PROJECT

PROJECT POLARIS DATA CENTER PHASE 1

DOCUMENT TITLE

FALL PROTECTION PLAN

CLIENT/OWNER PROJECT MANAGEMENT

COST MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT MULTI DISCIPLINE CONSULTANT

ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT CIVIL & STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT

SECURITY CONSULTANT COMMISIONING AGENT

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

PROJECT DOCUMENT NO
Rev. No
Country Code Site/Project Code Originator Type of
Docume Discipline Unique
nt Number
PH QCF1 FBL PLN HSE XXX 0
 PURPOSE
The purpose of this plan is to provide for the safety of persons that may need
to work at height, scaffolding, and/or fall arrest systems. Wherever
practicable, the need for personnel to work at height should be eliminated.

Examples of Work at Height include;

 Working on Slopes & Unprotected Edges
 Erecting and / or Dismantling Scaffold
 Erecting and / or Dismantling Formwork
 Working on Mobile Elevated Platforms
 Accessing high level of Machinery for Maintenance

SCOPE
This plan describes controls for working at height and associated risk
assessments.

APPLICATION
This plan applies to all First Balfour Leighton Joint Venture (FBLJV) Project
and Contractor personnel.

DEFINITIONS
Anchor Point - A secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or
deceleration devices.

Competent Person - Any person who has been trained and authorized to
inspect fall-arresting equipment such as horizontal and vertical lifelines. A
single individual can be both qualified and competent

Floor Hole - An opening measuring less than twelve (12) inches (30.47
centimeters) but more than one (1) inch (2.54 centimeters) in its least
dimension, in any floor, platform, pavement, or yard, through which materials
but not persons may fall, such as a belt hole, pipe opening, or slot opening.

Floor Opening - An opening measuring twelve (12) inches (30.47

centimeters) or more in its least dimension, in any floor, platform, pavement,
or yard through which persons may fall, such as a hatchway, stair or
opening, pit, or large manhole. Floor openings occupied by elevators, dumb
waiters, conveyors, machinery, or containers are excluded.

Guardrail - A barrier secured to uprights and erected along the exposed

sides and ends of platforms to prevent falls of persons.

Floor Opening Covers - The construction of floor opening covers may be of

any material that meets the strength requirements. Covers projecting not
more than one (1) inch (2.54 centimeters) above the floor level may be used
providing all edges are chamfered to an angle with the horizontal of not over
Page 1 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan
 30 degrees. All hinges, handles, bolts, or other parts shall set flush with the
floor or cover surface.

Guardrail - A barrier secured to uprights and erected along the exposed

sides and ends of platforms to prevent falls of persons.

Lanyard - A rope (nylon or steel cable) suitable for supporting one person.

Lifeline - A vertically suspended rope with one end attached to a stationary

object (such as a structural member), capable of supporting at least five
thousand (5000) pounds (2,268 kilograms) of dead weight, with the other end
attached to a lanyard or safety harness.

Retractable Lifeline or Inertia Reel - A fall-arrest device that allows free

travel, without slack rope, but locks instantly when a fall begins. Retractable
lifelines may be used, but horizontal movement must be limited.

Rope Grabs (Fall Arrester) - Automatic lifeline devices that act by inertia
(resistance to movement) to grab the lifeline if a fall occurs. Rope grabs are
used when vertical movement is required, such as work from boatswain
chairs or suspended scaffolds.

Safety Harness - A safety harness is an approved design of straps that may

be secured about the employee’s body in a manner to distribute the fall-
arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders, with
a means for attaching it to other components of a personal fall-arrest system.

Scaffold - Any temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its

supporting structure (including points of anchorage) used for supporting
employees, materials, or both. See Attachment 3 for detailed scaffolding
requirements.

Wall Opening - An opening at least thirty (30) inches (76.2 centimeters) high
and eighteen (18) inches (45.72 centimeters) wide, in any wall or partition,
through which persons may fall, such as a yard-arm doorway or chute
opening.

