Scaffolding safety offshore - baixardoc

Taking the Lead and Challenging the FutureTaking the Lead and Challenging the FutureTogetherTogether

Guidance Notes of GoodGuidance Notes of GoodContracting PracticeContracting Practice

ScoffoldingScoffolding

Offshore Offshore Contractors’Contractors’ AssociationAssociation

58 Queens Road58 Queens Road

Aberdeen AB15 4YEAberdeen AB15 4YE

TTelephone: 01224 elephone: 01224 326070326070

email: [email protected] email: [email protected]

www.oca-online.co.uk www.oca-online.co.uk

COPYRIGHT © 2002 OCACOPYRIGHT © 2002 OCA COPYRIGHT © 2002 OCACOPYRIGHT © 2002 OCA

INDEXINDEX

1. 1. IntInt rodurodu ction ction …………………………………………………………..………………………..………... ... 33

2. 2. RespResp onsionsi bilitibiliti es es …………………………………………………………………………………………. . 44

2.1 2.1 InitInit iator iator of of access access requiremrequirem ent ent .………….……………...……...……..4…..4

2.2 2.2 Scaffolding Scaffolding ForemForem an an …………………………………………….……….. ….……….. 44

2.3 2.3 Scaffold Scaffold / A/ Access ccess platplat form form user user …………….……….…………….……….55

2.4 2.4 Project Project Support Support (onshore & (onshore & offshore) offshore) …..…………..………….. ….. 55

3. 3. Risk Risk AssessmAssessm ent ent …………………………………………………………………… ……………… 77

3.1 3.1 InIn trodtrod uctiucti on on … … ……………………………………………………………… ……………… 77

3.2 3.2 ManMan ual ual HH andand lingling …………………………………………………………. ………………. 99

3.3 3.3 Raising Raising and and Lowering Lowering of of Materials Materials ……………………………1………100

4. 4. Fall Fall Arrest Arrest EqEq uipuip menmen t t ………………………………………………………...….. ………...….. 1212

4.1 4.1 InspInsp ection ection and use and use of of Fall Fall ArreArrest st EquEqu ipment ……ipment ……... ... 1212

4.2 4.2 Working Working at at HH eigheigh t t ………………………………………………………….. ………….. 1313

4.3 4.3 NNASC ASC GuidGuid ance ance NNote ote SG4:00 SG4:00 …………………………………………… … 1515

4.4 4.4 RescuRescu e e Plan Plan ……………………………………………………………………….….1……….….166

5. 5. ConvenConven tiontion al al Scaffolding Scaffolding …………………………………………….………….….………….1717

5.1 5.1 Scaffolding Scaffolding TuTu be…………………………………be……………………………………. …. 1717

5.2 5.2 Scaffold Scaffold Board Board …………………………………………………………………. ……………. 1818

5.3 5.3 FitFit ting ting : : DouDou ble ble CoupCoup ler ler …………………………………………………. ………. 1818

5.4 5.4 FitFit ting ting : : Single Single CoupCoup ler ler ……………………………………………………... ……... 1919

5.5 5.5 FitFit tintin g g : : Swivel Swivel CoupCoup ler ler ………………………………………………….. ……….. 1919

5.6 5.6 FitFit ting ting : : Sleeve Sleeve CoupCoup ler ler …………………………………………………….. …….. 2020

5.7 5.7 FitFit tintin g g : : Base Base PlatPlat e e ………………………………………….…………… .…………… 2020

5.8 5.8 FitFit ting ting : : Gravlock Gravlock ………………………………………………………… ……………… 2121

5.9 5.9 FittinFittin g g : : Band Band & & Plate Plate ……………………………………………...………...……. 2. 211

5.10 5.10 TimTim ber ber Pole Pole LadLad der der ……………………………………………………… …………… 2222

5.11 5.11 LighLigh tweightweigh t t PlatPlat form form StaginStagin gs gs …………………………………………. . 2222

5.15.12 2 Ladder / UnLadder / Un it it (Lattice ) (Lattice ) Beams …Beams ………………………………. ………. 2323

5.13 5.13 TypeType s s of of Scaffold Scaffold StructStruct ure ……ure ………………………………………………. . 2424

