Working at a height of two metres or more while carrying out general work activities or construction works

Transcription

1 1. Working at Heights 2. Scope / Description of Job Working at a height of two metres or more while carrying out general work activities or construction works 3. Critical Safety Issues A fall from any height can result in permanent or long lasting serious injuries or death. As the distance a falls increases, the likelihood of sustaining serious injury or being killed increases also. 4. Materials Materials, Plant, Equipment, Competencies/Licenses Materials, plant, tools and equipment relevant to this SWP As relevant for the work being undertaken: Elevated work platform (EWP) Work cage/basket Scaffold/access system Guard rail system Edge protection system Ladder Fall restraint/prevention/arrest equipment First Aid Kit SOI(s) relevant to equipment used 5. PPE Employee skills / competencies relevant to this SWP Dependent on the type of equipment used: National Certificate of Competency Basic/intermediate/advance scaffolding licence Dogging Basic/intermediate/advance rigging licence Elevated work platform operation licence (boom) Relevant permits Formal training and competency in use of personal fall protection equipment First aid training Emergency contact information including contact numbers, access to medical assistance and emergency channel details List of PPE relevant Hard hat Hearing Protection goggles or ear muffs Footwear steel capped safety footwear Eye Protection safety glasses High Visibility clothing Gloves riggers gloves UV Protection Sunscreen 30+ Other long sleeved clothing and trousers Broad brimmed hat Clothing Version Page 1 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40 Unless stamped CONTROLLED COPY in RED, then when printed this document is uncontrolled

2 6. Definitions N/A 7. Reference Documents RA Bridge construction working at heights GP JSA Bridge building working at height GP 028 JSA Bridge construction GP 069 JSA Working at heights above 2 metres NE Requirements / Procedure 8.1 Working at Height (Manager/Supervisor, Equipment Operator/User, Crew) Where there is a possibility for people to fall from one level to another and be injured, or there is a potential risk of tools or equipment being dropped from an elevated work area, the following measures shall be implemented to ensure adequate controls are in place 1. Avoid the need to work where there is the risk of a fall shall be avoided where practicable 2. Prior to working at height (including the use of an EWP or work cage) a Working at Height permit must be filled out by a competent person and signed off by a permit issuer 3. Develop an Emergency Rescue plan in consultation with Emergency Response Leader prior to any work being conducted at height when using fall-arrest systems 4. Conduct a risk assessment to identify hazards and implement appropriate control measures (must be conducted by trained, competent persons) 5. Wear relevant PPE 6. Conduct a site safety survey 7. Ensure safe access and egress is provided to work areas 8. Use appropriate work platforms and access equipment 9. Erect approved barricading or overhead protection 10. Use restraints for tools to prevent them from falling 11. Incorporate mesh screens or guards into scaffolds 12. Use appropriate fall-restraint equipment or, as a last resort, fall arrest equipment 13. Where fall arrest equipment is to be used: The minimum distance of fall is to be allowed (only if there is a minimum of 6m clearance below the anchor point or a minimum of 7m clearance in the case of securing to a static line) Where minimum clearances cannot be achieved, implement alternative fall prevention or fall protection controls. 14. Persons must not use fall protection PPE unless they have been trained and deemed competent to do so by a nationally recognised training organisation Version Page 2 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40