Working at Height - Access or egress to/from, ascending, descending or

working in any position where a person can fall from one level to another and
injure himself or herself.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PURPOSE......................................................................................................................................................................
SCOPE...........................................................................................................................................................................
APPLICATION.............................................................................................................................................................
DEFINITIONS..............................................................................................................................................................
1.0 GENERAL..........................................................................................................................................................
2.0 CONTROL MECHANISM...............................................................................................................................
3.0 PERMANENT MEANS OF CONTROL.........................................................................................................
3.1 Guardrails / Handrails.........................................................................................................................
3.2 Permanent Fixed Platform / Walkway.............................................................................................
3.3 Permanent Industrial Fall Arrest System.......................................................................................
3.4 Anchor Points............................................................................................................................................
A. Adequate For Use.........................................................................................................................
B. Not Adequate For Use..................................................................................................................
4.0 TEMPORARY OR MOBILE MEANS OF CONTROL................................................................................
4.1 Mobile Platforms...................................................................................................................................
4.2 Scaffolding.............................................................................................................................................
4.3 Mechanical Elevating Work Platforms............................................................................................
4.4 Man Cage/Work Box............................................................................................................................
4.5 Fall Arrest Systems..............................................................................................................................
A. Work Positioning / Fall Arrest Full-Body Harness.............................................................
B. Fall Arresters................................................................................................................................
C. Lanyards........................................................................................................................................
D. Energy Absorbers (Personal / Industrial).............................................................................
E. Retractable Lifelines..................................................................................................................
F. Horizontal and Vertical Lifeline....................................................................................................
G. Rope Grab.....................................................................................................................................
4.6 Industrial Rope Access.......................................................................................................................
4.7 Floor Openings.....................................................................................................................................
4.8 Wall Openings and Service Riser..................................................................................................
4.9 Access to Tower Crane.....................................................................................................................
4.10 Edge and Slope Protection..............................................................................................................
5.0 WORKING AT HEIGHTS AND WORKING BELOW..............................................................................
5.1 Elimination...........................................................................................................................................
5.2 Substitution..........................................................................................................................................
5.3 Isolation................................................................................................................................................
5.4 Engineering Controls........................................................................................................................
5.5 Administration.....................................................................................................................................
5.6 Personal Protective Equipment......................................................................................................
5.7 Inspection and Use............................................................................................................................
5.8 Work Practices....................................................................................................................................
6.0 WORKING BELOW.......................................................................................................................................
7.0 GRID MESH/HANDRAIL REMOVAL........................................................................................................
8.0 TRAINING.......................................................................................................................................................
9.0 WORKING AT HEIGHT RISK ANALYSIS...............................................................................................
10.0 RISK ASSESSMENT CONSIDERATIONS.................................................................................................

Page 3 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan

1.0 GENERAL

Training must be completed and recorded.

In all pre-engineered building structures (100%), safety harnesses and / or scaffolds will be
used by all employees exposed to a fall hazard of six (6) feet (2 meters) or more. Static
lines and lifelines will be installed as needed within the structure to facilitate tying-off.
A risk assessment must be conducted for work at height.

2.0 CONTROL MECHANISM

Each working at height scenario shall have a risk assessment conducted. Every effort must
be made to provide fall protection for people required to work at height. If, however, a fall
restraint device is identified as being necessary, personnel who are trained, assessed, and
deemed competent to work at height must be used. Contractors are responsible for the
training and competency of their employees to perform their allocated tasks in accordance
with the applicable standards. Documented proof of this training must be provided to the
Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH) department prior to working at height.

A person will use both a fall-arrest harness and attachment device with a shock-absorbing
lanyard or an inertia reel whenever they are at risk of falling and incurring injury. The
lanyard or reel must be always attached to a suitable anchorage while the person is in an
exposed position. At times, this requirement may necessitate the use of two lanyards so
that one can be left attached while the second is being moved to the next anchorage. Back
hooking and the tying of knots in a lanyard are not permitted. An inertia reel device may be
used in place of a shock-absorbing lanyard.

Safety harnesses and other fall protection devices shall be used in accordance with this
plan. There may be occasions when fall arrest harnesses are used in addition to other
control measures (e.g., harnesses must always be worn when operating boom type
Elevated Work Platforms).

However, when any person is working in an area where there is a possibility that he/she
may fall and is not protected by existing fall protection, he/she must use a fall arrest
harness.

3.0 PERMANENT MEANS OF CONTROL

3.1 Guardrails / Handrails

A guardrail, handrail system is an edge protection rail system with the top edge height of
top rails at forty-two (42) inches (1.1 meters) plus or minus three (3) inches (8 centimeters)
above the walking/working level. A toprail shall be capable of withstanding without failure a
force of at least 200 pounds (2.191kN/m) applied within two inches of the top edge in any
outward or downward direction (not to go below 39 inches [99.1 centimeters]), at any point
along the top edge. A midrail or mesh panel and a fender (toe) board must be securely
fixed and designed to withstand, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (2.189 kN)
applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other
member.

