SHORT DURATION WORK FROM PORTABLE LADDERS – LEVEL

Paul Debney

INTRODUCTION

Session 1

• Appreciate the requirements of UK legislation.

• Understand the difference between fall arrest/ work restraint and the importance of correct anchorage.

• Understand the method for fitting, usage and inspection of all fall prevention equipment specified for this course.

• Appreciate the standards for roof safety and the hazards to be avoided.

• Understand the access/working procedures for portable ladder usage on elevations and pitched roof working.

• Understand the procedures to access but not work on a flat roof.

• Demonstrate the method for securing and using fall protection equipment on leaning ladders for access.

• Demonstrate the process and transfer methods for the fall protection equipment used for gaining safe access to pitched roofs.

• Provide guidance on self rescue methods.

• working more safely yourself.

• manage safety more effectively.

• contribute to the overall safety of your organisation.

AN OBJECTIVE TO BE ACHIEVED BY D&K

HEATING SERVICES LTD AND YOU.

Designed to prevent a secured ladder from slipping out at the base and replaces the operative hand with a mechanical device to maintain 3 points of

contact

Ladder System;

• Level 1 – with Cows Tail

• Level 2 – with Cows Tail, Rope & Rope Grab

• Level 3 – for gaining access to pitched roofs

LEGISLATION

Session 2

Employers General Duties Section 2 (1)

It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all

his employees.

Employers General Duties Section 2 (2)

(a) Provide and maintain plant & systems of work that are, SFAIRP, safe and without risks to health.

(b) Have arrangements for ensuring, SFAIRP, safety and absence of risks to health, in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles & substances.

(c) Provide such information, instruction, training & supervision as is necessary to ensure, SFAIRP, the health & safety at work of his employees.

(d) SFAIRP, as regards any place of work/environment under the employers control, maintain it in a condition that is safe and without risks to health, and provide and maintain means of access and egress that are safe and without such risks.

* SFAIRP – So far as is reasonably practicable.

Duty to Non Employees section 3 (1)

It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, SFAIRP, that persons not in his employment who may be affected by his work, are not exposed to risks to their health or safety.

Employee Duties section 7&8

All employees must;

1. Take reasonable care for health & safety at work of themselves and any other people who might be affected by their acts or omissions.

2. To cooperate with their employers and others to enable them to comply with the statutory duties

3. Not to interfere with or misuse anything provided for health and safety purposes.

Duty Not to Charge Employees section 9

No employer must charge his employees for any measures which he is

required by law to provide in the interests of health and safety i.e. (protective

equipment, safety training).

Employers Responsibilities

• Assess the risk to the health and safety of employees and to anyone who may be affected by the company work activity.

• Produce arrangements/control measures for controlling hazards.

• Plan for emergencies that may arise.

• Provide information to all those affected and training to employees.

• Arrange for competent assistance where required to meet these obligations.

5 employees = written risk assessments

PUWER

• Suitable for the Intended Use.

• (Work equipment includes ladders, stabilising devices, hand tools etc.)

• Safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and inspected.

• Used by individuals who have received adequate information, instruction and training.

• Accompanied by suitable safety measures e.g. protective devices, markings and warnings.

PPE

• PPE may only be used if other measures are not effective.

• PPE must be suitable to the individual and appropriate for the risk.

• PPE must be CE marked.

• Combinations of PPE must be compatible for use together

• Employees must take reasonable care in using PPE and report defects.

PPE must be inspected before usage by the wearer, with an additional annual inspection

carried out by a competent person.

What is work at height?

Work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury even if it is at or below ground level.

Regulation 6 - Hierarchy

AVOID – WORK AT HEIGHT Using an existing place of work that is already safe, or, if not use work equipment to prevent people from falling.

Take sufficient measures to minimise the distance and/or consequences of a potential fall.

For tasks of low risk and short duration, ladder and stepladders can be a sensible and practical option.

