Work at HeightWork at Height

Including Scaffolding, MEWPS, Ladders and Roof Work

Rules to Prevent FallsRules to Prevent Falls• Don’t work at height unless it is essential

• Ensure work platform is secure. Check that it:– Will support weight of workers, materials & equipment– Is stable and will not overturn– Is footed on stable ground or on a stable support or

structure

• Provide guard rails, barriers etc. at open edges of floors, floor openings, edges of roofs and edges of working platforms

Factors for Selecting a Work PlatformFactors for Selecting a Work Platform

• Duration of work

• Risks encountered during erection of working platform

• Difficulty of maintaining platform

• Number of people to work on equipment

• Security of platform

Guard Rails and Toe BoardsGuard Rails and Toe BoardsGuard rails, toe boards and other similar barriers should be

provided whenever someone could fall 2m or more

Guard Rails and Toe BoardsGuard Rails and Toe Boards• They should:

– be made from a material strong & rigid enough to prevent people falling and able to withstand other loads likely to be placed on them

– be fixed to a structure capable of supporting them

– include:• Main guard rail at least 910mm above any edge from which people

are liable to fall

• Toe board at least 150mm high

• Sufficient number of intermediate guard rails so that unprotected gap does not exceed 470mm

Guard Rails and Toe BoardsGuard Rails and Toe Boards

Guard Rails and Toe BoardsGuard Rails and Toe Boards

• If risk is from falling through openings or fragile material, an alternative is to cover the opening or material. Coverings should be:– Strong enough to support any loads likely to be placed on

it (including weight of a person)– Fixed in position to prevent accidental dislodgement. To

prevent people removing coverings, mark them with a warning e.g. “Hole below - do not remove”.

General Access ScaffoldsGeneral Access Scaffolds

• For any scaffold ensure:– Designed, erected, altered and dismantled by competent

people and work is directed by a competent supervisor– Based on firm, level foundation. Watch out for

basements, drains or soft ground– Braced and tied into a permanent structure– It’s capable of supporting loads likely to be placed on it– Fully boarded and wide enough for work and access

General Access ScaffoldsGeneral Access Scaffolds

• For any scaffold ensure:– Scaffold boards are properly supported and not

overlapping excessively– Safe ladder or other access onto work platforms– Suitable for the task before it is used and checked

whenever it is substantially altered or adversely affected by, for example, high winds

General Access ScaffoldsGeneral Access ScaffoldsGeneral Access Scaffolds

Tower ScaffoldsTower Scaffolds

• If a tower scaffold is going to be used:– Follow manufacturers instructions for erection, use and

dismantling. Have a copy of the instruction manual available - if scaffold is hired, the hirer should provide

– Tower must be vertical and legs should rest properly on firm, level ground

– Lock any wheels & outriggers - base plates provide greater stability if tower doesn’t have to be moved

– Provide safe access & egress e.g. internal ladders

Tower ScaffoldsTower Scaffolds

• If a tower scaffold is going to be used:– Provide edge protection at platforms higher than 2m– Provide edge protection on any intermediate platforms

used to work from or store materials– Tie tower rigidly to the structure if:

• Tower is sheeted

• Likely to be exposed to strong winds

• Used for carrying out grit blasting or water jetting

• Heavy materials are lifted up the outside of the tower

• Tower base is too small to ensure stability for the height of the platform

Tower ScaffoldsTower Scaffolds

• If a tower scaffold is going to be used:– Do not overload the working platform– Ratio = Height of tower:Minimum base dimension

• 3:1 for for outside

• 3.5:1 for inside on firm, level ground

• When moving a tower scaffold:– Check for power lines or overhead obstructions– Check for holes or dips in the ground– Do not allow people or materials to remain on tower

Tower ScaffoldsTower Scaffolds

Mobile & Suspended Access EquipmentMobile & Suspended Access Equipment

• Trained and competent operators

• Emergency and evacuation procedures

• Handover certificate provided by installer

• Control areas of site where people may be struck by falling items

• Protect equipment from adverse weather

• Secure equipment at end of day

MEWPSMEWPS

• When using a MEWP, ensure that:– Operatives are trained and competent– Platform is provided with edge protection– It is used on firm and level ground. Ground may have to

be prepared in advance– Tyres are properly inflated– Outriggers are extended and chocked as necessary– Everyone knows what to do if platform fails in raised

position

MEWPSMEWPS

• When using a MEWP, do not:– operate close to OH lines or other dangerous machinery– Allow a knuckle, or elbow, of the arm to protrude into a

traffic route when working near vehicles– Move equipment with platform in raised position (unless

equipment is designed for this)