COPYRIGHT © 2002 OCA

5.14 Desi gned Scaffold Struct ures ………………………. 29

5.15 Scaffolds Requiring Design En gineering Inp ut ……29

5.16 Ladd er Access ……………………………………….. 30

5.17 Life Duratio n of Erected Scaffold ………………….. 36

6. Oth er Access Systems …………………………..………... 37

6.1 Syste m Scaffold ……………………………………… 37

6.2 Alumini um/ GRP Tower Systems ………………….. 38

6.3 Mechanical Elevated Work Platforms

(mechanica l mobile plant) …………...……………...40

6.4 Rope Access …………………………………………. 40

7. Mater ial Storag e …………………………………..………. 41

7.1 Insp ection & Storage of Scaffold Material ………….41

7.2 Insp ection Details : Scaffold Fittin g ……………….. 42

7.3 In spect ion Deta ils : Scaffold Board ……...………….42

7.4 Insp ection Details : Scaffold Tub e ………………….43

7.5 Insp ection Details : Pole Ladder …………………… 43

7.6 Illus trat ion of Rack Capa city ……………………….. 44

7.7 Tube & Fit ting Self Weight s…………………………45

8. Inspect ion & Taggin g ………………………….………… 46

8.1 Insp ection / Taggin g ………………………………..46

8.2 In spect ion Tags ...…………………………...……….48

9. Oversid e Working ……………………………..…………. 49

9.1 Rest rictio ns ………………………………………….. 49

9.2 Manning …………………………………….……….. 49

10. Comp etence & Trai ning ………………………………….. 50

11. Legisla tion and Referen ces ………………………………. 51

12. Cont ribu tors ………………………………………………. 54



Bill AbbottThe Rigblast Group Lt d

Steve Black Salamis (Marine & Industrial) L td

Joe Bogan

SGB Powerchem

Keith McMillan

Cape Industrial Services L td

Graham Morrison

H ealth and Safety E xecutive

Doug Sheal

Salamis (Marine & Industrial) L td

Robin McKenzie

The Rigblast Group L td

Gail AmeyOffshore Contractors A ssociation


1. INTRODUCTION

Member companies of the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) provide

scaffolding access services to the Offshore Oil and Gas industry.

Over the years various means of access have been introduced into the

offshore oil and gas industry, including system scaffolding, aluminium

scaffolding and roped access. This document is intended as guidance for

member companies, their clients and contractors as to the various types of

access available. Advice as to the appropriateness of particular access

systems should be sought from those member companies of OCA, which

provide access services.

Scope

This guidance is intended for the users and providers of temporary access

systems on oil and gas installations operating on the United Kingdom

Continental Shelf. Additional risk assessment may be required for floating

installations.

Objectives

To provide guidance on types of temporary access available to companies

requiring access to work faces, which do not have permanent access.

To provide guidance on health and safety issues arising from the provision

and use of temporary access systems, such as risk assessment, manual

handling and overside working.

To list relevant legislation and other sources of information.


2. RESPONSIBILITIES

The following is a broad set of responsibilities for the key positions in any

scaffolding / access environment . It is recommended that they be used as

the basis for the development of local rules that more specifically define the

key interfaces and responsibilities at a specific location.

2.1 Initiator of access requirement

For every scaffold / access platform erected there will be an initiator , who

will request the scaffold in order to comp lete a scope of work or service. The

initiator therefore has a number of responsibilities to fulfil to assist in the safe

and efficient erection of any access structure:

• Formally notify the Scaffolding Foreman of access requirement.

• Accurately define the scope of the access requirements, to assist thescaffolding contractor in ensuring that the structure is ‘fit for

purpose’ on erection.

• Ensure that reasonable timescales are provided to allow sufficient pretask planning and risk assessment to be carried out by the Scaffolding

Foreman.

2.2 Scaffolding Foreman

The Scaffolding Foreman / Chargehand will be the central focus for all

access activities. This ensures that one central point is utilised to co-or dinate

all aspects of access management, reducing risk and increasing efficiency.

The following responsibilities ensue:

⇒ Arrange appropriate Permit to Work compliance at all times.

⇒ Co-ordinate the completion of task risk assessments and toolbox

talks to relay information and instructions to the working party.

⇒ Ensure that any potential conflicts of activities are addressed during

the pre job planning.

⇒ Request Design Engineer assistance if access requirements are not

within the parameters of BS5973 or the company’s Technical

Manual.

⇒ Ensure that sufficient materials are readily available to complete

workscopes.

⇒ Allocate personnel to the task ensuring competencies and numbers

are sufficient to complete tasks safely.

⇒ Handover completed scaffold structure to initiator / end user.

⇒ Ensure that a competent person is available to conduct statutory 7-

day inspections and to maintain the inspection tags and scaffold


This recent Directive is expected to be incorporated into UK law by

2004 by amending the regulations to describe a preferred hierarchy

of access systems as between scaffolding, ladders and rope access

and the arrangements for their use. Compliance with the minimum

requirements is designed to ensure a better standard of health and

safety for workers in the use of work equipment provided for

temporary work at a height.

