(Ipswich) Ltd Electrical Contracting Technical Services Network Systems
HUMAN FOCUS Self-help Work At Height Toolkit
Contents Preparing to improve work at height 2 An example work at height policy statement 3 Main steps of the risk assessment process 5 Risk assessment form 6 Employee survey form 11 Main steps of the training process 12 Work at height trainee quiz 13 Work at height ongoing checklist 14
Preparing to improve work at height Initial preparations Undertaking risk assessments is a fundamental part of how to manage health and safety. The aim of any risk assessment is to prevent injury or ill health before it occurs. The focus of your risk assessment must be on making practical improvements in your workplace that will make a difference. This toolkit and associated video programmes are designed to help you undertake risk assessments of work at height tasks. Check Check the improvements you have implemented are working Check staff are following their training (see page 18) Do Plan Carry-out risk assessments (see page 6) Make necessary improvements Provide training for staff (see page 15) The diagram above shows a simple three step process to managing work at height risks effectively - plan, do, check. This document will help you work through these steps and provides easy-to-use tools to enable you to reduce risks in your workplace. An integral part of this toolkit are the associated video programmes (Essentials of Work at Height Risk Assessment, Providing Health And Safety Training). Please refer to these programmes for advice and guidance. Write a policy describing how you will manage work at height risks (see page 3) Decide who is going to carry-out risk assessments Decide who is going to carry out training Page 2 - Version 1.0
An example work at height policy statement An electronic copy of this is policy document can be downloaded from the Human Focus E-learning website - details on the rear cover. For more information on risk assessment see the programme Essentials of Work at Height Risk Assessments (Programme code - 823) General statement Our organisation will take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of injury to persons from working at height. As part of this process we will assess all aspects of our work at height operations and control means with the aim of reducing risk. This policy sets out what measures we will take to ensure the work done at height does not pose a significant risk to our employees or anyone else who might be affected by our activities. The person who will have overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy is insert name and position. Risk assessment insert name has been nominated as the person who will oversee the carrying out of work at height risk assessments in our workplace. This person has undergone training in fire risk assessment techniques. Where necessary she/he will appoint additional competent persons to assist in carrying out of risk assessments. If you undertake tasks where you are likely to be exposed to significant risk we are committed to consulting you during the risk assessments in order to gain your views. We believe your involvement in the process of assessing risks is vital to managing risks and your co-operation is very important. Our work at height risk assessments will be reviewed on a regular basis. Reviews will occur if there is a change in the work we carry out, or some aspect makes our risk assessment invalid. We will retain good and accurate records of all our work at height risk assessments. Implementing work at height improvements Insert name has been nominated as the person who has overall responsibility for dealing with risks arising with work at height safety. We recognise that the process of undertaking risk assessments may require us to implement reasonable improvements. We are committed to doing this. You play an important role in helping to identify problems and are responsible for raising any concerns. If you do this we will: Take all necessary steps to investigate the matter; Implement any reasonable and practical improvements that might be ; Keep all employees informed of the improvements. Page 3 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
The first aim of our risk assessments will be to avoid or reduce risk of damage or injury from work at height with measures that may include: Implementing measures to eliminate the need to work at height; Implementing additional measures to protect from the risks of work at height; Implementing specific precautions to eliminate injury from falls when working at height. Information and training If you are exposed to a risk from working at height you will be provided with information and training so that you can carry out your work safely. Insert name has been nominated as the person who will oversee the delivery of safety training in our workplace. This person has undergone training in providing health and safety training. Where necessary she/he will appoint additional competent persons to assist in carrying out training. This training will include: An understanding of what working at height means; Explanation of how accidents happen; Guidance on how to stay safe when working at height. Procedures for dealing with problems Insert name has been nominated as the person who has overall responsibility for dealing with problems arising from work at height. All employees share a responsibility for participating in risk reduction exercises, such as risk assessments, and to report any concerns or problems as they arise. If you raise a health and safety matter related to work at height, the company will: Take all necessary steps to investigate the matter Implement any reasonable and practical improvements that might be Keep all employees informed of the improvements. Signed on behalf of Insert company name and signature For more information on training see the programme Conducting Health and Safety Training (Programme code - 780) For employee training see the programme What Everyone Needs To Know About Working At Height (Programme code - 821) Page 4 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Main steps of the risk assessment process For more information on this risk assessment process see the programme Essentials of Work at Height Risk Assessments (Programme code - 823) STEP 1 Identify the hazards List all the main sources of fuel and ignition in the area / premises being assessed Go and observe area / premises being assessed - even if you are familiar with them Use the form on page 6 to identify any problem features of each task Involve your colleagues - ask them for their views STEP 2 Decide who might be harmed and how Which staff perform the tasks? Can visitors, passers-by be harmed? Common injuries are sprains / strains / crushed