PROCEDURE WORKING AT HEIGHT

Transcription

1 PROCEDURE WORKING AT HEIGHT 1. About This Procedure This procedure explains the process of working at height and is aimed at all members of staff who are required to work at a height where a fall is likely to produce injury. New building work; Repair and maintenance work, lighting, plant etc; Inspection & testing Working on top of buildings and high level maintenance works 2. Risk Assessments/Health and Safety Considerations Working at height can be dangerous. Deaths and serious injuries occur every year, with the majority of falls being from or through roofs made of fragile materials. Many accidents occur to people who only meant to be at height for a few minutes to have a quick look at something. In addition M&E Solutions (F&M) Ltd has a legal duty under The Work at Height Regulations 2005 and The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. Definitions Working at height: means working in any place above floor/ground level and includes access and egress except when using a permanent staircase. Fragile Surface: is any surface which you can fall through. Working Platform: ant platform used as a place of work or access or egress from a place of work. It also includes any scaffold, cradle, mobile platform, trestle, gangway or gantry Risk Assessment When planning any work, which involves working at height, an assessment must be carried out prior to the work being undertaken to establish the risks and put suitable control measures in place taking account of the following: Is there suitable safe access? Is there adequate edge protection in the form of handrails or parapet wall to the height of at least 910mm?

2 Are there fragile materials which a person could fall through, such as asbestos, cement sheet or glass? Are there tripping hazards or blind drops? The duration of the work and proximity to the edge; The equipment which is to be used, whilst at height such as construction equipment or surveillance equipment; The slope or angle of the roof; Is there telecommunications equipment for which safe working distances have to be followed, such as mobile telephone transmitters, which emit microwaves (some have a 2 metre safe working distance and staff should not stand directly in front of these types of transmitters)? Are specialist contractors needed to erect scaffolds and access equipment or carry out access works? 3.3. Guidance on Safe Systems of Work Note: Working at height in poor weather conditions is not permitted Access Access to height can be a major risk. A secure means of access and egress is essential. A properly secured ladder is the minimum. However other means of access may be required such as scaffolds, scaffold towers and cherry pickers depending on each situation Ladders Safety Only ladders which comply with the relevant British Standards (1129: 1990, 2037: 1994, 4211: 1987) shall be used by staff. B.S and B.S are divided into 3 classes:- Class 1 Industrial; Class 2 Light Trade; Class 3 Domestic

3 Domestic ladders should not be purchased for use in the company. Normally Class 1 ladders should be provided. However, if it can be ensured that a ladder can be limited to light work, Class 2 may be provided Ladders should have non-slip feet, be in good condition, carry a registered number and have been properly examined in the previous 3 or 6 months depending upon the type A "sight line" should be painted on the outer edge of each stile such that, when the ladder is set-up at 75 the line will be vertical Where ladders are likely to be used in or adjacent to the roadway they should have a 1" wide fluorescent tape fixed to the outer edge of each stile at approximately 3 rung intervals Metal ladders, those with metal stile reinforcement and wet ladders must not be used where any electrical hazard exists Ladders must, where practicable, be stored under cover in dry, airy, unheated conditions and access to them should be kept clear. To prevent ladders from distorting they must be stacked properly, i.e.: Vertically - but lashed to prevent them falling, or; Horizontally, resting on the lower stile, clear of the ground, and supported at sufficient points to prevent sagging. Never hang ladders by the stiles Ladder Inspection and Maintenance Every ladder should be marked with an identification number. A corresponding entry should be made in a register. Timber ladders should be inspected every 3 months and aluminium ladders every 6 months (unless used in a particularly hostile environment, e.g. vehicles or sites, in which case these should also be inspected every 3 months). These inspections should be carried out by an appointed person and an entry should be made in the register. Before commencing the inspection any fluorescent strips must be removed. When inspecting a ladder the appointed person should check for the following: General - Warping; sagging; grease or oil on treads; the condition of metal parts, pulleys and ropes; that the "sight line" is clearly visible;