3 15. Fall protection PPE must be used when working in work cages, baskets or on scaffolds if there is any possibility of any part of the torso or head extending beyond the parameters of the work cage, basket or scaffold 16. Managers/Supervisors shall be contacted prior to each situation requiring work at height using fall-arrest systems to ensure that they are aware that there is a risk of a fall and to assist with the development of the rescue plan. The rescue plan must have emergency recovery procedures that mitigate the hazards associated with harness hang syndrome (suspension trauma). 17. Ensure Managers/Supervisors are informed prior to using fall arrest systems to make certain that they are aware that there is a risk of a fall and to get their assistance in the development of a rescue plan (note: the rescue plan must have emergency recovery procedures that mitigate the hazards associated with harness hang syndrome / suspension trauma) 18. At work crew change-over, ensure that incoming personnel are made aware of the measures being used for work in progress Work Platforms Work platforms position persons and equipment so that persons can work safely. The platforms may be either permanent or temporary. The following describes the requirements for the safe design, construction, and use of work platforms A permanent work platform must meet the requirements of AS 1657 or an equivalent standard. 1. As a minimum a work platform must: Be designed and constructed to carry the anticipated loads Have a firm, level surface that does not move while being walked upon Have edge protection in accordance with as 1657 standard. 2. Where edge protection requirements are not specified in the standard, the edge protection shall consist of (all dimensions taken above the walking level) A top rail between 900 and 1100mm, a mid-rail at 600mm, and a 100mm minimum kickboard (if required), or A top rail at a minimum of 900mm and infill mesh panels to prevent tools or equipment from falling. 3. Handrails on a work platform shall withstand a minimum of 0.55 kn (55kg dead weight equivalent) 4. Where perimeter guardrail systems are intended to be used in construction or in other applications, site supervisors should plan for the guardrails and fixings to be attached to the structures prior to the task taking place Scaffold and Patented Access Systems There are specific requirements that apply to the design, construction and erection of scaffolding (refer AS 1576, AS 1577, AS 4576). Scaffolds and patented access systems must be designed to an appropriate standard and constructed, modified and maintained by persons who are holders of a National Certificate of Competency to carry out scaffolding work. 1. Ensure scaffolds are entered into scaffolding register 2. All scaffolds shall be inspected and tagged (scaff-tag) by a licensed scaffolder Version Page 3 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40

4 3. Scaffold inspections shall be undertaken: Every thirty (30) days for all scaffolds In the event of adverse weather conditions (ie high winds, heavy rain, oil spills) inspections will be made on the day After the scaffold is altered or repaired. 4. Scaffolds must be clearly marked with the structures load capacity (scaff-tag) 5. If persons are constructing or dismantling a scaffold are at risk of falling, they shall wear personnel fall arrest equipment that is secured to a safe anchorage point (this may be in the form of a static line, inertia reel or a scaffolding standard or ledger that is capable of supporting a load of 15kN) 6. Scaffold edge protection shall consist of all dimensions taken above the walking level) Elevated Work Platforms A top rail between 900 and 1100mm, a mid-rail at 600mm, and a 100mm (minimum) kickboard, or A top rail at a minimum of 900mm and infill mesh panels to prevent tools or equipment from falling. All personnel who are required to operate a EWP shall comply with the following mandatory requirements: 1. Complete a check of the equipment prior to use 2. Have completed an accredited training course in the safe operation of the equipment 3. Ensure that the equipment is used in conformance with manufacturer s instructions 4. Wear safety harnesses correctly attached to an anchor point (not required in scissor type) 5. Shall not climb in and out of the platform while it is in an elevated position 6. Shall not use ladders, milk crates, guardrails or other device, to increase the working height in the EWP basket 7. Shall not attempt to overreach outside the perimeter of the working platform 8. Shall not use the EWP to elevate and position structural steel, scaffold or other equipment 9. Shall not transport compressed gases in an EWP Permits Requirements For Elevated Work Platforms A Working at Heights Permit is required when: 1. entering or exiting a work platform from anything than the landed position 2. exposed to suspended loads 3. being used within 3m of a gas line, operating process piping or live conveyor 4. operating within 3m of an exposed electrical system such as over head power lines, shall also have a High Voltage Access Permit 5. the risk assessment indicates a risk of medium or above Ladders Ladders should only be used as a means of access to or egress from an area. A ladder should not be Version Page 4 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40

5 used as a work platform unless specifically designed to be used for that purpose. Ladders used must conform to Australian standards. 1. Only ladders approved and which meet the requirements of Australian standard with nonskid feet must be used 2. Metal ladders must not be used in the vicinity of overhead lines 3. All ladders must be registered and numbered to facilitate inspections 4. Records of ladder inspection must be maintained 5. When ladders are used they must be: Fit for the purpose; and Appropriate for the duration of the task; and Be set up in the correct manner. Permit Requirements For Ladders A Working at Heights Permit is required when: 1. Working within 3m of live conveyors or within 3m of where there is a change in level 2. Being used within 10m of overhead powerlines 3. Using a safe-t-step within 2m of a handrail or exposed edge 4. The ladder in use does not have a platform with built-in fall protection on all four sides of the platform in combination with any other requirements 5. The risk assessment determines a medium risk level or higher Protection Of Holes And Openings 1. All holes and openings other than a lift well, stairwell or vehicle inspection pit with dimensions greater than 200mm x 200mm must be protected 2. Holes or openings in concrete floors must, where practicable, be protected with embedded wire mesh and covered with material of adequate strength to prevent persons or things entering or falling through 3. Holes or openings covered with wire mesh must not be used as a work platform 4. Holes or openings in any other type of (non-concrete) floor must be covered with material of adequate strength that is fixed securely to the floor to prevent entry by objects or persons 5. All covers must be marked clearly with the words Danger Hole Beneath Mobile Equipment 1. Work must not be undertaken on mobile equipment where there is the risk of falling or an object may fall from it 2. Work may be undertaken on mobile equipment if there are adequate fall prevention measures in place, as identified by a risk assessment 3. Access to the operator s cabin shall be by means of a safe access ladder, stairs or platform. When accessing the cabin, three points of contact shall be maintained at all times Version Page 5 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40

