Working at Heights

What should be used with a lanyard to slow your fall and take the impact of your weight?

Energy Absorbers

What is a JSA

Job Safety Analysis

What should you not use to get more height while working on a work platform?

Ladders

What should you try not to do your work on?

Ladders

Using portable ladders safely

Ladders should be set up so that they are on stable ground and fixed at the top and base. If you are using a step-ladder it should be fully opened with the legs locked into position. Ladders need to be set up so that there is at least 1 metre of ladder extending past the floor you are moving to. The angle of the ladder should be 1m out for every 4m up.

Lanyards

Lanyards are used to connect the fall-arrest harness to the anchor point or static line. There should not be too much slack in the lanyard between you and the anchor point or static line

Hazard Controls for Wrok at heights (levels)

Level 1 - Completely avoid carrying out the work at height. Level 2 - Work only on solid structures that include safe entry and exit from the work area. Level 3 - Lower the risk of a worker falling by using one or more of the following things: - A fall prevention device like guardrails or edge protection. - A work positioning system like an elevating work platform if you can't use edge protection. - A fall-arrest system if you can't use either fall prevention or positioning systems.

What should you do before you start a job at heights?

Look around the site. Look around the layout of the area and the condition of any buildings or structures that you will be working on. Start to think about any potential hazards and work out what equipment you'll need to do the work

Inspecting Inertia Reels - Snap Hooks

Make sure the locking action is working on these parts and that there are no signs of damage or wear.

Inspecting Inertia Reels - Rope

Make sure the rope can be fully extended and retracts (winds back) back properly. Check the entire length of the rope for any damage (abrasion, fraying, stretching, evidence of contact with heat or chemicals).

What is a mast climber

Mast climbers are made up of work platform that are raised and lowered along 1 or more masts using a hoist motor

Who can set up a mast climber?

Mast climbers need to be set up by somebody with a basic level of rigging licence, or intermediate level scaffolding licence. Other workers can help set up or remove the mast climber if a licence person is supervising

What should you do if the weather is bad?

Might have to put the work off until the conditions clear up

Forklifts and Forklift Work Platforms

Order picking forklift trucks are most commonly used for stock picking and may only be operated by somebody with a High Risk Order Picker Licence. They are designed to be used on flat level surfaces and must not be used on rough terrain.

What is the swing down and swing back?

Pendulum Effect. This means the worker could hit the ground (called 'swing down') or swing back into the building or structure (called 'swing back').

What are restraint systems made up of?

Restraint systems are made up of a harness that is connected to an anchor point or static line using a lanyard. The anchor point should be designed for fall-arrest loading.

Restraint Systems

Restraint systems control a worker's movement by physically stopping them from getting to a point where they could fall off an unprotected edge. These systems should only be used where a barrier or guardrail cannot be used.

What is a SOP

Safe Operating Procedure

What is a SWMS

Safe Work Method Statement

Signage

Site lineage tells you what equipment you need to have, or areas that are not safe to be in

What is a static line?

Static lines are horizontal lines that a lanyard can be attached to and are designed to stop people falling off an edge. Static lines are anchor points for a fall-arrest system that still allow a limited range of movement along the oath of the line

To work out if there is enough distance between the work surface and the surface below you need to look at...

The workers height. The height and position of the anchorage point. The length of the lanyard. Any slack in the horizontal life line. Any stretching of the lanyard or horizontal life line when extended by a fall. The length of the energy absorber when extended by a fall.

Codes of Practice

These are instructions on how to follow the law, based on industry standards. 'Managing the Risk of Falls in Workplaces' is the national code of practice for working at heights.

Acts

These are laws that you have to follow

Regulations

These explain what the law means

Australian Standards

These tell you what the minimum requirement is for a job, product or hazard

What are anchorage line or rails designed to give people

They are designed to give continuous fall protection for workers using ladders or climbing towers on plant (e.g. tower cranes) as well as workers on buildings or structures.

What are fall protection covers usually made of?

