Working at heights

Ali Al Amri

QEN/111A

Contents• Objective

• Introduction

• Common factors

• Safety of personnel on platform

• Safe use of scaffolds

• Scaffold inspection

• Ladders

• Protecting the Public

• How to prevent incidents

Objective

Awareness of risks involved in working at heights and how these can be overcome.

Definition: 1.5 meters above working platform considered ‘height’.

Introduction

In 2007/2008 67 people died and nearly 4000 suffered a serious injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace.

In 2007/2008 53 people died and nearly 3800 injured.

www.hse.gov.uk/falls/

Common factors

• Failure to provide safe systems of work (inadequate instruction…etc).

• Failure to ensure that safe systems of work are followed.

• Failure to use appropriate equipment.

• Failure to provide safe plant/equipment.

Safety of personnel on platform

Work at height should be carried out from a platform with suitable edge protection.

Ladders can only be used as a mean of getting to a workplace.

Safe use of scaffolds:

• Do not alter the scaffolding to gain access for work.

• Erection and alteration should only be made by a competent scaffolding team.

• Never work on platforms that are not fully grated/boarded.

• Do not overload platforms (spread load evenly).

Scaffold inspection

▼Scaffolds must be inspected and certified by a competent scaffolding supervisor.

• Before first use;

• After substantial alteration;

• At regular intervals.

▼Any faults found must be reported.

Ladders

▼Scaffolding ladders should be in a good condition and regularly examined.

▼They should be secured so they cannot slip.

▼They should be protruding the platform.

▼The ladder should be angled to minimize the risk of slipping outwards.

Protecting the public

▼Ensure the working platform is designed to carry the load from stored materials and equipment.

▼Platforms/scaffolding should be designed to prevent materials falling.

▼Never ‘bomb’ materials from height.

To prevent these incidents

• Apply the 3 point rule.

• Use fall protection equipment.

• Develop and encourage a culture of intervention.

• Make sure the employees comply with safe working procedures.

Case Study – Recent Incident

October 4, 2005 - Sakhalin EnergyFatality from a fall from the platform access ladder

Location of the landing

The access ladders

Twin Webbing Lanyard

QUESTIONS ?!