 |
Mark Sennett
Managing Editor |
 |
Kelly Rose
Editor |
| Home> | Slips, Trips & Falls | >Fall Protection | >Reaching new safe heights |
ARTICLE
Reaching new safe heights
23 January 2013
When working at height, it is important that safe roof access hatches, guardrails and fall protection measures are in place. James Fisher of Bilco offers some tips on sourcing the most appropriate access solution Work
When working at height, it is important that safe roof
access hatches, guardrails and fall protection measures
are in place. James Fisher of Bilco offers some tips on
sourcing the most appropriate access solution
Working at height can present serious risks for maintenance personnel, painters, window cleaners and others if there is not safe access to get on and off roofs. Indeed, falls from height remain the most common cause of workplace fatalities. According to HSE statistics in 2010/11, falls from height accounted for 20 fatalities, and over 3,000 injuries that caused the injured person to be off work for three days or more.
On a more positive note, the number of falls from heights is decreasing, thanks in part to designers' willingness to embrace the HSE regulations regarding working at height. However, manufacturers are also playing their part by working in conjunction with employers and regulatory bodies to provide equipment and machinery that improves standards of safety.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. It is the responsibility of employers and/or any person who controls the work of others to ensure that workers are safe. At the same time, it is equally important for manufacturers of access equipment that is used at height to engage with companies and provide solutions best suited to health & safety requirements, as well as any other equipment issues.
Access hatches need to be appropriately sized and sited to allow people - and, if necessary, equipment - to be taken on and off roofs. Building designers also need to consider whether a ladder provides safe access (depending on how the hatch will be used) or whether a hatch should be designed to be accessible from stairs.
Furthermore, consideration should be given to whether or not equipment can be safely lifted through the hatch manually, or if a hoist (or a similar device) should be provided on the roof.
Another necessity for roof access hatches is that they have lift assistance - to enable easy, one-handed opening - and hold-open devices to prevent them from being blown closed by the wind. To maximise safety, motorised covers are often employed to eliminate manual handling of the cover.
Product selection is often left with the contractor, which may not always be wise, as this can lead to a cost-influenced decision, rather than a safety-conscious solution. This may seem like a good idea in the short-term, but it is better investing a little more to begin with to ensure that a safe, long lasting, quality product is specified.
In addition to roof access hatches, ladders also help to emphasise the importance of providing the right equipment to ensure people are safe, particularly when working at height. The HSE advises that when climbing or working from a ladder, three points of contact should be maintained at all times.
If someone is working from a ladder and a handhold cannot be maintained other than for a period of time (e.g. holding a nail to start hammering it in) then other measures need to be taken in order to prevent a fall or reduce the consequences of one.
Fortunately, there are products available on the market that assist with keeping three points of contact on a ladder, such as specially designed, telescopic posts which permanently mount to the top two rungs of any fixed ladder, making it easier to enter and exit an access hatch. These can easily be retrofitted. Ladders can also be fitted with safety cages and guardrails, which further bolster their health & safety credentials and meet the requirements of relevant standards.
Finally, fall protection is another essential requirement for those working at height. Specifiers should consider utilising protection grating systems over floor doors and railing systems around open roof hatches. These systems will allow the operator to leave the cover open, enabling light and ventilation into the area below.
When working at height, it is essential that every available health & safety measure has been undertaken. Although the number of injuries and fatalities is decreasing year on year, there are still too many. Specifiers need to ensure that they work together with the manufacturers of safety products to ensure that long term, high quality measures are in place.
James Fisher is general manager at Bilco UK/Europe.
Working at height can present serious risks for maintenance personnel, painters, window cleaners and others if there is not safe access to get on and off roofs. Indeed, falls from height remain the most common cause of workplace fatalities. According to HSE statistics in 2010/11, falls from height accounted for 20 fatalities, and over 3,000 injuries that caused the injured person to be off work for three days or more.
On a more positive note, the number of falls from heights is decreasing, thanks in part to designers' willingness to embrace the HSE regulations regarding working at height. However, manufacturers are also playing their part by working in conjunction with employers and regulatory bodies to provide equipment and machinery that improves standards of safety.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. It is the responsibility of employers and/or any person who controls the work of others to ensure that workers are safe. At the same time, it is equally important for manufacturers of access equipment that is used at height to engage with companies and provide solutions best suited to health & safety requirements, as well as any other equipment issues.
Access hatches need to be appropriately sized and sited to allow people - and, if necessary, equipment - to be taken on and off roofs. Building designers also need to consider whether a ladder provides safe access (depending on how the hatch will be used) or whether a hatch should be designed to be accessible from stairs.
Furthermore, consideration should be given to whether or not equipment can be safely lifted through the hatch manually, or if a hoist (or a similar device) should be provided on the roof.
Another necessity for roof access hatches is that they have lift assistance - to enable easy, one-handed opening - and hold-open devices to prevent them from being blown closed by the wind. To maximise safety, motorised covers are often employed to eliminate manual handling of the cover.
Product selection is often left with the contractor, which may not always be wise, as this can lead to a cost-influenced decision, rather than a safety-conscious solution. This may seem like a good idea in the short-term, but it is better investing a little more to begin with to ensure that a safe, long lasting, quality product is specified.
In addition to roof access hatches, ladders also help to emphasise the importance of providing the right equipment to ensure people are safe, particularly when working at height. The HSE advises that when climbing or working from a ladder, three points of contact should be maintained at all times.
If someone is working from a ladder and a handhold cannot be maintained other than for a period of time (e.g. holding a nail to start hammering it in) then other measures need to be taken in order to prevent a fall or reduce the consequences of one.
Fortunately, there are products available on the market that assist with keeping three points of contact on a ladder, such as specially designed, telescopic posts which permanently mount to the top two rungs of any fixed ladder, making it easier to enter and exit an access hatch. These can easily be retrofitted. Ladders can also be fitted with safety cages and guardrails, which further bolster their health & safety credentials and meet the requirements of relevant standards.
Finally, fall protection is another essential requirement for those working at height. Specifiers should consider utilising protection grating systems over floor doors and railing systems around open roof hatches. These systems will allow the operator to leave the cover open, enabling light and ventilation into the area below.
When working at height, it is essential that every available health & safety measure has been undertaken. Although the number of injuries and fatalities is decreasing year on year, there are still too many. Specifiers need to ensure that they work together with the manufacturers of safety products to ensure that long term, high quality measures are in place.
James Fisher is general manager at Bilco UK/Europe.
MORE FROM THIS COMPANY
OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SECTION
