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Working at Height

NASS Three Year Plan – Module Three

Publication Date: 3rd November 2011

The NASS Health and Safety Committee have agreed a three year plan to be carried out in 2010, 2011 and 2012. This plan involves a rolling programme of two subjects per year to be covered with guidance issued on each, and this is the first document to be produced under the Plan for 2011. This document is aimed at Senior Management, Chief Executives and Managing Directors. HSE and Wolverhampton City Council, Regulatory Services, have been consulted on this document and both organisations endorse the principles of health and safety management, as set out in the main article and its appendices.

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NASS – Work at Height Introduction Of 171 work-related fatalities in 2010/11, 63 were as a result of people falling from height, or being struck by objects falling from height (source HSE). Thousands more were seriously injured. As a result of these incidents people‟s lives are ruined and the financial costs run into millions of pounds. There are clear moral and financial reasons to manage work at height effectively.

This document sets out to provide useful guidance to NASS members on how to control work at height and avoid tragedies such as those examples above. As well as providing a guide to the law, there is some practical guidance for typical “work at height activities” in Steel Service Centres, as well as a list of links and contacts for further advice. The risks are clear but controls are available and generally well understood – take this opportunity to review work at height in your business and ensure you don‟t become the next statistic.

Energy firm RWE npower and construction giant AMEC Group Ltd paid £510,000 in fines and costs after a maintenance worker fell to his death at a power station in South Wales. Agency worker Christopher Booker was working to install some gates – to allow this some floor gratings had to be removed but no edge protection was placed around the openings. As daylight faded, lights were directed towards those doing the work, which left the floor gratings at the top of a pit in near darkness. Mr Booker climbed up a ladder to the top of the pit and as he stepped on to the gratings, he fell 12m down one of the openings and suffered fatal chest injuries.

Two construction companies have been fined £200,000 each for their part in an incident that ended in a worker falling to his death at a site in Glasgow.

On 26 April 2007, James Kelly was working on part of a building. To carry out the work, he was positioned on the third level of a scaffold loading tower, which had been erected as part of the construction work. Some stone was lifted up to the platform using a telehandler - Mr Kelly needed to remove a guardrail so he could unload the stone. While working on the platform he fell from the tower and landed on the ground 6.5m below. He died as a result of serious head injuries.

HSE inspector John Shelton said: “What happened to Mr Kelly was entirely preventable and would not have happened if the proper steps had been taken. There is no excuse for the contractors not to have agreed procedures as to how this work was to be done”

A lorry driver was killed when two steel safety gates fell off his vehicle and landed on him during an inadequately planned lifting operation.

Andrew Brown, 58, worked for James Paterson Haulage Ltd and was delivering 20 steel gates from Mackay Steelwork and Cladding Ltd‟s yard in Belney, near Invergordon, to a garden centre in Inverness, when the incident took place on 27 August 2008.

HSE inspector Graeme McMinn said: “This was a horrific and entirely avoidable incident. If proper safety measures had been taken, Mr Brown could still be alive today.

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What is “Work at Height”? Work at height is defined in legislation as:

1. “Work in any place, including a place at or below ground level; 2. Obtaining access to or egress from such place while at work, except by a staircase in a

permanent workplace, Where, if measures required by the Work at Height Regulations were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury”. In practice, this basically means that if someone could fall from one level to another and there‟s a chance they could be injured, then this is work at height. The only exception is walking up or down stairs in a normal permanent workplace. Previously, particularly in relation to Construction, work at height meant a fall of at least 2 metres. THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE. Work at height is any height where there‟s a chance of injury – whether it‟s a 300mm high platform around a machine or working on top of a building. What Does the Law Say? The legal requirements are specified in the “Work at Height Regulations 2005”. The regulations are quite detailed and there is no substitute for formal training in understanding them – many training providers run public one-day courses every business has a trained person on site. Notwithstanding this, the key requirements are as follows: Employers have duties to their employees and to anyone else under their control – simply employing a contractor does not absolve employers of responsibility, as with any other type of work. Work at height must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and so far as reasonably practicable, safe. There are a couple of points to note:

Planning must include planning for emergencies and rescue Work at height must not be done if weather conditions jeopardise the H&S of the people

involved. There are implications here for any roof or other work on buildings, and for any vehicle (un)loading or sheeting outside in the open air.

