work at height brochure digital file 0911.pdf

7/30/2019 Work at height brochure digital file 0911.pdf

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workingat height

the harsco infrastructure guide to


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2 working at height


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working at height 3

putting your safety first

harsco infrastructure is one of the worlds leading suppliers of access,

formwork, shoring and maintenance services and products to the construction

and industrial markets in over 39 countries.

this major guide focusing on working at height has been compiled using our

extensive knowledge to offer a greater understanding of best practice and the

selection of safe equipment. many of the examples are based on european practices,

as the work at height directive and eu standards are the leading models for

excellence around the world.

markets are converging at a greater rate than ever before and the industry is

moving towards universal standards of safety. at harsco infrastructure we

proactively share best practices from all of our global locations to enable us to

work as safely as possible wherever we operate.


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Introduction 5

Definingworkatheightfactors 6

TheimplicationsoftheTemporary

WorkatHeightDirective 8

Planningandorganisation 9

Themainrequirementsofthe

WorkatHeightDirective 10

TheEUWorkatHeightDirective

2001vs.theUKWorkatHeight

Regulations2005 11

TheWorkingatHeightHierarchy 12

Selectingsuitable

workequipment 14

Differencesbetween

Europeanmarkets 15

Collectivefallprevention 19

Collectivefallprotection 22

Collectiveandindividualfallarrest

equipment 26

Selectingsuitableequipment 29

Principledesignstandards

forworkatheightequipment 32

Glossary 33

Contactinformation 34

ontent the ho inftutue Guide to wokinG t heiGht

4 working at height


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working at height 5

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6/36

6 working at height

TheTemporaryWorkatHeightDirectiveappliestoanyareaof

theworkplacerequiringpersonneltoworkofftheground(or

evenbelowground)whetherfornewbuildings,renovationand

maintenance,orcivilengineeringprojects.

Actionshouldbetakenwheneverthereisapotentialriskofa

fall,fromanyheight,thatislikelytocausepersonalinjury.Even

lowfallheightshaveprovedtobeamajorpotentialrisk,soitisa

questionofconsideringthetasktobeundertaken,andassessing

thepotentialforinjury,regardlessoftheheightinvolved.

Thegreatertherisk,themoreextensivethemeasuresthat

shouldbetakentoremoveorreducethatrisk.Wherethereisa

highrisk,costofpreventativemeasuresshouldnotbeabarrier.

Theexpectationisthatpracticablemeasureswillbetaken,

whichmeansthatonemustconsiderwhethersaferactionsare

feasible,consideringtheactualcircumstances.

Employersinvolvedintheplanningandexecutionofworkat

heightshouldtakeintoaccountthefollowingfactors:

Plag a sg

lc sa r a g qpm

mpc a say rcr spplrs

mpc sa qpm slca sa ms r

Plag a rgasa csrc pas.

vrgcIncreasingly,ourmajorcustomersareworkinginseveral

differentgeographicalmarkets,andthispublicationmayhelp

togivethemabroaderview,asincreasinglythestandardsand

producttypesarebecomingcommontoallmarkets.

HarscoInfrastructurehaverecognisedthistrendandarealready

abletoofferawiderangeofaccesssolutions,suitedtolocal

markets,butimportantly,rangesofequipmentthathavebroad

acceptabilityinallthekeymarkets.

Greaterfocusthaneverbeforeisbeingplacedonthesafety

implicationsofworkatheight.Acrossallindustriesworkat

heightcontinuestobeoneofthemostsignificantcausesofbothfatalandseriousaccidents.Despiteimprovements,thereisno

reasontobecomplacentinviewofthecontinuinghighnumber

ofaccidents.

TheintroductionoftheEUWorkatHeightDirectivehasledto

improvedworkingpractices,although,inevitably,thepaceof

changeandemphasishasvariedbetweenEUcountries.Keeping

up-to-datewiththesechangeshasbecomemoreofachallenge.

defining work at height factors


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working at height 7

Praccal sOurguideisdesignedtobeusedpracticallybybothclientsand

contractorsstaffatanylevelinvolvedinworkatheightactivities.

Ithasbeencompiledtoassistthereader,whetherclient,

contractororsupplierto:

ursa mplcas ra g rqrms

p bs salla/rc praccs

sss slc ms apprprar a g qpm

B aar all ccs avalabl

Prv gac sa s a sssr ac yp qpm.

Thisguideshouldbeofpracticalbenefittoanyoneinvolvedin

workatheightanditdrawsontheextensiveexperienceofthe

HarscoInfrastructureteamsworldwide.Webelieveittobethe

mostup-to-date,comprehensiveandauthoritativeguideof

itskind.

wa s r a g?ThereisnodefinitionofheightthatappearsintheWorkat

HeightDirective.However,itcanbeinterpretedasanysituation

whereaworkerisundertakingataskatheight,andwhatever

theheight,isitsufficienttocauseanyinjuryiftheyfall,eveninto

excavationswhichcancauseinjury.

Peopleareinjuredorevenkilledatheightsoflessthantwo

metres,soitshouldnotbeassumedthatlowerheightsare

necessarilylowerrisk.Itdependsonthelocation,theequipment

tobeused,theexperienceoftheworker,andthedegreeof

protection.

Experiencedworkatheightoperativesappeartohavealower

riskexperiencethanothersitetrades,astheyaremoreaware

oftherisksinvolved.Trainingandknowledgearetherefore

essentialincreatingawarenessoftheriskstoall(source:UK

HealthandSafetyExecutivestatisticsandNationalAccessand

ScaffoldingConfederation-UK).


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8 working at height

qa spcc rag rrs s rqr.

t mas accss rg aras sall b ms apprpra csrg g a

rqcy mvm. d assm a lars

sl b rs cc.

fr scalg, srg a sably calclassall b carr lss scal s bas a

rcgs saar cgra.

calg sall als b assmbl a smalby rrs av rcv apprpra a

spcc rag.

Moredetailsareprovidedinthesubsequentpagesofthisguide.

cgs a r a g may xps rrs svr rss, c acc r a larg prpr

all accs.

wr a g sall b prprly pla, rsassss a rgas.

sr say as mr mpra a cmc

csras.

eqpm slc sall gv aqa prcagas rs alls. t ms apprpra

masrs r mmsg rs rrs sall b

rm.

wr a g sall b av pssbl b ca, all prv sall b prrr all

mga.

llcv prc masrs (prcg mbrs ppl) sall b prrr prsal prc

(sc as arsss).

the implications of the temporarywork at height directive

Fallsfromworkingatheightareamongstthemostserious

typeofaccident,andtheDirectiveimposesstrictduties

onemployersinordertoreducemanyofthoserisks.Each

countrycanchoose(astheUKhas)toadopttougherrules,

butasaminimumHarscoInfrastructurewoulddefinethose

dutiesas:


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working at height 9

Itisthereforeimportanttorememberthesefactors:

Timeisanessentialcomponentofgoodplanning.

Involvementofcontractors,sub-contractorsandsitepersonnelshouldbeundertakenrightfromthestart.

Goodcommunicationisanintegralpartofplanningandorganisation.

Anypersonthatisinvolvedwith,orcaninfluenceworkatheight,shouldbepartofthisprocess;thisincludesworkers.

Goodplanningisessentialtoensuresafeworkatheight.Timepressuresimpactoneveryproject,andthereisoften

insufficienttimeallowedtoplanandorganise,whichcanlead

toproblemssuchastheselectionofinappropriateorunsafe

equipment,untrainedinstallersandinadequateorincomplete

equipmentlevels.Therefore,rightfromtheverybeginning

planninghastoincludeeveryonethatplaysakeyrole.

TheUKWorkatHeightRegulationsspecificallymake

organisationandplanningakeydutytoensureworkatheight

isproperlyplanned,andappropriatelysupervised.

Theprocesswillrequirethatclientsappointcompetent

suppliersforeachstageoftheproject,buttheRegulations

refertoeveryemployerensuringproperplanningforworkatheight,whichimpliesthatallthoseinvolved(e.g.clients,

contractors,sub-contractors,consultantsetc.)haveduties,so

thesafetyresponsibilitiescannotbepassedontoothers.

planning and organisation

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typcal rls vlv r a g:

DesignersPlannersEstimatorsPurchasing/ProcurementContractsDirectorsSafetySupervisorsSuppliers

ProjectManagersSiteManagersSpecialisttradesmen.

typcal ds:


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10 working at height

TheDirectiveoutlinesanumberofspecificrequirements.

Gral

Avoidtemporaryworkatheightwherepossible.

Anytemporaryworkatheightbeplannedandexecutedbycompetentpeople.

Selectequipmentaffordingadequateprotection.

