Transcript HOW TO WEAR A FULL BODY HARNESS CORRECTLY

“Guidance on rescue during working at height”
& their role within the “Working at height regulations 2005
Delivered by Daniel McNess
Abseil Inspector / Emergency Rescue Co-ordinator
Severn Bridges
Background
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There are three main reasons why employers need to make
provision for rescue arrangements when working at height:
 1. the Work at Height Regulations require this
 2. the casualty needs to be attended to and recovered quickly
 3. it is your (employer’s) responsibility and not some other
individual or organisation
The law
Organisation and planning – Regulation 4
(1) Every employer shall ensure that work at height is... properly planned
(2) Planning or work include planning for emergencies and rescue.
In addition, the following regulation requires that all activities, including rescue, must be
carried out by competent persons:
Competence – Regulation 5 “having the skill or knowledge to do something well”
Every employer shall ensure that no person engages in any activity, including…. Planning,
and supervision, in relation to work at height….unless [they are] competent to do
Guidance on the Working at Height
Regulations 2005
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Where it is not possible to work from the existing structure
and the use of a scaffold working platform is not appropriate,
a range of mobile access equipment including mobile elevating
work platforms (MEWPs), Gantries, Suspended Cradles and
Rope Access Equipment can be used. Ladders are to be used
for access only unless for short duration work that has been
risk assessed.
Working at Height Hierarchy –
1st Choice = Guardrails & Working Platforms
Access
Cradles
Working at Height Hierarchy –
1st Choice = Guardrails & Working Platforms
Access Gantries
Working at Height Hierarchy –
1st Choice = Guardrails & Working Platforms
Mobile
Elevated
Working
Platform
Working at Height Hierarchy –
2nd Choice = Personal Fall Prevention (Work Restraint)
Full Body Harnesses with Adjustable Lanyards
Working at Height Hierarchy –
2nd Choice = Personal Fall Prevention (Work Restraint)
Rope Access Techniques
Working at Height Hierarchy –
2nd Choice = Personal Fall Prevention (Work Restraint)
Rope Access / Fall Restraint Techniques
Working at Height Hierarchy –
3rd & Final Choice = Fall Arrest
Fall Arrest Retrieval Block
used in conjunction with a
Full Body Harness
Aims & Objectives of the Rescue Plan
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To ensure effective liaison with the emergency services where
appropriate
 To undertake suitable and sufficient working at height risk
assessments of all premises and activities within the organisation, with
a clearly defined workable rescue plan
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We have the ….
 SEVERN RIVER CROSSING PLC AND LAING O’ROURKE
INFRASTRUCTURE – EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
Guidance on the Working at Height
Regulations 2005
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Avoid work at height wherever and whenever possible.
Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where working at height can not be
avoided.
Where the risk of a fall can not be eliminated, use work equipment or other measures to minimize
the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur.
Ensure all work at height is properly planned and organized
Ensure that all those involved in work at height are competent
To identify and implement reasonably practicable control measures to control the risk from working
at heights
To conduct at least annually height evacuation drills and testing of emergency rescue equipment
To conduct regular safety inspections
Guidance on the Working at Height
Regulations 2005
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That the risks from work at height are assessed.
 That appropriate work equipment is selected and used.
 That risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled.
 That equipment for work at height is properly inspected and
maintained including Schedules giving requirements for existing
places of work and means of access for work at height.
Responsibilities
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An appointed Working at Height Responsible Person must
ensure that their working at Heights plans are implemented
and adhered to on a sustainable basis in their areas of
strategy responsibility.
 It is their responsibility to ensure that suitable and sufficient
Working At height risk assessments and emergency rescue/
evacuation plans are carried out by competent persons for all
the above operations.
Your Responsibilities
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All staff that work at height shall be trained in the use of the
equipment, trained in evacuation and informed at induction of
this policy.
 All employees, contractors, visitors and others will ensure that
they participate with the requirements of the Working at
Height risk assessment process and will ensure that they
comply with the arrangements made to control the risks from
Working at Height hazards.
Why the need for a rapid response?
 The survival of
an injured person often depends on the
speed of recovery and the level of care subsequently
provided.
 i.e. being suspended for any length of time after a fall
can be potentially fatal owing to the effects of
suspension trauma.
 When planning for rescue, consideration should be
given to the type of situation from which the casualty
may need to be recovered from.
Thank you for your attention
Do you have any questions for me?
?