Work At Height Regulations

Work at Height

Regulations

Health and Safety Executive

FALLS PROGRAMME

• Reduce death and major injuries from falls from height.• HSC/ HSE targets 10% reduction in death and major injuries by 2010.• Working with sectors were falls are an issue;

• Caretakers• Facilities Management Companies• Maintenance fitters

Summary

• The Work at Height Regulations• Background

• Scope

• Managing risks from work at height

• Selecting the right equipment

• Other Requirements

• Biggest Killer 67 Fatal Accidents 2003/04

• 3884 Major Accidents 2003/04

• Until this year always 2nd biggest cause of major accidents

• 2/3 of all major injuries caused by ‘low falls’ (below 2mtrs)

Background: Statistics

• Temporary Work at Height Directive (2001/45/EC)

• Bring existing legislation together into risk based regulation

• Maintain and improve standards

Background : Objectives

• Came into force on 6 April 2005

• No transitional period proposed – Regulations consolidate good practice

• Challenge to communicate the WAH message effectively

Current position

• Scope

• Risk assessment/organisation/planning

• Avoid – Prevent – Minimise

• Select the right Work Equipment

• Other Precautions

• Key messages

WaH Regulations: Overview

• Work in any place from which a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury

• Includes• access and egress• work at or below ground level;• but not stairways or slips or trips on

the level

Scope: What is work at height?

• Covers all industries: e.g. construction, agriculture, manufacturing, retail, maintenance,warehouse etc; but not those paid to lead or train climbing and caving

• Duty holders are:• employers;

• self-employed; and

• those in control of people at work, to the extent of their control

Scope: What Sectors are covered?

Work at height should be• Properly planned

• Appropriately supervised

• Not carried out if weather conditions jeopardise health and safety

Those working at height should be• competent or if being trained

supervised by a competent person

Organisation, Planning, Competence

• Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at work Regulations

• Do a risk assessment

Risk Assessment

Avoid work at height

• if you don’t have to go up there DON’T!

Prevent falls • use an existing place or means of access

• Use the most suitable way of working

• Select the most suitable equipment

Avoid - Prevent - Minimise

Minimise the distance and consequences

• Minimise the consequences

• Take other measures to prevent injury eg instruction, information and training

Avoid – Prevent - Minimise

Select the right work equipment

• Collective protection before personal protection

• Select guardrails/working platforms before personal fall prevention (eg work restraint)

• Select nets/airbags before personal fall arrest

Select the right work equipment

• Working conditions

• Access and Egress

• Distance and consequences of a fall

• Duration and frequency of use/task

• Ease of rescue/evacuation

• Risk of use, installation and removal of equipment

Select the right work equipment

Types of Work Equipment

• Guardrails

• Working platforms (scaffolds/MEWPS etc)

• Nets/Airbags

• Personal Fall Protection systems

• Ladders

LADDERS USE

• Risk assessment must justify use;• Low risk,• Short duration,• Or Site conditions dictate

• Follow good practice

Examples of Work Equipment.

Avoiding work at height

Collective Prevention.

M.E.W.P

Scaffolding

Edge protection

Nets

Air bags

Collective Fall arrest

Personal Fall Arrest

Fall Arrest

Work Positioning

Other Requirements

• Avoid risks from Fragile Surfaces

• Prevent Falling Objects

• Warn about Danger Areas

• Inspect work equipment

• Persons at work should• Follow instructions and training• Advise employer of hazards/risks to

health and safety

Communication

• What HSE have done

• What HSE would like you to do

• How will HSE know if they are getting it right?

• If you follow good practice you should be doing enough to comply

• Do a risk assessment, plan and organise your work properly

• Follow the hierarchy: avoid – prevent – minimise

• Choose the right equipment - select collective protection before personal

• Guide supported by Industry Specific Guidance.

KEY MESSAGES