Fletchers Working at Height Module_2010

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WORKING AT HEIGHTS - INTRODUCTION SHEET 1

TRAINING MODULE

WORKINGAT HEIGHTS

Dangers of Heights

Safety Measures Available

Hazards at HeightWhat If.....?



WORKING AT HEIGHTS

This Training Module comes to you courtesy of :

Site Safe would like to acknowledge Fletcher Construction’s on-going support



PAGE 1WORKING AT HEIGHTS - TRAINING NOTES

TRAINING

SUBJECT: HEIGHTS

PURPOSE: To provide all employees at all levels with a sound basic understanding of the

risks involved in working at height, concentrating on personal safety measures required.

NUMBERS: Up to 20 persons, dividing them into groups of four to six as may be required.

METHOD:

First - A brief question session on the potential and real dangers of working at height on

construction sites.

Second - A brief outline of safety principles and equipment which is required to be

followed and used for the safety of all on site.

Third - Participants will discuss the several “rules” which apply in the explanatory notes,

and discover why - those “rules” exist.

(Because participants are finding the answers themselves, they will accept an “ownership”

of those answers, and the process of learning will be clarified because the participants have

talked through the pertinent points involved.)

Fourth - A brief evaluation will conclude the session to indicate how well the participanthas absorbed the points discussed. This will comprise a simple multiple-choice

questionnaire which will be identified and passed to the Trainer for marking.

MATERIALS: Hand-outs.

Slideshow of good - and bad - practices.

Whiteboard

Pens and paper for participants

Copies of assessment

OSH Guidelines for Prevention Of Falls

DURATION: One hour maximum.

DEVELOPMENT: No further development is envisaged.

NOTES: This session does not extend to cover specialised rigging techniques, but

concentrates on basic construction methods at any height in excess of 3 metres.



WORKING AT HEIGHTS - INTRODUCTION PAGE 2

WORKING ATHEIGHTS

High-rise construction is a major component of our work. Working

several stories up in the air presents its own specific challenges, but

with training in the safety rules, heights

need never be unsafe.

Regulation 21 states that "at heights of more than 3 metres, every

employer shall take all practicable steps to ensure, in relation to

every place of work under the control of the employer, that, where

any employee may fall more than 3 metres -a) means are provided to prevent the employee from falling, and

b) any means so provided are suitable for the purpose for which

they are to be used."

This module discusses methods of managing the hazards which exist

when working at heights. It also focuses on the use of equipment for

minimising the danger of a fall.



WORKING AT HEIGHT - HAZARDS PAGE 3

WORKING AT HEIGHTS ... 1

"What are the hazards likely to be encountered?"

1. Wind.

The higher you work, the stronger the wind

seems. When conditions are considered

dangerous, obviously work stops, but the

sudden gusts can be dangerous to people

and unsecured materials. Make sure bothare secured.

2. Access.

To get up high will usually involve ladders,

and often involve dodging falsework,

formwork and the like. Be alert to these

hazards.

3. Over-reaching.

Very common, and very unnecessary. For

the sake of a few minutes in shifting a

ladder or shifting position, people will try to

stretch that little extra. Over-reaching

means over-balancing.

4. Slipping and/or tripping.The jungle of reinforcing, falsework,

scaffolding, formwork and everything

else, is a hazard at ground level. Up

high, the hazard is multiplied. Plan your

movements - before you move.

5. Obstructions.

The same jungle of "everything" is

more often than not just at head height.Watch where you're going, and keep

your hard hat on - at all times!!!



WORKING AT HEIGHT - HAZARDS PAGE 4


"What other hazards are likely to be encountered?"

6. Wet or frosty conditions.

Ice, rain, dust, pollen or dew on a flat surface makes

that surface slippery and hazardous.

Take your time, and be sure of your

footing before you go clambering

around.

7. Strong sunlight.

What - a risk? You bet it is! First, chances are

the sun will be in precisely the wrong angle for

you, and you'll be squinting - if not momentarily

blinded. Second, that sun can create havoc

with your skin. Sunburn and skin cancer are

ever-present dangers.

Remember, though - sunglasses are NO

substitute for safety glasses!