Preventfallswhereverpossiblebyphysicalbarriersovertheuseofinjurymitigationmethods(suchasnets,airbags,

harnessesetc).

Forbothfallpreventionandinjurymitigation,usecollectivemeasuresratherthanpersonal.

Wherecollectivesafeguardsaretemporarilyremoved,compensatorymethodsshallbetaken.

Theselectionofequipmentshallbeaccompaniedbyspecifictraining.

Dimensionsofworkequipmentshallberelatedtothenatureofthework.

Itshallbeofasuitableconfigurationandsufficientstrengthtopreventorarrestfalls.

Weatherconditionsshallnotbeallowedtojeopardisethesafetyofworkers.

eqpm rlacalg

Scaffoldingcalculationsshallbecarriedoutunlessthescaffoldisassembledinconformitywithagenerally

recognisedindustrystandardconfiguration.

Wheeledscaffoldingshallbepreventedfrommovingaccidentally.

Scaffolddecksshallbeappropriatetothetaskindimensionsformandlayout.Thereshallbeno

dangerousgaps.

Whenscaffoldsarenotreadyforusetheyshallbemarkedwithgeneralwarningsigns.

Scaffoldingmaybeassembledanddismantled(orsignificantlyaltered)onlyunderthesupervisionofa

competentperson,whohasreceivedtraininginanumber

ofspecificissues.

Lars

Laddersdependoncorrectuse,thereforeadequatespecifictrainingisrequired,andthemannerinwhichtheycanmost

safelybeusedshallbespecified.

Laddersareonlytobeusedifothersaferworkequipmentisnotjustified.

p accss

Ropeaccessandpositioningtechniquesshallcomplywith

anumberofprescribedconditions (Paragraph4.4TheWorkatHeightDirective).

Ropeaccessandpositioningshallonlytobeusedwhereitcanbeusedsafelyorwheretheuseofother,saferwork

equipmentisnotjustified.

the main requirements of thework at height directive


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working at height 11

the eu work at height directive 2001 vs.the uk work at height regulations 2005

TheWorkatHeightDirectivewasakeyworkatheightmandatoryrequirementpassedbytheEuropean

Parliamentin2001.Whilstitsrequirementswerefar-

reaching,andproducedsubstantialchangesinworking

practices,theUKversionwentfurther.

TheDirectivecoveredtheaspectsdescribedonpage6,but

theUKversionincludedanumberofotherelementssuchas:

Adutyfororganisationandplanning

Aformofworkatheighthierarchy

Specific,moreprescriptiverequirementsforscaffolding,personalfallarrestsystemsandworkrestraintsystems

Morespecificavoidanceandfallpreventionrequirements

Inspection

Fallingobjects

Fragilesurfaces

Requirementsforworkingplatforms,guardrailsetc.

TheDirectivewasbelievedtobelimitedtoconstructionactivities,buttheWorkatHeightRegulationsapplytoall

workactivities

Theneedtoplanrescueprocedures.

Othernationalregulationsmaycovertheseareas

separately,buttheDirectiveremainsamorefocused

documentcomparedtotheUKWorkatHeightRegulations.

dsgTheConstructionDesignandManagementRegulations

havebeenimplementedintheUKtoensurethatdesigners

avoidforeseeableriskswhendesigningstructuresand

buildings.Thisappliestoallhazards,butisparticularly

relevanttoavoidingworkatheightwherepossibleby

buildinginoroutfeatureswhichallowworkatheighttobe

avoidedorcarriedoutmoresafely.

TheEuropeanequivalentisnotyetaspecificdesign

directive,butitiscoveredmoregenerallywithinthe

TemporaryandMobileWorksitesDirective,which

identifiesdesignasanissue:

t prjc sprvsr, r r mr apprpra,

cl, sall a acc gral

prcpls prv ccrg say a

al rrr drcv 89/391/ee* rg

vars sags sg a prparg

prjc, parclar arccral, ccal

a/r rgasaal aspcs ar bg c.

*EUWorkplaceHealthandSafetyDirective


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TheUKWorkatHeightRegulationsgofurtherthantheWork

atHeightDirectiveinseveralareas,buttheyhaveincommon

thefollowingrequirement:

evry mplyr sall sr a r s carr

a g r s rasably praccabl carry

r saly rs a a g.

Thismeansthatthefirstdutyofanemployeristoavoid

workingatheight.

InordertofollowtheprinciplesoutlinedinboththeWorkat

HeightDirectiveandtheUKWorkatHeightRegulations,the

followingstepsshouldbetakeninsequence.Onlywhenthere

isfelttobenosatisfactorysolution(forinstancebyexploringwaysofavoidingworkingatheight)shouldonemoveontothe

nextdecisionlevel.Eachstepshouldbecarefullyconsidered,

particularlyifitisnotfelttobepracticabletopreventfalls.

the working at height hierarchy

1 v rs

Anassessmentshallbemadetodetermineifthetaskcanbe

carriedoutwithouthavingtoworkatheight.

2 Prv alls

Ifitisnecessarytoworkatheight,andthatworkpresents

ariskoffalling,suitablemeasuresshallbetakentoprevent

falls.Usuallythiswilltaketheformofguardrailprotectionorit

mighttaketheformofusingotherequipmentsuchas

poweredaccess.

3 Mga csqcs a all

Ifitisnotreasonablypracticabletopreventfalls,thenstepsshallbetakentoarrestfallsandminimisethedistanceand

consequencesofthefall.Alternativelyitmightbeaformoffall

restraintwhichpreventstheworkerreachingapositionfrom

whichitispossibletofall.

Toprotectallthosewhoareatrisk,collectivemeasures

shouldtakeprecedenceoverindividualpersonalprotective

measures,evenwhenconsideringfallmitigationmeasures.


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llcv r qpm Peent allsCollectivemeasuresmeanmethodsthatprotectmorethan

onepersonatthesametimewhoisworkingatheightand

whomaybeatpotentialrisk.Thesemeasuresshouldtake

precedenceoverindividualpersonalprotection.

Anexampleofcollectiveprotectionistheuseofguardrails

(whethersteel,timberoraluminium)toprotectanumberof

workers,ratherthanrelyingonsafetyharnessestoprovidefall

restraintandpreventanindividualreachingapositionfrom

whichtheycanfall.Safetynetsandsimilarmethodsmayalso

beconsideredtobecollectivemeasuresbuttheyarrestfalls

ratherthanpreventthem.Theprinciplesofriskassessment

meanthatnetsorsimilarshouldonlybeconsideredwhenthe

useofequipmenttopreventfallsisnotpossibleinpractice.

fall prv qpm

Thisisageneraltermwhichcoversscaffolding,cradles,

mobiletowers,poweredaccess,mastclimbingwork

platforms,stagingsandmeansofaccessandegressincluding

gangways,gantriesandstairways.Thecommonfeatureofall

oftheseisthatwhenproperlyerectedandused,theyprovide

asafeworkareaofsufficientdimensions,whichisproperly

protected(guardrailed)topreventfalls,i.e.theypresent

aphysicalbarriertopreventfalls.Manyofthesetypesof

equipmentaredetailedinthefollowingpages.

llcv r qpm et allsAscollectivemeasurestakepriorityoverpersonalmeasures,

itisimportanttoensurewhentheselectionofsuitablework

equipmenttopreventfallsnecessitatesgoingtothenext

stagedownofmitigatingtheeffectsofafall,thosemeasures

shouldsimilarlyprotectanumberofworkers,notjustone

person,i.e.providecollectiveprotection.

Thismaymeanthatsuchequipmentwillincludesafetynetsor

softlandingbags,thatwillbeusedinpreferencetoharnesses

orPersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE).Insomecountries

(e.g.France)theuseofsoftlandingbagsisnotapproved,oris

notacommonpractice.

rg & sably calclas r scalg

Itwillbearequirementtodemonstratethescaffoldingstructure

isbasedonasounddesign.Thiscanbedoneeitherbymaking

designcalculationsavailableorbyshowingthatthestructure

conformstoarecognisedstandardconfiguration.Astandard

configurationmaybefoundinindustryguidancedocumentsor

manufacturersinformation.

lcg sabl sa qpm

Theprocessofselectingtherightequipmentshouldbeginwith

anassessmentoftherisksoftheproject.Oncethishasbeen

done,thealternativetypesofequipmentshouldbeconsidered,

andselectedonthebasistheywillofferasafesolution.

Purecommercialissues(i.e.price)shouldnotbetheprime

consideration.Thechoiceofthemostappropriateequipment

canactuallybringproductivitybenefits.

Safeequipmentneedstobechosen(seebelow)andcanthen

beverifiedbyaseriesofcriteria:

abl sa sl r applca Ms eu drcvs r aal rglas Ms eu a aal saars r avalabl rc rm a cmp spplr ccmpa by sc sa s rma isall by cmp ra prss.