They are usually made of timer, metal or wire mesh. They should be fixed in place and strong enough to stop a person falling through

Potential hazards - manual handling

Trying to carry heavy or bulky items while on a gaffer. Having to bend or twist too much to get hold of materials or equipment. Holding yourself in an uncomfortable position, or in a way that will make it hard to keep your grip. Balancing while moving from one surface to another.

When checking for a hazard where should you check?

Up high - above your head. All around at eye level. Down low on the ground (and also think about what is under the ground)

Ladders - what rate should all work carried out at heights be used

120kg and is manufactured for industrial use

What is the minimum breaking strength of an anchor?

15kn for 1 person attached. 21kn for 2 people

Who must install and check safety systems ?

A competent person. For some equipment this may be someone with a scaffolding or rigging licence.

Individual Fall Arrest Systems

A fall-arrest system is designed to safely stop a worker falling too far and to minimise the force of the fall. Fall-arrest systems must only be used where other higher level control measures are not able to be used instead.

Define a Hazard

A hazard is the thing or situation that causes injury, harm or damage

Who can build scaffolding over 4m?

A person with a scaffold licence. The scaffold also needs to have guard rails and kkckboards to stop people or tools from falling over the edge

What must be warn by someone working on an order picker?

A safety harness - reduce the risk of a fall from height

What is a temporary work platform?

A temporary work platform is a stable platform that can be used to access the job or the work area while the work is being done and is removed when the work is finished. The floor of the platform should be non-slip large enough for workers, tools and materials and strong enough to carry it all safely

Outline what a WMS contains

A work method statement is a list of steps that outlines how a job will be done. It also includes any hazards that occur at each step and what you need to do about them.

Work Positioning Systems

A work positioning system uses equipment that lets a worker carry out a task while wearing a harness to prevent a fall.

Potential hazards - unprotected edges

Are there unprotected edges on floors, working platforms, walkways, walls or roofs

Potential hazards - Structures

Are they unstable or incomplete

Potential hazards - surfaces

Are they unstable, slippery, untidy, sloping or not going to support your weight?

Where should guard rails be used?

At the edge of roofs. On top of plant structures. At the edge of any surface without walls where a person could fall (like mezzanine floors, walkways, stairs or ramps). Around openings in floors (like incomplete elevator shafts). At the edges of excavations, pits or shafts where a person could fall in.

Catch Platforms and Safety Nets

Catch platforms and safety nets are short term structures that are installed below a work area to catch a worker if they fall or to catch falling objects.

What do some fall arrest systems include? (3)

Catch platforms, safety nets, individual fall-arrest systems

Safety Systems and Equipment - Fall arrest Systems

Catch platforms. Safety nets. Fall-arrest harnesses. Anchorage or static lines and rails

Inspecting Inertia Reels - Locking Mechanism and Rope Guides

Check for any wear or damage. Check that the locking mechanism is working correctly and holds securely. Check that the rope rewinds completely without loss of tension.

Name some fall arrest systems (13)

- Anchorages. - Static lines. - Inertia reel. - Lanyard of fixed length. Retractable lifelines. Rope grabs. - Wire grabs. - Rail system. - Shock absorbers, both personal and industrial. Harness. - Snap hooks (double or triple action to prevent rollout). - - ---Karabiners (double or triple action to prevent rollout). Rescue equipment.

How to fill out a Work Method Statement

1) Break the job down into steps and think about what needs to happen in each one 2) Think about and list any hazards that exist at each step 3) Work out the best way to deal with the hazards to make the work as safe as possible 4) Work out who is responsible for each step in the job, who is responsible for dealing with hazards and who is supervising the whole job 5) Make sure it is understood by everyone

Name different types of work at heights

1) Construction 2) Repair work or maintenance 3) Cleaning 4) Painting 5) Installing or removing plant or equipment 6) Rescue operations

Safety systems and equipment and used to...