People have to be competent – this covers people planning or supervising the work as well as carrying it out. Work at Height has to be risk assessed. There is a clear hierarchy of control identified:

1. Avoid work at height if possible – if you can work from the ground then do so. Typical examples include window cleaning using long-handled tools, or light fittings that can be lowered on chains or wires for bulbs to be changed.

2. If work at height can‟t be avoided, then control measures should prevent falls. Collective measures (such as hand rails or other barriers) are always preferable to individual controls such as fall restraint

1 harnesses / lanyards as individuals may “forget” to use equipment correctly or at

all. 3. If work at height can‟t be avoided and falls can‟t be prevented, the distance and consequences of

a fall must be mitigated. Once again collective measures (such as nets or air bags) are preferable to individual controls such as fall arrest

2 harnesses/ lanyards.

1 Fall restraint is fundamentally different to fall arrest. Fall restraint prevents a fall – it prevents an

individual getting to an unprotected edge where they could fall. There are many such systems available using barriers, horizontal lines, harnesses and fixed lanyards. Expert advice should be sought to determine the best solution for a given scenario.

2 Fall arrest is fundamentally different to fall restraint. Fall arrest doesn‟t prevent a fall, but rather

catches the person once they have fallen. There are many such systems available including nets, air or bean bags, horizontal lines, harnesses and lanyards, some of which include shock – absorbing elements. Fall arrest equipment will typically be tested to higher standards due to the dynamic / shock loading that they may have to withstand.

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When selecting equipment for use at height, as well as taking into account the priority for collective control measures, consideration needs to be given to the type, duration and frequency of the work, the height and consequences of a fall, the working conditions and any risks associated with installing or removing the equipment. There are specific requirements for a range of equipment types, including

Guardrails and toe-boards Scaffolding Working platforms Personal fall protection Nets and airbags Ladders

Links to these are included at the end of this document Working on or near fragile surfaces is particularly risky, so is subject to stringent controls. Such work should be avoided or, if it can‟t be avoided, then platforms guardrails and other systems to prevent access and spread any loads should be used. As well as falling people, falling objects pose a risk, so as far as possible controls should prevent objects falling. If the risk can‟t be eliminated, then the area beneath the work at height – “Danger areas” - should be effectively segregated with appropriate signage. Some equipment requires specific inspection routines, including:

Any equipment providing fall protection (restraint or arrest) should be checked before use. Equipment such as scaffolds should be formally inspected before first use then periodically

thereafter (typically weekly, with “Scafftag” or similar visual record attached at access points) Individuals have a duty to use equipment provided in line with their training, and to report any defects observed. Work at Height can be complex. If you are unsure how to approach it one of the best sources of advice is the HSE website and their “WAIT” tool – “Work at height Access equipment Information Toolkit”. WAIT has been developed to help people understand the key issues when working at height and the factors to consider when selecting the most appropriate and safest type of access equipment. It is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/wait/index.htm

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Ladders Falls from ladders are common and often result in serious injuries. However, ladders are not banned! They are still a useful piece of equipment but only really suitable for light, short duration work that is relatively infrequent. A whole range of guidance and information is available from the HSE and other organisations on ladder and stepladder safety.