Note: The handrails assembly is intended to be a temporary barrier for workers and not to

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support loading – Handrail stability will depend on the integrity of the supporting members.

3.2 Permanent Fixed Platform / Walkway

A permanently engineered standard platform with handrails attached to a permanent

structure (e.g., work platform or access way may be used).

3.3 Permanent Industrial Fall Arrest System

An engineer-designed permanent system attached to suitable anchor points that can

withstand a minimum breaking force of 3,380 pounds (15 kN) can be used. (e.g., steel
cable static lines, steel cable ladder climbing systems, and rigid rail ladder-climbing
systems).

3.4 Anchor Points

Anchor points may be an existing structure, a pipe, or a temporary or permanent

engineered device such as an installed eyebolt, slide rail, or cable arrangement (e.g., static
line). These anchor points must be inspected daily prior to use, by a qualified inspector.
Engineered anchor points must be inspected by a competent person.
Anchor points for lanyards/harnesses and vertical lifelines must meet the following
requirements:
 Be able to safely support one person falling six (6) feet (2 meters).
 Be installed in a manner that prevents accidental disengagement from support
structures.
 Be inspected by a competent person on a periodic basis.
 Be placed where attachment and detachment can be done without causing loss
of balance.
 Be placed above shoulder height to reduce fall distance.
 Be free of sharp edges to avoid cutting the lanyard.

The following are examples of anchor points for individuals using harnesses, lanyards or
vertical lifelines.

A. Adequate For Use

 Structural beams six (6) inches (15.24 centimeters) or greater in depth for one
(1) or more people
 Pipes four (4) inches (10.16 centimeters) or greater for one (1) person
 Pipes six (6) inches (15.24 centimeters) or greater for two (2) people
 Fixed permanent ladder rails and clips for one (1) person
 Permanent platform handrail post below midrail for one (1) person

B. Not Adequate For Use

 Platform or scaffold handrails (except as noted above)
 Scaffold ladders
 Conduit/instruments
 Any part of a valve

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  Ladder cages and rungs

4.0 TEMPORARY OR MOBILE MEANS OF CONTROL

4.1 Mobile Platforms

A mobile-engineered platform that is not mechanically driven and not extendable, (e.g.,
wheel skid mounted platform and workshop platform) may be used.

4.2 Scaffolding

Scaffolding includes tube and couplers, modular frames, drop staging, swing stages,
purpose design stages all with full decking, guardrails, and fender boards.
Scaffolding in light, medium, and heavy-duty applications must conform and be constructed
in accordance with local procedures.
All scaffolding & working platforms are required to;
 Be covered with orange “flame resistant” netting,
 Be constructed from suitable / approved proprietary systems,
 Have suitable access, egress, guardrails & toeboards,
 Be inspected by appointed competent persons (CPs),
 Have a folder with a valid statutory form / scaff-tag clearly displayed at all
access points before being permitted for use.

Scaffolding and Working Platform

4.3 Mechanical Elevating Work Platforms

Mechanical elevating platforms include cherry pickers, boom arms, scissors lifts, order
pickers, and building maintenance units.
For works on Ceilings / overhead E&M utilities to be carried out from proprietary personal
access platforms, the platforms shall comply with the following requirements;
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  Have valid statutory required RPE certificates displayed,
 Have PUC conducted and checklist displayed,
 Users trained & appointed to safely use the equipment,
 Have SWL clearly displayed on the equipment,
 Have applicable safety rules clearly displayed on the equipment,
 Have platforms setup and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions
e.g. outriggers fully extended.

4.4 Man Cage/Work Box

A certified lifting cage suitable to lift personnel, that is constructed to meet local standards
and is designed by the manufacturer for use as a personnel hoist may be used.

Note: Permits for use are required for each occasion when using a man cage with crane or
other lifting equipment.

4.5 Fall Arrest Systems

A. Work Positioning / Fall Arrest Full-Body Harness

FBLJV and all Contractors / Subcontractors will provide full-body harnesses

meeting local legislation and / or client requirements. Safety belts are NOT allowed.
Full body Safety Harnesses fitted with Double Lanyards are mandatory for all work
at height where HARD controls are not possible.
NOTE: The use of Safety Harnesses & Double Lanyards are regarded as our last
line of defense – SOFT Controls. Priority shall always be given to HARD control
measures in accordance with the Leighton COP’s and the Hierarchy of Control
requirements.

