Health and Safety Executive Work at Height and working with contractors Presented by Tony Almond Safety Topics Team.

Health and Safety

Executive

Work at Height and working with contractorsPresented by

Tony AlmondSafety Topics Team

Work at Height

• Where did the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) come from and why do we have them?

• What do stakeholders / industry say about them?

• Some statistics, what can they tell us

• Why do falls happen in schools?

• What can you do about it?

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Where do the regulations come from and why do we have them?

• The WAHR implement EU law, the Temporary Work at Height Directive 2001/45/EC (TWAHD)

• Previously, we had industry-specific legal requirements to control work at height e.g. in construction, shipbuilding, docks and offshore regulations • The WAHR combine the vast majority of earlier regulations into a single set of cross-cutting, goal setting regulations.

• They apply to all work at height activities across all sectors (approximately 10.5 million jobs and just over a million business enterprises).

• Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities. In 2011-12 there were 40 fatal falls (provisional figures), 25 of which occurred in construction

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What did Stakeholders say about them?

• Many organisations, including Access Industry Forum (AIF) and others reinforced the need for the protection the WAHR offer

• Main concerns

– guidance being primarily aimed at construction– burdensome on simple activities e.g. window cleaning and basic maintenance jobs

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What can the statistics tell us?

In the UK during 2011/12:

• Falls remain the one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries• 40 fatalities to workers (this includes self-employed)• Over half of these fatal falls reported in construction• Falls from height account for approximately 60% of construction fatalities

In the last 10 years:

• Falls accidents have been declining

• Over 80% of falls are reported as ‘low level’ falls

• Ladders account for about one in seven reported fall injuries and nearly a quarter of fatals

• Most fatalities are from scaffolds, work platforms, fragile roofs

• Education sector are consistently in ‘top 5’

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UK: Fatal falls from height

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Years

No

.s Fatal

Linear (Fatal)

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Main activity resulting in falls in education

Teachers/ teaching assistants

•Putting up work and exhibitions•Retrieving items from storage•Putting up and taking down Christmas decorations

Caretakers/ maintenance people

• Retrieving things off the flat roof• Cleaning/ painting and decorating• Changing light-bulbs and other general maintenance• Work on plays and on the stage

• Stairs

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Falls in education – main agents

Teachers/ teaching assistants

• Furniture• Ladders

Caretakers/ maintenance people

• Ladders• Open edge• Through fragile surface (roof lights – false ceiling)• Trees

• Stairs

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Work at Height – things to remember

If you must work at height;

• Take a moment to plan the work • Use the right equipment for the job• Make sure it is in good condition• Make sure the surface you are placing the equipment on is stable and that the equipment can be set up properly• Make sure that staff are competent (this does not mean you need a training course!)

And……….

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More Work at Height – things to remember

Don’t climb on furniture

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Where to get help

• HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/falls• WAIT tool – helps you decide on the right access equipment• Safe use of Ladders and step ladders• Work at height Guidance for schools

• Some Local Authorities have developed their own guidance

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New HSE Images

Figure 3 Incorrect – overreaching and not maintaining three points of contact (means of securing omitted for clarity)

Figure 2 Correct – user maintaining three points of contact (means of securing omitted for clarity)

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Summary

• Take a moment to plan the work• Use the right equipment• Make sure staff who need to work at height are competent• If you are not sure get help

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Managing Contractors

Things to remember:

•Choosing the right contractor•Risk Management;

• need to be aware of the findings of the risk assessment• if staff and pupils are on site think about segregation• informing staff • informing the contractor (do’s and don’ts)

• Communicate regularly and openly• Manage the work – stay up to date

Where can I get help?• Local Authority• HSE Website

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Thank you for listening, any questions ?