Theapplicableworkequipmentshouldmeettheappropriate

Europeanorlocalstandards,whereoneexists,asthisisbest

practice.Alistisshownonpage32.

Iftheequipmentbeinguseddoesnotmeetaknownstandard,

itwillbenecessarytoprovideevidenceithasbeendesigned

andmanufacturedtoasafelevelofperformance.Newer

innovationsmayrequiretechnicalinformationortesting

evidencefromthesuppliertoprovidereassurance.

Bestpracticecanbefoundin:

t gac rm glary say ary

isry ra rgasas r r a g

en saar cms r aal saars

t acvs rpabl a/r bs spplrs.

Thereisnowagreatdealofpublishedguidanceonmanytypes

ofequipmentintheformofCodesofPractice,SafetyGuidance

andSafetyAuthoritiesGuidance.LegislationandDirectivesare

nowonlypartofthepictureandindustry-basedinformationis

increasinglyseenasbestpracticeforsafetypolicydevelopment

andistobeusedintheeventofaseriousincident.


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eMent fto fo eLetion

Choosingtherightequipmentsolutionisanessentialpartofsafe

working,andinordertomaketherightdecision,anumberofkey

factorsmayberequiredtobedetermined.

Inordertoproduceacredibleriskassessmentandprofileofthe

task,anumberofthefollowingfactorswillbeconsideredtobe

relevant.However,eachtaskisrequiredtobeindividuallyrisk

assessed.

hg-heightmayincreasethepossibilityofseriousinjury.Sometypesofaccessequipmenthaveheightlimitations(e.g.

scissorlifts),butallaccessequipmenthasthepotentialtoinjureorworse.

dra -continuedexposuretotheriskoffallscouldincreasethelikelihoodofunsafeincidents.Theriskinherentininstalling

theequipmentneedstobebalancedagainsttheprotectionit

affords,i.e.installationofscaffoldsforshortdurationjobsmaybe

lessappropriatethantheerectionofatowerscaffold.

Intermsofequipment,scaffoldingmaybemoreexpensive

toinstallduetohigherlabourcosts,buthavelowmaterial

costs-unlikepoweredaccessinstallationwhichmayinthese

circumstancescarrygreaterworkatheightrisks.

Gr cs-mobileequipmentwillusuallybelimitedonpoorand/orunevenground,ormoreextensive

versions(e.g.roughterrain)mayberequired.Baseadjustment

forstaticequipmentmaybeneccessary*.Itisessentialground

conditionsbeconsideredattheplanningstageasthiswillaffect

thechoiceofequipmentand/orthepreparationneededforits

safeuse.

selecting suitable work equipment

La rqrms-heavyloadingrequirementsmaynarrowthechoiceofequipment:mostlightaccess

equipmentandpoweredaccess(booms)havemodest

loadingcapabilities,comparedtoscaffoldsandmastclimbing

workplatforms.Theloadingcapacityofstructuresshallbe

clearlystatedondrawings,and,whereappropriate,onthe

equipmentitself.

Lca-theactuallocationofaworkatheightprojectmaygreatlyaffecttherisksinvolved,(e.g.elevatedorexposed

coastalareasmayhavehighwindfactors).Tallstructuresmay

similarlypresentadverseriskfactors.

cr r r sag -securedstructures

shouldbebetterabletowithstandtheeffectsofwindforces.

However,thefabricofthebuildingmayhavelimitedcapability

tosupportastructure(e.g.tieloadings)orafully-glazedfaade

maylimitanyfixings.

Mbl r sac -movingaccessequipmentmay

reducetheirstabilityandcarefulinspectionofthegroundthat

equipmentwillbemoveduponisessential.Techniquestobe

deployedformovinganyaccessstructureareanimportant

partofanyriskplan.

bsrcs & lmas-theabilitytotransportequipmentintotheareaoftheapplicationmay

presentlimitationsthatmayexcludesomesolutions.In

addition,theexistenceofoverheadorundergroundpower

cablescanpresentmajorhazardswhennotidentifiedin

advance.

valably sll sallrs -mostaccessequipmentrequirestrainedinstallers,andsomeequipment

needsparticularskills,whichhastobeavailableattheright

time.Sometimesthesearealimitedresourceandmaylimit

particularsolutions.

Thesearejustsomeoftheissuesthatmayneedtobe

consideredwhenselectingtherightequipment.Competent,

knowledgeablestaffandsupplierswillhelptomakethe

bestdecisions.

*Theloadbearingcapabilityofthegroundmayalsobecritical,includingfor

exampleundergroundservices.

aar r spcal (-saar) sgs-standardconfigurationsarecommon,pre-designed

arrangements,whereasspecialornon-standardapplicationswill

oftenrequiredesign,andshouldbemorecloselysupervisedon

site,inviewofincreasedrisks.


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AstheimpactofEUstandardisationhasledtoincreasing

convergence,thedifferencesbetweenmarketsarebecoming

lessmarked.However,itwouldnotbeunreasonableto

suggestthattherecanbeanEast-WestandaNorth-South

divide,withmuchtighterenforcementandmorerigorous

safetyproceduresinNorthernEurope(Germany,Holland,

Scandinavia,France,andtheUK)comparedtoGreece,some

partsofEasternEuropeandSpainandPortugal*.

Thestandardsbodiesforsomecountriesareasfollows:

s

CzechRepublic CSN(CzechStandardsInstitute)

France NF(NormFrancais)

Germany DIN(DeutschesInstitutfrNormung)

Italy UNI (EnteNazionale Italianodi Unificazione)

Netherlands NEN(NederlandsNormalisatie-Institute)

Sweden SIS(SwedishStandardsInstitute)

UK BritishStandards

SomecountrieshaveexceptionstoEN(EuropeanNorm)

Standards,knownasNationalAnnexes,buttheselocal

exceptionsaregraduallyreducing.Itistheobjective,for

instance,oftheGermanStandardisationstrategytoharmonise

regional,nationalandinternationalstandardsasfaraspossible.

Therearealsolocalstandardsforuniquelocalproducts.

Therearestrongcommercialandsafetypressuresfor

compliancewithbothDINandNF.

differences between european markets

cal yps

f -themosttypicaltypeofscaffoldinuseon

mainlandEuropehasbeentheframesystem,withitslimited

numberofcomponentsandfixed,narrowerwidths.Faster

outputsarepossibleontherightprojects,particularlywith

mechanicalhoisting.

m -modularsystemswithindividual

pre-fabricatedcomponents,whicharemoreversatile,have

beguntogrowinpopularity,andthetwomostpopular

systemsnowworldwideappeartobemodularsystems,

HarscoInfrastructureCUPLOKbeingoneofthose.

t -traditionaltubeandfittingshavenever

beenwidelyusedoutsideoftheUK,exceptforverycomplex

applications,andintheUKisnowinslowdecline.Theymay

befoundattimesinGermany,ItalyandScandinavia.Some

aluminiumscaffoldsystemsmaybefoundintheNetherlands.

Seepage19-forscaffolds.

*Thispropositioncanbemorecomplexasindustrialsitesdohaveamuchtightersafetyregimeunliketownworksites.


16/36


cal rg plarms

Thereareseveraldifferenttypesofmaterialsforworking

platforms,whichreflectthepreferencesofdifferentmarkets:

Timberscaffoldboards(UKandEasternEurope)

Steelplankswithclaws

Timberorsteelbattens(UK)

Aluminium/plywooddecks

Transversetimberplatforms (ScandinaviaandEasternEurope)

AluminiumGRPplatforms(Netherlands)

trag

ThetrainingcyclesintheUKandthemajorityofEuropehave

beenverydifferent.IntheUKtrainingwouldexpecttotake2

to4yearstoproduceawell-trainedscaffolder,largelybased

ontubeandfittingsscaffolds.InmainlandEurope,withits

traditionofsimpler,modularsystems,weeksratherthanyears

hasgenerallybeenacceptable.Thisisnottosuggestthereisa

lackofskilledscaffoldersinEurope,asthereareverycomplex

scaffoldsregularlybuilt,applyingsystemsinenterprisingways.

Forinformationregardingtrainingservicesavailablefrom

HarscoInfrastructurepleasecontactyourlocalrepresentative

oremail:[email protected]

ccss rs/lg accss

Theuseofaluminiumasamaterialforaccesstowersisa

reflectionofthelabourmarketswillingnesstouseandpay

forthebenefitsoflightweightmaterial.Therefore,steel

mobiletowersaremorecommonlyusedonmainlandEurope,

comprisingpartlystandardscaffoldingcomponents,compared

tothepurpose-designedaluminiumtowersusedinSweden

andtheUK.InFrance,lightweightsteeltowershaddominated

themarketformanyyears,buttheytoohavebeguntoactively

movetoaluminium.GRP(GlassReinforcedPlastic)towers

havealsobeguntobeusedmoreinelectrically-sensitiveand

spark-sensitiveapplications.