B. Fall Arresters

Equipment such as harnesses, lanyards, shock absorbers, fall-arresters, lifelines,

anchorages, and safety nets can reduce the risk of injury if a fall occurs.

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 C. Lanyards

Lanyards shall at all times be fixed to a secured anchorage or a lifeline fitted with a
fall arrest device so as to ensure continuous fall protection.

Must meet the following requirements:

 Maximum length of a lanyard is six (6) feet (1.8 meters) in length, and it must
be equipped with self-locking hooks on each end.
 The lanyard must be equipped with shock absorber.
 Snap hooks must be of a double-locking design to prevent accidental
disengagement. When not in use, the lanyard must be secured and attached to
the harness to prevent tripping or snagging.
 The lanyard must not be dragged.
 The lanyard must not be hooked back into itself unless designed for that
purpose.
 Knots must not be tied in a lanyard. This will reduce the strength of the lanyard.

D. Energy Absorbers (Personal / Industrial)

Any mechanism, such as a rope grab, rip-stitch lanyard, specially-woven lanyard,

tearing or deforming lanyards, automatic self-retracting lifelines / lanyards, etc. that
serves to dissipate a substantial amount of energy during a fall arrest, or otherwise
limit the energy imposed on an employee during fall arrest.

E. Retractable Lifelines

A retractable lifeline is a fall-arresting device used in conjunction with other

components of a fall-arrest system. A retractable lifeline should be used by only one
(1) person at a time.

A properly inspected and maintained retractable lifeline, when correctly installed

and used within the fall- arrest system, automatically stops a person’s descent a
short distance after the onset of an accidental fall.

Retractable lifelines should be considered for use when working in areas such as
roofs and scaffolds, tanks, towers, vessels, and manholes. Also, retractable lifelines
should be considered when climbing such equipment as vertical fixed ladders and
telescoping derricks.

Before using a retractable lifeline, the Supervisor and/or the user must address the
following:
 Has the user been trained to use a retractable lifeline correctly?
 Is retractable lifeline being used in conjunction with a complete fall-
arrest system?
 Is the equipment under a regular maintenance program?

Other considerations include:

 DO NOT USE ROPE.
 Attach self-retracting devices using shackles or carabiner.
Page 8 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan
  Equipment must be hung up or placed loosely in a clean, dry area when
storing.

F. Horizontal and Vertical Lifeline

Horizontal lifelines must be installed and used according to manufacturer’s

specifications. The following guidelines should also be followed:
 Softeners must be used where lifelines contact sharp edges, such as
beam flanges.
 Temporary lifelines must be removed at the completion of a job.
 Anchor points, connectors, and other system components must be
capable of safely supporting one (1) person falling six (6) feet (1.8
meters).
 A vertical lifeline shall be used by only one (1) person at a time.

G. Rope Grab

The rope grab must be used with a rope that meets or exceeds the following
requirements:
 Rope grab size must match rope size.
 Minimum diameter of five-eighths (5/8) inch (1.59 centimeters) rope.
 Made of polypropylene, nylon, or polyester.
 Minimum tensile strength of five thousand (5,000) pounds (2,268
kilograms).
 When rope grabs are used with wire rope, it must be a complete
system. (Rope grab must be designed for a specific type and size of
wire rope.)

4.6 Industrial Rope Access

An industrial rope access system using two separate anchor points, two ropes, and
specialized access equipment may be used by competent trained persons.

Note: Permits for use are required for each occasion when using industrial rope
access.

4.7 Floor Openings

Polaris Projects are required to cover all floor openings with metal plates. All such
coverings shall be designed and give consideration to the opening size and any
intended loading. In cases whereby covers are to be subject to loading, the
permitted loading shall be clearly displayed on the cover. For smaller sized
openings “cast in” mesh can be considered. All flush fitting covers are to be
securely fixed into place with screws or bolts and fitted with down stands (fillets) so
as to prevent the cover from sliding. If the opening is too large and cannot be fully
covered (see right hand illustration above), it shall be fully fenced off using
approved edge protection measures.

