WORKING AT HEIGHT - NEBOSH Quick Revision Sheet

Working at Height

What is ‘Work at Height’?Work at height means:

– Work in any place, including a place at or below ground level; or

– Obtaining access to or egress from such a place while at work, except by a staircase in a permanent workplace, where if the measures required by The Work at Height Regulations were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 cover: Collective fall prevention (guard rails and toe boards) Working platforms Collective fall arrest (nets, airbags) Personal fall protection (work restraints, fall arrest) Ladders and stepladders Inspection reports (working platforms in construction)

What the Employer must do:1. Avoid working at height2. If cannot avoid, use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls3. Where there is still a risk of a fall use work equipment or other measures to:

• Minimise the distance of fall• Minimise the consequences of a fall

Organisation and Planning for Work at Height The duty holder is to ensure:

o Work carried out another way if reasonably practicable to do soo Risk assessment carried out of planned worko All work at height is properly planned and organisedo Account is taken of weather conditionso That those involved are trained and competento The place where work is being carried out is safeo The equipment used is appropriately inspectedo Risks from fragile surfaces and falling objects are properly controlled

Ensure work supervised Plan for emergencies and rescue

Risk Assessment

– Should be very thorough– Proportionate to the risks involved– Adequate and appropriate – Suitable and sufficient

Staff Training Ensure everyone involved in the work is competent:

– If being trained; supervised by a competent person This includes involvement in:

– Organisation– Planning– Supervision– Supply and maintenance of equipment

Risk is not entirely eliminated? You must (so far as is reasonably practicable) train those who will be working at height:

– How to avoid falling– How to avoid or minimise injury to themselves should they fall

Place where the work is to be done Ensure the place (including access and egress) has features to prevent a fall unless it is

not reasonably practicable for the worker to carry out the work taking into account:– Task– Equipment– Working environment

Equipment, Temporary Structures & Safety Features If not reasonably practicable to provide a safe place

– Provide equipment to prevent a fall– Minimise the distance and effect of a fall

Select equipment– Most suitable– Give collective protection measure (guard rails) preference over individual measures

(harnesses) Take Account of:

– Working conditions (including weather)– Risks to the safety of all those where equipment is to be used

Inspections (Work at Height) Defined as:

– ‘such visual or more rigorous inspection by a competent person as is appropriate for safety purposes … (including) any testing appropriate for those purposes’

Ensure ‘sfarp’ that each individual place is checked on every occasion before it is used Involves checking the surface and every parapet, permanent rail etc.

Equipment to be Inspected Guard rails, toe-boards, barriers and similar means (Schedule 2) Working platforms (schedule 3) Collective safeguards for arresting falls (e.g. air-bags, landing mats) (schedule 4) Personal fall protection (schedule 5) Ladders (schedule 6)

When to Inspect After assembled and/or installed if safety depends on how it is assembled and /or

installed As often as is necessary to ensure safety As often as is necessary to detect and remedy any deterioration After any event likely to have affected its stability or strength

Working Platforms Any platform used for (or for access to) and from which a person could fall more than

2m is inspected in place:– Before use (and not more than 7 days before use)

Mobile platforms:– Inspection at site is sufficient without re-inspection every time it is used

Person Inspecting the Platform Prepares report before going off duty Must contain:

– Name and address of person for whom inspection carried out– Location of work equipment inspected– Description of work equipment inspected– Date and time of inspection– Details of matters that could give rise to risk– Details of any action taken– Details of further action required– Name and position of person making the report

Keeping the Report Give the report, within 24 hours, to the person for whom the inspection was carried out The report should be maintained on site until the work is completed After completion maintain at office for further 3 months Safe from loss or unauthorised interference

Basic Considerations – Any Access System Who will erect? Where will it be erected? Are ground conditions suitable? What materials are to be used? Stability of the structure? Can safe access to work place be provided? How many working platforms? How and where it will be tied in? What bracing will be required? How unauthorised alteration is to be prevented?

