Critical Task Safety Training
PRACTICES OF WORKING AT HEIGHTS
Version: 3
Issued : March 2013
Important Note
Mondi Group has had three fall from height fatalities in two separate incidents in the past four months, and therefore the training for working
at heights is to be repeated.
The objective of conducting the refresher training is to ensure that we prevent any further injuries resulting from persons falling from heights.
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Nine Safety Rules to Live By
Rule Number Four : Protect yourself against falling when working at heights by always wearing fall arrest equipment
Always use fall protection equipment to keep you safe when at heights where you can fall over 2 metres. Note: The height in some operations is lower that 2 metres. In this case the site rule must be adhered to.
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Nine Safety Rules to Live By
Rule Number Four (continued) : Protect yourself against falling when working at heights by always wearing fall arrest equipment
If you are working outside a protective environment where you can fall over 2 metres you shall at all times:
Have an authorisation to work at heights outside a protective environment which
includes approved scaffolds, stairs, safety barriers and man lifts
Be aware of which fall protection to use and how to use it
Always tie-off when at heights outside a protective environment
Only make use of scaffolding systems which have been approved and tagged as safe
for use
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Site Specific Procedures
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Important
Each operation MUST add in a couple of slides explaining
in detail their site specific procedures for working at
heights.
Case Scenario One – Fatal Injury
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The deceased was part of a three man team
inspecting deposits at the top of the stack. At
some stage he disconnected his safety harness
from the life line to take the jack hammer out of
the toolbox which was located in the centre if the
working platform.
He failed to reconnect to the life line when
returning to the edge of the platform. Whilst
conducting tests a section of the deposit came
loose and fell on the platform. As a result the
platform tilted and he lost his balance and fell off
the edge, landing on the ground 115m below.
The other two members of the working team
were secured to the lifeline which saved them
from falling off the platform as well. They were
not injured during the incident.
Always ensure you and your team members are
hooked up when working at heights as anything
could happen resulting in you losing your
balance, slipping and falling to a lower level
16 November 2011
A contractor employed on a
project site was fatally injured as
a result of falling off a working
platform at a height of 115m
inside a smoke stack.
Case Scenario Two – Lost Time Injury
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The injured person was taking measurements on
a project site and when moving along the
scaffolding he fell through an opening which had
not been protected.
The scaffold had been inspected and declared
safe for use. The tags were installed giving
permission for the use of the scaffolding.
However there was one knee height rail that was
missing causing the gap through which the
injured person fell.
The upper handrail was in place, however the
lower one (knee rail) was never installed. The
injured person suffered a cut to his head and
was fortunate not to have been seriously injured.
Always ensure that the scaffolding is safe and
meets the requirements prior to use. Inform your
supervisor of any issues of concern.
Scaffold permit issuers have a responsibility to
conduct a thorough check prior to approving
scaffolding for use.
31 March 2011
A contractor was taking
measurements whilst working
on a scaffold when he fell
through an unprotected gap.
Fatal Incidents – 2012 and 2013
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During installation of cladding inside a
newly erected pulp storage tank the
scaffolding collapsed resulting in the
fatal injuries of two persons and injuring
a further five.
The investigation is still being
conducted to determine the actual
causes and contributing factors that
lead to the incident.
25 February 2013
Scaffold collapses at
the Mondi Syktyvkar
mill, on a project site
resulting in multiple
injuries.
Never climb onto a scaffold that is not
tagged and approved safe for use.
Check before use and report concerns:
31 November 2012
Contractor employee
falls through opening
in grating on the bark
boiler project at a
Mondi operation.
Two contractor employees opened up a
section of the grating to install a new set
of stairs, however failed to barricade the
area off. An employee from another
contractor company did not see the
opening and stepped into it falling to a
lower level.
Unfortunately the employee passed away
in the operating theatre.
Don’t let your actions and activities
result in injuries to others, think safety at
all times.
Date
Case Scenario Three
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Important
Each operation must add in at least one case
scenario of an incident involving working at
heights
Life Lines
Life Lines must be:
Capable of supporting 15kN static load;
Be of an approved design and material;
Be securely anchored at all sides;
Installed where employees are required to move around at heights where there is a
risk of falling;
Installed in such a way that persons are hooked up at all times when moving;
Checked on a regular basis to ensure safe and secure.