17/36


L-lvl accss plarms

TheimpactoftheWorkatHeightRegulationshasbeen

stronglyfeltamongststepladderusersintheUK,whereamajor

newproductgroupemergedwithlow-levelaccessplatforms.

Calledpodiumplatformstheseall-aluminium,smallworking

platformsareidealforheightsupto3metres,howeversuch

platformsarenotcurrentlyusedtothesameextentelsewhere.

plars

Insomecountries,theuseoflargerA-framestepladder

productshascontinued,upto5or6metresorevengreater

heights,whichdonotcomparewellwiththesaferalternative

offully-guardrailedmobileaccesstowers.

wg

Scandinaviancountriesplacetighterlimitsthanthe

conventional25kgthatmaybeliftedatatime.

vac garrals

Theconceptoferectorsneverfindingthemselvesina

positionwheretheyarenotprotectedhasyettobeachieved

universally,butharnessesarefarmorewidelyusedacross

mostmarkets.Howevertheacceptanceofadvancedguardrail

productdevelopments(whereguardrailsareinstalledfrom

belowpriortoascendingtheupperplatform)havesofarbeen

mainlylimitedtoFrance,Holland,partsofGermanyandtheUK.

ay cmplac a rcm

ThroughouttheEUwenowhavecommonregulatory

measuresintheformofDirectives,andextensivecommon

designstandardsonmostworkatheightequipment(see

page32).Itisintheareaofenforcementthatweseemore

divergence,andsafetyinspectorsdoneedtobeonthe

groundinordertopolicethesemeasures.Majorcontractors

havestrongsafetypoliciesoftheirown,butthelackof

anenforcementpresenceinruralareascanmeanawide

differenceinsafetyenforcementindifferentpartsoftheEU.


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a sysms r r scalrs

AcommonsafetydevelopmentacrossEuropehasbeen

themovetoprovidegreaterprotectiontothosewhoareat

greatestriskofafallwhilstworkingatheight.Whilstthisisstill

emergingindifferentways,oneprincipleshouldapplytoall

scaffolderectionanddismantlingpractices-thescaffolders

shouldnotstandunprotectedonaplatform.

TheUKNASChasproducedguidelinesforpreventingfallsof

scaffolders,calledSG4:10.

s :

Scaffoldersshouldbetrainedin:

-thespecificsystembeingerected

-theadvancedguardrailingequipmentbeingdeployed

- rescuemethods

Fullbodyharnessesshouldalwaysbeworn

Advancedguardrailingmethodsshouldideallybeemployed

Clippingonpositionsshouldideallybeaboveheadlevel

Relianceonharnessesaloneshouldbeavoidedor minimised

Guardrailprotection(1.0mminimumhigh,950mminUK) shouldbeinplace,orthescaffoldershouldbeclippedonto

asuitableanchorage

Scaffoldersshouldworkonaplatformatleast600mm wide

Safeaccessforscaffoldersshouldbealadderaccessbay orstaircase,withsuitableentrypointprotection,(e.g.gates

orhatches).

N.B.Duringerection,eitheroneortwoguardrailsmaybe

installed,dependentonthecountrylocation.

tde oitionAroundtheworldtheinvolvementintradeassociationshas

beguntodevelop,butsofarisnotverycommon.Thebesttrade

associationsproduceexcellentbestpracticeguidance.The

followingareexamplesofsomeofthemaintradeorganisations.

calg

TheUEG(UnionofEuropeanScaffoldingCompanies)-membersincludeCzechRepublic,Germany,Netherlands,Polandand

Switzerland.

ChamberofScaffoldingCompaniesinCzechRepublic

SyndicatFrancaisdeLEchafaudage,duCoffrageetdeLEtaiement(France)

VSB(Holland)

BundesinnungFrdasGerustbauerHandwerk(Germany)

TheNASC(NationalAccessandScaffoldingConfederation) -thelargestinEurope,basedintheUK.

Pr accss

IPAF(InternationalPoweredAccessFederation)-promotesthesafeandeffectiveuseofpoweredaccessedequipment

worldwideandhasmembersineveryEuropeancountry.

IRATA(InternationalRopeAccessTradeAssociation)-thisorganisationhasmembersinseveralEuropeancountries,including

France,Spain,Italy,Sweden,Germany,HollandandtheUK.

Mbl rsPASMA-theonlymobiletowerorganisationknownisPASMA(PrefabricatedAccessSuppliersandManufacturersAssociation),

basedintheUK,whereitiswidelyusedfortrainingby

approximately45,000delegatesayear.

eg prcTheonlyedgeprotectiontradeorganisationknownistheEdgeProtectionFederation,basedintheUK.




19/36

Theplatformsofsystemscaffoldingcanbeconstructedusinganumberofoptions,includingtimberboards,steeldeckingor

plasticoraluminiumGRPdecksandalu-plyplatforms.There

aresomecommonfeaturesofsystemscaffolds,asmosthave

nodepointconnections,aregalvanised,andhaveregular

verticalliftheights.Baseadjustmentiscommonlyrequiredin

ordertolevelupthenodepoints.

Typicalloadingcapacity:2-6kNperm

py sysms

Althoughtheymaylooksimilarnotallsystemsarethesame.

Somepopularsystems(includingHarscoInfrastructure

CUPLOK

)arewidelycopiedaroundtheworld,butcanbeofdifferingspecificationswiththetiepatterns,faadeandother

bracingrequirementsvaryingfromonesystemtothenext*.

Tobesure,oneshouldseekspecificanddetailedinformation

fromsuppliers-reputablesupplierswillhavesuchinformation

freelyavailable.

N.B.Donotusetechnicaldatafromoriginalsystemsforcopy

products.Equallyonemustnotmixcopysystemswithoriginal

CUPLOK.

*Copysystemvariationsmayinclude:

Tubegrades

Wallthickness Jointstiffness

cals

Scaffoldingisatypeofaccessorsupportingstructurethat

isusuallybuiltupfrommanyindividualparts.Thereare

manyconfigurations,andthetypesmaybegroupedintothe

following:

Traditionalscaffolding(e.g.tubeandfittings)

Framescaffoldsystems(e.g.SprintorBOSTA70)

Modularscaffoldsystems(e.g.CUPLOKorMODEX).

traal scalg

Thisisalsoknownastubularscaffolding,anditcomprises

individuallengthsoftubeandavarietyofindividualfittings.The

labourerectingthistyperequiresmoreskill,andonanumber

ofprojectsmaydeliverasloweroutput.However,thenatureof

thisstructureenablesittobeusedonanyapplication.

Theuseoftraditionalscaffoldinghasreducedovertime,as

newersystemshavebeendevelopedtoprovidespecific

applicationsolutions,(e.g.edgeprotectionandtemporary

roofs).

ysm scalg

Alsoknownasmodularormulti-directionalscaffolds,

systemscaffoldingisaprefabricatedtypeofscaffold.Itspre-

weldedconnectionsmakeitsimplertobuild,withconsistent

andregularcharacteristicswhichcomefrommodular

arrangements.Baylengthsarefixed,butthereareseveralsizes

ofbothwidthandlength.

collective fall prevention



20/36


fram scalg

Theuseofframescaffoldinghasforalongtimebeenmore

widelyusedonmainlandEuropethanintheUK.Withasimpler

structure,andgenerallyafixed,narrowscaffoldwidth,thistype

ofscaffoldingoftenhasashortertrainingregime.Complex

faadesmayseemtobeachallengeforthesetypes,butthey

canbeadaptedinasurprisinglyversatilemanner.Applications

aretypicallyforgeneralmaintenanceandpainting.

Typicalloadcapability:2kNperm

arcas sysms

Staircasesarenowmoreregularlyusedforaccesstoscaffolds

inpreferencetoladderaccess.

Thestaircasesystemsaremostlybasedonwell-knownscaffold

systems,sotheyaremodular,andtendtoincorporatesome

additionalstaircase-relatedcomponents.Therearenowa

numberofdifferenttypestosuittheapplication:

4- -forcompactsitesandgreatereconomy

8- -forgeneralconstructionuseandlarger

numbersofpersonnel

10- -forgreaterloadcapacityandtallerstaircases

p -wheremembersofthepublicwillbeusingthe

structure,particularlywhereyoungchildrenarepresent.These

mayalsobeusedforfireescapes,astheyhaveagreaterloadingcapacitybothverticallyandhorizontally.

calg saray sysms

Pre-assembledstairwayunits,whichfoldflatandcantakeup

anumberofangles.Varioustypesofstairwaysareavailable

foruseonmanytypesofscaffoldandfalsework.

