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05.0 Risk Assessment for Heights

The document outlines safety regulations and requirements for working at height, emphasizing the importance of risk assessments, safe systems of work, and proper equipment usage. It covers various aspects such as scaffolding, ladder safety, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), and the use of safety harnesses, highlighting the need for training and supervision. Additionally, it includes sample questions for assessing knowledge on these safety practices.

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Max Power
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2 views17 pages

05.0 Risk Assessment for Heights

The document outlines safety regulations and requirements for working at height, emphasizing the importance of risk assessments, safe systems of work, and proper equipment usage. It covers various aspects such as scaffolding, ladder safety, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), and the use of safety harnesses, highlighting the need for training and supervision. Additionally, it includes sample questions for assessing knowledge on these safety practices.

Uploaded by

Max Power
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SOLAS Safe Pass

Renewal

Self-directed Learning Pack


(V.0 – Jan. 2023)
Requirements for working at height
The General Application Regulations requires employers to
carry out a risk assessment for all work conducted at height
and to put in place arrangements for:

• Eliminating or minimising risks from working at height

• Safe systems of work for organising and performing work


at height

• Safe systems for selecting suitable work equipment to


perform work at height and safe systems for protecting
people from the consequences of work at height
Scaffolding
All scaffolds and working platforms should be
properly constructed to provide adequate working
space and comply with the Safety, Health and
Welfare at Work (General Application)
Regulations 2007 and the "Code of Practice for
Access and Working Scaffolds".

No scaffold may be erected, modified or


dismantled except under the supervision of an
experienced and competent person, and all
materials should be inspected by the competent
person before use.
Working at Heights
Risk Assessment:

• All working at height must be risk assessed


to ensure safe controls are in place

• The most appropriate WAH equipment and


collective protection must be used (e.g.
scaffold, handrails) must be given priority
over individual protection (e.g., a harness)

• A rescue plan for those working at height


must be in place
Protection of Openings and Edges
• Every opening, corner break or edge
which any person at work is liable to
approach or pass shall be protected as to
prevent the fall of persons at work.
• No persons shall remove any edge
or opening protection unless subjected to

A permit to work system

• A safety or control procedure


Ladder Safety
• Ladders are suitable only for work of short
duration and where risk is Low
• Check before use for defects
• Report all defects
• Do not paint ladders
• Never use aluminium ladders near
electrical equipment
• Employer maintains record of inspections
Ladder Safety

• Know and use the safe system of work

• 75º angle, i.e., 1:4


• Protrude sufficiently beyond the access
platform
(e.g., 1m above , firm handhold)

• Securely fixed
Types of MEWP (Mobile Elevation Work Platform)
• The MEWP is becoming increasingly widely used and more
complex. It is essential that no one should be allowed to use
the equipment unless they have been instructed and trained by
a competent person on the specific type of equipment that is to
be used.

• Operator fully trained and competent

• Operators' safety harness must be safely attached to the MEWP

• Handover certificate must be provided by supplier

• Guard rails, toe boards provided

• Firm and level ground

Note: Guide to MEWP Operating Procedures


Safety Harnesses
Fall Arrest System
Before considering the use of a safety harness as a fall arrest system,
the person responsible must first consider the use of collective
protective measures as opposed to individual protective measures.

Complete a Safe System of Work Plan.


Ensure a rescue plan is in place in the event of an incident.

A Personal fall arrest system consists of


• Body harness
• Lines
• Connecting devices
• Anchor points
It arrests a fall and reduces
Note: Never attach a harness to a impact
point outside a platform
Roof Work
No ‘Safe Height’
Hazardous situations:
• Open steel work

• Working on or near
– Fragile material

– Openings

– Holes

– Roof edges

Note: Permit to work system / Code of Practice for Safety in Roof work
7.9
Roof Work
No ‘Safe Height’
Hazardous situations:
• Getting on and off the roof
• Working on fragile roofs
• Working near
– Roof edges
– Openings
– Skylights
– Working within Roof Trusses
• Falling materials
Note: Risk Assessments should be carried out
for all roof work
Risk Assessment at Height Sample Question
Q5.01
A ladder is being used to gain access to a working platform. What
is the best angle to use the ladder safely?

A. 45 degrees, or the ‘one by two’ rule

B. 75 degrees, or the ‘one in four’ rule

C. The angle is solely dependent on the height of the platform

D. The angle is not important if there is someone footing


the base of the ladder
Check your answers against those provided in Section
12.0 of the booklet.
Q5.08 Risk Assessment at Height Sample Question

A scaffold guard rail is in the way of a job you need to do.


What is the best course of action?

A. Remove the bar, finish your work, then seek out a competent scaffolder to
replace it.

B. Seek out a competent scaffolder to organize a safe method for you to


access your work area.

C. Bend the rail out of the way and return it to its original position once you have
completed your work.

D. Remove the guard rail, complete your work and replace the guard yourself
once done/during any breaks in your work.
Check your answers against those provided in Section 12.0 of the booklet.
Risk Assessment at Height Sample Question
Q 5.18
What are the minimum parts that should be installed on a
scaffold to reduce the risk of falls for operatives, construction
equipment, or tools?

A. Handrails, toe boards, air bags

B. Handrails, mid guards, air bags

C. Air bags, mid guards, toe boards

D. Handrails, mid guards, toe boards


Check your answers against those provided in Section 12.0 of the booklet
Risk Assessment at Height Sample Question
Q5,30

Which of the following sentences regarding safety harnesses is false?

A. It is a type of personal protective equipment.

B. It doesn’t prevent falls, but reduces their impact.

C. It should be attached to a point outside the platform.

D. It must be inspected before use by an authorised competent person.

Check your answers against those provided in Section 12.0 of the booklet.
Test Your Knowledge!
➢ Review the sample questions
given in Section 5.0 (pages 52-
57) of your ‘Official Questions
and Answers Booklet’.

➢ Check your answers against


those provided in Section 12.0 of
the booklet.

➢ Once you have completed this


process for all 11 modules, you
may be ready for the formal
assessment at a Test Centre.

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