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Practical Demonstration
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Important
A practical demonstration must be conducted on how to fit and
use the safety harness.
Persons attending the training must be required to conduct the
demonstration on fitting their equipment and how to attach life
lines.
Ensuring Equipment is Safe and Suitable
It is mandatory to inspect Fall Arrest Equipment prior to use to ensure: Free of damages
Stitching is in good condition
Buckles, catches, straps, etc in good condition
Do not use unsafe fall arrest equipment Return the equipment to the store and report the damages
Request replacement equipment which is in a safe and good condition
Supervisors must ensure the following: Life lines are installed to ensure persons are hooked up at all times
Lifelines make it possible for persons to be secured when moving at heights
Employees are issued with correct fall arrest equipment
Employees are trained and competent to conduct work at heights
Scaffolding and access ladders are inspected and declared safe prior to use.
Are below work at heights is barricaded off to prevent persons entering the area
Equipment is provided to store tools and equipment and prevent from falling
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Safe Ladders – User of the Ladder
Before using a ladder check to ensure in a safe condition. Never try and repair a ladder yourself – Report and return it to the store. Ladders are only for permitted for temporary work
Scaffolding and platforms must be installed for work longer than 30 minutes
Operating powered tools is not permitted on ladders, scaffolding is required
Ensure safe positioning of the ladder at all times:
Place where it cant be knocked over or bumped;
Never place within 6m of a live overhead power line;
Ladders should be placed at an angle using the 1 in 4 rule;
If you cannot achieve the 1 in 4 angle then the ladder is
not suitable;
Never place top of ladder against a fragile surface;
Ensure sound footing;
Ensure ladder is level and not leaning to one side.
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Safe Ladders – User of the Ladder
Never stand on the top three rungs of the ladder; Try and ensure that the ladder extends at least 3 rungs above where the work will be conducted; Avoid placing ladders on slopes, especially when wet; Never place a ladder on a surface which the side slope is greater than 16 degrees or back slope is greater than 6 degrees; Use a levelling device to ensure ladder is upright.
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Safe Ladders – User of the Ladder
Never lean off the side of a ladder; Do not operate powered tools from a ladder, make use of scaffolding; Only use ladders for short duration work; When ascending or descending a ladder maintain a 3 point contact
Both feet and one hand or one foot and two hands.
Don’t carry heavy or awkward objects up a ladder; If you have to carry objects up a ladder always keep one hand free to grip the ladder
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Safe Scaffolding – Supervisors Responsibility
Ensure only authorised persons erect scaffolding; Ensure systems are in place to ensure the following:
All scaffolding is checked and authorised before use by a competent person.
Scaffold tags are used to declare a scaffold safe for use
Red tags are use to prohibit persons using the scaffolding
All persons using scaffolding understand the safety principles of scaffolding
Ensure system is in place to check scaffolding regularly Predefined and agreed frequencies
After poor weather conditions, rain, snow, wind, etc
Ensure employees / contractors are trained to work on scaffolding
Ensure contractors are aligned with scaffolding standards
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Safe Scaffolding – Supervisors Responsibility
Ensure safety of persons in the area by ensuring: The area is barricaded off around the scaffolding
Safe walkways with roof cover are in place if scaffolding is erected above entrance
doors or areas;
Safe walkways are identified and demarcated;
Symbolic safety signs are displayed “ men working above”
Ensure objects can’t fall to lower areas by: Installing toe-boards on all working platforms
Tools are secured from falling during carrying or whilst being used
Tools are removed from scaffolding during bad weather conditions
Loose objects are secured at all times
Heavy equipment and tools are hoisted up and not carried by hand
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Erection and Inspection of Scaffolding
Scaffolding must be checked and declared safe before use : Scaffolding level, secure and braced;
Handrails, knee-rails and toe-boards securely in place;
Working platforms cover complete area;
Working platforms securely in place;
Safe access to all of the working platforms;
Safety lines installed (to connect safety harness) where there is a risk of falling;
Scaffolding erected to legal requirements;
Scaffolding secured to structure to prevent collapsing;
Sufficient outriggers fitted and secures;
Castor wheels locked;
Trap doors are fitted over access areas / openings;
Etc.