1) Protect workers 2) Access work areas safely 3) Stop workers from falling 4) Stop tools or materials from falling

Give some examples of temporary work platforms

1) Scaffolding 2) Elevating work platforms (eg. boom type, scissor lift or hydraulic lift) 3) Mast climbers 4) Workboxes (crane or forklift lifted)

Weather and working at heights

1) Strong winds can knock you off balance or blow equipment or materials over the edge 2) Rain can make the surface of the work area slippery 3) Lightening can be extremely dan

Fall protection Devices include...

1) Temporary work platforms 2) Edge protection systems 3) Fall protection covers and safety mesh

The code of practice 'Managing the risk of falls at workplaces' lists the following measures to address 'Swing down'

1) The installation of guard rails 2) Placing the anchorage point at right angle to the position of the lanyard at the perimeter edge eg by using oil anchorage 3) The installation of a second anchorage point and belay devices (intermediate anchorages)

Where fixed or extension ladders are used for access (entering) or egress (exiting), you should check that:

1) There is a firm, stable, work platform, free from obstructions, to step onto the ladder 2)The ladder extends at least 1 meter above the stepping off point on the working platform 3)Fall protection is provided at the stepping off point where people access the working platform

When should an Inertia reel not be used?

1) While working on a sled surface or any other surface where a fall may not be quick and vertical 2) locked as a constant support for a worker during normal work 3) at the same time as a lanyard

What is working at heights?

1) Work that is done at heigh level off the ground, including work done from elevated work platforms 2) Work that is done near an edge that a person could fall off, or near a hole a person can fall into 3) work done on a surface that a person can fall or slip through

If you find something wrong with your equipment what should you do?

1. Tag and isolate (remove from service) the damaged or defective item to stop anybody else using it. 2. Write down the details of the problem in the logbook or on the inspection checklist. Give as much detail as possible. 3. Report the fault to your supervisor or another authorised person.

What length should a lanyard not let you fall further than?

2 meters before the fall arrest system takes effect

How many points of contact should you always have?

Always try to have at least 3 points of contact on a ladder at all times. This means 2 hands and 1 foot, or 2 feet and 1 hand

What is an anchor points?

An anchor point (or anchorage) is a fixed point that a fall-arrest system or static line is connected to, that can hold the weight of a falling worker

Edge Protection Systems (Guard Rails)

An edge protection system is a barrier set up around the edge of a structure, building or gap to stop people and objects from falling over the edge. It can include handrails or containment sheeting, safety shutters, guardrails, mid-rails and kickboards on a scaffold.

Anchorage Lines or Rails

Anchorage lines or rails can be temporary or permanent fall-arrest systems

Hazard Details

Any hazards in the work area or related to the work at heights. This could also include instructions on how to handle dangerous or hazardous materials

Signs and barriers may include

Danger and warning signs, flashing lights, barricades and fences

If a fall occurs on a anchorage line what should you do?

If a fall occurs, the system must be removed and checked by a competent person before it can be re-installed and used again

Fall Protection Covers and Safety Mesh

Fall protection covers are installed over openings and holes (like skylights) to prevent falls. Safety mesh is designed to prevent falls through a roof. It is not designed to stop people falling from the edge of a roof, or through holes in a roof. Don't rely on safety mesh alone to prevent falls.

Fall Arrest Systems

Fall-arrest systems are designed to stop a worker or materials that has fallen off an edge from hitting the level below.

Limiting Free-Fall Distance in Fall-Arrest Systems

Fall-arrest systems incorporating a lanyard should be installed so that the maximum distance a person would free-fall before the fall-arrest system takes effect is 2 metres.

What are footwalks?

Foot walks are walkways that can be installed on a rooftop to provide a safe, non-slip surface for you to walk on.

Manufacturers' Guidelines and Specifications

How to use and maintain tools, equipment and safety devices and systems

When can swing down occur?

IF the lanyard slides back along the perimeter edge the roof as a worker falls, until it is vertical. When this happens the worker might hit the ground (or lower level), or the lanyard may break from being dragged across the edge of the roof

Fall Prevention Devies

If there is no other way to avoid working at heights, the safest equipment you can use is a fall prevention device. Fall prevention devices are designed to stop you from falling by not letting you get too close to an unprotected edge while you work.