4 Rungs/Tread - Cracks; gouges; sharp edges; splinters; cuts; decay; loose, broken, worn or missing rungs, or treads; makeshift repairs or fastenings; condition of wire reinforcement; Stiles - Cracks; gouges; sharp edges; splinters; cuts; decay; wear at head and feet; condition of non-slip feet; Aluminium Ladders - These should additionally be carefully checked for distortion and/or excessive oxidation or corrosion; Faulty ladders must be marked faulty and repaired immediately or destroyed; Preservation of timber ladders shall be achieved by means of applying a clear varnish or by using a transparent rot- proofing liquid (non-oily). Ladders must also be checked by the user for any obvious defects before use. If any defects are found the ladder must be marked faulty and not used. The supervisor must be informed and should then ensure that the ladder is either repaired or destroyed as soon as it is practicable Handling of Ladders Ladders can be heavy and difficult to handle and therefore due care must be taken to avoid strain or injury to the person carrying the ladder, damage to property or injury to the public. It is preferable to carry a ladder with the bottom stile resting on the shoulder and the front end kept high enough to clear a person s head. Ladders should not be dropped or jarred. When transporting a ladder by vehicle, it must be firmly secured and should not overhang by more than four feet either end. Warning flags must be clearly visible Use of Ladders Ladders are meant for light, short term work only, and a working platform must be used for all other work. Ladders must be set up on a firm, level, non-slippery base at an angle of 75 degrees (i.e. one unit out for every four units up). They must not lean to either side. The top of the ladder must rest against something solid. Window sashes and gutters, etc. cannot be relied upon as solid support. If the ladder is too heavy or awkward for one person to set up safely, assistance must be sought. If at all possible the ladder must be lashed at the stiles at the top. Alternatively the ladder may be fixed at the base by means of stakes and guys, blocks, cleats or sandbags. As a last resort a ladder may be footed by a person but this is effective only for ladders up to 5m (16ft.).

5 In certain circumstances it may be dangerous to foot a ladder, e.g. where a glazier is replacing a pane of glass. If a ladder is used as a means of access to get to a higher level it must raise a sufficient height above the landing place (about 1m) where people will get off, unless some other adequate hand hold is available. If there is a danger of the base of the ladder being knocked by doors, materials, vehicles, etc. it must be protected by warning signs and/or barriers. If working over an area in which the public or other employees are likely to pass such persons must be protected by warning signs and/or barriers. Wherever possible both hands must be kept free to grip the stiles when ascending or descending a ladder. The use of tool belts and shoulder bags can sometimes allow this to be done. Special care should be taken to avoid dropping items from ladders. The rung, 3 rungs from the top of a ladder is the highest to be used for climbing Persons should not overreach when working on a ladder All treads must be kept free of grease, oil and mud and other substances likely to cause persons to slip Mud, grease and oil etc. must be cleaned from boots before ascending ladders Where ladders are used regularly in the same location, consideration shall be given to installing a fixture (e.g. eyebolts) to the structure to which the ladder can be lashed It is forbidden for more than one person at a time to work from the same ladder (except for storming buildings, when special ladders will be used) The minimum overlaps for the two sections of an extending ladder are: Sections up to 5m closed length - 1½ rungs; Sections between 5m and 6m - 2½ rungs; Sections over 6m - 3½ rungs. Where a run of ladders rises a vertical distance of 9 metres or more above its base, where practical there should be suitable safe landing areas at suitable intervals

6 Unless demonstrated by a risk assessment that it is not practical it should be possible for the user to have a suitable handhold when a load is carried up a step ladder Steps and Trestles Safety Steps and trestles must always be spread to their fullest extent. Cords must be of adequate length and in good condition. Where possible steps should be placed at right angles to the work, i.e. with the front or back of the steps facing the work. Pulling or pushing sideways should be avoided because steps are less stable in that direction Standing on the top step must be avoided unless it is properly constructed as a working platform and has adequate handholds Only one person at a time must stand on a stepladder, and if steps are used in a doorway the door should be wedged All trestle scaffolds used by staff must be fitted with guardrails and toe boards regardless of whether fixed or folding trestles are used Scaffolds Where the scaffold is not assembled in a standard configuration, strength and stability calculations should be made available for the scaffold. An assembly and dismantling plan should also be available for the staff assembling and dismantling the scaffold. When a scaffold is being assembled or dismantled, warning signs should be placed on the scaffold informing people that it is not safe for use. Scaffolds should only be altered, erected or dismantled by competent persons. Scaffolds must only be erected, dismantled or altered by qualified people. Where scaffolds are to be used by staff to carry out work, the scaffold must be inspected and passed safe for use by the safety adviser. Scaffolds should then only be used once a safety ticket has been attached to the scaffold. Scaffolds with red safety tickets should not be used by anybody, as red indicates an unsafe scaffold. General scaffolds should be at least four scaffold boards wide and be tied into the building or structure. If the scaffold requires sheeting or netting, a loading platform for materials, hoists, lifting appliances or rubbish shoots, additional ties will be required.