Suitable Warning Notices shall be displayed either on the cover or on the edge
protection guardrails.
Page 9 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan
 Polaris Projects are required to adopt a “permit system” for the temporary removal
of “Covers & Floor Opening Protection Measures” so as to ensure that such
operations are carried out under controlled conditions, with a task specific JHA in
place. The permit must require that the covers / protection measures are fully
reinstated upon completion of the necessary works and signed off by the supervisor
in charge.

Covering/Protection of floor openings

4.8 Wall Openings and Service Riser

All wall openings & service risers must fully comply with the following requirements;
 Have clear and applicable warning signage displayed.
 Have robust edge / fall protection measures installed that are fit for purpose,
securely fixed into position and not easily removed.
 All wall openings & service risers and their corresponding risk mitigation
measures, such as handrails, material netting, mesh fencing, warning signage
etc, must be inspected on a weekly basis and properly maintained.
 Timber guardrails are strictly prohibited.

Edge protection constructed of scaffold tubes and installed in wall openings or service
risers to protect fall of persons must not rely on friction – i.e. be wedged into the
opening gap. They must be securely fixed into place with no risk of slippage etc, using
either a “Bolt Fixed End Cap” or a “U-Head” type screw jack – please note type of
approved fixing illustrations as depicted in this standard.

Note: All wall openings & service

risers, through which there is potential
for fall of persons or objects are to be
fully covered / protected by adequate &
robust means.

Page 10 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan

 Protection of wall opening and Service riser

4.9 Access to Tower Crane

All Tower Crane Access shall ;

 Have suitable intermediate landing platforms not >5 meters,
 Have suitable ladders with rigid back hoops,
 Crane towers must be fitted with lighting for safe access to the full height of the
tower during early morning or evening hours. For tower cranes that are tied into
a structure, an intermediate access ramp must be provided.
 Have a Zigzag type access configuration,
 Have perimeter fencing and lockable door to prevent unauthorized access.
 Tower cranes and crane access towers or ramps must have security measures
to guard against unauthorised access from ground level or other elevations,
including anti-climb (i.e., no hand or foot holds) and hoarding to a minimum
height of 3m/10ft at the base
 Any basement or floor levels where a tower crane penetration exists must
include full floor to soffit protection.

Note: Access to Tower Cranes on Polaris projects shall comply with the requirements of
the COP for Safe Use of Tower Cranes and STT General Minimum Standard

Safe Access to Tower crane

4.10 Edge and Slope Protection

Protect floor edges inside buildings under construction with rigid fencing, such as fixed
rigid steel mesh type with integrated toe-boards.

Page 11 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan

 Protect & demarcate slopes with rigid barriers e.g. interlocked mills type barriers, which
are fixed firmly into the ground by means of steel rods. Protect edges with standard
guardrails and toe-boards. Guardrails shall be made of metal “tube & fitting” scaffold,
measuring not less than 50mm in diameter and shall be covered with debris netting if
there is a risk of falling objects to the adjacent workplace below.

Note: Edge Protection constructed from timber is prohibited on Polaris sites.

5.0 WORKING AT HEIGHTS AND WORKING BELOW

FBLJV has a commitment to achieve the highest possible level of prevention of falls
from heights. Consistent with this commitment, FBLJV will strive to exceed the
minimum standard of the current legislation, standards, and codes of practice.

When any employee is working over operational equipment, they shall be protected
from falling.

FBLJV conducts regular audits of existing workplaces and will continually identify
hazards, assess these risks, and instigate appropriate control measures, followed by
constant monitoring. We will review the plans to verify that the process is working
effectively and that risks are managed and control measures are implemented.

The hierarchy of control of these identified hazards is:

 Elimination
 Substitution
 Isolation
 Engineering Controls
 Administration
 Personal Protective Equipment

5.1 Elimination

Where possible, remove the need to complete tasks at height.

5.2 Substitution

Complete the task in a less hazardous location or manner (e.g., building as much of a
structure on the ground in preference to at height or use an elevating work platform).

5.3 Isolation

Isolate the hazard or hazardous area (install handrails, edge protection, cages on
ladders, etc.).

5.4 Engineering Controls

Engineer or redesign the structure or equipment to reduce the hazard involved in the
task (e.g., move valves from height to a lower level for operation, install remote valve

Page 12 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan

 operation devices, design and install walkways, and use stairs instead of using
temporary staging). Consideration must be given to the erection of structures and the
provision of suitable anchor points for the steel erectors.