6 4. If a platform is to be used to gain access to the operator s cabin it must be fitted with edge protection Inspection Of Equipment 1. All height safety equipment used on site must be inspected on a regular basis, and also by the equipment user before each use 2. Inspection intervals should be in accordance with the manufacturer s specifications or at periods not exceeding six months 3. Inspections must be conducted by a competent trained person, and records of inspection must be maintained 4. Guidance on the inspection of fall-arrest systems and devices must be conducted in accordance with Australian Standards 8.2 Fall Prevention Systems (Manager/Supervisor, Equipment User) Physical Barriers Physical barriers are the preferred method of preventing a person from falling from height. Other measures will not always prevent the person from being injured. For example, a fall-arrest system may prevent a person from falling onto another surface but the person may still suffer an injury as a result of the load placed on their body by the fall arrest harness. Or, a person may lose their balance and fall from a working platform and be caught by a catch net. However, because the fall was unexpected the person may suffer an injury through landing in the catch net awkwardly. Examples of physical barriers include: Edge protection systems Fall protection covers Working platforms Edge protection systems are barriers erected around the edge of a building, structure or hole. An edge protection system may consist of guard railing or vertical containment sheeting. Guard rail systems should be used on the edge of working platforms, walkways, stairways, ramps and landings. A guard rail should run parallel to the working surface and not be further than 100mm outside the edge of the working surface. The guardrail height should be between 900mm and 1100mm above the working surface. Guard rails must have mid rails. A mid rail is a structural member secured 600mm between the guardrail and the working surface. It should run parallel to the working surface and be no further than 100mm outside the edge of the working surface. Both the guard rail and the mid rail should be able to withstand the impact of a person falling against them. A toe board is a vertical barrier used in conjunction with guard rails and mid rails to prevent a person from falling under the guard rail. Toe boards may be fully sheeted with timber or metal or made from mesh. They should be secured adjacent to the work surface and extend a minimum of 150mm above the work surface. Personal Fall Protection Systems of work and equipment that secure a person to a building or structure are known as personal fall protection. Personal fall protection systems discussed in this procedure include travel restriction Version Page 6 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40