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Safe Use of Scaffolding
Persons using the scaffolding must ensure all is safe: Conduct visual inspection of scaffold prior to use;
Check the tag to ensure scaffolding is authorise for use;
Report concerns, defects to the supervisor;
Never make use of unsafe or scaffolding;
Don’t overload the working platforms;
Maintain good housekeeping standards;
Wear fall arrest equipment where there is a possibility of falling from height;
Wear head and other require protective clothing and equipment;
Do not use scaffolding during high winds, rain and snow;
Ensure tools and equipment is secured and cannot fall to lower levels;
Climb off mobile tower scaffolding before it is moved;
Understand and adhere to all site specific standards and procedures.
Design of the scaffolding may not be altered without the approval of the scaffold
inspector. Once design is changed a new scaffolding permit must be issued and
use approved by the inspector.
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Examples from some Mondi sites
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Site Specific Scaffolding Procedure
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Important
Each operation MUST include details of their site
specific scaffolding standards as well as tagging and
inspection documents
On-Site Demonstration
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Important
A practical demonstration must be conducted at a scaffold on
what to check prior to use.
Test some of the persons verbally to check understanding of
what needs to be checked.
Work at Heights on Vehicles and Equipment
Persons climbing onto vehicles to secure loads must be protected by: Barricading or,
Fall arrest equipment
Safe access from platforms onto vehicles, rail trucks, etc
Climbing onto the loading areas of vehicles, rail trucks, etc poses a risk of falling and therefore is to be treated as working at heights. Persons may not be permitted to climb onto unstable loads
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Site Specific Loading Procedure
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Important
Each operation should include details of their site
specific systems and controls for protecting persons
working on top of vehicles and rail wagons
Removal of safety barriers
There are situations where barricading or platforms need to be removed: Maintenance and repair work to equipment
Changing of the material on the paper machines
Etc
When barricading or platforms are removed the persons must be issued with fall arrest equipment to provide protection from falling through the opened areas. When openings in floors and building structures are caused by removing of equipment, they must be covered with temporary covering and or protected by solid barricading. The person removing equipment or barricading is responsible for ensure safeguarding is installed immediately.
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Getting it right every time
All of us have a role to play in getting it right every time.
Each of us has a right and a duty to intervene
and stop at-risk behaviours and unsafe
conditions when activities or situations are
not in compliance with our policies, standards
and commitments.
In addition, each of us has the personal
responsibility to refuse to conduct any task
which can result in serious injury, damage
to health or damage to property
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Competence Test
General Safety Issues (Pass Mark 100%) Site Specific Issues (Pass Mark 100%) There are three different test issued at random
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FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS
It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical facts, including, without limitation those regarding expectations of market growth and developments;
expectations of growth and profitability; and statements preceded by “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “foresees”, “may” or similar expressions, are forward-looking
statements. Since these statements are based on current knowledge, plans, estimates and projections, they involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to
materially differ from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Various factors could cause actual future results, performance or events to differ materially from those
described in these statements. Such factors include in particular but without any limitation: (1) operating factors such as continued success of manufacturing activities and the
achievement of efficiencies therein, continued success of product development plans and targets, changes in the degree of protection created by Group’s patents and other
intellectual property rights, the availability of capital on acceptable terms; (2) industry conditions, such as strength of product demand, intensity of competition, prevailing and
future global market prices for the Group’s products and raw materials and the pricing pressures thereto, financial condition of the customers, suppliers and the competitors of the
Group, potential introduction of competing products and technologies by competitors; and (3) general economic conditions, such as rates of economic growth in the Group’s
principal geographical markets or fluctuations of exchange rates and interest rates.
Mondi does not
a) assume any warranty or liability as to accuracy or completeness of the information provided herein
b) undertake to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise after the
date of making any forward-looking statements.
Contact Person:
Brian Darlington