Note: An anchorage must be capable of supporting a minimum dead weight of five

thousand (5,000) pounds (2,268 kilograms) for each person attached to it. An anchor
point must be an integral part of the structure and is often a beam, girder, column, or
floor beam. Handrails are not suitable anchor points.

5.5 Administration

Research and develop safe work plans for tasks, provide training, and use warning
signs and barricades to control the hazard.

5.6 Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be used only as a last resort or to increase the protection of one of the
above controls. PPE is limited to a full body or parachute type harness, with a proper
means of attachment to a suitable anchor point by a shock absorbing lanyard or an
inertia reel.

Note: The date of manufacture must be printed on a label attached to the harness.

5.7 Inspection and Use

All Safety Harnesses with Double Lanyards and Associated Equipment:

 Shall be purchased in compliance with international standards (e.g. BS/EN or
AS/NZS).
 Shall have Project Leader’s written approval for their use as the primary means
of protection.
 Shall be personally issued, with employees receiving training & instruction from
an appropriate person in the correct fitting, and daily pre-use inspection of their
equipment.
 Where used within a FALL ARREST system MUST be fitted with a shock
absorbing capacity. Caution* Lanyard Length + Shock Absorber deployment
length + Body Height + Line-Sag must be calculated to ensure a suitable safe
distance for free fall. When there is no safe free fall clearance a FALL
RESTRAINT system must be used.
 Where used as FALL RESTRAINT system MUST be limited in length to
maintain a restraint condition to prevent a fall from height.
 Must ensure that all lanyard securing attachments on anchors, or lifelines, (snap
hooks/carabineers/scaffold etc.) have a physical locking mechanism to prevent
accidental detachment through movement whilst in use.
 Shall be immediately removed from service and quarantined should any faults
be observed, during planned, or interim inspection’s.
 Must be cleaned after use, and stored in a clean, dry, ventilated environment,
and out of direct sunlight.
 Shall be inspected within a defined schedule, which must include,
manufacturers inspection details, and interim inspections based on other

Page 13 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan

 assessed hazards (friction/paints/chemicals etc.) applicable for the on-going
activities.
 Shall be registered, given a unique ID number, and be tagged as inspected with
the records kept of these inspections.
 Each harness and lanyard must have a label that displays the manufacturing
date. If the date is more than five (5) years from the current date, the harness or
lanyard must be destroyed and a new one obtained.

Inspection and use of Safety Harnesses with Double Lanyards and Associated Equipment

All Temporary WAH Anchor Point’s and Associated Equipment's:

 Shall be purchased in compliance with international standards (e.g. BS/EN or
AS/NZS).
 Must be designed to withstand the maximum dynamic load of all forces, and be
in compliance to with local statutory requirements.
 Shall be detailed on an approved drawing, and included within the Construction
Method Statement (CMS / CRA / JHA), which must be approved by a member
of the Engineering or Design Team.
 Must be daily pre-use inspected, load/pull out tested (where applicable – anchor
bolts), and certified by a competent person (RPE) , with certificates clearly
displayed/available near the equipment/anchor points.
 Must ONLY use expansion type anchor bolts (where applicable) that have
approved by the Engineering/Design Team.
 Must position anchor points for all retractable inertia reel system’s (FALL
ARREST & FALL RESTRAINT) at the correct working height in accordance with
the manufacturers safe use installation instructions.
 Shall only be used after inspection by the appointed Responsible Site Person
with a TW 4 issued prior to use.

Page 14 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan

Inspection and use of temporary WAH Anchor Point’s and Associated Equipment's

All Temporary Lifelines and Personal Fall Arrest Equipment’s (PFAS):

 Shall be purchased in compliance with international standards (e.g. BS/EN or
AS/NZS).
 Must be designed to withstand the maximum dynamic load of all personnel &
equipment (kN), be installed by a trained individual, and be in compliance with
manufacturers user manual and local statutory requirements.
 Shall be suitably detailed on an approved drawing which has been approved by
a member of the Engineering or Design Team, with the drawing and details
being included within the Construction Method Statement (CMS / CRA / JHA).
The CMS should also include the emergency rescue details and required
equipment to be used.
 Shall be protected against friction from sharp edges/materials by the use rubber
sleeves etc, and where used as a FALL RETSRAINT possible sharp edges
identified and protected in case a pendulum effect should occur.
 Must NOT be attached to a temporary or permanent structure with an unknown
calculated loading strength.
 Temporary Metal Cables (where designed and used) must be at least 10mm in
diameter, galvanised or stainless steel with a minimum breaking force of 60kN.
 Shall only be used after inspection by the appointed Responsible Site Person
and a TW4 issued, to ensure design compliance, and any statutory local
certification is in place.