7 devices, fall prevention systems and fall arrest systems. Use personal fall protection systems: When working within the confines of a working platform When other forms of fall protection such as guardrails are not available In conjunction with other measures of fall protection such as safety nets or fixed platforms The use of these systems requires active involvement to ensure the equipment is worn, attached and used in the correct way. Where no other form of fall protection can be applied, personal fall protection systems should be used to minimise the risk of a person from falling from a height (travel restriction devices) or injury to a person after a person has fallen from a height. Travel Restriction Devices A travel restriction device restrains a person from reaching an unprotected edge by tethering them to an eye-bolt or other suitable anchorage point. This type of personal fall protection system is preferred over those that arrest a person after they have fallen. The anchorage points should be capable of taking the load. Personal fall protection devices which restrict travel include industrial rope access systems and fall-prevention systems. An industrial rope access system is a twin rope system used to provide access to a work area. A work positioning harness or seat is attached to one rope and a fall arrest harness is attached to the other rope. The system should be used in accordance with the designer s and/or the manufacturer s instructions. Fall Prevention Systems Fall prevention systems consist of a restraint belt or work positioning harness connected to a restraint line which in turn is attached to a fall-prevention static line or an anchorage point, and prevents a person getting into a situation where they could fall. Types of fall-prevention systems include a restraint belt or work positioning harness. When worn by a person connected to a restraint line, the horizontal distance the wearer is able to travel is restricted. A fall-prevention static line is a horizontal line connected to a fixed anchorage point to which a restraint line is attached to increase the area that can be covered by a person wearing a fallprevention system. A fall-prevention anchorage point is a secure point of attachment to a structure or static line to which a restraint line is attached. An anchorage point of a fall prevention system should be positioned to ensure that the restraint line does not allow the person wearing the system to free fall. Fall Arrest Systems Fall arrest systems are designed to arrest the fall of a person. Types of fall arrest systems include: A fall arrest harness connected to a lanyard assembly that is attached to a fall arrest static line or an anchorage point (where there is a risk of free fall); or A ladder belt connected to a lanyard of not more than 300 mm in length attached to a ladder fallarrest device (where there is a risk of a free fall of not more than 600 mm) An important factor in the safe use of a fall-arrest system is to reduce the free fall distance as far as possible. Correctly installed fall-arrest equipment will only safely arrest a fall if there are no obstructions in the fall path. The longer the free fall distance, the greater the risk of a person hitting an obstruction. Before a fall arrest system is used, the work area should be inspected to ensure there are no obstructions in the potential fall path. Any obstruction should be removed from the fall path area. Immediate action should be taken to retrieve persons from fall arrest systems. Version Page 7 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40

8 8.3 Work At Height Rescue Plan (Manager/Supervisor, Equipment Operator/User) A person suspended in a harness can quickly suffer loss of consciousness caused by blood flow to the lower extremities of the body due to the effect of gravity. This can result in death if the person is not rescued from this situation between 5 and 10 minutes after the initial fall. Use of a rescue harness with foot straps or a sling strap to tie off to the harness will increase the time a conscious person can remain conscious by enabling the person to support their feet while waiting rescue. An unconscious person will need urgent removal from a suspended position as they will not have the ability to maintain blood flow to their extremities via movement or use of foot straps. Possible situations where personnel may fall and potential rescue methods include: 1. Handrail collapse while erecting, modifying or dismantling: Use EWP to retrieve person(s) from scaffold; or Use platform ladder to retrieve person(s) from scaffold. 2. Person suspended in harness after falling from bridge: Use EWP to retrieve person from suspended position; or Use platform ladder to retrieve person from suspended position; or Use rope rescue techniques to retrieve person from suspended position. 3. Person in the process of erecting or dismantling handrails falls and is suspended in harness: Use platform ladder to retrieve person from suspended position; or Use EWP to retrieve person from suspended position. 8.4 Construction Work (Manager/Supervisor) 1. Construction work such as bridge construction, must not be performed where there is a risk of a person falling more than two metres unless a safe work method statement (SWMS) is prepared before the work commences, and the work is performed in accordance with the statement 2. A SWMS is designed to be developed after, or in conjunction with, a risk assessment. The SWMS must be completed before risk control measures are put in place. Roles And Responsibilities Managers and supervisors must ensure: 1. Compliance with the Safe Work Procedure 2. A Job Safety Plan (JSP) is undertaken and control measures implemented to eliminate or reduce fall risks as far as practicable 3. That staff are trained in fall prevention systems and JSP training 4. Equipment used to control the risk of fall is designed and constructed for the task and the working environment in which it is to be used Version Page 8 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40

9 5. Emergency procedures are established to enable the rescue of an employee in the event of a fall occurring, and the provision of first aid as soon as possible after the emergency occurs 6. Report any incidents, hazards, near misses or faulty equipment Employees must: 1. Carry out tasks in accordance with information, instruction and training given and use any risk control measures put in place or provided by the employer 2. Ensure a working at heights permit is completed when required 3. Report any incidents, hazards, near misses or faulty equipment Revision History Topic No Topic Name Owner SWP-043 Working at Heights Safety Manager Last Review Review Period (Yrs) Next Review Revision Ver Date vnn.n dd/mm/yyyy vnn.n - 01/06/2015 Amendment Detail Revision details Author. DELWP JSP re-release to EMV Cloud Diane Ferguson. End of Topic Unless stamped CONTROLLED COPY in RED, then when printed this document is uncontrolled. This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning 2015 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit Version Page 9 of 9 Printed 21/05/ :40