Work at Height Regulations Ian Greenwood Falls from Height Team

1. Health and Safety Executive Work at Height Regulations Ian Greenwood Falls from Height Team

2. Summary • The Work at Height Regulations • Background • Managing risks from work at height • The ‘Hierarchy’ • HSE’s Enforcement Position • Q&A

3. Background: Statistics • Biggest Killer 67 Fatal Accidents 2003/04 • 3884 Major Accidents 2003/04 • Until this year always 2nd biggest cause of major accidents • 2/3 of all major injuries caused by ‘low falls’ (below 2mtrs)

4. Background : Objectives • Temporary Work at Height Directive (2001/45/EC) • Bring existing legislation together into risk based regulation • Maintain and improve standards

5. Implementation • Came into force on 6 April 2005 • No transitional period proposed – Regulations consolidate good practice

6. WaH Regulations: Overview • Scope • Risk assessment/organisation/planning • Avoid – Prevent – Minimise • Select the right work equipment • Other precautions

7. Scope: What is work at height? • Work in any place from which a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury • Includes • access and egress • work at or below ground level; • but not stairways or slips or trips on the level

8. Scope: What sectors are covered? • Covers all industries and activities: but not those paid to lead or train climbing and caving • Duty holders are: • employers; • self-employed; and • those in control of people at work, to the extent of their control

9. Organisation, Planning, Competence Work at height should be • Properly planned • Appropriately supervised • [Not carried out if weather conditions jeopardise health and safety] Those working at height should be • competent or if being trained supervised by a competent person

10. Risk Assessment • Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at work Regulations • Do a risk assessment

11. Avoid - Prevent - Minimise Avoid work at height • if you don’t have to go up there DON’T! Prevent falls • use an existing place or means of access • Use the most suitable way of working • Select the most suitable equipment

12. Avoid – Prevent - Minimise Minimise the distance and consequences; Minimise the consequences; Take other measures to prevent injury eg instruction, information and training

13. Select the right work equipment • Collective protection before personal protection • Select guardrails/working platforms before personal fall prevention (eg work restraint) • Select nets/airbags before personal fall arrest

14. Select the right work equipment • Working conditions • Access and Egress • Distance and consequences of a fall • Duration and frequency of use/task • Ease of rescue/evacuation • Risk of use, installation and removal of equipment

15. Practical Examples • Immigration Officers searching vehicles; Police and protestors [Avoid?] • Firearms Officers on roofs [Prevent?] • Tactical Firearms Units using abseils [Mitigate?] • All – information training etc.

16. Other Requirements • Avoid risks from Fragile Surfaces • Prevent Falling Objects • Warn about Danger Areas • Inspect work equipment • Persons at work should • Follow instructions and training • Advise employer of hazards/risks to health and safety

17. Enforcement: Heat of the moment situations • Dynamic risk assessments based on the circumstances at the time • Training/competence/pre planning and thorough inspection of kit • We are unlikely to revisit with hindsight judgements you have made

18. Enforcement: Heat of the moment situations Some Thoughts • Think through means of access (and escape) • Think about the best and safest way of doing it • Things are not always what they seem

19. Enforcement: all other situations • Examples : Scene of crime, routine fire inspection, planned vehicle checks • These are no different from any other work at height activity where the Regulations will apply

20. KEY MESSAGES • If you follow good practice you should be doing enough to comply • Do a risk assessment, plan and organise your work properly • Follow the hierarchy: avoid – prevent – minimise • Choose the right equipment - select collective protection before personal