SECTION 2 HAZARDOUS WORK. CLASSIC STANDARD 2.04 Working at Heights

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1 SECTION 2 HAZARDOUS WORK CLASSIC STANDARD 2.04 Working at Heights 1

2 Purpose The purpose of this standard is to document Rio Tinto Aluminium Mining & Refining Weipa s requirements to minimise, and where possible, eliminate the risk associated with people falling from a height when performing overhead work. Scope This standard applies to all persons on the RTA Weipa Site who perform work either where a risk assessment highlights a danger of people falling or above 1.8 metres. Definitions Work at Heights Is accessing, egressing, ascending, descending or working in any position where a person can fall from, into or through anything from one level to another level. Work at heights is identified where a risk assessment highlights a danger of people falling or any work above 1.8 metres. Overhead Work Is any work in a position that could expose people involved in the work to a risk of falling, or people in the vicinity of the work to the risk of being struck by falling objects. A Hazard Analysis Is a process where a task is analysed to determine the potential hazards involved in performing the task. The process is described in CLASSIC Standard 2.07 Safe Work Practices, where the hazard analysis is documented in a JSP. Working At Heights PPE Includes safety harnesses, safety lanyards, site approved (by RTA Fire & Rescue) double acting self locking snap hooks/karabiners, fall arrest devices and anchor points. Safety Lanyards Used on site shall be either of a Shock Absorbing retractable lanyard or Inertia Reel type. Recovery Equipment Used on site are recovery reels, davit-arm system (including a winch), manual pulley systems and similar site approved equipment. Fall Prevention Is creating a safe working area that eliminates the possibility of a fall, or objects falling, by using fixed work platforms, temporary working platforms, scaffolding, scissor lifts and any other device designed and manufactured to provide a safe working area when working at heights. All work platforms and scaffolds must have completed floors, guardrails, toe-boards and safe access and egress must be provided. Fall Restraint System Is a device and/or system that will physically prevent a person from reaching an edge at where there is a risk of a free or limited free fall. Fall Arrest/Fall Protection Is a device and/or system that will safely arrest the free or limited free fall of a person and minimise the risk of injury caused by the fall. Temporary Platforms & Elevated Work Platforms Are scaffolding, scissor lifts, bucket trucks, man boxes, knuckle booms and similar plant equipment. When working from an elevated work platform you must wear all the required PPE, and have a safety observer is present. NB. A scissor lift is considered a scaffold. It is not mandatory to use fall protection (using a harness and lanyard) when working in a scissor lift providing the scissor lift has a complete floor, guardrails and toe-boards. Fall protection is mandatory if people work outside the confines of a scissor lift guardrail by either stretching or transferring from a scissor lift. 2

3 Hierarchy Of Control Is the order of preference to eliminate, where possible, or reduce the risks of fall for people working at heights. The order is shown below, beginning with the most preferred control. 1. Hazard identification and risk assessment 2. Elimination 3. Substitution 4. Isolation 5. Fall Protection Working at Heights Permit Is the written authority to allow employees to work at heights and when issued should have the period of its validity stated. The information and control measures listed on the written authority should be revalidated whenever it becomes evident that the duration of work will involve one of the following: a) A replacement of the Person in Direct Control of Work where their name is not on the original permit. b) A major change in equipment (eg recovery equipment or Working at Heights PPE) c) A significant break in work continuity, where the permit will expire. d) A significant change in risk (eg procedure, conditions etc) Authorised person Is a person that has written approval from their relevant MRU Manager, to issue a Working at Heights Permit. This person shall have completed and passed the Safe Work at Heights course, within the last 2 years. Competent Person Is a person who has within the last 2 years, been trained, tested and deemed competent by successfully completing a RTA Safe Work at Heights training course or be assessed and deemed competent via recognition of prior learning for Safe Work at Heights. Person in Direct Control of Work Is a competent person who has been issued the Working at Heights Permit. This person maybe the task manager or the person performing the task but shall be on the job site for the duration of the times where working at heights is being performed. Safety Observer Is the nominated competent person who shall perform the task of safety watch while others are working at heights. This person shall not perform any other work while acting as the Safety Observer. This person shall have a Safe Work at Heights certificate, a minimum of Emergency Care training and be competent in the use of the recovery equipment being used. Actions and Accountabilities Managers shall ensure that they: Authorise and approve all Authority To Issue Working At Heights Permits for their relevant MRU and ensure the list of approved personnel is updated on the RTA LMS System. Review and approve all Working At Heights Permits. Superintendents shall ensure that: Their people who use Working at Heights PPE are trained in its application and use. (Refer to CLASSIC Standard 1.04 Safety Training) Their people are deemed competent before performing work at heights. Personnel required to Issue Working at Heights Permits attend a Safe Work at Heights Training Course and have authorisation from their MRU Manager. 3

4 The risk of any person falling to a lower level is eliminated or minimised. Working at Heights PPE (Refer to CLASSIC Standard 3.14 Fall Protection Equipment ) is made available as required for personnel working at heights and is maintained and inspected as required. A hazard analysis is conducted prior to the commencement of overhead work. When using Working at Heights PPE for Fall Arrest, a Working at Heights Permit shall be issued prior to working at heights. Appropriate controls in line with the results of the JSP or SP are implemented for overhead work being conducted in their area. Where work is carried out using work platforms (scissor lifts or man boxes) a trained, ticketed, competent person is tasked to control the work (refer to CLASSIC Standard 3.01) and where practical is in the working platform, scissor lift or man lift. Areas where overhead work is being performed are appropriately signed and barricaded. Their area Working at Heights permit system is Audited, at least, six monthly. Authorised Person shall ensure that: They have, within the last 2 years, been tested and deemed competent by successfully completing a Safe Work at Heights training course. They have written permission from their MRU Manager to issue Working at Heights Permits. They issue permits in accordance with RTA site standards. Safety Observer shall ensure that: They remain on the outside of, and in close proximity to, the work area. They are capable of being in continuous communication with and, if practicable, to observe those working at heights. Where necessary, they initiate rescue procedures, operate and monitor equipment used to ensure safety during the work at heights. They do not perform other tasks while tasked as the safety observer. They are familiar with the work being performed and understand the requirements of the recovery plan. All employees shall ensure that: They consider alternatives to using fall restraint and arrest systems (eg Hierarchy of Control) prior to commencing work. They do not commence work at heights until they have attended a Safe Work at Heights course and have been deemed a competent person. When using Fall Protection Equipment; They prepare a recovery plan and ensure they understand the recovery procedure prior to commencing work at heights. They have all necessary recovery equipment at the work site prior to commencing work at heights. They do not commence work at heights until a Working at Heights Permit has been issued and signed by their MRU Manager. They comply with the conditions of the Working at Heights Permit and this standard. 4

5 Areas where overhead work is being performed are appropriately signed and barricaded (refer CLASSIC Standard 2.11). When working above others (eg top of Bene Plant) ensure tools and other equipment are secured, positioned or a physical barrier placed to prevent them from falling. Alternatively erect a barricade underneath the work area. References AS/NZS , , , Rio Tinto Safety Standards C4 Working at Heights Working at Heights Training Presentation Documentation Working at Heights permits Training record for the Safe Work at Heights (made available on the RTA LMS System) Record of Authorised of Personnel for Issuing Working at Heights Permits (made available on the RTA LMS System) Static Lines and Anchor Points Register Safe Working at Heights Training Presentation Annexures Annex A Procedure for Working at Heights Annex B Working at Heights Permit Annex C - Authority to Issue Working at Heights Permits Annex E Rescue Plan Template 5