7 Staff or contractors using the scaffold must not make any changes or scafholders and inspected by a competent person and passed as safe for use. Staff should not work on uncompleted scaffolds. Scaffolds must have suitable ladder access. Access ladders should extend about 1m above the working platform and be tied to the scaffold. Where scaffolds can be accessed by the public, they should be secured using herris type fencing around the base of the scaffold and the access ladder either removed or secured so that no one can access the scaffold. Where pedestrian walkways go underneath or near scaffolds they should be protected by the use of fan, nets and boarding. Mobile aluminium tower scaffolds must only be erected by staff who are trained and competent to do so. They must only be used when fully erected with edge protection in place and the brakes applied. Such tower scaffolds must not be moved when anyone is still on them. Edge Protection Wherever anyone could fall from height the first line of defence is to provide adequate edge protection. It should consist of: A main guard rail at least 910mm above the edge; for existing structures or 950mm for new or temporary structures; A toe-board at least 150mm high; An intermediate guard rail or other barrier so that there is no gap more than 470mm. Sometimes a roof parapet may provide equivalent protection, provided it is to the height of 910mm if it does not, extra protection will be required Work Platforms As well as edge protection it is just as important to provide an adequate and secure working platform. In many cases the roof itself will provide this. If it does not e.g. working on or near a chimney on a pitched roof, a platform should be provided. The platform should be of suitable strength and rigid. In the case of wheeled platforms, they should be fitted with devices to prevent it being moved inadvertently. Platforms should not be overloaded. Fall Arrest Equipment

8 Providing adequate platforms and edge protection may not always be possible or practical. In this case either safety nets or harnesses will be required. They do not stop people falling, but minimise the potential injuries. If nets are used, they must be properly installed by a competent rigger, and as close as possible below the roof involved to minimise the distance of fall. Installing a net does not mean that proper working platforms and edge protection can be ignored, because the first priority is to stop people falling in the first instance. If harnesses are used they must be securely attached to a significantly strong anchorage. A full body harness should be used, attached with a fall arrester. If possible use a fixed length of lanyard should be used if possible, to prevent access near to the edge of the fall. If this is not possible, the use of a lanyard, which allows additional length via an inertia locking ratchet system, which locks on sudden jarring such as a fall, should be used in conjunction with a fall arrester. On buildings where access is regularly required using a harness, consideration should be given to using eyebolts to attach the harness line to. These must be inspected and tested at least annually. These can be useful for operations such as cleaning windows, where access is require from inside out. Rope access systems must comprise of two separately anchored lines, unless a risk assessment demonstrates the use of a second line would entail higher risks. The working line must be equipped with means of ascent and descent and has a self locking system to prevent the user falling. The safety line must be equipped with a mobile fall protection system which is connected to and travels with the user. There should be suitable rescue procedures in place as well as suitably trained staff to carry out the rescue if necessary. Falling Material Material such as rubbish, which could fall from height, should not be allowed to accumulate. Nothing should ever be thrown from a roof, and enclosed rubbish shoots should be used, or materials lowered to the ground. Access to areas underneath or adjacent to work at height should be protected with the use of debris knitting, fans, covered walkways or similar safeguards to stop falling material causing injury. If access under the work area is not required by third parties, the area should be secured by the use of herris type fencing. Small tools or equipment should be attached to the operative if possible; and loose objects should not be carried in pockets. Weather Account should be taken of weather conditions especially when it is very windy, since anyone carrying out work at height can easily be blown off if caught by a gust of wind. It can also be very dangerous in very cold and icy conditions or heavy rain.

9 Excessive exposure to sunlight should be avoided by wearing appropriate clothing and using sunscreens since too much exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer. Fragile Roofs At no time should anyone work on or pass over fragile material, unless platforms, coverings or other similar means are provided to adequately support them. Properly installed safety netting beneath the roof surface will provide collective fall protection within a protected area. Harnesses can also be an effective solution, but if used they require adequate attachment points. The support platform should be at leased 600 mm wide or more. Support platforms must be wide enough to provide adequate support across roof members and should span across at least two purling. Using platforms may spread the load, but will not provide enough support if the only thing supporting the platform is the fragile material. Walking on the lines of purlin bolts gives no protection whatsoever. It is like walking on a tightrope and must never be allowed. Prominent warning notices must be displayed at the approach to fragile roof areas, where this is not practical staff must be informed of the risk. Working Near Fragile Material Protection is needed by anyone who passes by or works nearer than 2 m to fragile materials, such as valley gutters on fragile roofs, or where fragile roof lights are provided. All fragile materials 2 m or closer to the people at risk must be securely covered. Alternatively, edge protection could be provided around or along fragile material to prevent access to it. Sometimes it will not be reasonably practical to provide such protection, and in such cases harnesses will usually be the appropriate solution and may be used in conjunction with any permanently installed running line system. Prominent warning notices must be displayed at the approach to fragile roof areas, where this is not practical staff must be informed of the risk. Working on Sloping Roofs On traditional pitched roofs the greatest number of casualties is from people falling from the eaves. Full edge protection at each level will normally be required for work on sloping roofs. The longer the slope and steeper the pitch, the stronger the edge protection needs to be to withstand the person falling against it. On some larger roofs, the consequences of sliding down the whole roof and hitting edge protection may be such that intermediate platforms on the work side are needed to prevent this happening. Roof Ladders Slates and tiles do not provide a safe footing especially when they are wet. Properly designer roof ladders or crawling boards are an essential aid to any work on sloping roofs. Roof ladders should bear on the opposite roof and not rely the ridge tiles for

