Working Safely Whilst off the Ground
Working Safely whilst off the ground is an important OHS issue within the extractive industry. Below is an extract from the CMPA’s Work Safely Reference Manual regarding working at heights and working from scaffolding and EWP’s.
WORKING AT HEIGHTS
Working at heights is managed by Part 3.3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 which apply to all heights above 2m. Falls can occur while working on vehicles, roofs and elevated work platforms and can cause serious or fatal accidents.
Additional training on this issue is available through the CMPA.
The following steps could be undertaken to ensure the site is free from falling from height injuries:
- Determine everyone’s responsibilities for managing fall prevention
- Identify fall hazards
- Assess risks and situations where falls could occur
- Establish suitable control measures:
- Can the work be done from the ground or a work platform?
- Can a passive fall prevention device be used?
- Can a work positioning system be used?
- Can a fixed or portable ladder or administrative control be used?
- Implement fall prevention measures
- Ensure emergency procedures are in place
- Review controls regularly
In order to prevent falls, some possible controls include the following:
- Design or modify plant to minimise the possibility of falling (i.e. put all daily checks at ground level)
- Move the item of plant down to ground level to conduct the task then return it to height
- Install mobile or fixed work platforms to enable tasks to be conducted in a safe manner with sufficient room for spare parts
- Guard rails, mid rails and toe boards should be installed at the perimeters of all catwalks, buildings and other structures or openings where work is undertaken within 2m of an edge or unstable roof
- Perimeter guard rails should be between 900 and 1000mm high
- Travel restraint and fall arrest systems
MUST NOT be used unless the person has been trained
- Fall protection devices are to be stored in a clean and dry environment and should be inspected before use
- Only use safety belts and harnesses that have been tested and are within test dates
- Excessively dirty, damaged, stressed or out of date harnesses MUST NOT be used and must be reported to your Supervisor immediately
Contact your Supervisor if you are required to work in an area where there is a danger of falling from height. Suitable protection such as a fall arrest system will be required.
WORKING FROM SCAFFOLDING AND EWPS
When working on scaffolding and elevated work platforms (EWPs), common incidents include slips, trips and electrocution. In order to manage these issues, the following controls may be used:
- Only WorkSafe certified scaffolders may erect, modify or dismantle scaffolding from which a person may fall from 4m or more
- Ensure any persons using the equipment are appropriately licensed
- Do not remove or alter scaffold parts
- Ensure scaffolding is properly braced/tied
- Have scaffolding checked after high wind and/or alterations
- Erect barriers to prevent tools or debris from falling on people below
- Inspect scaffolding before use checking inspection tag and date before climbing
- The scaffold should be level at all times and on stable ground
- Never move mobile scaffold whilst people are on it and always lock wheels before use
- See Section 4.8.2 Overhead Power lines for the rules concerning scaffolding and operating EWPs near overhead power lines
- Platforms are to be fully decked and planks secure against uplift
- Always check the load rating of scaffolding if it is to support gear. Light-duty holds up to 225kg per bay, medium 450kg and heavy 675kg per bay
- Mobile scaffolding must not be used for access above three bays.
Pictures Source: WorkSafe Prevention of Falls
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