Thesesystems,whichshouldmeetEN12811-1(classAor

B)aregenerallyself-levellingwithvariableheights.

Lg accss qpm

Thereisawiderangeoflightweightequipmentotherthan

scaffolding,whichprovidessafeworkingplatforms.Typically

applicationsforthisequipmentareforshorterdurationwork

andaccesstodifficultareas.Theyhavethecapabilityof

beingmovedfrequentlyfromplacetoplace.

Mbl accss rs

Mobileaccesstowers,availableinaluminium,steel,

andGlassReinforcedPlastic(GRP)aretypicallyusedin

secondarytrades(e.g.painting,decorating,electrical

worksuspendedceilings,etc).Theycanbebuilttoheights

upto20metresandbeyond,subjecttomanufacturers

recommendations.TheuseofsteeltowersinEuropehas

beenmorecommonthanaluminium,buttheyhavebegun

tochangetoaluminiumingreaternumbers.TheuseofGRP

hasbeengrowing,thoughatasmallervolume,forelectrical

orexplosionriskandcleanenvironments.

collective fall prevention


21/36


L-lvl accss plarms

Thereluctancetousestepsforworkatheighttaskshasledto

thedevelopmentofanumberofalternativelow-levelaccess

platforms.Stepshavebeenthecauseofmanyfallsfrom

height,andtheseotherplatformsincludeintegralguardrailsto

improvesafety.

Low-levelcompactplatformsaretypically600mmsquare.

Theiruseshouldbelimitedtoamaximumplatformheightof

2.0m,inviewofstabilityissues,butplatformshigherthan

1.0musuallyhaveawiderbasearea.However,these

platformsmaybemisused,asover-reachingcanstilltake

placeandmayhavemoreseriousconsequences.Supervision

isstillveryimportant,aswellasensuringthatstabilisersaredeployediftheplatforminquestionisdependentonthem.

Thetrendisnowtowardwiderbaseareasonsuchplatforms

inordertoreducetheriskofoverturning.

tmprary rg sysms

Ithasbeencommonpracticefortemporaryroofstobebuilt

usingsteeloraluminiumscaffoldbeamsandcouplersplus

plasticorsteelsheeting.However,thesemethodscanpresent

ahighriskofafall.Thepreferredsafemethodofbuilding

temporaryroofsistousetheroll-outmethodavailable

withmodernroofingsystemsinconjunctionwithascaffold

platformandtheuseofKedertypesheetingsystems.

TheproposedCENdocumentDraftEncapsulationsConstructions,similartoTG9:10(GuidetotheDesignand

ConstructionofRoofsandBuildings)intheUK,coversthekey

designrequirementsfortemporaryroofs,whichwillprovide

newguidelinesfortemporaryroofs.

Blg mbl rs

Mobileaccesstowersprovideahighdegreeofprotectionas

longasthemanufacturersrecommendationsonassembly,

configurationanduseofstabilisersarecloselyfollowed.

Mobileaccesstowersshouldonlybebuiltbycompetent

peoplewhohavereceivedspecifictraining,preferablyon

aone-daycourse.Thesafeerectionofmobiletowersrelies

moreheavilyonsafeassemblyanddismantlingmethods

thanscaffoldingbecausetheyarelighterweightand

free-standingandthereforedonotusuallyallowfortheuse

ofharnessprotection.

Therearenowequipmentdesignsthatincorporate

advancedguardrailing,sofarsafermethodsthatreducetheerectionrisksarenowavailable.Analternativemethod

iswidelyacceptedandusedintheUK,calledThroughthe

Trapor3T.Theobjectivewitheachmethodistoavoid

anyoperativeeverstandingonaworkingplatformwithout

guardrailprotectionalreadybeinginplace.Bothmethods

havebeenfullyevaluatedbytheUKHSELaboratoryand

foundtobeequallysatisfactory.

Everytowerthatissoldorhiredshouldbeaccompaniedby

adetaileduserguide.

Fornon-standardapplications,(e.g.linkingtowerswith

stagingplatforms,orcantilevers,specificadviceshouldbe

soughtfromthemanufacturer).


22/36


Pr accss

Mbl elvag wr Plarms (MewPs)

Theseplatformsarewidelyusedinmostmarkets.Thereare

anumberofdifferenttypesofpoweredaccessequipment,

includingscissorlifts,telescopicboomsandmastclimbing

workplatforms.Eachoffersadvantagesforspecifictypes

ofwork.Scissorliftsoffergreaterstabilityandworking

areaslargerthantelescopicboomsinmanymediumheight

applications.Telescopicboomscansafelyreachintootherwise

inaccessiblelocations.Similarly,withmastclimbingwork

platformstheirselectioncomparedwithscaffoldingmay

bebasedonsafermovementofbuildingmaterialsand

incrementalpositioningoftheworkingplatform.Theuseofpoweredaccessmayreducetherisksassociated

withinstallingothertypesofworkequipment.Poweredaccess

hasbecomewidelyusedasanalternativetoscaffoldingfor

claddingandexternalfixingandsealingoperations,particularly

oncommercialandretaildevelopments.

Poweredaccessequipmentshouldonlybeoperatedby

trainedpersonssuchasIPAF(InternationalPoweredAccess

Federation)cardholders.

Poweredaccessequipment,aswithothermobilesiteplant,

shouldbesubjecttoahighlevelofinspectionandcontinuous

onsitesupervision.

cssr ls

Ascissorliftisclassifiedasamobileelevatingworkplatform,

andoffersawideplatformareawithheavydutyloadcapacity

withouthavingtotraverseupanddownanaccessstructure.

Itisanalternativemethodofaccessforapplicationssuchas

cladding,electricalorheatingandventilatingwork.Scissorlifts

shouldonlybeoperatedbytrainedpersonssuchasIPAF

cardholders.

tlscpc r arcla bms

Theprincipalbenefitofboomliftsistheabilitytoaccess

difficultorrestrictedareas,orsubstantialheights.They

areparticularlysuitableforuseonpetrochemicalsites,

steelframeconstruction,andwindoworsignaccess

whereminimalmaterialliftingisrequired.Theyshould

notbeusedwherescissorliftsarefeasible,astheyhavea

smallerplatformandlowerloadcapacity.

Telescopicboomsshouldonlybeoperatedbytrained

personssuchasIPAFcardholders.

Operatorsshouldalwaysbesecuredtoadesignated

anchorpointbymeansofappropriatePPE.Itisstrongly

recommendedbyIPAFthatafullbodyharnesswithan

adjustablelanyard(usedtoprovideworkrestraintand

adjustedtobeasshortaspossible)isused.

AbestpracticeguidehasbeenproducedbyIPAF

tohighlightthedangersofcrushinginjurieswhilst

operatingboomtypeMEWPs,amongstoverhead

steelworkfollowingaseriesofseriousincidents.

collective fall protection


23/36


Ps-ar vrcal plarms

Anewgenerationofsmallpoweredaccessmachineshas

emerged,calledpush-aroundverticals.Theyarelargely

aresultofthecriticalappraisaloftheuseofladdersand

steps,andtheincreaseduseofpodiumstepsintheUK.

Theseplatformsareonlypoweredintheverticaldirection,

astheyneedtobemanuallypushedintotheirlocation

eachtime,butarethenabletoelevate,withease,butonly

forrelativelylowheights.

Theplatformshavebecomepopularasanalternativetype

oflow-levelaccessplatform.Requiringnoadaptationin

ordertolifttheuserintonarrowoverheadapplications,

(e.g.airconditioning,trunking),theymayofferasafertype

ofplatformthatreducesassemblyandanumberofmisuse

risks(e.g.climbingonguardrails).

Theleveloftrainingrequiredisaquestiontobeconsidered

byusers,butIPAFhaveaspecialtrainingschemeforthis

typeofplatform.

Mas clmbg r plarms/sspaccss/raspr plarms

Theprimefeatureofmastclimbingworkplatformsis

theirabilitytoverticallytransportheavymaterialssuch

ascladdingsheetsorglazedpanelsections.Theyare

suitableforuseonlongerterm,neworrefurbishment

ofcommercialorresidentialhighrisebuildingsand

claddingprojects.Theyofferaworkplatformtailoredto

theexactlocationofthework,andcontrolledascentand

descentforaccessandegress.

Likescaffolding,mastclimbingworkplatformsdepend

criticallyonties/anchors.Mastclimbingworkplatforms

shouldonlybeoperatedbycertifiedpersonnel,i.e.

similartopoweredaccesscertification,IPAFoffersaccreditedtrainingcoursesformastclimbingwork

platforms.Mastclimbingworkplatformsshouldnotbe

usedtoprovidepersonnelaccesstodifferentfloorsofa

buildingunlessinterlockedlandinggatesareprovidedat

eachlandingpoint.

