module 4 content
The work at height regulations 2005 introduced a hierarchy of control measures for managing work at height. It was introduced to lower the amount of people being injured and killed when working at height. Below we will understand this legislation, and how employers can comply with it and what duties it gives to employers. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 came into effect on 6th April 2005 with the aim of reducing the amount of accidents at work caused by falls from height. The term “working at height” means undertaking any work (whether on, below, or above ground level) where there is a risk of falling, or where objects could fall and injure the workers below. In the year the regulations were introduced, there were 46 workplace fatalities caused by falls from height
The hierarchy of control measures
Level 1: Avoiding Work at Height
Work at height should be avoided whenever possible, with any construction done from the ground through the use of extension tools. Ladders are to be avoided, so as to conduct work at ground level. This method also helps to prevent workers from being on fragile surfaces.
- Where possible, work at height should be avoided.
- This is the best option, because if you are not working at height, you can not fall and so can not be injured. The risk from falls is therefore eliminated.
- example a window cleaning from the ground using a pole and water system instead of working off a ladder
Level 2: Preventing Falls Through the Existing Workplace
When work at height is unavoidable, it is preferable to prevent issues from happening rather than minimising their consequences. Utilising spaces that are already conducive for fall prevention is preferred, so as to ensure there is no risk of falling.
Only if you cannot avoid working at height, should you move down the hierarchy to the next option, which is to prevent falls and falling materials by using either an existing place of work that is already safe or the right type of equipment.
Level 3: Preventing Falls Through Collective Equipment
Collective fall protection units, for example, are equipment to be used when a safe workplace is unavailable for work at height. Collective protection is equipment that does not require the person working at height to act for it to be effective.
Level 4: Preventing Falls Through PPE
Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, involves the use of equipment such as safety harnesses to prevent a fall. Personal protection is equipment that requires the individual to act for it to be effective.
Level 4: Preventing Falls Through PPE Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, involves the use of equipment such as safety harnesses to prevent a fall. Personal protection is equipment that requires the individual to act for it to be effective
You should always consider measures that protect everyone at risk (collective protection) before measures that only protect the individual (personal protection).
Level 5: Minimising Distance Through Collective Equipment
In situations in which prevention isn’t possible, the hierarchy of control introduces measures to minimise any potential consequence of a fall. Equipment such as safety netting is utilised under the working area in order to reduce the distance workers can fall from.
These must be looked after ensuring they are not exposed to unnecessary wear and mechanical damage by not:
– Deliberately jumping or dropping objects on them
– Stacking materials on them
– Dragging them over rough surfaces
– Performing hot work over them
– Exposing them to chemical attack
– Allowing them to contact sharp edges
Level 6: Minimising Distance Through PPE
With personal protective equipment, workers ensure that the potential fall distance is minimised. Fall arrest harnesses are commonly used in situations In which it is appropriate, as they are less effective at heights of 4m or less.
Level 7: Minimising Consequences Through Collective Equipment
Safety netting, for example, is utilised in order to reduce the impact of a fall and not to reduce the distance of a fall. As the prevention of work at height is the most important in the hierarchy due to being safer, these methods of minimising consequences through collective equipment aren’t as advised.
These systems require inspection at regular intervals and if a substantial load has fallen on them. If damage is identified, the manufacturer should be contacted to obtain details of competent repairers.
Level 8: Minimising Consequences Through Instruction and Training
The last level in the hierarchy, the mitigation of fall consequences through training and instruction involves ensuring all workers are aware of all risks before commencing work. Workers need to be educated on how to properly assemble any equipment and to know all safety guidelines for working at height.
Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that their employees are sufficiently trained in the tasks they carry out.
As a minimum, workers should have an awareness of the hazards associated with their task.
Additional training may be required by law for the use of some equipment.
Emergency or rescue procedures should be developed in the event of an accident (such as rescuing a worker that has been trapped whilst working at height), whatever rescue procedures are developed, those involved should be trained in the procedures and the equipment that is required.
What sort of protection does a guard rail provide?
A guard rail provides collective protection to an existing place of work. It is protecting everyone and does not require the person working at height to act for it to be effective.
Ideally guards should be:
- Fully enclosed all the unprotected edge
- Be high enough to prevent a person falling over it
- Not have large gaps that someone could fall through
- Be fixed securely to withstand impact
- Be strong enough to withstand impact
What sort of protection does a worker restraint system provide?
Personal protection, a worker restraint system provides personal protection to stop the worker getting into a position where a fall could occur. Only the individual is protected and the individual is required to act for it to be effective. If they fail to clip on to it, it becomes ineffective.
What sort of protection does tower scaffolding provide?
Tower scaffold provides collective protection – it is protecting everyone and does not require the person working at height to act for it to be effective.
Materials should be prevented from falling by providing physical barriers such as toe boards and/or brick guards.
Toe boards are usually scaffold planks left at a 90-degree angle at the edges of the working platform.
The purpose of toe boards is to prevent small objects such as tools and rubble from being kicked accidently off of the work platform. Brick guards are metal or plastic mesh barriers placed between the guardrails and toe boards of a work platform.
They are placed to prevent substantial materials from falling from the work platform, as well as people.
Personal fall arrest equipment will usually consist of a full body harness and one or two lanyards connected to an anchor point, as can be seen in this image.
It is important that the anchor point is correctly sited for this equipment.
The anchor point should be as near to vertical as possible to prevent the pendulum effect as show in this diagram.
With the anchor point higher the risk of the pendulum effect is much lower. However, any person that has had their fall arrested by fall protection equipment must be recovered as quickly as possible.
The longer they are suspected the higher the risk of fainting.
After recovery they should be seen to by a medical professional, even if they don’t appear to be showing any signs of harmful effects by the fall.
Storage:
Equipment should be stored in a cool, dry place and not in direct sunlight. Cabinets that allow ventilation are recommended so that wet equipment is able to dry.
It should not be stored in a place or way that could cause any damage to it.
Safety equipment must be visionally inspected before each use with attention paid to the following areas.
- Webbing and leather – examine for cuts, cracks, tears, stretching and distortion
- Snap hooks – examine for distorted hooks, faulty springs and corrosion
- Buckles – examine for distorted rollers, undue wear, cracks and corrosion
- Stitching – examine for broken, cut or warn threads, open seams and loose stitching
- Lanyards and ropes – examine for signs of wear, cuts, abrasions, knots and permanent kinks.
- Unauthorised modifications – ensure equipment does not have any homemade attachments, repairs or adaptations.
If any damage is identified, the equipment must be taken out of service immediately.
A competent person should then be consulted so they can decide whether it can be repaired or if it requires replacing.
Head protection is essential whilst working at height to protect the head from falling objects or in case of a fall.
Chin straps must be worn so that the hat does not come off the user’s head during the fall.
If the risk posed by falling materials still remains, physical barriers should be used to prevent objects hitting people below. This includes debris netting, fans and covered walkways.
Summary of the control measures:
- Avoid working at height
- Prevent a fall from occurring
- Minimise the consequences of the fall
Which of the following protection systems is most preferred when work at height can not be avoided?
Collective