hands and feet. STEP 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions Is it possible to avoid work at height tasks? If not, look for practical and simple ways of reducing the risk. Pay particular attention to work at height tasks that are strenuous / involve awkward postures. STEP 4 Record your findings and do it Use the risk assessment form on pages 6 to record your findings Keep your records in a safe place - you may need them STEP 5 Review your assessment and update if necessary Conduct a new risk assessment if the task(s) changes. Conduct a new risk assessment from time-to-time to check it is valid or if your improvements are not working. Page 5 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Risk assessment form Title and date Company / workplace Describe the risk assessment (briefly details of the task / area(s) being assessed) Refurbishment of the flat roof of the mens toilet at the rear of the warehouse. Task will involve access to the rook space to remove the old felt rook and replace with a new one SAMPLE Work At height Risk Assessment- sheet 1 Task Hazard description Fall due to slipping E.g. - Wet surfaces - Greasy surfaces - Muddy ladders - Low friction surfaces e.g. furniture or polished flooring - Moss/algae growth - Loose materials - Spillage's Acme distribution, Birmingham Depot. Tick answer Yes No Further details about this hazard(s) The access at the base of the roof is a grassed area that is very muddy / wet - this may make the rungs of the ladder may get slippy. Who is affected and how could they be exposed? Who? Staff / contractors Visitors Members of the public How? Lack of safe systems Poor housekeeping Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions Name of assessor(s) Paul Fletcher Date 30/07/07 Details of existing control measures Supervision Systems of work Are improvements needed? (If so provide brief description) 1. Provide floor matting on the grass area to avoid mud / wet With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further Done? Page 6 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Risk assessment form Work At height Risk Assessment- sheet 2 Task Hazard description Fall due to tripping E.g. - Misaligned scaffold boards - Tools/work equipment in the way - Material storage - Waste storage/disposal - Trailing cables Fall due to over reaching / loss of balance E.g. - Over reaching - Handling loads - Awkward shaped loads - Unstable loads - Unsuitable equipment - High winds/adverse weather - Medical conditions Tick answer Yes No Further details about this hazard(s) As the old felt roof is taken-up, this will create a lot of debris on the roof area. There will also be tools and equipment. Equipment and roofing materials might be lifted by hand up the ladder leaving the climber with inadequate handholds Who is affected and how could they be exposed? Who? Staff / contractors Visitors Members of the public How? Lack of safe systems Poor housekeeping Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions Who? Staff / contractors Visitors Members of the public How? Lack of safe systems Poor housekeeping Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions SAMPLE t Details of existing control measures Supervision Systems of work Clear method statement that requires a clear as you go approach. The site is also inspected daily Supervision Systems of work Are improvements needed? (If so provide brief description) With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further 1. Provision of a suitable hoist to lift equipment and materials. 2. Implement clear method statement which prohibits lifting loads up the ladder access Done? With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further Page 7 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Risk assessment form Work At height Risk Assessment- sheet 3 Equipment Hazard description Fall due to lack of edge protection E.g. - Open edges - Incomplete structures - Scaffolding without handrails - Short duration work on roofs - Unguarded pits / excavations / man-holes Fall due to faulty or inadequate work equipment E.g. - Ladders that are not high enough - Use of ladders where other access equipment should be in used - Damaged or broken equipment - Access equipment that is not strong enough Tick answer Yes No Further details about this hazard(s) Who is affected and how could they be exposed? Possible damage to Who? ladder and lifting Staff / contractors hoist. Visitors Members of the public How? Possible that a ladder of inadequate Lack of safe systems height is used. Poor housekeeping Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions SAMPLE Details of existing control measures Supervision Systems of work Supervision Systems of work All equi[ment is regularly checked / maintained. All staff trained and briefed to withdraw any faulty equipment immediately. equi[ment is available for this task Are improvements needed? (If so provide brief description) With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further Done? Edge of roof is exposed / no handrails Who? Staff / contractors Visitors Members of the public How? Lack of safe systems Poor housekeeping Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions The roof area being refurbished is well away from the roof edge. The task is of short duration. Clear system to keep away from the roof edge. With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further Page 8 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Risk assessment form Work At height Risk Assessment- sheet 4 Environment Hazard description Fall due to fragile or unstable / sloping surfaces E.g. - Walking / standing on fragile roof - Ladders leaning against guttering - Unstable floor surface on which access equipment stands - Access equipment standing on sloping ground Fall due to collision / impact E.g. - Access equipment struck by moving vehicle - Struck by person - Struck by trolley/work equipment - Struck by load being lifted Tick answer Yes No Further details about this hazard(s) The ladder access will have top lean against a plastic gutter - this is fragile / unstable The base of the Who is affected and how could they be exposed? Who? Staff / contractors Visitors Members of the public How? Lack of safe systems Poor housekeeping Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions Who? access area is Staff / contractors adjacent to a Visitors driveway where Members of the public vehicles turn / pass. How? The base of the ladder could be acci- Lack of safe systems Poor housekeeping dently fit by a vehicle onsite Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions SAMPLE Details of existing control measures Supervision Systems of work Supervision Systems of work Are improvements needed? (If so provide brief description) 1. Remove a section of the gutter prior to work commencing. 