indg402 indg403 indg405 Top 10 points to note on ladders

1. Only use ladders for short duration work (< 30 minutes) 2. Only use ladders for light work (any tools or equipment <10kg) 3. Ladders should be “Class 1 Industrial” or meet BS EN 131 4. Users should always be able to maintain 3 points of contact 5. Ladders should be regularly inspected – pre-use checks and documented periodic visual

inspection. 6. Ladders should be secured - tying off both stiles, using a ladder stability device or (least

effective) getting someone to foot the ladder. 7. Ladders should only be used on firm level ground 8. Ladders need to be the right length

a. Those used for access should project at least 1m above the landing area b. Don‟t stand on the top 3 rungs – these are needed as a hand hold c. Ladders should be as close to a 1:4 ratio (1 out, 4 up) as possible

9. People using ladders need to be trained and competent. 10. No reaching or stretching – users should keep their navel within the stiles of the ladder and avoid

tasks that put side-loads onto the ladder.

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Roof Work Work on roofs is particularly high risk, as it typically involves greater heights, roof condition is sometimes unknown (is it fragile?), weather conditions (wind, rain or snow) can make work more hazardous and supervision / monitoring can be more difficult to manage. As a result, a quarter of all fatal falls are from roofs. Roof work can involve a range of activities, such as repair, replacement, cleaning or gulley clearance for example.

Work on roofs is classed as construction work, so the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 will apply. It is beyond the scope of this document to cover these requirements but as with the Work at Height regulations, public courses are available from many training providers. One significant point to note, however – some work is notifiable to the HSE before it can take place. If construction work is to last more than 30 days or involve more than 500 man-days of work, it must be notified to the HSE. As with ladders, there is significant guidance available from the HSE and others on roof work. HSG33 (Left) is available for download from the HSE website.

Top 10 points to note for roof work:

1. Seek specialist advice – if you don‟t have the technical understanding of the work to be done, don‟t take a risk – find someone who does.

2. Only use competent contractors – check out their safety systems and in particular how they plan, manage and control work and how they ensure their people are competent and follow the right procedures.

3. Ensure safety method statements and / or risk assessments and safe systems of work are in place before work commences.

4. Use a Permit to Work system to control the work – it helps keep control of who is on site, what they are doing and what procedures should be in place.

5. Make sure there‟s safe access, and that it‟s secured to prevent unauthorised access during nights or weekends when premises may be unoccupied. Consider too the potential for fire and the need for safe evacuation.

6. Provide safe means of getting materials up to or down from the roof – will any waste materials need to be dealt with?

7. Beware fragile roofs! If you‟re not sure if it‟s fragile assume it is. Use platforms or other appropriate means to protect people and beware roof lights as prolonged exposure to the sun makes some materials very brittle.

8. Consider asbestos. Many roofs are made from asbestos sheeting which creates additional risks. There is specific legislation on work with asbestos. If you‟re unsure whether the roof includes any asbestos and the work has any potential at all to disturb or break the material, assume asbestos is present and seek expert advice.

9. Consider how the area under the work is to be segregated, particularly if roofing is being repaired or replaced. Materials don‟t fall vertically downwards – they can drift a long way horizontally too.

10. Consider weather conditions – high winds are hazardous (people losing balance and materials blown off) and rain can turn some surfaces into ice rinks. Have clear rules in place as to when work should be suspended.

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Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPS) MEWPS come in several types, the main two being scissor lifts and boom-type “Cherry Pickers”. They can be very useful in providing temporary access to height – many people believe them to be the safest and most efficient method. As with any equipment, however, MEWPS do have limitations and they must be used within their design criteria and by trained, competent operators. A range of guidance is available from organisations such as the HSE, the Construction Plant Hire Association, the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and British Standards (BS 8460 – Safe Use of MEWPs – Code of Practice). Top 10 Points to note for MEWPs

1. Select the right MEWP for the job to be done – what height / outreach is required, how many people, what materials and equipment, etc. The points below will also need to be taken into account.

2. MEWPs need to be maintained and inspected. Statutory inspections / thorough examinations should be carried out at least every 6 months – any company hiring you a MEWP should be able to provide these documents. A system of pre-use checks should be implemented – simple visual checks to ensure no obvious problems or defects exist.

