Corporate Standard. Work at Heights Management

Transcription

1 Corporate Standard Work at Heights Management Contents Scope...2 Purpose...2 Definitions...2 Specific Requirements...3 Contractor Management...8 Responsibilities And Accountabilities...9 Review...10 References...10 Page 1 of 11

2 SCOPE This corporate standard applies to all working at height activities located within a BAC controlled area. PURPOSE To define the principles and minimum requirements for managing work at height hazards and the processes by which safe access and working at heights is controlled. DEFINITIONS Edge protection Means a barrier, to prevent a person falling, erected along the edge of: a building or other structure; or an opening in a surface or a building or other structure; or a raised platform. Note: Edge protection that is part of a permanent access is to be in accordance with AS 1657 Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways and Ladders. Edge protection discussed in this Corporate Standard specially relates to temporary guardrails, scaffolding, etc that may be erected along an edge. Exclusion zone For the purpose of this standard and implementing fall from height controls, it is a no access zone at least 3m from any unprotected edge on a horizontal surface, or greater distance, as deemed appropriate, for sloped surfaces such as rooftops. This may be a rooftop edge, suspended walkway, area adjacent to an excavation, etc. Note: As the pitch of a rooftop increases, including any slope greater than 26 o, the entire rooftop may be unsafe for access, and hence be deemed an exclusion zone due to the need to implement a working at height control measure. Personal fall protection equipment Equipment such as fall arrest harnesses and devices, lanyards, restraint equipment, etc that is worn and/or attached to the user s body to prevent or minimise the effect of a fall. Unprotected edge Include roofs, landings, floor levels, walkways or platforms, excavations, etc which do not have a form of edge protection (handrail, guardrail, parapet, barricade, etc) to prevent people and/or objects from falling a distance of 2m or more. Page 2 of 11

3 HAZARDS / BACKGROUND Accessing elevated locations and undertaking work activities at heights are common scenarios that present specific hazards that often cause significant injuries and loss of life throughout many workplaces. Many of these events also occur as a result of falls that have traditionally been considered as minor and/or from heights considered as low. BAC recognise that a range of work at heights tasks are undertaken throughout its operations and aim to implement effective working at heights standards and provide proactive means of controlling work at height related risks: falls from heights; falling objects; unprotected edges; uncovered penetrations; brittle, fragile, uneven or slippery rooftops or work surfaces; and incorrect use of personal fall protective equipment or height access equipment. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Design Issues Where possible during the planning of new facilities, procurement of new plant or modification of existing BAC assets, locations are to be designed in a way that ensures they have a means of safe access and edge protection and where practicable, do not require the use of personal fall protection equipment for access, maintenance, cleaning or other purposes. Furthermore, the following items are to be considered to minimise height related hazards. Where practicable, plant is to be designed such that it may be accessed, inspected, maintained and controlled from ground level. Where possible, plant or work areas required to be located at height are to be designed such that they may be accessed via fixed platforms, walkways or stairs that incorporate edge protection. Page 3 of 11

4 Any contract for the design, refurbishment or construction of a building or major plant item that will require access throughout its life is to specify overall compliance with Australian Standards, inclusive of the following where applicable: AS 1657 Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways and Ladders Design, Construction and Installation, inclusive of the need to implement a hierarchy of access preferences that includes the following, wherever possible: o fixed platform or walkway with edge protection; o fixed stairway with edge protection; o fixed inclined ladder with handrails; o fixed vertical ladder with travel restraint system; o fixed vertical ladder with ladder cage; and AS/NZS Industrial Fall-Arrest Systems and Devices: Horizontal Lifeline and Rail Systems (including all amendments and supplements). Accessing and Working at Heights Wherever possible, accessing locations at height is to be via a safe manner that provides personnel with a work platform and edge protection that is fixed or in-situ. This may include: an existing work platform or stair access way; an elevating work platform such as a scissor lift or boom lift; and a fixed scaffold or work platform, or a mobile scaffold. In situations where this is not practicable, fixed ladders and portable ladders such as single ladders, extension ladders or step ladders are to be used. For further details in relation to specific portable ladder requirements, specifications, placement and usage information, refer to the BAC Safe Access and Work at Heights Procedure. A control method for working at height must be implemented in the following scenarios: if a worker could fall 2 metres or greater to the ground or working surface below as a result of the work activity; or if a worker could fall from a height lower than 2 metres onto or into an area that would cause impalement or significant injury. Page 4 of 11