Ladders, Steps and Lightweight Staging

Use of Ladders, Steps and Trestles Regulations do not prohibit their continued use Employer must demonstrate that:

– The work at height cannot be avoided or done another way What is proposed to be used is the most suitable work equipment AND the risk

assessment that the remaining risks are low Appropriate steps have been taken to mitigate the effects of a fall should one occur Employees are competent and properly supervised

Where Ladder Use Would be Inappropriate When two hands are needed or where the work area is large Where the equipment or materials used are large or awkward Excessive height Work of long duration Where the ladder cannot be secured or made stable Where the ladder cannot be protected from vehicles etc. Adverse weather conditions

Ladders Ladders should be set on a firm level base Ladders should be used only for short duration work Ladders should be set at the correct angle Ladders should be tied at the top and/or footed at the bottom Surface on which ladder rests must be stable and of sufficient strength Ladder must be strong enough for the loads to be put on it Placed so that it is stable during use Suspended ladder to be attached in a secure manner so it does not swing Portable ladders to be prevented from slipping be being secured at or near top or

bottom or with anti-slip or stability devices or other effective means Access ladders to be long enough to provide a hand hold when getting off at the top

unless other hand holds provided Interlocking or extension ladders to be prevented from movement while in use Mobile ladders to be prevented from moving before being stepped on User can maintain a safe handhold while carrying a load

Step Ladders Check treads, stiles, hinges and restraining rope before use Only use on a firm level base Do not lean outwards or sideways from the steps always move them Do not work higher than 2/3rds up the stepladder

Management of Ladders and Steps Management and supervisory responsibility Provide the correct and suitable equipment Training, information, instruction and supervision Police the procedures Monitoring the procedures Documentation (ladder registers and training etc) Must be suitable:– BS EN 2037 – Industrial (Metal)– BS EN 1129 – Industrial (Wood)– BS EN 131 – Light Trades

Ladder Classification

Duty Ladder UseDuty Rating BS

definition

Max. static vertical load, BS

definition

CLASS 1

BS 2037 Metal

BS 1129 Wood

IndustrialHeavy duty, high

frequency use130 Kgs

(286 lbs)

175 Kgs

(385 lbs)

CLASS 2

BS EN 131Light Trades

Medium duty, low frequency and good

conditions use

110 Kgs

(242 lbs

150 Kgs

(330 lbs)

CLASS 3

BS 2037 MetalDomestic

Light duty, low frequency good conditions of use,

only to be used for household and domestic

95 Kgs

(209 lbs)

125 Kgs

(275 lbs)

Inspection of Ladders Before use checks:

– Damaged or worn stiles, particularly at head and foot of ladder– Broken, missing, loose or worn rungs– Mud or grease on rungs– Rungs supported solely by nails, screws or spikes– Movement in rungs or stiles– Decayed timber, or the corrosion of fittings– Insecure tie wires– Warping, sagging or distortion

Means of Access All ladders placed on firm footing Positioned at 1:4 angle 6 metre + should be secured in middle Extend 1 metre (or 5 rungs) above platform

unless there are other adequate hand holds Landing distances not to exceed 9 metres Access holes fitted with self-closing gate. Only 1 person to climb at a time Footing of ladders ineffective and only to be used

as a last resort

Trestles

Pre-fabricated steel, aluminium or wood supports of 500mm – 1m width May be fixed height or adjustable with sliding struts(pin method) They can only be used when work cannot be carried out using a safer method like

scaffold

Lightweight Staging & Trestle Scaffolds Split head trestles and trestle frames

– Now considered unacceptable in most circumstances Modern trestle systems guidelines

– Must be set on a firm, level base– Only one working platform installed– Guard-rails, barriers and toe-boards required where fall could result in injury– Boarding to be of equal length and thickness and have safe means of access and

egress on to them

Working Over or Near Water - Hazards & Controls As stated in CDM 2015 regulations “ if there is a risk of persons falling into water &

drowning, suitable steps should be taken to prevent such a fall & to ensure suitable rescue equipment is provided