8. Others working nearby.

You need to be aware of what others are

Doing particularly these that may be below you.Their actions may well affect you. Be

a part of the team - keep your workmates

advised of what you're up to. Isolate work areaswhere necessary.

9. Guardrails.Sometimes, a guard rail will seem to be in

the way of your working. NEVER remove a

guard rail - you may be aware it's missing,

but someone else may not.

10. Falling objects.

Keep your hard hat on - all the time. There is

always the chance of a timber off-cut beingblown over the edge of that slab above you.

Yes - there are more.



WORKING AT HEIGHTS - HAZARDS PAGE 5

THE SAFETY HARNESS


Safety harnesses are used to minimise the effect of a fall. Obviously, they are only

effective if they are worn, and are attached to an anchor via a lanyard or some other

device.

The harness should be manufactured to AS / NZS 1891, and identified by an

individual serial number.

Having clipped the harness on, you will need to adjust it to your personal body size -

snug, but not restrictive. The harness should be comfortable to work in.Too loose - you may fall out of it.

Too tight - the discomfort may lead to its removal.

BACK VIEW:

Harness put on

over shoulders

FRONT VIEW:

Leg straps and

chest strap

secured

Lanyard attaches to

this ring at the back, orfront at chest

height:




THE SAFETY HARNESS


Means of attachment is by a lanyard:

- Used to connect the harness to an anchoring point.

- Maximum 2 metres in length.

- Made from rope or webbing.

- Equipped with a shock absorber, which limits the load on the wearer to 6KN.

- Attached with the shock absorber closest to the harness.

- Attachment devices at each end - these can vary, BUT must be double-acting.

The energy absorber will operate by progressively ripping the stitching as the shock load

comes on, lessening the load on its wearer.

Stitching

Looped webbing

The shock absorber:

Note that every harness has a "Use-By" date marked on it. No harness can be used if it

is more than 10 years old, regardless of condition, and if a harness reaches that age, it

is disposed of.

(Of course, should the harness be stressed at all, it must be returned to the

manufacturer for a thorough check before being used again.)




THE LANYARD

An important elements

are the connectors on the lanyard which secure

you. There are four main types in use:


The carabiner.

This device has a spring-loaded arm (shown

on the right hand side) which has a pin

that engages in a slot on the mainshank (bottom right). By screwing the

collar tight against the main shank, a

perfectly secure connection is made.

The snap hook.

Note the safety latch which must

be pressed in to allow

the hook latch to be disengaged.




THE LANYARD


Carabiner hook

Available in varying sizes,designed for connecting to structuralmembers too large for carabiners or snaphooks.

Manulink.

Made from stainless steel, complete

with carabiner. An alternative to the hook

or carabiner, and can be clipped

around anysuitable structural

member.

Retractable Lanyard.

Used where a loose lanyard could be

hazardous,.

Shock Absorber Lanyard.

Uses a connector top and

bottom, and prevents sudden

stopping shock in the event of a

fall. Overall length 2 metres.

Fall Arrest device

Available in varying cable lengths

It locks in the event of sudden

movement. When using this type of

device, is designed for vertical use only.




HARNESS ANCHOR POINTS


Any harness requires an anchor point which will provide security in the event of a

sudden shock load resulting from someone falling and the harness taking the load.

Anchorages must take 15 KiloNewtons per person.

There are several points which must be noted to ensure anchor points are secure and

safe as intended.

DO:

Use compatible hardware.

Always make sure that the snaphook

will fit the anchor point with plenty of

room. If the snaphook is too small, use

a carabiner.

Check the locking devicesbefore use.

Especially check the latching springs on

snap-hooks, and the threads on

carabiners.

Always use packing on sharp

edges and corners.

Prevent any chafing, cutting or other

damage by using packing on the bearing

edges.




HARNESS ANCHOR POINTS


While safety harness systems are generally very safe, there are some possibilities for

"clipping on" which are NOT safe, and you need to be aware of these.

DO NOT "clip back" on the lanyard using

the snap-hook. This places a great strain

on the latch mechanism, and in the event

of a fall load, the latch could twist and fail.

If clipping-back is necessray, use a

purpose-designed lanyard.

DO NOT use a carabiner with the load

on the screwgate.

