SAFETY FACT SHEETS Working at Heights Safety Non Negotiable G-HS-ST-00739 Working at Heights
Safety Non-Negotiables (SNN) Zinfra Group is committed to providing a safe workplace in line with our number one company value Health, Safety and the Environment. To bring this value to life, our strategy is to directly manage critical hazards through Safety Non-Negotiables (SNN s) and systematically manage other safety risks. All employees and vendors (whether suppliers, subcontractors or consultants) need to consistently apply the relevant controls stipulated on these SNN s across all Zinfra Group controlled sites. Any deviation from these SNN s will require a documented risk assessment with approval of the direct manager and HSEQ manager.
Definition Working at Heights Any work activity where there is a potential risk of a person falling from a height greater than 2m.
Working at Height - examples Work that may involve working at height includes: Installation and repair of overhead electrical distribution equipment Accessing substation structures Transmission line work Working around deep excavations Access roofs and roof spaces
Item 1: Must have and follow the Safe Work Method Statement Do you understand the hazards and risks with the work? The most significant risk of working at height is a Fatality. This may occur by: Falling from an elevated height Falling from ground level Falling objects Over the 10 year period from 2003 to 2012 274 workers died following falls from a height, which most commonly involved falls from roof and falls from ladders. (Source: Safe Work Australia Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities, Australia 2012) What Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are relevant? Are all the controls in the SWMS in place? Is there anything unsafe that should be raised with your supervisor?
Item 2: Use a Working at Height permit if fall arrest equipment is used as the main safety control When a fall-arrest system is the primary means of control, a Working at Height Permit must be used.
Item 3: Only access/use a scaffold with an approved scaffold tag or similar label attached All scaffolds must have a Scafftag or similar label system attached at the access point to indicate that the scaffold is completed and safe for use. If no such Scafftag or label is present, the scaffold must not be entered or used. In this circumstance, the access point must be barricaded to prevent unauthorised access.
Item 4: Only operate boom-type Elevated Work Platforms (greater than 11m) if you have a valid license to perform high risk work. All operators of boom-type Elevated Work Platforms with a boom length of 11 metres must hold a valid 'Licence to Perform High Risk Work.'
Item 5: Operate Elevated Work Platforms according to the manufacturer s requirements All Elevated Work Platforms must be operated according to the manufacturer s instructions and specifications. The safe working load (SWL) of the EWP must never be exceeded.
Item 6: Wear a harness connected to an anchor point when using a boom-type Elevated Work Platform If working in an Elevated Work Platform (except scissor lift) a harness and lanyard that s attached to a secure anchor point must be worn.
Item 7: Set up height rescue equipment before starting work The height rescue equipment must be set up at the work location before starting work.
Item 8: Only use anchor points installed and certified by a competent person All anchor points must be installed and certified by a qualified person.
Item 9: Use tested and tagged fall prevention equipment and always inspect before use Harnesses, lanyards, ropes and slings must be tested and tagged and inspected for damage before use. A fall-arrest system that has arrested a fall should be checked by a competent person before returning to use.
Item 10: Only use fall prevention equipment (e.g. harness, lanyards) when trained in the selection, use and inspection of this equipment Any person using Fall Restraint or Arrest Systems (harness, lanyard etc.) must be trained in the correct selection, use, assembly, maintenance and inspection of that equipment. Workers required to work at height should be trained according to the competencies within RIIWHS204D - Work safely at heights.
Item 11: Use ladders that are rated and fit for the task and inspect before use Ladder requirements include: They must be rated for industrial use and fitted with non-slip feet Ladders must have (and be marked with) a Work Load Limit (WLL) of at least 120kg Ladders used for electrical work must be made of nonconductive materials e.g. fibreglass or timber Be fit for the task e.g. straight ladder used to access a roof Be inspected for damage before use
Item 12: Only work from straight or step ladders if you are trained as an electrical supply industry worker Only use ladders to access work areas. Working on a ladder is prohibited. Exemptions to this requirement include: When using platform ladders; When approved by the relevant Project / Contract Manager after conducting a risk assessment; The Electrical Supply Industry worker is specifically trained as part of their trade skills and during overhead electrical network activities where it is not practical to use a EWP