working_at_height_regulations_presentation.ppt
- 1. Working at Height Regulations 2005
- 2. • Statistics 2003 / 2004 (HSE) • 67 Fatalities • 3,884 major injuries (2/3 of which were falls from below 2 metres
- 3. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Key Messages • Those following good practice for work at height now, should already be doing enough to comply with WAHR • Those who plan and organise work at height and follow risk assessments will generally already be compliant with WAHR • Those choosing the right equipment for the job will already comply with WAHR
- 4. 2005 Working at Height Regulations • All work at height is covered regardless of what height it is performed at • Precautions need to be taken where there is a risk of injury • Use risk assessment to decide whether precautions are needed and in what form • Precautions are ‘expected’ with work above ‘2 metres’, but also assess risks from falls below this height and take sensible precautions which reflect the risk
- 5. Key Requirements – Organise and plan work at height – Ensure staff are competent – Avoid risk from work at height – Select suitable work equipment to perform work at height – Avoid work on fragile surfaces – Ensure work equipment is inspected – Prevent any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury
- 8. Common Myths
- 9. HSE have banned the use of ladders on building sites No, this isn’t the case. Ladders and stepladders can be a sensible and practical option. They can be used for work at height when the use of other work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration (short duration means working on a ladder for no more than 30 minutes at a time); or when there are existing workplace or site features which cannot be altered.
- 10. You need to be formally ‘qualified’ before using a ladder at work No, you do not. You need to be competent. This means having the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to use a ladder properly for the work you will carry out, or, if you are being trained, you work under the supervision of somebody who can perform the task competently. Training often takes place on the job and does not always have to take place in a classroom. What matters is that an individual can apply what they have learned in the workplace.
- 11. I am working at height if I’m walking up and down a staircase at work No, you are not. Work at height does not include walking up and down a permanent staircase in a building.
- 12. You need to have two feet and one hand on a stepladder at all times when carrying out a task No, this isn’t true. When you need to have both hands free for a brief period to do a job using a stepladder (eg putting a box on a shelf, hanging wallpaper, installing a smoke detector on a ceiling) you need to maintain three points of contact at the working position. This is not just two feet and one hand, it can be two feet and your body (use your knees or chest to help with stability) supported by the stepladder. Ensure a handhold is available to steady yourself before and after.
- 13. HSE has banned the use of ladders to access scaffolds and you will be fined if you ignore this ban No, this isn’t true. Ladders can be used for access as long as they are of the right type (ie a suitable grade of industrial ladder), in good condition and effectively secured (tied) to prevent movement. You should ensure they extend at least one metre above the landing point to allow for a secure handhold when stepping off
- 14. Risk Assessment Exercise • Retrieving balls from a flat roof • Gutter cleaning • Maintenance work indoors using a step ladder • Changing light fittings in an office / corridor • Mounting work on a wall display
- 16. Ladders Questions and Answers Q: The surface beneath a ladder should be: A: Firm, level, clear, dry, not slippery. Q: How many points of contact should there be with the ladder? A: Three. If you are not sure that it is safe to use a ladder speak to your supervisor or the safety representative. Disclaimer Toolbox Talks are provided by Barbour for general guidance on matters of interest. In making these documents available to a general and diverse audience it is not possible to anticipate the requirements or the hazards of any particular subscriber's business. Users are therefore advised to carefully evaluate the contents and adapt the Toolbox Talks to suit the requirements of each situation or activity. Barbour does not accept any liability whatsoever for injury, damage or other losses which may arise from reliance on this information and the use of these documents. Copyright of these documents remains with Barbour and whilst subscribers are permitted to make use of them for their own purposes, permission is not granted for resale of the intellectual property to third parties. Revised: 2010
- 17. Legislation and resources • Work at Height Regulations 2005 • The Work at Height (Amendment) Regulations 2007 • INDG401: The Work at Height Regulations • INDG402: Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders • INDG405: Top Tips for Ladder and Stepladder Safety. Ladders
- 18. Ladders In use: • only work on a ladder for a maximum of 15 - 30 minutes at a time • only carry light materials and tools (up to 10 kg) • always grip the ladder when climbing • do not overreach - make sure your belt buckle (navel) stays within the stiles • keep both feet on the same rung or step throughout the task • do not work off the top three rungs - this provides a handhold • try to keep three points of contact with the ladder.
- 19. Ladders A leaning ladder in a good position: • is at an angle of 75° - one unit out for every four units up • stands on a surface that is: firm level clear dry not slippery • will not move at the bottom or top • rests on a strong upper resting point (not plastic guttering or a window) • has horizontal rungs (use a spirit level). Always consider: position condition competency 75 °
- 20. Ladders A leaning ladder in good condition has: • both feet firmly attached and with a good tread • clean rungs • undamaged stiles (the side pieces that the rungs are attached to) • secure fastenings when it is extended.
- 21. Ladders INTRODUCTION Before using a ladder, consider the following: • are you fit to work at height? • the condition of the ladder • the position of the ladder.
- 22. Reference Working at height guidance available from RMBC Intranet and RGFL.