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SCOPE AND STANDING OF DOCUMENTATION:
Legislation - Regulations
PURPOSE OF DOCUMENTATION:
These regulations are designed to improve the safety procedures and practices for working at height in the workplace.
They cover all work at height practices where a solid floor or permanent stairway is not use. They also cover protection equipment such as fall arrest systems.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ACTION:
All employers and responsible persons are required to ensure that activities involving working at height are properly planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
OVERVIEW OF CONTENT:
Implementation Date - 6 April 2005
Work at height is defined as work in any place, including a place at or below ground and obtaining access to or egress from such as place while at work, except by a staircase in a permanent workplace.
Every employer should ensure that work at height is properly planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner. The planning should also make reference to emergencies and rescue. Work at height should not be carried out if weather conditions jeopardize safety.
Work at height should be avoided whenever possible, particularly when it is reasonably practicable to carry out the work safely by other means.
If work at height is taking place measures must be taken to prevent a person falling a distance which is likely to cause injury. Protective measures can be utilized to minimize the distance and consequences of the fall.
Work equipment must be appropriate for the nature of work and loading, allow passage without risk and be the most suitable for the work required. Work equipment must be assembled and used by competent persons who have received appropriate training.
The regulations provide specific information on fragile surfaces, ladders, scaffold, working platforms, collective safeguards for arresting falls, personal fall protection system, work positioning systems, rope access and positioning techniques, fall arrest systems and work restraint systems.
Inspections of equipment should be completed before use, after an event that may affect the equipment 9for example bad weather) and if scaffold every 7 days. The information to be recorded is also detailed within the regulations.
Systems should be established to reduce the risk of people on the ground being injured by falling objects and the risk of items or people falling from working platforms such as toe boards and guard rails should be provided.
Risk assessments should be completed on the task to ensure that the most appropriate equipment and system is being used and appropriate safety measures are in place.
PRIORITY RISK FOR THE BUSINESS:
All companies should place this as high priority for action as it requires a review of all work at heights, including the use of ladders and step ladders.
IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
All companies should review their current policies and practices for working at height to ensure that the new regulations are implemented. Risk assessments and policies will require review to take into account the information within the regulations.
Compiled by:
Perry Scott Nash Associates Ltd
Date: September 2005
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