5 Where practicable, working at height hazards are to be controlled in accordance with the order of preferences as listed in the table below. Control Option Preference 1 Eliminate the Height Access 2 Edge Protection or Cover 3 Fall Protection 4 Catch Protection 5 Temporary Exclusion Warning Page 5 of 11 Description Eliminate the need to access the location at height. Examples include: relocation of an item or device from a position at height to ground level; redesign of an item or device enabling it to be lowered to allow for access, inspection, repair, etc; and use of an extension handle to enable a location at height to be reached from ground level. The provision of controls or a means of access that provide protection or a barrier that prevents access to an exposed edge or unprotected location at height. Examples include: erection of scaffolding to reach a location at height; use of an elevating work platform (EWP) or building maintenance unit (BMU) to access a location at height; installation of temporary edge protection or guardrails along a roof edge or unprotected location at height; and installation of a cover over a roof, grate or floor penetration. Note: often, the means by which these controls are established may require a lower order working at height control to be used as well. The use of personal protective equipment that either prevents a fall or reduces the severity of a fall. Examples include: use of an industrial rope access system; use of a travel restraint system; and use of a fall arrest system. The provision of controls that enable a falling person to be caught without hitting the ground or a structure that would cause injury. Examples include: use of a catch platform or catch net below the location at height. The provision of a temporary exclusion control to provide a warning to personnel about an exposed edge or fall from height hazard. Examples include: use of barrier tape and signage adjacent to an unprotected edge or floor penetration; use of barrier tape to designate a rooftop no access zone; use of barrier tape around an excavation; and use of a safety observer / spotter to provide warning.

6 As part of implementing work at height controls, a Work at Heights Risk Assessment & Access Permit Form is to be documented in accordance with the following: Is a specified work at height task required? No Access or work at height where a fall of 2m or more could occur. This excludes: accessing a fixed stairway or ladder; accessing or working from fit for use scaffolding or a building maintenance unit; access at heights via scissor lifts; access at heights within a building via EWPs of boom length <11m where personnel are authorised to operate the EWP and floor loading capacities have been formally assessed and documented; and access or work on a rooftop that does not require a fall zone to be entered (an area within 3m from an unprotected edge on a flat roof). Yes The work is to be undertaken by BAC / the contractor in accordance with their documented company safety procedures, BAC site specific rules / access requirements. This may include the need to develop a Work Method Statement / Safe Work Plan. A Work at Heights Access Permit is to be documented as part of the work process As part of pre-planning and completing the above form to ensure safe access and work at heights, BAC personnel or contractors are to consider the following: identified hazards relating to accessing the location at height; the nature of work location, including environmental / weather issues; the nature of the work activities to be undertaken at heights; personal fall protection equipment or other access equipment issues; anchorage selection issues; the need for multiple personnel and means for safe communication; and the need to plan for retrieval / rescue contingencies. To ensure the above items are adequately planned for and implemented, BAC personnel are to access and work at heights as per the requirements within the Safe Access and Work at Heights Procedure. Page 6 of 11

7 Working at Height Training and Competency Only those BAC personnel or contractors who have been trained with respect to work at height hazards and controls are to access or work at heights, supervise work tasks at heights, or carry out retrieval / rescue roles. As there are a range of working at height scenarios and activities performed by BAC personnel, not all personnel will be required to be trained to the same level. Following is a training summary that may be used as a guide throughout BAC to determine training needs for its personnel. Training Type Work at heights BAC system awareness sessions Harness appreciation and basic work at heights training Work at heights and retrieval training Target Group / Work at Height Activities Personnel who undertake basic access at height activities such as: accessing fixed ladders and elevated platforms with edge protection for maintenance purposes; accessing or working from fit for use scaffolding; access at heights via scissor lifts that do not require harnesses to be worn; and access or work on rooftops that do not require a fall zone to be entered (an area within 3m from an unprotected edge on a flat roof). Personnel required to use harnesses in basic work at height activities and scenarios such as: access or work at heights via elevating work platforms that require users to wear fall arrest harnesses; and access or work at heights via the use of fixed travel restraint and harness systems (that require users to wear fall arrest harnesses and make a basic connection to a proprietary static line system). Personnel required to set up and use a range of work at height systems, including: temporary travel restraint & fall arrest systems; working from fall arrest systems within fall zones; the selection and use of non-prescribed/signed anchor points; and the need to plan, implement and undertake self and single person retrieval techniques, inclusive of equipment selection, set up and use. The above work at height training is to be provided by an experienced and reputable work at height training provider with course content and objectives specifically matched to BAC s work at height scenarios and needs. Page 7 of 11