3. MEWP operators need to be properly trained and certified. Many different providers run courses, most of which are accredited by IPAF which is probably the leading approval body in this area.

4. Consider ground conditions, in getting the MEWP to the point of work as well as at the work location. Use of MEWPs on ground that is soft or unstable can be hazardous. Consider too the presence of underground services, trenches, manhole covers or cellars. This is particularly important if the MEWP will be required to move in the elevated position – small undulations in the ground can cause massive movements in an elevated basket.

5. Consider the potential for falls. Typically, fall restraint should be used in the case of boom-type MEWPs. This normally takes the form of a full body harness and a fixed length lanyard that is adjusted to be as short as possible to prevent the individual from getting out of the cage. Fall restraint would not normally be required in the case of scissor / vertical lift MEWPs, unless the work being done requires the operator to lean out over the guardrails. Any decision on fall restraint should be documented as part of the overall risk assessment for the task.

6. Look out for electric cables! Specific guidance should be obtained, but as a rough guide MEWPs should not come within 15m of metal pylons or 9m of wooden electricity poles.

7. Don‟t overload the MEWP. Every MEWP will have a Safe Working Load and this should never be exceeded. Don‟t forget – MEWPs are for access, they are not cranes!

8. When using MEWPs outside, consider weather conditions. Most MEWPs designed for outdoor use can be used in winds up to a maximum of 28mph - noting that wind speeds can be 50% higher at a height of 20m compared to that at ground level. Manufacturers may also specify some usage restrictions, so familiarise yourself with these before using the MEWP. MEWPs should not be used where there is a risk of lightening.

9. Beware of overhead obstructions. Many accidents are caused when operators get trapped between a fixed obstruction and the elevated basket. Consider obstructions such as roof structures and supports, or pipework / bridges in your risk assessment.

10. Segregate the working area. This will protect people in case of falling objects as well as preventing the MEWP being struck by passing vehicles or mobile plant.

“Cherry picker” – boom-type MEWP

Scissor Lift MEWP

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Work on Trucks and Trailers One of the most significant risks with loading / unloading vehicles is that of working at height – many serious accidents have occurred when people have fallen from vehicles / loads, or been struck by falling steel products. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics indicate that some 2000 people are seriously injured or killed every year due to falls from vehicles, and most steel companies will be aware of incidents on their own or other sites where accidents have happened. Historically, drivers‟ working on trailers was the norm. Increasingly this is no longer the case and much effort has gone into protecting drivers from working at height. The HSE has part of its website dedicated to preventing falls from vehicles, and there are a series of guidance documents providing information on different aspects of the process. Top 10 points to note for working on trailers

1. Where you can, work from the ground. Many tasks including some aspects of trailer preparation and load security can be done from the ground, often with little or no modification to the working method.

2. Sheeting and unsheeting flatbed trailers is high risk. If you can eliminate sheeting do so – can a different trailer type be used, does the customer really need sheeted loads (does it make sense to sheet loads where material is subsequently stored outside?). Recognise the issue and talk to customers, hauliers and suppliers to look for improvements.

3. Provide integral ladders or steps on trailers – if drivers have to get up make sure they have proper access.

4. On site, consider use of platforms – they can eliminate the risk of falls and make some tasks easier.

5. Where you have delivery plans for customers, make sure they consider work at height. Will drivers be expected to get on the back of the truck and if so, how will they be protected?

6. Think about trailer design. Work at height protection can be built in to trailers to minimise the need for access and / or protect people while they‟re up there. Some improvements may be suitable to retrofit to existing trailers, others may only be relevant when new trailers are being manufactured but get the issue on the radar. Design features may include access ladders, permanent / temporary or moveable guard rails, fluorescent paint to mark the trailer edges or even such things as position of storage for timbers or chains / straps.

7. Make sure trailers are well maintained – canopies, roofs or hoods need to operate smoothly so drivers don‟t feel the need to get on the trailer unnecessarily. Trailer beds need to be in good condition with no holes or defects.

