil or newly laid road surfacing
The Consequences of not Preventing
Accidents
• Injury

• Lost time

• Damaged reputation

• Low morale
Fire
For a fire to burn it
requires three elements;
• Oxygen
• Fuel
• Heat
Remove one of these and
the fire ceases to burn.
Fires can be prevented by
minimizing the causes.
Causes of Fire
Faulty equipment
• Defective electrics such as loose wires, or faulty equipment that can overheat and cause sparks, are
common causes of fires in the workplace

Clutter / Poor housekeeping

• A common fire risk found in many workplaces is a lack of consistent cleaning, leaving the building untidy
and cluttered.

• Combustible materials such as paper, wood and cardboard will often accumulate in many workplaces, and
if allowed to build up, can contribute a significant amount of fuel to any fire that may start.

Human Error
• With so many people often using the workplace on a daily basis, human error can be a common factor in
the causes of fires. From using equipment incorrectly, not reporting faulty machinery, to even leaving
cooking food unattended.

• Arson
• Arson makes up a large percentage of fires caused on business premises, and can cause devastating
consequences to a company.

Uncontrolled hot works

• Not checking there are fires after completing hot works and
• ensuring that there is always the correct fire extinguisher with them
Fire Safety
• Fire evacuation
• If you discover the fire:
• Shout “FIRE” to alert people in the vicinity and sound the alarm
• Upon hearing the alarm:
• Stop what you are doing in a safe manner
• Immediately walk to the nearest Fire Assembly point by the nearest
exit if indoors
• Listen carefully to the roll call
• Wait for confirmation from Fire Brigade before re-entering the
building.
Fire Extinguishers