Organisation and Planning

Avoid working at height if possible

Working at height to be properly planned

Working at height to be appropriately supervised

Working at height to be completed by a competent person

Working at height carried out using risk assessment

Ladder Usage – Schedule 6 Requirements for Ladders

Ladders are used at height only if a risk

assessment demonstrates that the use of other

equipment is not justified because of the low risk

and: Short Duration of use or existing features on site

cannot be altered.

Short duration work

How long do you think?

Maximum of 30 minutes at a single position

before the ladder is moved

Additional Requirements

• Fragile Surfaces

• Falling Objects

• Selection of Work Equipment

Suitable and appropriate for the nature of the work.

• Inspections

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/company-fined-after-workers-ladder-fall/

This person fell a few cm’s more than a football crossbar height

Injuries incurred; • 8 broken ribs • Cut head • Broken finger • Lacerations (shin, knees &

elbows

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/roofing-company-fined-after-workers-death/

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/building-firm-sentenced-for-corporate-manslaughter/

E2 Developments Ltd

£66,000 with £13,200 costs

Peter Allum (contractor in

charge of roofing)

£1500 with £1500 costs

Philip Lonergan (sub

contractor & experienced

roofer)

Fell to his death

Albion Scaffolding

£53,000 with £15,000 costs

Lee Cotterill (Director Albion)

3 months prison (suspended)

£4000 costs

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/four-

prosecuted-after-roof-fall-death/

Single Asbestos exposure Single Fall from height

FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT -

HARNESS

Session 3

1. Label (is harness in date)

2. Rip stitch indicators

3. Buckles & fastenings for correct operation

4. Visually check webbing & stitching

FALL CLASSIFICATION AND EFFECT

Session 4

• Fall can occur over exposed edges while wearing fall arrest

• System stops a person from hitting the ground

• With work restraint, the operative cannot reach the exposed edge and is therefore unable to fall

• Safest and most preferable position for attachment

• Fall distance is prevented as cowstail under tension

• Generally achieved when operative steps up a rung without disconnecting

• Increases fall distance moving individual from a position of restraint of arrest

• Extended fall distance in fall arrest

• Damage to person and/or equipment possible

FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND

INSPECTION

Session 5

Describe the inspection procedure for twist lock karabiners?

• Examine the operation of the gate & locking mechanism

• Check moving parts function (twist lock)

When fitting the ladder bolt at what height should it be installed?

Waist/chest height

When in place and tightened how far should the ladder bolt protrude the wall?

Once tightened the ladder bolt should sit flush with

the wall

Describe why it is important to position the ladder yoke at a 90° angle to the ladder stiles?

It is the shortest distance from the ladder to the wall

ROOF SAFETY

Session 6

• Has a risk assessment been undertaken • Check roof is safe by carrying out a visual inspection

before accessing • Consider the method and area for accessing the roof • Consider the possibility of falling objects

Preparation for roof working

Roof Hazard Exercise

Pitched Roof Hazards

1. Pitch (steepness) 2. Windy conditions 3. Ice, Snow, Rain 4. Moss

Fragile Roof Materials

1. Roof lights 2. Asbestos Sheeting 3. Plastic

Roof Working Parameters

1. Sufficient Edge Protection 950mm in height – (and roof integrity confirmed) – Fall protection not required.

2. Ladder Access to roof 1m above stepping off point.

3. Microlite/Standoff used to prevent leaning ladder on fragile surface.

4. Demarcation to exposed edge. (later slide)

HSG 33 – Short Duration Roof Working

Definition: • Tasks that are measured in minutes rather

than hours. It includes tasks such as inspection, short drilling operations and replacing a few tiles.

Minimum Requirements: • A safe means of access to the roof level & • Safe means of working on the roof.

Demarcation

2m Clearance from the working zone to the roof edge.

ACCESS PROCEDURES

Session 7

Options for Securing Ladders

1. Tie the ladder (this course) 2. Stabilise the ladder 3. Wedge the ladder

4. Foot the ladder (last resort)*

*HSE INDG455 “Footing is the last resort. Avoid it, where ‘reasonably

practicable’, by using other access equipment.”

ACCESS PROCEDURES - PRACTICAL

Session 8

SELF RESCUE AWARENESS

Session 9

WRITTEN ASSESSMENT

Session 10