2. Ensure ladder is tied off at the top and securely footed. With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further 1. Ensure that the base of the access area is cordoned off with temporary barriers / warning signs to prevent vehicles coming close. Done? With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further Page 9 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Risk assessment form Work At height Risk Assessment- sheet 5 Environment Hazard description Impact from falling items E.g. - Materials - Tools/work equipment - People - Spilled substances - Fumes/sparks/ dust/ debris Other work at height hazards Please describe Tick answer Yes No Further details about this hazard(s) Materials or tools could fall from the roof as they are being lifted or lowered. A pedestrian walkway runs near to the base of the roof. Who is affected and how could they be exposed? Who? Staff / contractors Visitors Members of the public How? Lack of safe systems Poor housekeeping Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions Who? Staff / contractors Visitors Members of the public How? Lack of safe systems Poor housekeeping Lack of supervision Risk taking/corner cutting Poor work conditions Details of existing control measures Supervision Systems of work Supervision Systems of work SAMPLE Are improvements needed? (If so provide brief description) 1. Ensure that the base of the access area is cordoned off with temporary barriers / warning signs to prevent pedestrians coming close. With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further With existing this hazard is: Unacceptable Further Done? Page 10 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Employee survey form Your views and opinions are a very important part of helping us to find ways of improving health and safety in our workplace Please take a few minutes to record your views on the work at height tasks you perform. Thank you. Can you think of any safety related problems associated with work at height equipment you use? Yes No If you answer yes, please briefly describe these problems Can you think of any safety problems associated with the way your work is organised? Yes No If you answer yes, please briefly describe these problems Have you experienced, or seen, any near miss situations involving working at height? Yes No If you answer yes, please briefly describe the problems Page 11 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Main steps of the training process For more information on training see the programme Conducting Health and Safety Training (Programme code - 780) For employee training see the programme What Everyone Needs To Know About Working At Height (Programme code - 821) STEP 1 Decide what training is needed Provide general principle training to give staff an understanding of the basics Identify any job specific training that might be (e.g. use of mechanical aids, specific workpractices). If job specific training is, decide who will provide it (i.e. do you need the help of a specialist provider? Identify any improvement measures that have been developed by your risk assessment (i.e. what improvements have you developed and what do your colleagues need to know?) STEP 2 Deliver the training Get your colleagues to watch the video programme What Everyone Needs To Know About Working At Height Make sure trainees can view the video programme in a quiet area and will not be interrupted. Test their understanding by making sure they complete the work at height quiz. Give each trainee an opportunity to practice their skills whilst you watch. Ask your colleagues to demonstrate how they can apply their training. Discuss any problems they may have. STEP 3 Check that the training is working Provide constructive comments on peoples behaviour to help your colleagues develop good habits. Make sure you - say something as soon as you see someone doing something wrong - are specific and focus on their behaviour - are positive - don t just comment on what they did wrong - ask questions to check. Page 12 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Work at height trainee quiz Test your understanding of this training session. Work at height questions (please put a circle around the correct response) 1 Falls from height are the single largest cause of workplace death and one of the main causes of serious injury 2 Many fatal and serious accidents involve falls from just 2 metres or less 3 Work at height means working in any place where you could fall and injure yourself 4 You are working at height if there is a risk of falling from one level to another 5 No work at height should be done unless it is safe and reasonably practical to do so 6 It is not important to take time to assess the risks involved in the tasks both before starting and as the work continues 7 It is OK to cut corners if the task is urgent 8 A mobile platform should be used in situations where it would be unsafe to use a ladder 9 It is OK to use a mobile platform without specific training 10 Any defects or hazards with any equipment you use should be reported immediately Trainee name (please print) Trainee signature Date Page 13 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
Work at height - ongoing checklist Name of manager Start date Submission date Checklist Item Yes/ No Action Required General Are there any problems / concerns regarding the condition and maintenance of all equipment? Are there any problems / concerns regarding new work activities, i.e. which not have been risk assessed? Are there any problems / concerns regarding existing methods of work, i.e. which have been risk assessed but which may still have caused problems? Training, information and systems of work Are there any training problems, i.e. have all relevant personnel received work at height training, as a minimum, and further task-based training where? Are there any problems with training records, i.e. up to date? Are there any problems with prescribed safe systems of work with regards working at height, i.e. are staff following instructions, including safe use of access equipment? Supervision and inspection Are there any problems or concerns with planned inspections of work at height tasks, i.e. are the inspections being carried out and have any identified remedial actions been taken? Are there any concerns regarding the records of planned asbestos inspections, i.e. are they up to date? Are there any problems or concerns with the condition of asbestos containing materials which may require a review of risk assessment(s)? Are there any concerns arising from this audit Other items to be checked Page 14 - Work At Height Toolkit - Version 1.0
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