• Wearing a harness with a lanyard attached to the platform can provide extra protection against falls

MEWPSMEWPS

Suspended Access Cradles/PlatformsSuspended Access Cradles/Platforms

• Most accidents happen due to:– unsafe access to and from cradle– Insufficient or poorly secured counterweights and

holding down systems– Failure of the cradle platform or components– Failure of winches, climbing devices, safety gear and

ropes usually due to poor maintenance– Failure to follow manufacturers instructions on erection

& dismantling

Suspended Access Cradles/PlatformsSuspended Access Cradles/Platforms

• When using cradles, ensure that:– Equipment is selected, installed and tested to ensure

suitability– It is only used by trained & competent workers– Adequate edge protection is provided, and that materials

cannot fall from or through cradle base– Equipment fits closely to building– Building is capable of carrying loads, particularly

counterweights. Advice of a structural engineer may be needed

Suspended Access Cradles/PlatformsSuspended Access Cradles/Platforms

• When using cradles, ensure that:– Adequate stops are provided to prevent cradle running

off track– Adequate operating instructions and technical support is

available– Cradle is not overloaded– Loads are placed on cradle as uniformly as possible– There is safe access onto cradle. Access at ground level is

safest– Provide safety harnesses attached to inside of cradle

Boatswains ChairsBoatswains Chairs

• Used for light, short-term work

• Only used where it is not practicable to provide a working platform

• User should be attached to suspension system by harness and lanyard

Safety HarnessesSafety Harnesses

• Last resort!• Will not prevent falls - only minimise risk of

injury• Person may be injured by shock load• Allow for free-fall of no more than 2m• People should be able to attach themselves

before they are relying on protection by the harness

Safety HarnessesSafety Harnesses

• Any attachment point must be capable of withstanding the shock load

• Everyone wearing a harness must know how to check, wear and adjust it before use and how to connect themselves to the structure or safety line as appropriate

Safety HarnessesSafety Harnesses

LaddersLadders

• Only to be used as a workplace for short-term work

• Only suitable for light work

• If ladders are to be used, make sure:– Work can be reached without stretching– Ladder can be fixed to prevent slipping– Good handhold is available

LaddersLadders

• Carry light tools in a shoulder bag or holster on belt

• Heavy or bulky loads should not be carried up or down a ladder

• Check stiles are not damaged, buckled or warped

• Make sure no rungs are cracked or missing

LaddersLadders

• Do not use makeshift or home-made ladders or carry out makeshift repairs

• Do not use painted ladders (can hide defects)

• Ladders made for DIY use may not be strong enough for site work

• Set on a firm, level surface

• Always secure by rope or other stabilisation device

LaddersLadders

• When using ladders, ensure:– Ladder is angled to minimise risk of slipping (one out for every

four up)

– Top of ladder rests against solid surface

– Both feet of ladder are on firm footing and cannot slip

– If ladder is more than 3m long, or used as access to a workplace, it is secured from falling

– If ladder cannot be fixed, it is footed by a second person

– Ladder extends above any landing place where people will get on and off (about 1m)

– Extending ladders have an overlap of at least 3 rungs

LaddersLadders

Step-LaddersStep-Ladders

• Easily overturned

• Not designed for any degree of side loading

• Never work on top step unless designed for this purpose

Roof WorkRoof Work

• Openings & lights can be protected by barriers or with covers either secured in place or labelled with a warning

• Use purpose made roof ladders or crawling boards to spread the weight of workers and materials

• Edge protection at eaves level is usually needed

Roof WorkRoof Work

• For work on roofs, ensure:– Safe access onto and off the roof e.g. a general access

scaffold– safe means of moving across the roof e.g. roof ladders

secured on the roof apex or crawling boards– Safe means of working on the roof e.g. scaffold or

MEWP

• Do not throw debris from top of roof - use enclosed debris chutes or lower debris in containers

Roof WorkRoof Work

Roof WorkRoof Work

Protection Against Falling ItemsProtection Against Falling Items

• Keep platforms clear of loose materials

• Provide toe boards, solid barriers, brick guards or similar at open edges

• If scaffold is erected in a public place, nets, fans or covered walkways may be needed

Protection Against Falling ItemsProtection Against Falling Items