8 Records of work at heights training, attendance at BAC work at heights awareness sessions or other specialised equipment item training, (if applicable) are to be maintained and readily accessible. CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT Contract Documentation & Provision of Information As part of establishing contractual arrangements for contractors to access BAC locations and work at heights, BAC is to provide the following information to contractors as appropriate for the scope of the work: this Work at Heights Management Corporate Standard; access to a copy of the Work at Heights Risk Assessment & Access Permit Form; access to necessary drawings, plans / maps relating to locations at height and the identity of relevant BAC personnel who may authorise specified work at height tasks that require a Permit. As part of OH&S related documentation typically requested of contractors procured to undertake work for BAC, contractors are to provide the following details with respect to access and working at heights: content confirming that all personnel involved with work at height activities are adequately trained and competent to undertake the type of height access and work tasks required; content confirming that all equipment, travel restraint / fall arrest devices, retrieval equipment, etc have been adequately maintained, inspected and tested; content confirming that all personnel involved with accessing and working at heights are aware of the intended scope of work, nature of the locations at height and BAC s work at height access and work expectations; and content relating to specific work at height methods that will be undertaken. Accessing and Working at Heights A control method for working at height must be implemented in the following scenarios: if a worker could fall 2 metres or greater to the ground or working surface below as a result of the work activity; or if a worker could fall from a height lower than 2 metres onto or into an area that would cause impalement or significant injury. Page 8 of 11

9 Contractors must obtain BAC access authority prior to undertaking a specified work at height task, outlined below: Access or work at height where a fall of 2m or more could occur. This excludes: accessing a fixed stairway or ladder; accessing or working from fit for use scaffolding or a building maintenance unit; access at heights via scissor lifts; access at heights within a building via EWPs of boom length <11m where personnel are authorised to operate the EWP and floor loading capacities have been formally assessed and documented; and access or work on a rooftop that does not require a fall zone to be entered (an area within 3m from an unprotected edge on a flat roof). This authority is to be recorded within the Work at Heights Risk Assessment & Access Permit Form once the contractor has completed relevant pre-work planning. The identity of the BAC person responsible for authorising such access is to be communicated to the contractor prior to access preparations or work commencing. Following access and work at heights, completed Work at Heights Risk Assessment & Access Permit documentation is to be returned to BAC work at heights authorising personnel. RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES BAC Management Ensure adequate resources (time, equipment, personnel) are allocated for the effective implementation of this Corporate Standard. Occupational Health and Safety Manager Maintain the currency and accuracy of this Corporate Standard, reflective of legislative requirements and BAC needs. Review performance of BAC and contracted personnel with respect to this Corporate Standard. Ensure adequate training is afforded and maintained for BAC personnel involved with accessing and working at heights. Ensure adequate contract management arrangements, including the provision of heights information, are in place for contracted activities involving height access and work. Page 9 of 11

10 Permit Authorisers Review the planning component of Work at Heights Risk Assessment & Access Permits. Authorise the commencement of height access and work in accordance with the Permit Request. Work Coordinators Coordinate height access and work in accordance with Work at Heights Risk Assessment & Access Permit requirements. Implement all planned and necessary controls to ensure safe height access / work. Monitor work at height hazards and control methods throughout the access / work. Ensure that only trained / competent personnel who have been instructed about the height hazards and safety requirements access and work at heights. Personnel Working at Heights Access / work at height as per Work at Heights Risk Assessment & Access Permit requirements, work at height procedural requirements and the instructions of Work Coordinators. REVIEW The content of this Corporate Standard, inclusive of referenced attachments, records and forms, is to be reviewed at a period not exceeding two years from the issue date. This review is to be undertaken to ensure that the content is still relevant with respect to legislative requirements and BAC s management of height access and work hazards. It is to be coordinated by the Occupational Health and Safety Manager or specified designate, and involve BAC personnel who work at heights. REFERENCES QLD Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 Part 20 AS/NZS 1891 Industrial Fall Arrest Systems and Devices Series (Parts 1-4) Work at Heights Risk Assessment & Access Permit Form Safe Access and Work at Heights Procedure Page 10 of 11

11 AMMENDMENT SHEET RECORD Issue Rev Date Initiator Reason Section Summary of Amendments HARDCOPY DISTRIBUTION RECORD Location of Controlled Hard Copy Copy No. Page 11 of 11