Inspection and use of Temporary Lifelines and Personal Fall Arrest Equipment’s (PFAS)

Page 15 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan

 5.8 Work Practices
The following are special requirements associated with working at elevated
locations or while using fall-arresting equipment:
 Workers must avoid climbing on equipment such as pumps,
exchangers, valve hand wheels, transformers, electric motors,
handrails, structures, or any other facilities not specifically designed for
climbing.

 Climbing on conduit, cable trays, or other similar equipment is not

permitted. Climbing of vertical beams is not permitted.

6.0 WORKING BELOW

Personnel working below another work area must inform the people above of their
presence. Should tools and equipment be raised or lowered to the upper work area, this
work will be performed by crane or be raised and lowered by hand using a rope
(minimum 16 mm/0.64 inches diameter) with the tools and equipment securely tied.
These lifting areas shall be barricaded to prevent unintentional access beneath the
suspended load.

7.0 GRID MESH/HANDRAIL REMOVAL

Prior to the removal of any part of any access walkway or handrail, a floor
grating/handrail removal permit shall be completed and approved, and prior to the work
commencing:
 A hazard checklist and JRA shall be completed.
 A substantial barricade with appropriate signage shall be erected at all
approaches to the area where the grating will be removed.
 Any personnel working inside the barricaded area shall wear
appropriate fall protection.
 The area below the intended opening that may be affected by overhead
hazards shall be barricaded and sign-posted to prevent access.

After work has been completed and prior to the barricade being removed, all grating or
floor plates and handrails are to be checked to verify that all clamps and clips have
been secured.

8.0 TRAINING

FBLJV and all contractors will allow only persons with the appropriate and current
accreditation/certification training specific to the tasks required of them to work in an
area where there is a potential to be injured from a fall from one level to another. This
training may include current scaffolding, rigging, dogging, or Elevating Work Platform
certificates of competency. All persons required to use industrial fall arrest equipment
must be trained to personally inspect, fit, maintain, and use such equipment.

Training in the event of an emergency such as rescue from height, accident, or injury
must be completed by all personnel entrusted with this responsibility on site. These
persons must have a current recognized certificate of competency to perform these
Page 16 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan
 duties.
Note: All personnel required to use industrial fall arrest equipment must undergo
refresher training as required by changes in the workplace and / or equipment,
or as other events indicate that refresher training may be required.

9.0 WORKING AT HEIGHT RISK ANALYSIS

This process describes a systematic approach to controlling the risks associated with
working at heights, commencing with hazard identification of potential falls through to
selecting and implementing suitable control measures, including both temporary and
permanent solutions.

 In many instances there will be suitable control measures in place to

control these incidents, (e.g., fixed handrails and barriers). However,
there may be areas that do not have suitable protection in place, and
the use of temporary control measures may have to be implemented for
short duration work or for use while a permanent solution is
commissioned.

 If there is any doubt over the adequacy or use of permanent/fixed or

temporary systems to control the risks posed from working at height,
then they must be confirmed with the project ESH Manager.

Identify the hazards of the task/job to be completed.

Identify each hazard where a person is likely to be exposed to a potential fall from one
level to another at the workplace.

The identification of the need to control a hazard of falling from height can come from
many sources such as:
 The result of a Job Risk Analysis
 The result of a Survey
 Reference to previous incidents or near miss accidents/incidents
 Inclusion as a part of another plan, e.g., Confined Space Entry
 An audit by Supervisors / ESH Representative
 Detailed feedback from workers in the area
 Site-specific height policy

10.0 RISK ASSESSMENT CONSIDERATIONS

All working at height must be preceded by a risk assessment. The personnel and their
supervisor must conduct a risk assessment of the work, duration, frequency, and
potential consequences prior to work commencing.

11.0 RECORDS

Document Name Document No.

Working At Height Checklist

Page 17 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan

 Scaffolding Inspection Checklist

Full Body Harness Inspection Checklist

Page 18 of 19 Polaris DC Fall Protection Plan