DO NOT allow a carabiner or snaphook torest on an edge. Any loading could

damage the latch or screwgate.

BEWARE OF "roll-out" of the rope or

anchor.

This can occur with small-diameter

eye-bolts or ropes, when the snaphook rollsover them, and under some conditions the

latch could become sprung. For this reason,

single-action snaphook latches are not

used.

DO NOT allow a carabiner to rotate so

the load is no longer in line with its spine.

The example shows how using several

ropes can put the screwgate under load.

Roll the snaphook

further, and the

latch could open.

Pull down, and

the latch could

be damaged.




THE PENDULUM EFFECT


Should someone suffer a fall from height, and they are attached to an anchor cable,

they could find themselves in serious trouble UNLESS precautions are taken.

The diagram below will explain:

3

2

1

Working away happily, until....

Whoops - a fall over the side! The anchor cable

starts to take the load, and already has

appreciably dipped at the moving load point.

Ouch! Our unfortunate flier could have either hit

the ground, or hit some other solid object.

1.

2.

3.

How to overcome this?

Use a second lanyard, to prevent too much movement.

(This lanyard isin addition tothe main lanyard!)




FALL CLEARANCE


The positioning of anchor points or lifelines becomes critical. The previous sheet

showed the effect of a fall height which was greater than the clear distance. The

importance of minimum fall clearance is developed here.

Lanyard length = 2.0m

Energy absorber length = 1.75m

Height of person = 1.75m

Allow 1.0m minimum clearance

Minimum fall clearance here is (2.0 + 1.75 + 1.75 + 1.0) = 6.5m.

Allow 1.0m minimum clearance

Height of person

= 1.75m

Energy absorber length

= 1.75m

Lanyard length = 2.0m

Deflection

Where a lifeline is used, it becomes more complex:





Cuts or tears

Abrasion damage - especially where hardware contacts

Damage from heat, corrosives or solvents

Deterioration through rot, mildew or UV rays

Distortion of hook or latch

Cracks or forging folds

Wear at swivel and latch pivot pin

Open rollers

Free movement of latch over its full travel

Broken, weak or badly fitting latch springs (Note 1)

No dirt or other foreign material (e.g; rust)

Excess movement of the 'D' ring straight section

(Note 2)

Cracks where direction changes

Distortion or other physical damageReduction of ring thickness through wear

Distortion or other physical damage

Cracks and forging laps where applicable

bent tongues

Open rollers

Broken, cut or worn threads

Thread damage through corrosion, heat, mildew, etc.

Cuts

Abrasion or fraying

Stretching

Damage through heat, solvents, corrosives, etc.

Deterioration through UV rays or mildew

Physical damage

Security of attachments to snap hooks, rings and similar.

WEBBING

SNAP HOOKS

'D' RINGS

BUCKLES AND

ADJUSTERS

SEWING

ROPES

CHAINS

OK NO!

A simple inspection checklist of your safety harness will highlight any potential problems.

A sample checklist is shown:

NOTES:

1. Compare when possible with a new unit.

2. Should the belt, where it is wrapped around the 'D' ring, become creasedor otherwise expose too much of the straight part of the 'D', it could prevent the

snap hook from fully engaging, or allow the snap hook to "roll"free under extreme

conditions.

HARNESS CHECKLISTS




EMERGENCY PLANS -Rescue technique / Time

Research has shown that a person hanging unmoving in a safety harness

can get into serious strife within minutes. The current time limit to achieve a rescue is 10 minutes,preferably a lot sooner.

Why?

Because a safety harness comprises,

in part, two straps which go betweenyour legs and carry most of the body's

weight when hanging in a harness,

the pressure points in your groin (one

each side at the top of each inside

leg, which are arteries close to the

skin surface, may become constricted

and slow down the flow of blood.

In addition, lack of muscle movement

reduces veinous blood being pumped

back.

Pooling of blood in the legs reduces

the flow of blood to and from your

brain, which could cause a loss of

consciousness.

If you should find yourself hanging in a

harness, try to get yourself into a sitting

position. Shift your backside so you

are sitting on the leg straps, and

keep moving your legs .

YOU WILL NOT SLIP OUT OF

THE HARNESS DOING THIS.