Prevention of drowning Buoyancy aids Safety boats Possible risks:– Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease)– Accidental entry into water:

Shock, waterlogged clothing, incapacity due to injury from fall, fatigue and hypothermia

Prevention of falls:– Scaffolds and platforms– Safety nets– Safety belts, harnesses and lanyards– Rescue equipment and procedures

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

Ensure:

Operators are trained Operators are competent MEWP is fully guarded Used on firm level ground Tyres inflated Area cordoned off Lighting if on public highway Outriggers extended & chocked Emergency plans in place

Do not:

Operate close to OH cables Allow MEWP to over-hang vehicle routes Move MEWP with platform in raised position unless designed for the purpose Over load platform Over reach from platform

System Scaffolds and Mobile Towers

System Scaffold Specifications Materials – components free from defects etc. Foundation and levelling – supplementary support or load-spreading capability Platform decking – platform span and thickness met by manufacturer’s design Types of platform – different types available and support requirements dependent

on type (boards should comply with BS 2482) Reaction to wind speed – should be secured against possibility of wind lift Platform widths – minimum 600 mm, although no legal minimum Ledger bracing – additional not generally required with system scaffolds due to

inherent stiffness in joints Longitude or façade bracing – will be specified by manufacturer and incorporated in

the design Ties – need for these are the same as for traditional scaffolds, but due to lighter

construction materials should be done in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions

Sheeting of scaffold – caution must be exercised, again should be done in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions or competent scaffold designer

Mobile Tower Scaffolds Mobile scaffold towers are widely used as they are convenient for work which

requires frequent access to height during differing time periods & in various spaced apart locations

They are often incorrectly erected & misused causing accidents such as:– Persons or materials falling– Towers overturning or collapsing.

They must be erected & dismantled by trained, competent personnel Strictly in accordance with manufactures / suppliers instructions All parts must be sound & from the same manufacture The height of an untied independent tower must never exceed manufactures

instructions If heights exceeded then tower must be tied to structure or outriggers used Towers should be erected on firm level ground Wheels turned outwards & locked prior to access Access to working platform should be by means of internal ladder

Never access by climbing outside of tower Never move tower with personnel or material on it Towers must only be moved from base level Never allow operators to pull tower along whilst on it Obstructions must be noted prior to moving Never use near OH power lines Working platforms must be fully boarded Guard rails & toe boards must be fitted

Weather Be aware of windy weather conditions 17 mph cease work 25 mph tie tower to rigid structure 40 mph dismantle the tower safely Be aware of effects of wind on sheeted scaffolds Only one “working platform”

Mobile Towers - Summary Made up of five basic items:

– Frames / Braces / Platforms / Legs / Wheels or castors General conditions and provisions covered in Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and

Manufactures Association (PASMA) covering:– Materials– Competence– Maintenance– Preparation and planning– Pre-assembly inspection– Safety during use

Inspections must be carried out by a competent person:

before first use after alteration after event effecting

stability

Tube and Fitting ScaffoldsScaffolding - General Conditions & Provisions

A scaffold or other suitable means must be provided for work which cannot be done safely from the ground

Scaffold must only be erected, altered and dismantled by competent people Must be constructed of sound strong material

Scaffold - Overview Competent persons to design and install. Inspected at specific intervals and under specific occurrences. Tied to structure (e.g. Box/Anchor/Reveal/Through ties)/

Requirements for Scaffold Top guard rail at least 950 mm Intermediate guard rail – no gap greater than 470 mm Toe-boards (minimum 150 mm), but shall be suitable and sufficient to prevent the

fall of any person, or any material or object, from any place of work Be of sufficient dimensions to permit the safe passage of persons and materials No gap– Through which a person could fall– Through which materials or objects could fall– Give rise to other risks unless action taken to prevent such risks