10 support as these can easily break away. Gutters should not be used to support any ladder. Roof battens can be an alternative to roof ladders, but if relied on it is essential that their strength is established beforehand. Working on Flat Roofs Work on a flat roof is high-risk, and unless the roof parapet provides equivalent safety, temporary edge protection will be required during most work on flat roofs. Both the roof edge and any openings in it need to be protected. Where possible the edge protection should be supported from ground level, e.g. by scaffold standards, so there is no obstruction on the roof. If the building is too high for this, the roof edge up stand can support the edge protection providing it is strong enough. Edge Protection can also be supported by frames, counterweights or scaffolding on the roof. For short duration work the use of harnesses attached to a secure point should be provided. Short Duration Work During short duration work that lasts minutes rather than hours, it may not be reasonably practical to provide edge protection, but this still needs to be considered during the assessment and should not automatically be discounted. Mobile access equipment can provide both the edge protection and a working platform. It can do away with the need to fully scaffold and can be particularly appropriate for short duration or minor work. Where it is not practical to provide a final edge protection, a securely attached safety harness must be provided. Work Over or Near Water Where there is a risk of falling into water, life preservers should be provided in addition to any other safety equipment. If the work is of long duration, the use of a safety boat and qualified lifesaver should also be considered. Building Sites and Access to Scaffolds and Buildings under Construction When accessing building sites, the site office must be visited first and the site manager informed of the visit, who is being seen, and where. The site manager should escort visitors on site and make them aware of the hazards. It is a legal requirement to wear a hard hat on site. Scaffolds or structures should not be accessed if they appear unsafe. Potential hazards are unprotected drops, falling objects and plant such as cranes. Inspections of Places of Work at Height

11 The surface, parapet, permanent rail or any other fall protection should be checked to ensure that that it is safe for use. Any defects that are identified should be notified to the building owner or client. Training Every employer must ensure that staff that work at height, plan such work or supervise such work needs appropriate training, skills and experience to work safely. Staff need to be able to recognize the risks, understand the appropriate systems of work and be competent in the skills to carry them out, such as: Installing and wearing harness systems; Installing edge protection; Operating a mobile access platform; Installing scaffolds and mobile towers; Inspecting scaffolds; Abseiling. Only staff who have been trained and hold recognised certificates should install or use the above safe systems or carry out inspections. 4. Roles and Responsibilities 4.1. It is the responsibility of Peter Bowes to carry out risk assessments and provide a safe system of work in relation to staff working at height. 5. Administration 5.1. General risk assessments should be completed on the risk assessment form RA1 in Standard forms under Occupational Safety and Health, and any associated manual handling assessments on HS10. The model risk assessments must be adapted to meet the work activity. This requires the removal of the red warning note, this model risk assessment must be adapted to meet the working activity. 6. Monitoring/Evaluation

12 6.1. This procedure will be monitored by Peter Bowes to ensure compliance with current health and safety legislation. 7. Review 7.1. This procedure will be reviewed as and when legislation or M&E Solutions (F&M) Ltd s requirements change or new or amended model risk assessments are produced. It will also be reviewed annually in November. The procedure has been consulted with all heads of department, OCU Command Unit Commanders, Basic command Unit and Staff associations. 8. Related Procedures, Policies and Information Sources 8.1. Related Procedures Safe Working at Height Model Risk Assessment. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 Procedure - Health & Safety - Risk Assessments Procedure Confined Spaces Procedure Employment/Work Experience of Young Persons Procedure Electricity and Electrical Equipment Safety 8.2. Related Policies Policy Health & Safety 8.3. Information Sources Staff Handbook Health and Safety Executive Company H&S Policy