When will you need a High Risk Work Licence?

If you are operating a boom-type EWP with a boom that is 11 meters or longer you need a High Risk Work Licence

What could work positioning systems include?

Industrial rope access systems Restraint systems

What is an industrial rope access system

Industrial rope access systems allow workers to be suspended from vertical ropes to access the work area which could be the side of a building or down in an area that can only be accessed through an opening up high (such as a tank or silo).

Safety Systems and Equipment - Work positioning Systems

Industrial rope access systems. Restraint systems

When Is an industrial safety net used?

Industrial safety nets are sometimes used as fall protection for people working at heights where it is not realistic to have scaffolds or temporary guard railings

What is an Inertia Reel?

Inertia reels are used to give you a free range of movement or extra reach compared to a lanyard. In the event of a fall, an inertia reel will lock up the same way a seatbelt in a car does if you stop quickly.

Task Details

Instructions of what the work is or what you will be doing. Also instructions on how to safely do the job, for example manual handling techniques

Emergency Procedures

Instructions on what to do in emergency situations, for example if there is a fire, or if first aid is needed

Potential hazards - environment

Is bad weather predicted? are there very hot and cold temperatures? Are there UV hazards?

Potential hazards - the ground

Is it uneven, soft or unstable? Will it support the weight of access equipment (scaffolds, EWPs etc.)?

Fault Equipment Procedures

Isolation procedures to follow or forms to fill out

Crane-Lifted Personnel Boxes/Workboxes

Personnel boxes or workboxes are used to lift workers with a crane. Crane-lifted workboxes are useful for getting access to very high or isolated parts of a works where a scaffold would be difficult to put up

Safety Systems and Equipment - Ladders

Portable ladders. Fixed ladders

Safety Systems and Equipment - PPE

Protective equipment worn on site

What is suspension trauma?

Suspension trauma can be caused when a person in a fall-arrest harness falls and is left hanging in the harness for too long. Hanging in the harness puts pressure on the legs and affects the flow of your blood, making it build up in your legs. This means there is not enough blood moving back up around the top of the body.

Communication procedures

Technical and safety information could also include workplace procedures for communication

Safety Systems and Equipment - Fall Prevention Devices

Temporary work platforms. Guard rails (edge protection systems). Safety mesh and covers

Site Details

The information and safety requirements of the workplace environment

Name some safety considerations of Anchorage lines

The locking device is attached to the front of the harness. The lanyard (including all components/parts) is a maximum of 30cm long. The point of connection onto the line or rail system is near the base of the ladder where a worker can safely access it before climbing up. The system must provide continuous connection all the way to the top (disconnecting point). Free fall is limited to a maximum of 60cm. Permanent systems must be made of wire or rail construction and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Inspecting Inertia Reels - Anchorage Body

The main 2 parts to check on the anchorage body are the mounting ring and the casing. Check that there is no visible damage to either of these components. Also check that there are no loose or missing parts.

Working on an EWP

Whenever working in an EWP you should wear a safety hardness attached to a lanyard to an anchor point in the platform. Only an experience trained and qualified person should operate the EWP

Move tools and equipment safely

Wherever possible, use other methods such as conveyors, hoists, cranes or elevating work platforms to move tools and equipment up to and around the work area. Keep tools safely secured on a tool belt or in a toolbox inside a work platform.

What is a WMS

Work Method Statement

Work instructions

Work instructions will tell you the safest way to do the job, and the safety equipment that you will need to use

Fall-arrest harness

You should have a full body harness on. The harness must be fitted properly. The harness should be connected to an anchor or static line using the connection point on the front or the back of the harness, depending on the work you are doing

With a lanyard what should you be careful about with working around the anchor point?

You should not work above the anchor point

Name the 2 grades in portable ladders

industrial and domestic.

potential hazards - the work area in general

is there obstructions in the area (tools, rubbish, other workers)? Are there hazardous materials in the area? IS there enough lighting to cover the area?