Erected used and maintained to prevent (SFAIRP)– The risk of slipping or tripping– Any person being trapped between the platform and adjacent structure– Depending on the complexity an assembly, use and dismantling plan to be

drawn up by a competent person Kept available for use until dismantled While a scaffold not available for use it shall be marked with general warning signs Assembly, disassembly or substantial alteration to be undertaken by a competent

person

Scaffold Tagging Provides an on-site indication of

whether a scaffold is safe to use or not

All site personnel must understand how the system works

Materials Tubes and fittings must comply with BS 1139 Part 1 Ends should be cut square and clean, free from bends, distortion, corrosion Fittings should be free from worn threads, damage bolts and any excess oil.

Base Plates & Sole Boards

Sole boards must be used to spread the weight of the scaffold Boards are used to provide a firm surface on which to erect the scaffold Boards must run under at least two standards at a time Base plates must be used under every standard

Component Parts

Standards– Vertical/slightly inclined towards structure, spaced to provide adequate support,

on a base plate & sole board to prevent displacement, near ledgers & joints staggered between lifts

Ledgers– Horizontal and fixed to inside of standards with right angled couplers. Joints

staggered and not situated in the same bay. Putlogs and transoms

– Putlogs should be placed horizontal and be 75mm in length– Putlogs and transoms to be securely fitted to ledgers or standards with right

angle or putlog couplers Boarded lifts

– No legal minimum but recommended is 600 mm. Clear height above working platform 2 m, for pavement lifts 2.7 m

Ledger bracing– Should be fitted to the full height of the scaffold starting at the base plate level

Longitude (or façade) bracing– Must be connected as a zigzag from top to bottom between a pair of standards

or as a continual diagonal sloping tube.– Must be connected to every lift or extended transoms.

Scaffold ties– Secures the scaffold to the supporting structure and is provided to resist the

inward and outward movement of the scaffold and give additional longitudinal stability

– Types of tie = B.A.R.T. Box / Anchor / Reveal / Through

Working platform boards– Not to overhang any putlog or transom by less than 50 mm or greater than 4

times board thickness and be free from splits, shakes, excessive knots, paint, oil or concrete

– Usually 225 mm wide and not less than 220 mm and be supported at appropriate spacing's

– Be banded or nail-plated at ends and guarded against the wind causing the boards to lift.

Loading Platforms Need to be designed accounting for weight that will be applied Will often be separate scaffold structure but tied to both existing scaffold &

structure Additional bracing & sections required to provide additional support Warning signs displayed to indicated SWL Access restricted to area below loading platform for workers Safety gate/barrier may be required to protect those working on platform from falls

END OFSCAFFOLD

Sole BoardBase Plates 150 x 150mm

Standard

Transom

Ledger

Ledger Brace

Facade Brace

Scaffolding Planks(Deck area min of 600 mm wide)

Toe Board (Min 150 mm high)Intermediate guard rail (Max gap of 470 mm)Brick Guard

Guard Rail (Approx 950 mm high)

Through Tie

Reveal Tie

LargeEye Boltwith ledger through it

Eye Boltand Strap

IndependentTiedScaffold

Couplers at joints

Anchor Ties

Typical Scaffolding Faults

Not tiedInsufficient lengthDamagedLadders

Some missingLooseWrong heightGuardrails & toe boards

Insufficient supportsIncompleteTrap boardsBad boardsBoarding

Not enoughLooseSome missingTies

No check couplersDamagedLooseWrong fittingCouplings

Wrongly supportedLooseWrongly spaced

Putlogs/ Transoms

Wrong fittingsLooseSome missingBracing

DamagedLooseJoints in same bayNot levelLedgers

DamagedWrong spacingJointed at same heightNot plumbStandards

UnderminedNo sole platesNo base platesSoft and unevenFootings

Scaffold Hoists Substantial enclosure guard required for moving parts of hoist Gates provided at all access landings normally interlocking system Hoist should be operated from one position only Operators should be competent & trained Safe working load of the hoist must be clearly marked If designed for materials adequate signage to prevent people riding Inspected weekly Thorough examination:

o 6 monthly (for persons)o 12 monthly (for materials)

