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Introduction

What does it mean!! where a person could be injured falling, even below ground level.

Falls from height are among the most common cause of fatal and major injury to employees in the workplace. Where employees are working at height there is the potential for a person to fall. It must recognised that the dynamic nature of offshore operations increases the potential for falls from height and that serious injury may result from any fall.

Recent research has shown that many serious injuries occur during work at heights less than 1.8m / 6ft. As a result, work at height is now defined as a task in any place where a person has the potential to fall any distance that is liable to cause injury. This includes personnel moving around the workplace, except by a permanent staircase.

All work at height must be planned and risk assessed with effective controls established prior to commencing the task.

The Working at Height Regulations 2005 is the UKs legislative implementation of the requirements set out in the European Amending Directive 2001/45/EC (Work at Height) to the Amending Use of Work Equipment Directive (AUWED) 1995 95/63/EC.

Regulations are primarily directing us to stop all working at height (WAH) where it is likely to cause risk of injury to personnel.  If, however, there is no alternative course of action we must ensure that we have suitable measures in place to control the risks involved.  These include a hierarchy of controls.  Emergency planning and rescue is a key feature of the legislation.  Also included is worksite inspection and dropped objects prevention from any work activities or platforms.

Equipment checks

• EN361-Harness type (fall arrest)
• EN 813 or EN385 - Harness type (Work Positioning for rope access)
• EN397 = hard hats-chin strap and side impact properties
• LOLER (Lifting operations & Lifting Equipment regulations)
• PUWER (Provision & Use of work Equipment regulations)
• CE & EU  markings
• Inspection of equipment
• No markings on critical points of harness
• Inspection for pre-use and post used
• Six monthly thorough inspection (man riding)
• Equipment exceptional use (shock/overloaded)
• Tractability of all items of equipment records kept up to 2 years.
• Failed or damaged items to be quarantined and destroyed

Load Definitions

• Working Load Limit (WLL) Manufacturers equipment
• Safe Working Load (SWL)
• Minimum Breaking Load (MBL)
• Factor of Safety (FOS

Company Standards

A Company Standards must be developed which provides detailed guidance on the following:

• Role and Responsibilities
• WAH Risk Assessment and Planning
• Control of WAH through SSOW
• Equipment Selection and Management
• Worksite inspection
• Training and Competency Requirements
• Emergency Planning and Exercise drills
• Rescue Equipment

Emergency Rescue

Emergency Planning and training

Every worksite must have in place a work team which has been specifically trained in the emergency rescue equipment and techniques relevant to the Company’s working at height activities.  Training of a rescue team, a rescue team leader and purchasing and maintaining the necessary equipment for such rescues must be addressed.

Prior to commencing a task involving the use of fall arrest equipment, the team must develop an appropriate rescue procedure in the event of an emergency. The emergency procedure must aim to rescue the person immediately after an arrested fall, without the need to rely on external emergency services. Immediate rescue is vital to reduce the risk of suspension trauma.

The following should be considered to ensure immediate rescue:

• Fall arrest and rope access systems are only used where it is possible to rescue
  an unconscious person in less than five minutes (to avoid suspension trauma)
• The equipment required to carry out rescue is positioned at the work site
• All workers who will be working at height have been trained to use the fall prevention equipment and are familiar with the rescue equipment and procedures
• Ensure that any persons working with a fall prevention system are not working alone
• Effective means of communication is available to ensure immediate response in the event of a fall
• At least one member of the rescue team should be familiar with treatment forpotential suspension trauma to avoid causing further injury
• 
  There are a range of rescue systems available and the work site team are in the best position to evaluate the most appropriate rescue equipment for their needs.

Ladders

Many falls from height result from inappropriate use of ladders or non-use of ladders, for example, where crates, stools or drums are used to access heights instead of properly setting up a ladder. Each type of ladder has specific uses and requirements. Ladders should only be used where the task is low risk and for a short duration (ie less than 30 minutes). Ladders may also be used where there is no practical alternative. The use of fall protection equipment should always be considered when using ladders.
Note: During the planning stage, the team should aim to eliminate the use of ladders where the structure will be regularly accessed. Where ladders will be used,consideration should be given to installation of anchor points for fall protection equipment.

The following points should be considered when planning to use all types of ladders;

The ladder should be suitable for work and be designed to an internationally
recognised standard

Ladders should be inspected prior to use to ensure all components are in good
condition

Always use a non-conductive ladder or steps for any work near electrical circuitry
(timber or fibreglass construction)

No more than one person should use a ladder at one time

All locking devices on the ladder are secure

The ladder is on firm, stable and level surface

The ladder is positioned correctly to avoid overreaching or stretching

The user faces the ladder while climbing up or down

Simultaneous operations should be considered to ensure they do not increase
the risk of working with a ladder (ie. Objects striking the ladder)

Materials or tools are not carried while climbing the ladder. Tools should be
carried in a secure tool belt or carry pouch