8. Train your drivers and monitor what they do. A lot of work on trucks is purely a matter of habit. As stated above, many tasks can be done from the ground so increase your drivers‟ awareness and try and get them into good habits.

9. Maintain good trailer housekeeping. Trailers can be a slip / trip nightmare if timbers and equipment is left strewn over them. Provide proper storage, train your drivers and have a regular inspection system to make sure good housekeeping is being maintained.

10. Consider catwalks. Where access is required onto a catwalk provide ladders / steps, handholds and a flat, level surface to walk on.

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Work on / near overhead cranes and gantries The vast majority of steel service centres have one or more overhead cranes. Use of cranes is beyond the scope of this document but inspection and maintenance of cranes and gantries will typically involve work at height. Similar principles to those already covered are all relevant to this aspect of work at height but there are additional risks particularly from other cranes on the same or adjacent gantries. Top 10 points to note for work on cranes

1. Have a planned maintenance and servicing schedule. If this is effective, people will need to access the cranes less in the long run due to increased reliability. It should be noted that planned maintenance should be inherently safer as it is a) planned, so the right people and equipment can be made available and b) less time pressure (and therefore less likely for people to rush or take short cuts).

2. Control all work on cranes or gantries using a permit to work system. Permits can be drafted to ensure all the right controls are put in place – formalise handing cranes over to maintenance and back to production, ensuring proper communication throughout.

3. Think about access. How will people and materials / equipment get to the crane? Fixed ladders may be fine in some circumstances but not others. Are there walkways on the crane? Consider the different scenarios that could occur and document a safe method of access for each scenario.

4. Provide fall protection. At some stage, work will need to be done on a cross travel unit or end carriage where people are off any walkways and at risk of a fall. As a result, provision for fall restraint or fall arrest will be required. The former is preferable (higher up the legal hierarchy) but may not always be possible. Both fall restraint and fall arrest may require providing anchorage points or, alternatively, suspended wire systems can be used in conjunction with harnesses and lanyards.

5. Isolate the crane to prevent inadvertent movement and if work is close to downshop conductors, isolate the bay or part of the bay too.

6. Segregate the area under the crane to prevent injuries from falling objects. Typically, sites should apply the “20 foot rule” (Or 6m rule – a relic from the Factories Act but nevertheless still valid!), putting barriers or warning lights etc in place at least 20‟ or 6m from the crane to prevent access or collision.

7. Consider potential for collisions from cranes in the same bay, and also the potential for trapping by cranes in adjacent bays. If work is on end carriages for example, and crane gantries in adjacent bays run very close together, trapping between the stationary crane and one moving in the other bay may require other cranes / bays to be isolated.

8. Make arrangements for emergency rescue – this is a legal requirement and HSE states it is not sufficient to simply rely on calling the emergency services. Proprietary systems are available (e.g. “Rescue Genie”) or responsibility may be given to contract companies if they carry out the maintenance of your cranes.

9. Consider establishing “hospital bays” for crane maintenance. If work on a given crane is always done at the same place it can make segregation, isolation, access and emergency rescue a lot more straightforward.

10. Using cranes as a working platform (e.g. for light / bulb replacements) can be hazardous. Be particularly wary of trapping against parts of the building – roof components, pipework etc – and ensure crane movements are properly controlled.

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Use of Forklift Trucks for Access Forklift Trucks are primarily designed for moving materials, not people. Many accidents have occurred where people have tried to balance on forks, or on improvised platforms such as pallets on forks and fallen from height. There are, however, some limited circumstances where platforms on forklifts can be used to gain temporary access to work at height – detailed guidance is given in the HSE guidance note pm28 “Working Platforms (non-integrated) on forklift trucks”. Such platforms may be safer than other improvised platforms or use of portable ladders. Top 10 points to note – use of forklifts for access

1. Platforms on Forklift trucks can only be used for “occasional use”. PM28 provides a number of examples of what this means, including „non-routine maintenance tasks for which it is impractical to hire in purpose built access equipment‟ or „tasks that would otherwise be carried out using less safe means of access such as ladders, because it is impractical to hire in purpose designed people lifting equipment due to the short duration and occasional nature of the task‟. They cannot be used for order picking, routine maintenance, or transferring people or materials from one level to another.