Safe Working on Roofs and at Height

Fall Risk Areas During access to and from landing places Openings, breaks, edges and joisting in a floor Falling from flat roofs:

– From the edge of a completed roof– From the leading edge where work is being carried out– Through openings and gaps– Through fragile materials

Falling from sloping roofs:– Slipping down– Falling into the structure during construction– From gable ends during demolition– Through fragile roofing materials, including roof-lights

Poor weather conditions

Control Measures Safe working platform Safety nets Guard-rail at edge of roof (catch barrier) where working platform not practicable Safe stacking of materials on roof Falling object protection Use of roof ladders & the securing of ladders Signage (especially with reference to fragile surfaces) Permits to work Use of mobile access platforms (MEWP’s etc) Safe systems of work in gusty conditions (17 mph stop lightweight material work, 23

mph general activities)

Fragile Surfaces No one to go on or near a fragile surface unless that is the only reasonably

practicable way of doing the work If do need to work on or near a fragile surface you must:

– Ensure sfarp that suitable platforms, coverings, guard rails etc are provided and used to minimise the risk

– If any risk remains, minimise the distance of the fall Must do all that is reasonably practicable to make persons aware of the danger

– Prominent warning signs fixed to the approaches to the danger zone

Falling Objects Where it is necessary to prevent injury, you must do all that is reasonably

practicable to prevent anything falling

If not reasonably practicable, ensure that no one is injured by anything falling Nothing to be thrown or tipped from height if it is likely to injure anyone Stored in such a way that its movement is likely to injure anyone Debris netting:– Often fitted to the sides of the scaffold to limit the amount of escaping debris.– May be slung where roof work is being carried out to catch items that fall.– Should not be assumed sufficient to take weight of falling person

Safety Nets for People

All safety nets have an individual ID number & tag.

They should have test cords.

Boarder cord & salvage.

Debris netting can be secured to it.

Safety Nets Used for Edge Protection

The net is fixed to the eaves beam and the top guardrail.

No risk of operative slipping under intermediate rail.

Safety net can be covered with debris netting to catch smaller materials.

Safety Net Anchor Points

“Grippa” clamp.

Relies on a spring to close lever. Must be inspected before use & at regular intervals.

Enables nets to be used for installing pre-cast planks or composite flooring.

Other Methods of Working at Height When it is not possible to work from an existing structure such as a scaffold the

following can be considered:– Boatswains chair– Cradles– Rope access

Fall Arrest Equipment

The following can be considered when required to mitigate the consequences of a fall from height:

– Harnesses

– Safety nets

– Air bagsControls – Harness - Inspection Formal - risk assessment User check - before use:– Connectors; damage, corrosion, function– Webbing; cuts, burns, chemical damage– Buckles; damage, distortion, corrosion

Air Mats Each bag is connected to the next bag via the canvas straps and the air hose. They come in a variety of sizes to suit the room sizes. They can be placed on open joists if necessary.

Soft Landing Systems These bags come in a variety of sizes to suit room size. Have canvas toggles to keep them together Need for competent persons to install

Crash Deck Thick plastic grid held together with cable ties. Supported on plastic legs. Relies on the walls for support & stability. NOT a working platform.

Safety Decking A metal grill that is opened out along the bottom cords to provide a safe working

platform for the joiners. Careful positioning to ensure any horizontal bracing on the bottom cords can be

accessed.

Access Platforms The access platforms fitted with hand rails, toe boards and intermediate rails

run on support structures above the fragile roof. They have applications for industrial as well as housing roofs.

Non-extensive Working at Heights

Time, content, difficulty, number

If risk is low, barriers are not needed

Fall arrest equipment required