Safety Training Presentation No1 Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects

V5-8 October 2012

Accidents

Over the last 20 years there have been 12 fatal accidents within the lift and escalator industry

How have the fatal accidents occurred? Falling from height and falling objects Crushing/ struck by moving equipment Electricity

2

3

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects The Risk…

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects The Risk…43 fatalities in 2010 in UK (all industries).Of these, 5 were from a height of less than 2m.In the last three years there have been 13 major injuries and 23 over 3-day injuries attributed to falls from height and falling objects reported to LEIA.

4

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height - DefinitionsThe following definitions of equipment are used: Fall Protection equipment – any equipment used to stop injury from a fall; include guardrails, screens, nets, air bags, work restraint systems and fall-arrest systems.Fall Prevention equipment – any equipment which stops persons approaching a fall hazard; includes guardrails, screens and work restraint systems.Fall Mitigation equipment – any equipment which reduces the harmful effects of a fall ; includes nets, air bags and fall-arrest systems

5

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – DefinitionsWork at Height– any work in any place, including a place at or below ground level where, if measures were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury

6

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height - Hierarchy of ControlsGeneral principles from the Work at Height Regs:

Avoid the work at height if possible.If not possible or practicable then:

Prevent falls by collective measures.◦Example: vertical screens, horizontal extension of the

car top, provision of guard rails.◦Guardrails on the edge of a flat roof.

If collective measures are not practicable then:

7

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height - Hierarchy of ControlsPrevent falls by personal measures

◦Example: by harness and restraint lanyard restricting access to the fall hazard (Work Restraint)

8

Work restraintRange for work

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height - Hierarchy of ControlsPrevent falls by personal measures

◦Example: by harness and restraint lanyard restricting access to the fall hazard (Work Restraint)

If, after provision of fall prevention equipment, falls are still possible then:

9

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height - Hierarchy of ControlsMitigate consequences of a fall by collective measures (ie put measures in place to minimise the distance and the consequences of a fall should one occur).

◦Example: provide catch nets or air cushions.If not possible or practicable then:

10

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height - Hierarchy of ControlsMitigate consequences of a fall by personal measures.

◦Example: provide a harness and fall-arrest lanyard

NOTE: the provision of personal fall-arrest measures must be seen as a last resort

11

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height - Hierarchy of ControlsCollective measures are always to be given priority over personal measures.

12

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height - Hierarchy of ControlsCollective measures are always to be given priority over personal measures.

13

WORKING PLATFORMS WORK

RESTRAINT

NETS / AIR BAGS HARNESS/

LANYARDS

LADDERS & HOP-UPS

MITIGATION

PREVENTION

COLL

ECTI

VE

PER

SON

AL

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Voids During Installation or Modernization950mm high guardrails, with a vertical gap of no more than 470mm and toe boards, should be fitted where there is a risk of falling...Where this is not practicable, safety nets or sheets should be used...Where this is not practicable, use a harness and lanyard to stop the person reaching the fall hazard (work restraint)...When this is not practicable, fall arrest equipment must be used.

14

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Voids During Installation or Modernization

15

950mm high guardrails, with a vertical gap of no more than 470mm and toe boards, should be fitted where there is a risk of fallingWhere this is not practicable, safety nets or sheets should be used Where this is not practicable, use a harness and lanyard to stop the person reaching the fall hazard

When this is not practicable, fall arrest equipment must be used

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Voids on Lifts in ServiceA horizontal opening greater than 300x300mm from the edge of a platform or car top creates a risk of falling and must be reduced or protectedWhere a space exists in which a person could fall, precautions shall be taken in the following order:

◦ Vertical Screen◦ Horizontal extension of the car top◦ Provision of balustrades on the car top◦ A Safe System of Work, which might involve the use of appropriate

personal fall protection system, e.g. work restraint.(BS 7255:2012 Cl 4.17.2)

16

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Voids on Lifts in Service

17

A horizontal opening greater than 300x300mm from the edge of a platform or car top creates a risk of falling and must be reduced or protected

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Voids on Lifts in ServiceMany companies have deemed the 700mm guardrail height currently in the EN81 Standards to be too low and require other fall protection systems to be used. EN81-20 when it is issued will require 900mm high guardrail.Do not lean over or through the guardrail if you do not have a suitable fall protection system.