2. The platform must be compatible with the FLT, and the total weight (platform, people and materials) must be no more than 50% of the capacity of the truck.

3. The platform must be positively locked onto the forklift, with the forks protruding at least 75% of the way through the platform e.g. if the forks are 900mm long, the platform can be no more than 1200mm wide.

4. The platform must be adequately guarded to prevent access to moving parts of the FLT – notably the mast or associated hydraulic systems.

5. Tilt, side shift or other attachments must be incapable of use when the platform is elevated. 6. The FLT driver must stay at the controls while the platform is in use. 7. The FLT should not be moved with the platform elevated; the parking brake should be applied

and transmission in neutral (where relevant) 8. Where work requires individuals to lean out of the platform, they must use a fall restraint harness

and lanyard. 9. Platforms should be properly designed – including fork pockets that fully enclose the forks and

robust locking mechanisms. Full design requirements are provided in PM28. 10. When FLTs / platforms are used to provide access, the area should be segregated from other

activities and plant movements.

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Scaffolding Scaffolding comes in two main types – general access scaffolds and tower scaffolds. Each has their uses and benefits, provided they‟re erected and used properly. There are two main associations who provide information and standards for scaffolding:

NASC – National Access and Scaffolding Confederation - producing a wide range of industry guidance for scaffolding contractors, their operatives and their clients.

PASMA – Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association – the lead

organisation in the mobile access tower industry, overseeing the industry standard training scheme and a publisher of safety-related information and guidance.

Scaffolding is one of those areas where it pays to use reputable, trained contractors who are members of trade associations such as these. This means they should be operating to nationally recognised standards recognised as such by the HSE. Top 10 points to note for scaffolding:

1. Plan the job properly. Design criteria for scaffolds can be complex so use expert advice particularly for large general access scaffolds where all sorts of factors need to be taken into account.

2. There are some basic design features you‟d expect to see with every scaffold – top guard rails must be at least 950mm high, and intermediate rails must ensure gaps are no greater than 470mm. Toe boards need to be in place to prevent people, tools or materials falling. General access scaffolds should usually be tied in to the building or structure.

3. Scaffolds need to be erected by competent people – look out for membership of trade associations or who have recognised training / qualifications such as through PASMA or the Construction Industry Scaffolders Registration Scheme. If trainees are used by the company selected, check how they will be controlled and supervised.

4. Scaffolds should be inspected once built, and then at least every 7 days thereafter (or if there is reason to believe the integrity of the structure has been compromised, such as after alterations or strong winds). A visible record of this inspection should be on the scaffold – “Scafftag” or other similar systems are commonplace. A written report should also be provided by the inspector. Where scaffolds are incomplete or unfit for use, signage should be present and access prevented by physical means.

5. When scaffolds are being erected, scaffolders should always adopt methods of work to prevent falls during the erection of scaffolding. This can be achieved by using an advanced guardrail system. Where this is not practicable, harnesses should be worn to provide a means of fall arrest. In the case of mobile access towers, an alternative method is the 3T (Through the trapdoor) method.

6. Scaffolds need to be on firm, level foundations – beware of soft ground, cellars or service channels as these could all affect the stability of the scaffold. The ground needs to be strong enough to take the weight of the scaffold and anything / everything likely to be on it – note that scaffolding does come in different duty ratings.

7. Mobile towers are often made of aluminium so are light and can easily overturn if used or erected incorrectly. They also rely on all parts being present for strength, so don‟t be tempted to leave bits out to save time on a quick 5 minute job.