Suspendedcradlesareusedmainlyforthemaintenance

andcleaningofexistingbuildings.Theyprovidea

workplatformwithguardrailssupportedbyprimary

andsecondarywiringsystems.Theplatformsrequire

suitableandsufficientcounterweightingontheroof.

Installationshouldbecarriedoutbytrainedspecialists.


24/36


lmbg scrs

AparticularsafetydevelopmentacrossEuropeforhigh-rise

applications,hasbeenanewmethodofedgeprotection,called

climbingscreens.Thesearelarge-scaleprotectivescreens,

whichcouldcover4or5verticalfloorlevelstogiveprotection

totheconcreteandformworkoperatives-including

weatherprotection.

Theheavy-dutyscreensaremovedbyhydraulicjacking

components,andareanchoredintofloorlevelsforsupport.

g prc sysms

Proprietary,purpose-designedroofedgeprotectionsystems

havebeendevelopedforawiderangeofflatroofandsimilarapplications.Theseformsofedgeprotectionaremainly

securedusingcounterweights.Onanumberofapplications,

(e.g.high-riseandexposedlocations),windresistance

calculationsmayberequired,andadditionalcounterweighing

maybenecessary.

Withsuchsystems,itisimportanttoensuretheyaresuitable

forthesurfaceinquestion.Theywillnotbesuitableonsteeper

slopesoronprofiledroofsurfaceswherethebasecontact

areaisrestricted.Whentoeboardsarerequired,additional

counterweightingwillbeneededtocaterfortheeffectof

windpressure.

Counterweightedroofedgeprotectionsystemsprovide

protectiononflatroofsofanyheight.Thecounterweightsavoidanydamagetotheroofsurfaceduetodrillingandcan

betemporaryorpermanentapplications.Thesesystemsare

relativelyquicktoinstallandprovideasaferformofroofedge

protectionthantraditionalscaffoldingmaterials.

calg qpm r r g prc

HarscoInfrastructureadviseagainsttheuseofstandard

scaffoldingequipmentforflatroofapplicationsunlessithas

beenspecificallycalculatedordesigned.

eg prc

Edgeprotectionisamethodofpreventingfallsbytheinstallation

ofguardrailprotectionatexposedleadingedges,(e.g.theedge

ofconcreteslabsorroofsurfaces).Edgeprotectionisoneofthe

mostwidelyusedmethodsoffallprevention.Withacommon

Standard(EN13374)themethodsbeingusedwillincreasingly

havethesameperformancerequirement.

eg prc sysms

Thereareanumberofedgeprotectionsystemsnowavailable,

complyingwithEN13374.Manyofthemfeatureasteelmesh

panelforprotectionratherthantubularortimberguardrails.

TimberguardrailsarecommonlyusedthroughoutEurope,butnotintheUK,wheremeshpanelsystemshavelargelyreplaced

tubularscaffoldingedgeprotection.

Thefixingsforconcreteframeapplicationsaremainlybasedon

drilledordrop-inanchorsystemsand1.0morhigherposts.

Slabclampsarealsoused,whichdonotrequireanchors,but

thesearelesscommon.

Onasmallnumberofmajorprojects,contractorpreferencehas

beenforfullheightedgeprotection,whichmayinvolvedifferent

designsofpanelsandspecialposts.Thisistoprovidegreater

protectionadjacenttopublicareas.

Forsteelframeapplications,componentsareusuallyboltedinto

thewebofthesteelbeamsatfloorlevel.Inalargenumberof

casesthebeamsmaybepre-drilled.Insimilarlylargenumberstheedgeprotectionequipmentmaythenbeboltedonatground

levelandthenthesteelbeamsandtheedgeprotectioncraned

intoposition,toavoidoperativesworkingatheightonthefloor

level.Telescopicboomliftswillassistthismethodofinstallation.

Therearedifferenttypesoffixingsdependentonthetypeof

structure:

Concrete-fixingscastordrilledintotheconcreteslab

Steel-fixingsboltedintothewebofsteelbeamsaroundtheperimeter.

collective fall protection


25/36


frmr sysmsWallformworksystemshaveverycommonfeatures

acrosstheEU,asmanyofthemostpopularsystemsare

designedandmanufacturedinmainlandEurope,andwidely

distributed.Theworkatheightissuesareoftenbased

aroundtheneedtoprovidesafeaccesswhiletheformties

andfixingsareinstalledandremoved,andduringconcrete

pouringoperations.Eachproductwillincludecomponentsto

constructsafeworkingplatformsintegraltothesystem,and

itisessentialtheseareused,wheneverworkaboveground

levelisrequired,toavoidunsafeacts,suchasclimbingupthe

wallpanels.

falsr a rmr

Theneedforfallpreventionisnotlimitedtoaccess

equipment.Theerectionanddismantlingoffalseworkwillbe

saferifsuitableworkingplatformsandedgeprotectionare

providedwithinthemainstructure.Inthepast,thecomplex

natureoftheconcretesupportinggridhadmadeitmore

difficulttoprovideguardrailprotection,butmorepurpose-

designedsolutionsareappearinginordertomeetregulatory

requirements.

Moreconsiderationisrequiredwhenworkmustbecarried

outbetweentherunsoffalseworkorbeyondtheextremities

oftheassembledstructure,suchasfordeckingoutthesoffit

formworkbetweentowersorforlargecantileveredprimary

beams.Accesstotheseareascanbegainedbyprogressivelybuildinginaccessasthestructureproceeds,oralternatively

usingseparateaccesstowerunits.Accesstothetopdeckof

thefalseworkforthefollowontradesmaybeimprovedby

usingastaircaseunit.

a rc by sg

Falsework(shoring)andformworksystemsprovidetemporary

accessandsupportformouldingwetconcreteintoshape.

Thedesignoffalsework(shoring)andformworksystems

andschemesmusttakeintoaccounttherequirementfor

safeerectionanddismantlingofalloftheequipment.Any

falseworkandformworklayoutsmustbedesignedbysuitably

qualifiedpersonnel,andshalltakeintoaccounttherisksinvolvedwiththeirinstallation.

falsr sysms

Thereareseveraldifferenttypesoffalseworksystems:

ModularsteelsystemsSteelframesystemsAluminiumshoringsystemsProp-basedsystems

Lars

WithintheDirective,laddersmaybeusedforworkatheight

, j.

Theuseofladdersforaccessandasworkingatheight

equipmenthasthereforebeenreplacedinmanycasesby

low-levelaccessplatforms,staircasesandmobileaccess

towers.Theuseofladdersshouldinanyeventberestrictedto

lowrisktasksofshortduration(nomorethan30minutesper

task;shorterperiodsarepreferablewherepracticable).

Ariskassessmentisrequiredtodeterminethatthereislowrisk

andthatmoresuitableworkequipmentisnotjustified,due,for

example,torestrictedorlimitedspaceordurationofwork.

Laddersshouldbeusedinaccordancewiththemanufacturers

instructions.Theladdershouldbeplacedatthecorrectangle

andbeproperlysecured.Stretchingandover-reachingshould

beavoided.Ifaladderistheonlypracticablesolution,itshould

betiedinwhereverpossible.Threepointsofcontactare

recommendedtoreducetheriskofover-reaching.

Accessoriesareavailabletoimprovethestabilityofladder

products,butresearchshowsthatusersshouldbecarefulthat

thisdoesnotleadthemtotakegreaterrisks(e.g.over-reaching).


26/36


indiiduL

g ls

Runninglinesaretautlengthsofcableorropethatspan

betweensecurefixedpointsonstructures.Individuals

attachthelanyardsoftheirharnessestotherunningline

withasuitableconnector.Harnessesclippedtothelinemay

providefallrestraintorfallarrest,dependingontheparticular

configuration.

Runninglinesarenormallyusedincircumstanceswhereit

isextremelydifficulttoprovidesuitableplatformssuchas

scaffolding,(e.g.largeindustrialplantinconfinedspaces).

Runninglinesshouldbeinstalledbytrainedpersonnelonly,

andshouldbethoroughlytestedpriortouse.Designersneedtogivecarefulthoughttoinstallingrunninglineson

newbuildingsasindoingsotheyareprovidingareasonto

undertaketemporaryworkatheightwheninstallingand

testingthelinebutneedtoconsidertheissueofprotection

againstfallsduringsuchoperations.

oLLetie

ay g

NetsaredefinedintheWorkatHeightRegulationsas

collectiveprotectionwhicharrestfalls.Fallpreventionmethods

suchasguardrailsandtoeboardsshouldbeconsideredbefore

fallarrestmethods.