18

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Voids on Lifts in ServiceIf wearing Work Restraint or Fall Arrest systems, ensure you do not attach to the car whilst on the landingDisconnect from the car before accessing the landingOperate Stop switch if connecting to the car topOn the car top, do not attach to the shaft unless the unit is locked off and tagged outOn the car top, do not connect if the car is to be moved unless it is an observation or partly enclosed car(risk of

snagging)

19

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Voids on Lifts in ServiceAccessing the stop button through open landing doors for pit access – Standards say the stop button should be ‘accessible’ from the landing. Are you creating a fall hazard when accessing it and how can you avoid it?

20

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Voids on Lifts in ServiceAre you creating a fall hazard and how can you avoid it?

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Observation and Partly-enclosed LiftsDue to the unusual working conditions additional precautions should be taken when working on theseIf protection against falling is not incorporated in the design of the car top, wear a safety harness and lanyard attached to a suitable anchor pointCare should be taken when the safety harness is worn when moving the car to avoid possible snagging of the

lanyard, etc.

21

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Observation and Partly-enclosed Lifts

22

If protection against falling is not incorporated in the design of the car top, wear a safety harness attached to a suitable anchor point

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – LaddersWork at height from ladders should be avoided wherever possible, and should be risk assessed before startingThey should be considered as access/ egress equipment and only used as a workplace for light work of a short durationWhen in use, ladders should be secured in position eg for access into lift pitsNever over-reach from a ladder; move it to a better position

23

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – LaddersBefore climbing, make sure that:The rungs are cleanYour boots are not wet or oilyYou can keep 3 points of contact at all timesTools will not fall from your pockets or carrying bagThe bottom of the ladder is away from walkways where people could knock against it

(continued)

24

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – LaddersBefore climbing, make sure that the ladder is:Not overloadedNot damaged in any wayOn a firm level baseAt the correct angle (4 vertical to 1 horizontal)Securely fixed at the top, middle or bottom (or footed whilst this is being done)

25

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Moving Platforms in ShaftsA moving platform may be a special platform, a false car or the lift car itself. It is usually suspended in the well from a manual or power operated tackle or hoist.Each has safety devices to arrest uncontrolled descent/ movement and methods of operation which it is essential to follow, as laid down by your employer

26

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Moving Platforms in ShaftsSummary of safety precautions:Understand exactly how it is to be usedRegularly test any safety devicesKeep the platform clean and in good working orderReport any defects to your employer

(continued)

27

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Moving Platforms in ShaftsSummary of safety precautions:Never overload it – refer to the load plateProtect against overtravelEnsure the controls are protected against accidental operationEnsure the platform has guardrails on all four sides

28

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Fixed ScaffoldingCommon faults in scaffolding:Scaffolding not erected or altered and dismantled by a competent person Scaffolding not inspected by a competent person at least every week and records keptPlatform not wide enough (min 600mm or three planks)No toe boards or guardrails on a working platformInadequate support for the boards

(continued)

29

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Fixed ScaffoldingCommon faults in scaffolding:Guardrails too low or gap too big (min 950mm high, max 470mm gap)Defective, missing or unsuitable boardsObstructed gangwaysOverloadingSlippery surfacesNo proper access ladders or stairs

30

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Fixed Scaffolding

31

Obstructed gangway

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Fixed ScaffoldingScaffolding in the well:Keep the working and intermediate platforms fully boardedOnly remove the minimum number of boards for roping etc. and replace as soon as completeEnsure no fall hazards are created by your workEnsure boards are fixed in place to prevent accidental movementEnsure toe boards and guardrails are fixed to prevent

people, materials or tools falling

32

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Mobile ScaffoldingScaffold towers should be erected and inspected by a competent person before use and records keptTowers should be inspected every seven days and records keptMobile scaffolding (or scaffold towers) must be of sufficient strength and stability for the purposeWorking platform should have guardrails and toe boards