8. For mobile tower scaffolds the manufacturer or supplier has a duty to provide an instruction manual that explains the erection sequence, including any bracing requirements and the height to which the tower can be erected safely. If the tower has been hired, the hirer has a duty to provide this information. This information must be passed on to the person erecting the tower.

9. For mobile towers, make sure outriggers are used in line with the manufacturers recommendations and use the proper access – don‟t be tempted to climb up the outside.

10. If you need to move a mobile tower, reduce the height to a maximum of 4m and check the route for obstructions or potholes.

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Appendix 1 General Checklist

Yes No

General

Is working at height absolutely necessary?

If “Yes” to the above, have all alternative methods of access been considered?

Is the chosen method of access the safest option available?

Weather

Have you considered the weather conditions?

Have steps been taken to monitor weather conditions?

Has the correct PPE been provided?

Worksite Location

Is the worksite isolated?

If Yes, are additional safety controls required?

If there is third party/public access, are safety barrier required?

Are others working nearby, above or below?

If Yes, are additional safety controls required?

Is there a potential for dropped objects?

Are you working on or near fragile surfaces?

If Yes, are additional safety controls required?

Are there any hot/cold surfaces close to the work?

Are there any sharp edges that need to be protected?

Are there sufficient and appropriate anchor points?

Are all necessary isolations in place?

Is adequate lighting available?

Type of Work

Has an appropriate Method Statement been written?

Will manual handling at height be required?

If Yes, is there an increased potential for manual handling injury?

If hand tools are required are lanyards fitted (dropped object prevention)

COSHH – are you using materials which may damage the PPE?

Are materials secured from being blown/knocked over or split?

Personnel

Have personnel been properly trained?

Are personnel competent to carry out work at height?

Are personnel medically fit and able to carry out work at height?

Do personnel know how to use and inspect the equipment?

Is there adequate and appropriate (competent) supervision for the work?

Are personnel fully aware of their responsibilities?

Has the work been adequately planned so that everyone involved knows exactly what is to be done?

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Yes No

Communications

Are personnel aware of the communication system and how to use it?

Do all personnel know how to contact relevant parties?

Has the means of access been identified? (MEWPS, Ladders, Step Ladders Mobile Scaffold etc.)

Work at Height Equipment

Is the means of access the best choice for the duration of the work?

Has it been inspected and certified fit for use?

Have personnel been properly trained in how to use the equipment?

Do personnel know how to inspect the equipment?

Is the area where the access equipment is to be used free from obstructions at both ground level and high level?

Is the floor area flat, stable and in good condition?

Have any fragile surfaces been identified?

If using ladders, can they be secured at the top and bottom?

If using step-ladders, are they fitted with a handrail and working platform?

If using a mobile scaffold is it fitted with suitable platform, toe board, a handrail and are the wheels lockable?

Has the area where the work is to be done been cordoned off to keep other people away?

Has PPE been provided, and is it being worn?

Rescue

Are arrangements in place to deal with an emergency or rescue situation?

Is the rescue team immediately available in the event of an emergency?

Has a rescue plan been adequately reviewed and approved?

Do all personnel know what to do in an emergency situation?

Do all personnel know how to raise the alarm?

Do all personnel know the location of the nearest alarm?

Is rescue equipment immediately available for use?

Do all personnel know how to use the equipment?

Is suitably trained medical help immediately available in the event of an emergency?

Summary

Are you satisfied that all measures have been taken to prevent a fall from height?

If the work is continuous, but at different workplaces, have instructions been given to repeat this check each time?

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Appendix 2 Preparation and Planning

Yes No

All working at height

Has it been properly planned?

Will it be appropriately supervised?

Will the methods to be used ensure that it is carried out safely?

Will it only be carried out when the weather conditions do not jeopardise the health or safety of persons involved in the work?

