Work at Height

Regulations
Health and Safety
Executive
FALLS PROGRAMME
Reduce death and major injuries from falls
from height.
HSC/ HSE targets 10% reduction in death
and major injuries by 2010.
Working with sectors were falls are an issue;
Caretakers
Facilities Management Companies
Maintenance fitters
Summary
The Work at Height Regulations
Background
Scope
Managing risks from work at height
Selecting the right equipment
Other Requirements
Biggest Killer 67 Fatal Accidents
2003/04
3884 Major Accidents 2003/04
Until this year always 2
nd
biggest
cause of major accidents
2/3 of all major injuries caused by
low falls (below 2mtrs)
Background: Statistics
Temporary Work at Height
Directive (2001/45/EC)
Bring existing legislation together
into risk based regulation
Maintain and improve standards
Background : Objectives
Came into force on 6 April 2005
No transitional period proposed
Regulations consolidate good
practice
Challenge to communicate the WAH
message effectively
Current position
Scope
Risk assessment/organisation/planning
Avoid Prevent Minimise
Select the right Work Equipment
Other Precautions
Key messages
WaH Regulations: Overview
Work in any place from which a person
could fall a distance liable to cause
personal injury
Includes
access and egress
work at or below ground level;
but not stairways or slips or trips on
the level
Scope: What is work at height?
Covers all industries: e.g. construction,
agriculture, manufacturing, retail,
maintenance,warehouse etc; but not those
paid to lead or train climbing and caving
Duty holders are:
employers;
self-employed; and
those in control of people at work, to the extent
of their control
Scope: What Sectors are covered?
Work at height should be
Properly planned
Appropriately supervised
Not carried out if weather conditions
jeopardise health and safety
Those working at height should be
competent or if being trained
supervised by a competent person
Organisation, Planning, Competence
Regulation 3 of the Management of
Health and Safety at work
Regulations
Do a risk assessment
Risk Assessment
Avoid work at height
if you dont have to go up there DONT!
Prevent falls
use an existing place or means of access
Use the most suitable way of working
Select the most suitable equipment
Avoid - Prevent - Minimise
Minimise the distance and
consequences
Minimise the consequences
Take other measures to prevent injury
eg instruction, information and training
Avoid Prevent - Minimise
Select the right work equipment
Collective protection before
personal protection
Select guardrails/working
platforms before personal fall
prevention (eg work restraint)
Select nets/airbags before
personal fall arrest
Select the right work equipment
Working conditions
Access and Egress
Distance and consequences of a fall
Duration and frequency of use/task
Ease of rescue/evacuation
Risk of use, installation and removal
of equipment
Select the right work equipment
Types of Work Equipment
Guardrails
Working platforms
(scaffolds/MEWPS etc)
Nets/Airbags
Personal Fall Protection systems
Ladders
LADDERS USE
Risk assessment must justify use;
Low risk,
Short duration,
Or Site conditions dictate
Follow good practice
Examples of Work Equipment
.
Avoiding work at height
Collective Prevention
.
M.E.W.P
Scaffolding
Edge protection
Nets
Air bags
Collective Fall arrest
Personal Fall Arrest
Fall Arrest
Work Positioning
Other Requirements
Avoid risks from Fragile Surfaces
Prevent Falling Objects
Warn about Danger Areas
Inspect work equipment
Persons at work should
Follow instructions and training
Advise employer of hazards/risks to
health and safety
Communication
What HSE have done
What HSE would like you to do
How will HSE know if they are getting
it right?
If you follow good practice you should be
doing enough to comply
Do a risk assessment, plan and organise
your work properly
Follow the hierarchy: avoid prevent
minimise
Choose the right equipment - select
collective protection before personal
Guide supported by Industry Specific
Guidance.
KEY MESSAGES