(continued)

33

34

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Mobile Scaffolding

35

H not greater than 3xW used outdoors or 3½ x W used indoorsW measured over the frame (or outriggers if used)

H

WOver outriggersW

Over frame

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Mobile Scaffolding

36

Maximum height shall be 12m using outriggersunless 3xW outdoors or3½ x W indoors is less than 12min which case use the smaller height

Max 12m or3xW outdoors or

3 ½xW indoors

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Mobile Scaffolding

37

Poor Example:Scaffold tower too narrow,

insufficient diagonal bracing, no guardrails or toe boards on

working platform and no access ladder

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Mobile ScaffoldingExamine parts before use and reject any faulty partsWhen moving the tower ensure it is level, the wheels are supported on a suitable surface, and are locked before useNever move the tower with people, tools or materials on itPosition the tower to prevent over-reachingClimb to the working platform using the integral ladder inside the frame

38

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Access Routes across RoofsIn many lift installations, access to machine rooms is gained by crossing roofs. This access should not present a risk to the safety of people who use it Safe access and egress should be by permanently installed equipment that adequately controls any risk of a fallIf not, then action is required to install these facilities or to provide them whenever the work requires. This may include sufficient lighting to be able to see the hazards in

the first place

39

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Access Routes across Roofs

40

Unprotected edge with trip hazard and no

external lighting

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falls from Height – Access Routes across RoofsCheck to ensure that any surface or material adjacent to where you are working or accessing supports your weight and anything you may be carrying avoiding fragile roofs and skylightsIdeally, a safe access route should be indicated so that the route does not go within 2 metres of any fragile material or any unprotected edgeDuckboards should be at least 600mm wide with handrails to prevent falls onto vulnerable materials

41

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falling ObjectsUnder the Work at Height Regulations steps must be taken to prevent the fall of any material or object that may injure peopleWhere it is not reasonably practicable to take suitable steps to prevent the fall of material or objects, then action must be taken to prevent people being struck by the falling material or object

(continued)

42

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falling ObjectsWhen working in the shaft, it is not considered safe practice for one person to be directly above another unless it is absolutely essential for the work to take place e.g. hoisting and fixing guide rails In this case, protection e.g. netting/ scaffold boards/ rope upstands should be in place so that any fall of material or equipment does not injure the person working belowLockable gates will restrict access when not required

43

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falling Objects

44

Lockable gates will restrict access when not required.

A hoarding may also be used

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falling ObjectsWhere lifts share a common shaft and no full height division screens are fitted, then any work on lift cars in adjoining shafts should be conducted with the cars positioned at the same level so that objects cannot fall onto adjoining lifts Alternatively, the cars could be positioned at top and bottom of shaft and LOTO whilst work is undertaken on the lower car

(continued)

45

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Falling ObjectsConsider work in a machine room – rope hole voids may need protection to stop small tools and equipment falling through into the shaft.When assessing the potential for falling objects, also consider small objects which may fall through gaps in the platforms or through mesh decking (e.g. coins falling from pockets)

46

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Case StudyEngineer undertaking work on top of shaft equipment using a ladder on the top of the car…

47

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects

48

Ladder300mm Gap

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects Case StudyEngineer fell from ladder through the 300mm gap…

49

50

…with fatal consequences

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects SupervisionHSE advise that supervision arrangements must be appropriate and proportionate to the risk – work on or near to open voids, inexperienced staff etc…

Personnel under training need to be supervisedAuditing arrangements for peripatetic workers

Ideally a formal inspection when manager goes on site to review and record evidence of safe working procedure.

51

52

LEIA Safety Charter

Protect yourselves and others from falls and falling objects.

Use and verify Stop and other devices when accessing, egressing and working on car tops and in lift and escalator pits to ensure total control of the equipment.

Electrically isolate and lock off when power is not required and when working close to unguarded machinery.

53

LEIA Safety Charter

Now being incorporated into the new edition of the LEIA Site Safety Handbook.

We ask you to sign in this handbook, to commit to the three elements of the Safety Charter

54

Thank You for attending

55