Are all persons engaged in any activity associated with the working at height competent to undertake the work that they are expected to perform

Does this include organization, planning, use or supervision of work involving the use of work equipment for working at height?

Where there is any residual risk of fall has it been ensured that the following have been provided:

Work equipment for preventing a fall occurring (collective protection)

Work equipment to minimize the distance and consequences of any fall (Collective protection)

Additional training and instruction

Other additional suitable and sufficient measures, to prevent any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury

Do the above precautions take account of the:

Working conditions / risks where the work equipment is to be used

Access and egress distances

Distance and consequences of a fall

Duration and frequency of use

Need for easy and timely evacuation and rescue in an emergency

Additional risks posed by the use, installation or removal of that work equipment or by evacuation and rescue from it

Other provisions of the Regulations

Can the required work be carried out without working at height?

Where work has to be carried out at height are measures to prevent any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury in place (includes work carried out from an existing place of work).

Have all ergonomic or other risks to those involved or other persons been considered and catered for?

Do all guard rails, toe boards, barriers or similar comply with Schedule 2?

Have adequate precautions been taken to prevent the gall of any material or object?

Have steps been taken to prevent unauthorised persons entering the area?

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Appendix 3 Ladder Checklist

Yes No

Pre-work ladder safety checklist

Is this job of short duration, low risk and suitable to be done from a ladder?

Does the ladder below to the business and is it appropriately tagged?

Is the ladder class marked on the ladder and suitable for what you intend to do?

Is the ladder regularly inspected by a competent person and is it safe to use/

Is the ladder in good condition, undamaged and not painted?

Can the ladder be located near enough to the task to avoid overreaching?

Are you able to do the work while holding onto the ladder (most of the time)?

Can you do the job without standing on the top three rungs?

Can the ladder be placed on a dry, hard, flat surface to do the work?

Can the ladder be tied near the top to an object to reduce the chance of slippage?

Has the ladder got anti-slip feet in good condition and are the stiles dry and mud-free?

Is the work area free of live electrical conductors, equipment and overhead lines?

Can all tools be carried in a tool belt or passed up to you on the ladder?

Is the ladder and work area safe from collision from passing vehicles?

Is the public safe from being injured from your activities or falling equipment?

If you are in a public area, have you erected barriers or warning signs?

If you are using a step-ladder, is it sturdy and stable when set up before use?

Is there enough light for you to see clearly and do the job safely?

Will your ladder and equipment be clear of escape routes in an emergency?

Are arrangements in place for help in the event of an accident or emergency?

Can you get the ladder to and from the work location safely?

Will your escape in an emergency be unaffected during the job?

The voice of steel distribution

Useful contacts / links The Work at Height Regulations 2005 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/735/made HSE Website – Falls From Height http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm Schedules from Regulations giving specific requirements for working platforms, guardrails, toeboards, ladders etc http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/735/schedule/1/made Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders – an Employer‟s Guide indg402 http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg402.pdf A toolbox talk on leaning ladder and stepladder safety indg403 http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg403.pdf Top tips for ladder and stepladder safety http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg405.pdf The Ladder Association – source of information and advice http://ladderassociation.org.uk/public/home.jsp The Construction Plant Hire Association – Source of Information on MEWPs http://www.cpa.uk.net/p/Safety-Leaflets/ HSE website – MEWPS http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/mewps.htm Construction Information Sheet cis58 – Selection and Management of MEWPs http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis58.pdf HSE Website – Preventing falls from vehicles http://www.hse.gov.uk/fallsfromvehicles/index.htm Preventing falls from vehicles – 6 HSE information sheets http://www.hse.gov.uk/fallsfromvehicles/infosheets.htm HSE Guidance Note pm28 Working Platforms (non-integrated) on Forklift Trucks http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/pm28.pdf NASC – National Access and Scaffolding Confederation http://www.nasc.org.uk/ PASMA – Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association http://www.pasma.co.uk/ HSG150 – Health & Safety in Construction http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg150.pdf