By taking the pressure off your blood

supply, and maintaining muscle

movement, you will reduce risk

of blacking out.

You will then see that time is a critical factor

in rescuing anyone who has had a fall and

is hanging in their safety harness.

Pressure

points affected:

Shiftstraps to

under

your

thighs.

The body's pressure points





EMERGENCY PLANS

A considerable number of factors will affect the way an emergency plan is formed.

These factors can include:

SELF-RESCUE Do we train and maintain our own height rescue team?

If so, what equipment will they need?If so, what training will they need?

If so, who will be the key personnel?

FIRE BRIGADE Can they do it?

Do they have equipment to reach the uppermost heights?

What is their response time? (remember – 10 minutes MAXIMUM!)

What equipment would they want us to have on site?

OTHER

EMERGENCY

SERVICES

Is there immediate access to a helicopter rescue service?

Are there trained height rescue workers in the area?

Can they be on site within six minutes?

FIRST

AID What is the response time for an ambulance?Should we have a specially trained First Aider on site?

THE OVER-RIDING NEED IS TO GET ANYONE HANGING IN A HARNESS TO A

SAFE LOCATION WHERE THE HARNESS NO LONGER SUPPORTS THEM.

THE RULE OF THUMB TO USE IS TEN MINUTES MAXIMUM, UNLESS THE PERSON IS

CONSCIOUS AND ABLE TO ATTAIN A SEATED POSITION.

EVEN THEN, SPEED IS OF THE ESSENCE.


Because of the short time a person may hang safely in a harness, a rescue plan is

essential. You have a maximum of 10 minutes to rescue a fall victim.




HAZARD MANAGEMENT

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND

RISK ASSESSMENT

Identify the hazards - for example, a fall - and assess

the likelihood and consequences of each hazard.

ELIMINATIONEliminate the need to access the fall-risk area.

SUBSTITUTION

Provide alternative means of access to the work

area which avoids the the risk of a fall.

ISOLATION

Isolate or secure the fall risk area so that it cannot be

reached.

MINIMISING

Provide personal protective systems which either

prevent a fall, or reduce the risk or severity of a fall,

or in the event of a fall, minimises the risk of injury.

HOW TO ACHIEVE IT:

Alter the method ofconstruction.

Scaffolding, and/or

elevating working platforms.

Handrails, barricades, and

covers.

Safety nets, harnesses, fall

arrest equipment.

FALL RESTRAINT

Equip operators with personal restraint gear which will

allow access to work areas without the risk of a fall.

WORK POSITIONING

Use safety devices such as stages, EWP's or

maintenance gantries, OR support them by cable

suspension harnesses so the risk of a fall is minimised.

LIMITED FREE-FALL ARREST

Provide personal free-fall systems which will not prevent

a fall, but which will limit the distance and severity of a fall.

FREE FALL ARREST

Provide fall-arrest systems which will not prevent a fall but

which will minimise the risk of injury in the event of a fall.

SAFE SYSTEMS

OF WORK

PROVISION

FOR RESCUE

In order of selection:

EXCLUSION AREA:

NO ACCESS

WORKING AT HEIGHTS: ... 14




DESIGN OF ANCHORAGES


This section shows the way that design for anchorage points for

static lines is to be carried out.

1. A harness must not subject its wearer to a load of more than 6kn

in the event of a fall.

2. Anchorage points must be capable of taking a static load of up

to 15KN. This includes all components in the fall-restraint

system.

This is equivalent to a 600KG shock load on a

100-kg person. An arrested fall will induce inexcess of 6KN, depending on the

flexibility of the lanyard and /or anchor points. To

ensure the loading is limited to 6KN (600kg for a

100-kg person), all lanyards should be fitted with

shock-absorbing devices.

Eye bolts, shackles, static lines, chains andany other items which a harness may be

clipped to, must meet this minimum

requirement. Harness users will be advised

what may, and what may not, be used.

Harnesses and lanyards must comply with

AS/NZS 1891, and will have tags confirming

compliance fixed to them. No tag - no use!

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT ANCHORAGES, OR ANY PART OF THE

FALL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, ASK!




