049 Working at Heights.ppt
- 2. 2 Falls in Construction Falls are the leading cause of deaths in the construction industry. Most fatalities occur when employees fall from open-sided floors and through floor openings. Falls from as little as 1.2 to 1.8 meters can cause serious lost- time accidents and sometimes death.
- 3. 3 Definition Working at Height means: Working on temporary or permanent structures that are greater than 1.8 meters above the ground or floor level Some potential hazards for those involved due to the height above grade whilst it also carries a potential risk for those directly below the work site.
- 4. 4 Causes of Falling from Height Engineering factors – missing guardrails and safety harnesses, unreliable or unstable scaffoldings, floors, ladders; Process factors – mistakes in method statement or operation procedures; Psychological factors – fear, coordination impairment, careless moves, unsafe behavior; Weather factors – strong wind, extremely hot or cold temperature, rain, snow, fog, ice.
- 5. 5 Working at Height Working at height treated in two categories :- Scaffold platforms, other temporary staging or elevating lifts. suspended by crane or other hoist working from a man cage or work basket.
- 6. 6 Working at Height Personnel should have suitable PPE, information, instruction, training and supervision. Suitable and effective measures must be taken to prevent any person falling from a distance likely to cause injury. Suitable and effective measures must be taken to prevent them being struck by falling object likely to cause injury. Areas of risk exist proper warning sign must be posted. As far as practicable every tank, pit, structure and traffic route over or crossed must be securely covered fenced.
- 7. 7 Working at Height Working on scaffolding
- 8. 8 Signs and Barricade Working in height excess of 2 meters above the ground or deck ( or over the side ) special precautions must be taken to ensure the personnel safety. Protection of anyone who may be below the work site. Cordon off the area below - to prevent personnel injury or anything drop. Cordon off the area below the work site
- 9. 9 Personal Protective Equipment Personnel Protective Equipment: Appropriate personnel equipment must be used such as safety helmet, toe cap boot or shoes, coverall, safety harness etc. Make sure that the clothing must be neat fitting. Use the chin strap of the helmet
- 10. 10 Falling from Heights Guardrail: The minimum height of the top rail above floor level should be 1100mm. This ensure the average person’s centre of gravity. Never climb up onto the guardrail to gain extra height.
- 11. 11 Guardrail Temporary guardrail: For maintenance or access purpose a fencing may be required to remove. A temporary guard rail is required to erect around the area . e.g. removing deck gratings, floor boards. Ensure that the temporary guardrails also must meet the safety standards Temporary guard rails
- 12. 12 Temporary Flooring Temporary flooring: To make hole safe it can be covered by steel plates or wooden planks to get suitable strength and support. The fixed support must not be easily removable. A TRIP HAZARD sign board must be posted. Temporary Flooring
- 13. 13 Fall Protection Fall arresters: The place where the temporary guard rails cannot be erected, use safety harness or fall arresters. Before use the equipment inspect thoroughly. Make sure that the fall arrester is not shock loaded. The arrester of the safety line must anchored on a suitable point.
- 14. 14 Fall Protection Fall arrester: The harness must be worn correctly and the safety line must not become trip hazard. A suitable anchor points shall be used
- 15. 15 Ladder Cage Ladder cage: Always grip the rungs as opposed to the strings Always close the gate or replace the safety chain when finished.
- 16. 16 Use of Ladder Use of portable ladders: Choose the correct ladder according to the nature of work. Wooden ladder to be used when working with any electrical apparatus or electrical supply. The ladder height must be extended 1m above work place. The second person must support the ladder until it properly secured. When climbing or descending always grip the horizontal rungs . Never try to overreach, come down and reposition the ladder closer to the work site.
- 17. 17 Use of Ladder Don’t overreach Move the ladder closer Correct use of Portable Ladder
- 18. 18 Scaffolding Tag Scaffolding Access: Never use incomplete or uncertified scaffold. Never make unauthorized alterations. Never climb up on the guard/handrails to gain extra height. Never drop or throw things down from scaffolding. Green Tag – Safe to Use Red Tag – Unsafe to Use
- 19. 19 Mobile Working Platform Mobile working platforms: Do not place outriggers over drains or similar which may collapse. Ensure there are no exhausts or fume extractors in close proximity to where the cage will be working. Check that overhead conditions will not endanger the operator. Check weather conditions are suitable. Never attempt to move the unit with the personnel aloft in the cage.
- 20. 20 Mobile Working Platform Makeshift platforms: Never use a makeshift work platform to reach a height.
- 21. 21 Personnel Man basket Personnel Man basket A min. height from the floor of the platform to top handrail to prevent them toppling over or falling out. If open sided a maximum vertical distance between the handrail and immediate rail to prevent falling through between them. If open sided a kick board or toe board to be provided. Personnel working in the basket shall wear full body harness with safety line attached to the basket or to the hook block or headache ball.
- 22. 22 Falling Object Securing tools and materials Loose materials must be removed or secured at the end of the work. Special attention is required on round or cylindrical equipment. Sparks and hot slag needs to be contained. Appropriate materials are to be used to protect the job doing below.
- 23. 23 Falling Object Falling objects: Reduce the risk of personnel injury by: Wear appropriate PPE. Should have awareness of the dangers of falling or dropped objects. Always extra alert should personnel working overhead. Obey any signs and warning .
- 24. 24 Falling Object Carrying tools: Never secure the tools in the pocket. Always use properly designed tool belt. Try to secure the tool with thin rope to avoid trip hazard.
- 25. 25 Falling Object Unsecured tools or machine parts: Leaving the tools purposely without securing It can fall due to wind, vibration, sudden movement or hosing down for cleaning purpose.
- 26. 26 Falling Object Small Tools and Parts: Placing small hand tools or machine parts on open grating floors can cause it to fall down Provide a proper toolbox or floor support or blanket to prevent small materials from rolling and falling
- 27. 27 Falling Object Using hand tools at height: Excessive force will cause spanner slipping off a nut and will lead the tools to fall down Defective hand tools can also cause it to slip and fall down Hand tools shall be secured with small rope attached to the wrist to prevent it from accidental falling
- 28. 28 Checklist Are practical control measures in place to eliminate or reduce the risk of falling? Have you identified potential or existing hazards and assessed the risks of anyone falling from heights? Have you considered alternative ways of carrying out the work? Have you assessed whether a fall would be broken before hitting the ground/other structure?
- 29. 29 Checklist Is there safe access and egress to work being performed at heights? Have you checked stairs? Have you checked walkways? Have you checked ladders? Have you checked mechanical lifts? Are work areas free of obstructions?
- 30. 30 Checklist Have people working at heights been given adequate information, instruction and training? Have you been vigilant in ensuring that safe work practices are in place? Have you taken all practical steps to prevent falls? Have you got fall prevention systems in place? Have you considered alternative ways to do the work?
- 31. 31 Summary Reducing accidents in the work place is a sound management practice. Not only it will make your workforce happier, but will also save your money through improved output and will reduce the risk of fines and compensation claims.