Safetynetsaredesignedandmanufacturedtobepositioned

belowworkingplacesatheighttoactasfallarrestequipment.

Theyhavealimitedapplicationbecausetheycannotbeused

wherethereareobstructionsorwherethereisinadequate

clearancebelowthenet.Safetynetsaremostfrequentlyused

fornewconstructionofcommercialorlarge-spanindustrial

buildingstoprovideafallarrestsystemforroofingactivities.Safetynetsrequirestrongandfrequentanchorpoints.They

shouldbeinstalledbytrainedpersonnelonlywhothemselves

areusingsafeworkmethodsandequipment,(e.g.telescopic

booms). .

Ifnetsaretobeattachedtoscaffoldingoredgeprotection,

designconfirmationshouldbesoughttoestablishthatthe

forcesinvolvedaresustainable.

Walk-onnets,orworkpositioningnetsareafurthertypeof

specialnettingthatcanbeusedasaworkingplatform.They

arelikelytocarryahigherspecificationthanstandardEN

1263-1safetynets,andinparticularwillhaveahigherenergy

ratingandanindependentsafetybackupsystem.Installations

shouldbedesignengineered.

collective and individualfall arrest equipment


27/36


sc

Rescueisanimportantissue,andisalegalrequirement

whenfallarrestequipmentisused.Scaffolders,orother

workersmayneedtoberescuediftheyfallwhileerectingor

dismantling,andaretheninasuspendedposition.

Theriskisthattheycouldsoonstarttosufferfrom

physiologicalproblemsduetorestrictedbloodcirculation

inthelegs,leadingtoavarietyofsymptoms,even

unconsciousness.Appropriaterescuemethodsshallalways

beavailablethatcanberapidlyandsafelydeployedby

trainedpersons.

Thereareanumberofdifferentmethodsavailable,including

thosethatraiseafallenpersonfromaboveorlowerthem

totheground,andmethodsthatallowthevictimtoretrieve

themselves.Ifthepersonwhohasbeensuspendedis

unconsciousorsemi-conscious,theyshouldbeexamined

byacompetentfirst-aidtrainedperson,whoshouldensure

theemergencyservicesarecalledimmediately.Theyshould

receiveanyimmediatemedicalattentionthatisessential,but

avoidmovingthem(particularlyavoidlayingthemflat)until

themedicalservicesarrive,asotherwisefurtherinjurycould

becaused.

indiiduL

Prsal all prc - arsss

Astrongemphasisisplacedontheadoptionofcollective

measurestopreventpeoplefromfallingadistanceliableto

causepersonalinjury.Thefirstconsiderationshouldbethe

preventionoffallsbyusingguardrailsorotherbarriers.Ifthat

isnotpossible,thencollectivefallarrestequipment(netsor

softlandingsystems)shouldbeused.

Personalprotectionisbasedontheuseofharnessesby

theindividual.Thereareavarietyofmethodsthatcanbe

usedtoconnecttheharnessestoasafeanchorpoint.These

includescaffoldhooks,anchoredrunninglines,andmobile

anchorsystems.

Ariskassessmentshouldbecarriedoutbeforepersonal

fallprotectionequipmentisselected.Theriskassessment

shalldemonstratethattheworkcanbeperformedsafely

usingpersonalfallprotection.Itshallalsoexplainwhythe

useofothersaferworkequipment(collectivemeasures)is

notreasonablypracticable.Inaddition,theusersofpersonal

fallprotectionequipmentshallhavereceivedadequate

trainingspecifictotheequipmentbeingusedandwork

beingcarriedout.Finallythetrainingshallincluderescue

arrangements.

Apersonalfallprotectionsystemshouldbesuitableandof

sufficientstrengthforthepurposesforwhichitisbeingused

havingregardtotheworkbeingcarriedout.Itshouldfitthe

userproperly,andbedesignedtominimiseinjurytotheuser

and,beadjustedtopreventtheuserfallingorslippingfrom

it,shouldafalloccur.Operativesshallbetrainedintheuse

andinspectionoftheirpersonalfallarrestequipment.


28/36


falls rm vcls

Atthistimeprotectionagainstfallsfromvehiclesisatanearly

stage,butanumberofmethodsareavailabletopreventthis

typeoffallresultingininjury:

Guardrails(collective)

Gantries(collective)

Softlandingbags(collective)

Gallowssystems(individual)

Fallarrestlines(individual)

Purpose-designedsystemsareavailable,buttherearemany

differenttypesofvehicle,soitisnotpracticabletoadoptany

onesolutiontocoverallcases.

Itwouldbepreferableforcompaniestoconsidermethods

thatallowforloadingandunloadingwithoutworkingat

height,(e.g.palletisation).

p accss

Ropeaccessandpositioninginvolvestheuseoflongrope

cablelengthsfixedatthetoptowhichusersconnecttheir

harnessesandthenabseiltotheworkposition.Ropeaccess

isnormallyusedforinspectionofhighstructuresandfor

lightduties,(e.g.emergencyrepairs).Ropeaccessshallonly

beusedbytrainedandcompetentpersonnel.

Mbl acr sysms

Amobileanchorsystemcomprisesanumberofindividual

weightblockswhichareinter-connectedandcanbe

repositioned.Theyareplacedontopofbuildingsand

structuresandareusedasadeadweightconnectionpointfortheshockabsorbinglanyardsorinertiareelsystems.

Whereguardrailprotectionsystemsarenotfeasible,a

mobileanchorsystemcanbeusedtoprovideatemporary

anchorpointforfallrestraintfromaretractablelanyard.It

shallonlybeusedbyonepersonandbeatleasttwometres

fromthenearestleadingedge.Itisrecommendedthatthe

usersharnessisconnectedtoasafetydevice,andthereis

concerntoensurethatthishorizontallineisbothlimitedin

lengthduetothependulumeffectandhastheabilityto

resistsevereabrasionintheeventofafall.Adviceshouldbe

soughtonthisissue.

collective and individualfall arrest equipment


29/36


heduLe of euiPMent to uit PPLition

Thisschedulesummarisesthemostsuitabletypeofequipmentfora

varietyofapplications.

selecting suitable equipment

contfam

uldng

stlfam

uldng

stlfam

waou

indutalplant

bdgon

tuton

intnal

mantnan

ralandapot

intnalt-out

f

houuld

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extnal

mantnan

s

m

s

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Most

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Lesssuitable

solution

Unsuitable

solution


30/36

ppg spplrs

Themostimportanttaskistoensureactualorpotentialsuppliershavebeenfullyvettedtoensure

theyarecompetent,havesufficientexperience,haveasafetymanagementsystemandhavea

goodsafetyrecord.Ifequipmentisbeingordered,theprocurementmanagershouldhavesufficient

competencetounderstandthatwhattheyareorderingissuitableandsafe.

Noneofthisabsolvestheclientorcontractorfromresponsibilityifsomethinggoeswrong.The

responsibilityforsafetycannotsimplybepassedontoasub-contractor.Allpartiesareinvolvedwith

safeworking,soanychoicesneedtobefullyconsidered.

Suitable for

heights over

50 m

Copes with

heavy loads

(over 200kg/m

or 2kN/m)

Static copes

with uneven

ground

Duration of

application

Mobility

frequent

movement

Scaffold Medium tolong-term

Less suitable

Scissor liftLimited

over 20 m Rough terrain

model Short-termRough terrain

model

Boom lift Limitedover 60 m x Short-term

Mast climbingwork platform

GantryShort to

medium-term Some models

Mobile accesstower

Limitedover 30 m

x Adjustable Short-term

Edgeprotection

n/a n/aShort/medium

long-termLimited

Staircase

Medium tolong-term

Unsuitable

Cradle

x n/aShort to

medium-termLess suitable

Falsework Climbingversion

Short tomedium-term

Controlledconditions only

Safety netting(fall arrest)

n/a Short to

medium-term Less suitable

Low-levelaccess

x Steel scaffoldversions x Short-term

Ladders andsteps

x Unsuitable Unsuitable Veryshort-term

selecting suitable equipment

Thisschedulehighlightssomeofthetypicalcharacteristicsofvarioustypesofworkatheight

equipmenttoassistselectionofsafeequipment.



31/36

o-

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u

p

l

s

i

m

c

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o

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t azars

TheobjectiveoftheWorkatHeightDirectiveistoreduceworkingatheightbut

ifthatisnotpracticable,thentopreventfalls.Thereareanumberofreasonswhy

fallsfromheightcanoccurandthetablebelowidentifiesanumberofthese.

Itwillbeclearfromthedetailsbelowthattheindividualisthemostimportant

elementofworkatheightplanning.

Exampleofover-reachinghazard.