DESIGN OF ANCHORAGES


This page contains some of "the fine print" covering design requirements for anchorages

and the like. In any instance of uncertainty, refer to AS/NZS 1891 Part 1.

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT ANCHORAGES, OR ANY PART OF THE FALL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, ASK!

The arresting force applied to a worker should a fall occur must be less than 6kn using a 2-metre lanyard

with a personal shock-absorber.

The lanyard or anchor line must be attached to the top dorsal or sternal position and where possible

always attached above head height (within easy reach).

Static lines fixed between 2 horizontal fixings should be fitted with shock absorbing units to reduce theforces generated through a fall.

Anchorage points must have a minimum static breaking strength of 15kN including any sling, shackle,

eye bolt, hook, chain or similar required to attach the anchorage line to the anchor points.

All suspension equipment must be individually identified and should be checked on a daily basis by a

competent person. Many equipment items will have specific inspection and maintenance requirements

and service records will need to be kept.

All tools and other items shall be attached by a cord to the worker or the harness, unless another

effective method is used to prevent falling hazards.

When using inertia reels (spring-loaded reels that fix to an anchorage),do notuse a lanyard because

the anchorage line attaches directly to the harness.

Where work operations such as gas cutting, grit blasting or using sharp cutting tools is being carried out,

precautions must be taken to prevent wear and damage to any of the equipment. Protection could

include the use of short steel wire lanyards, protective covers around lines, or other measures.

Note - these are NOT a summary of all design requirements, but indicate the scope of

factors which must be taken into account when carrying out a design or planning.



PAGE 19WORKING AT HEIGHTS - ASSESSMENT

HOW WELL DID YOU DO?

This quick test has been designed to show you how well you have

remembered the points covered in this session.

Tick the answer which you believe is the correct one for each question.

1. What is “notifiable work”?

Work over 50 metres in height.

Work over 5 metres above the ground.

Any work where a hard hat has to be worn.

2. What modifications can you make to your safety harness?

Replace the cable with bungee cord.None at all.

Punch extra holes for the buckle because of your growing girth.

3. What is the greatest danger from wind ?

Blowing materials over the side.

Blowing your hard hat off.

Your mates will tell you to lay off the beans.

4. What is “terminal velocity”?

The sound barrier.The maximum speed a falling body will reach.

Foot to the floor in your rusty old HQ.

5. What is one easy way to stop your tools falling?

Glue them to your gloves.

Don’t use them when working at heights.

Use a simple wrist strap.

6. What is the greatest hazard with harness cables?

They can be tripped over.They interfere with your radio reception.

You’ll get the job of tidying them up.

7. What is the danger in clipping a snap hook back to the safety line?

•It can be hard to undo at smoko time.

•The safety latch could be bent and may weaken.

• You’ll be strangled if it tightens.



9. What is the problem in hanging in a harness?

Birds may sit on you.

You might not be seen for days.

The blood supply can be disrupted.

10. How can you stop yourself falling?

Tie yourself to your mate.

Grow long fingernails to hang on with.

Make sure your safety harness is both worn, and connected.

11. What is the first priority if things go wrong

Get outta there!.

Have a good emergency plan.

Phone your lawyer.

Now check your answers with the correct answers which are on the

next sheet.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: ...............................................................

Current job: ...............................................................

Score: ..................

PAGE 20WORKING AT HEIGHTS - ASSESSMENT



THANK YOU FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.

Now let’s find out how you did.

Question: Correct Answer

1 Work over 5 metres above the ground.

2. None at all.

3. Blowing materials over the side.

4. They both fall at the same rate.

5. The maximum speed a falling body will reach.

6. Use a simple wrist strap.

7. They can be tripped over.

8. The safety latch could be bent and may weaken.

9. The blood supply may be disrupted.10. The wind can get inside them and they act like a sail.

11. Make sure your safety harness is both worn, and connected.

12. Have a good emergency plan

If you got all answers correct- you’re a

safe operator. Well done!

If you got 8 correct , you have done pretty well, but need to pay attention to

those areas where your answer was not correct. It’s your life we’re trying to

protect here!

If you got five right you can do better ,

and will need to if you want to keep safe.

Fletchers Working at Height Module_2010

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Transcript of Fletchers Working at Height Module_2010