Exampleofhazardousscaffold.


32/36


principal design standards forwork at height equipment

mmary - bs pracc

Abestpracticeshortlistofsomeofthemainactivities

involvedincarryingoutsafeworkatheight:

v rg a g praccabl

ta all sps prv alls

Pla a rgas yr r a g

oly s prv cmp spplrs

lc sabl sa r a g qpm

esr a all s ll sall r r r a g qpm av b lly ra

arry rs assssms prr ragr a g

Gv prry cllcv ms all prc

oly s all arrs r all prv s pssbl

d s qpm r rplacs lss yav b vsally spc br s

esr sablsa yr r a gqpm, a ally scr a sl srcr.

Loosesteeltubesfortubeandcouplerscaffolds.

Technicaldeliveryconditions.

B en 39:2001

Couplers,spigotpinsandbaseplatesforuseinfalsework

andscaffolds.Couplersfortubes.Requirementsandtest

procedures.

Couplers,spigotpinsandbaseplatesforuseinfalsework

andscaffolds.Specialcouplers.Requirementsandtest

procedures.

Couplers,spigotpinsandbaseplatesforuseinfalseworkand

scaffolds.Plainbaseplatesandspigotpins.Requirements

andtestprocedures.

Metalscaffolding.Couplers.Aluminiumcouplersandspecial

couplersinsteel.Requirementsandtestmethods.

B en 74-1:2005

B en 74-2:2008

B en 74-3:2007

B 1139-2.2:2009

Specificationfortimberscaffoldboards.

Specificationfortemporaryaccessplatforms.Performance

anddesignrequirements,andtestmethods.

B 2482:2009

dd 7995:2003

Faadescaffoldsmadeofprefabricatedcomponents.

Productspecifications.

Faadescaffoldsmadeofprefabricatedcomponents.

Particularmethodsofstructuraldesign.

B en 12810-1:2003

B en 12810-2:2003

Temporaryworksequipment.Scaffolds.Performance

requirementsandgeneraldesign.

Temporaryworksequipment.Informationonmaterials.Temporaryworksequipment.Loadtesting.

B en 12811-1:2003

B en 12811-2:2004

B en 12811-3:2002

Mobileaccessandworkingtowersmadeof

prefabricatedelements.Materials,dimensions,design

loads,safetyandperformancerequirements.

Metalscaffolding.Specificationforprefabricatedtower

scaffoldsoutsidethescopeofBSEN1004,bututilising

componentsfromsuchsystems.

B en 1004:2004

B 1139-6:2005

Ladders.Terms,types,functionalsizes.

Ladders.Requirements,testing,marking.

Ladders.Userinstructions.

Ladders.Singleormultiplehinge-jointladders.

Specificationforportablealuminiumladders,steps,

trestlesandlightweightstagings.

B en 131-1:2007

B en 131-2:2010

B en 131-3:2007

B en 131-4:2007

B 2037:1994

l scal b

Metalscaffolding.Tubes.Specicationforaluminiumtube.B 1139-1.2:1990

lmm scal b

cal gs

tmbr scal bars, bas a cs

faa scals

tmprary rs qpm - scals

Mbl accss rs

ps a lars

eg prc

Temporaryedgeprotectionsystems.Productspecification,

testmethods.

B en 13374:2004

MewPs

Mobileelevatingworkplatforms.Designcalculations.

Stabilitycriteria.Construction.Safety.Examinations&tests.

Mobileelevatingworkplatforms.Operator(driver)training.

B en 280:2001+2:2009

B io 18878:2004

cr vcs

Protectionagainstfallsfromaheight.Anchordevices.

Requirementsandtesting.

B en 795:1997

fall prc qpm

Personalprotectiveequipmentagainstfallsfromaheight.

Guidedtypefallarrestersincludingarigidanchorline.


Guidedtypefallarrestersincludingaflexibleanchorline.

Personalfallprotectionequipment.Lanyards.


Energyabsorbers.

Personalprotectiveequipmentforworkpositioningand

preventionoffallsfromaheight.Beltsforworkpositioning

andrestraintandworkpositioninglanyards.


Retractabletypefallarresters.


Fullbodyharnesses.


Connectors.

Personalfallprotectionequipment.Personalfallprotection

systems.


Testmethods.


Generalrequirementsforinstructionsforuse,maintenance,

periodicexamination,repair,markingandpackaging.

Codeofpracticeforselection,useandmaintenanceof

personalfallprotectionsystemsandequipmentforusein

theworkplace.

Codeofpracticeforthedeliveryoftrainingandeducation

forworkatheightandrescue.


Listofequivalentterms.

B en 353-1:2002

B en 353-2:2002

B en 354:2010

B en 355:2002

B en 358:2000

B en 360:2002

B en 361:2002

B en 362:2004

B en 363:2008

B en 364:1993

B en 365:2004

B 8437:2005

B 8454:2006

B en 1868:1997

falsr

Codeofpracticefortemporaryworksproceduresandthe

permissiblestressdesignoffalsework.

B 5975:2008

NB:Thestandardsreferencedaboveshouldbecheckedforbeingthemostrecenteditionpriortospecifyingtheiruse.


33/36


glossary

Amethodofprovidingsafeguardrailprotectionbeforeascaffolderascends/descendsaworkingplatform.

Amobileworkingplatformthatcanelevateinseveraldifferentdirections,includinghorizontalandvertical.

Britishstandardssystem.

Atypeofedgeprotectionthatcanclimbthefaceofatallstructure,usuallyemployingsmallhydraulicrams.

Non-legislativebutauthoritativebestpracticeguidance.

Measuresthatprovideprotectiontoseveralpersonsratherthananindividual.

Asupplierthathastheknowledge,experienceandcapabilitytoprovideasafereliableservice.

Asuspendedaccessplatformwhichissupportedfromabove,andmaybecapableofsomehorizontal

movementaswellasvertical.

Germanstandardssystem.

Atypeofedgeprotectionindependentofascaffoldthatpreventsfallsfromleadingedges.

EuropeanNorm/Europeanstandards.Codeofpracticeforthedeliveryoftrainingandeducationforwork

atheightandrescue.

EdgeProtectionFederation.

Akeypartoftheworkatheighthierarchy,principallyprovidingguardrailprotection.

Verticalheavydutysupportmedium.

Equipmentforformingandsafelysupportingwetconcreteuntilitcures.

Scaffoldsystembasedonweldedframewithfixeddimensionsratherthanindividualverticalsand

horizontals.

Heavydutydesignedframeworkforsupportingheavyimposedloadsfromscaffoldsormastclimbersetc.

InternationalPoweredAccessFederation.

Methodstolimittheeffectofapersonfallingfromaheight.

IndustrialRopeAccessTradeAssociation.

AluminiumorGRPworkingplatformsforlighttradeapplications.

Alternativesmallworkingplatformstoreplacestepladders.

Aheavydutyworkplatformthatissupportedononeormoremastsectionsandclimbsvertically.

MobileElevatingWorkPlatforms,e.g.scissorlifts.

Minimisetheinjuryimpactonabodyfollowingafallfromheight.

Amanuallyerectedandmovedlightaccessplatform.

Safetynettingtocatchfallingpersonswithoutinjury.

Frenchstandardssystem.

PrefabricatedAccessSuppliersandManufacturersAssociation.

PersonalProtectionEquipment.

Smallverticallyelevatingplatformsthatmovehorizontallybymanualeffort.

Aformofworkpositioningbasedonskilledsuspendedropeaccesstechnicians.

Fallrestraintorfallarresthorizontalwiresystemforharness/lanyardconnection.

Safemethodsoferectionforscaffolders.

Amobileworkingplatformpoweredbybatteries,dieselordirectpowerthatcanelevatevertically.

Purpose-designedbagsfullofpolystyrenebeadingorairthatcangiveasoft,uninjuredlandingintheevent

ofafall.

Differenttypesofboomliftsthatusehydraulicstomoveplatformsintodifferentpositions.

Purpose-designedsystemsthatgenerallycompriselightweightbeamsthatareerectedinasaferwaythan

scaffoldingcomponents.

EUlegalframeworkforworkatheight.

Traditionaltypeofscaffoldingemployingloosetubesandcouplers.

Specialsafetynetsthatcanbeusedasaworkingplatformforcertaindefinedapplications.

Theorderofpriorities,expressedintheUKasahierarchy.

vac garralg

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34/36

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contact information


35/36

t h i s l. t

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36/36

frastructureServicesLtd,

HarscoHouse,

RegentPark,

299K

ingstonRoad,

Leatherhead,

Surrey,

KT227

SG

0811/BBC/

5K

/H342

f

h i,

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.-.

work at height brochure digital file 0911.pdf

Documents