10. Oth er Applicable Regulation s include:

⇒ Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

1994 (COSHH ). These require employers to protect

workers’ hearing form exposure to noise at work.

⇒ Noise at Work Regulations 1989 (NAWR). These require

employers to protect workers’ hearing from exposure to

noise at work.

⇒ Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR). These

require employers, employees and self-employed workers to

prevent risks of injury from electrical equipment and

systems.

11. Step Change in Safety Task Risk Assessment Guide.

This document gives comprehensive guidelines of the completion of

task risk assessment.

12. CONTRIBUTORS


5. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerou s

Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDO R)

These require employers to notify certain injuries, diseases and

dangerous events.

6. The Manual H andling Operation s Regulations 1992

These require employers to assess and control the risks to their

employees from manual handling. The employer should avoid the

need for hazardous manual handling, assess the risks of injury from

manual handling that can not be avoided and reduce the risks of

injury, as far as reasonable practicable.

7. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equ ipment Regulations 1998

(LOLER)

LOLER require that where the scaffolding is erected using lifting

equipment the equipment is strong and stable enough for the

particular use and marked to indicate safe working loads, positioned

and installed to minimise any risks, used safely ie the work is

planned, organised and performed by competent people and subject

to ongoing thorough examination and inspection by competent

people.

8. Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 1992

The primary purpose of these Regulations is to reduce risks to the

offshore workforce from major accident hazards, It also requires

arrangements to be in place for the verification of safety critical

elements and to show that risks are as low as reasonably practicable

(ALARP). Where scaffolding offshore is left in place for any length

of time, for example, the effects of increased congestion in

increasing blast overpressures may need to be considered.

9. Temp orary Work Act H eight Directive 2001


⇒ Make adequate provisions available (labour) for the safe dismantle of

access structures.

⇒ Follow local rules relating to ‘adverse weather’ policy.

2.3 Scaffold / Access platform user

To ensure that th e scaffolding / access platform is maintained to as safe a

standard as practical, the user has these key responsibilities:

⇒ Conduct a task risk assessment (TRA) for the activities to be carried

out o n th e scaffolding structure.

⇒ Identify and manage any conflicting activities that occur when using the

scaffolding / access structure.

⇒ Ensure that t he scaffold is ‘fit for purp ose’ for the intended workscope.

Any alterations to t he structure should b e requested to t he scaffolding

foreman.

⇒ Notify the scaffolding foreman of any changes to the scaffold due to

weather, damage or collision.

⇒ Maintain a high level of housekeeping / tidiness whilst working on the

access platform and when leaving the worksite unattended.

⇒ Formally notify the scaffold foreman when work on scaffold has

ceased, ensuring the access platform is left in an acceptable condition.

2.4 Project Support (onshore & offshore)

Project support function provides technical support to the scaffolding

foreman to carry out their duties. Responsibilities include: -

⇒ Providing a Safe System of Work, in conjunction with the client.

⇒ Ensuring that the quality of the equipment supplied for erecting the

scaffold / access structures meets the relevant standards.

⇒ Providing the Scaffold Foreman with suitably trained and competent

personnel to complete the workscopes safely.

⇒ Providing access to competent design engineers.


Flowchart of Key Responsibilities.

Initiator Requests

Scaffold access

Scaffold foreman

Surveysworkscope

Scaffold Register &Inspection Tag

maintained

Request designdrawing from Design

Engineer

Does scaffoldrequire a design?

(I.e. outwith theparameters of

BS5973 orTechnical Manual)

RequisitionMaterials

Scaffold inspectedby a competent

person

Erect Scaffold

Handover to enduser

StatutoryInspection

Job complete,

scaffold foremannotified to

dismantle scaffold

No

Yes

Develop a designdrawing

Initiator Requests

Scaffold access

Scaffold foreman

Surveysworkscope

Scaffold Register &Inspection Tag

maintained

Request designdrawing from Design

Engineer

Does scaffoldrequire a design?

(I.e. outwith theparameters of

BS5973 orTechnical Manual)

RequisitionMaterials

Scaffold inspectedby a competent

person

Erect Scaffold

Handover to enduser

StatutoryInspection

Job complete,

scaffold foremannotified to

dismantle scaffold

No

Yes

Develop a designdrawing


OCA Revision of Offshore Scaffold Guidance Regulations

1. H ealth and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (H SW Act)

This act covers nearly all the safety regulations in Great Britain both

onshore and offshore (see below). The Act places general duties on

employers to ensure, so far as is reasonable practicable, the health

and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by

their undertaking (HSW Act sections 2 and 3). Th ese general duties

are supported by the specific requirements of the supporting

Regulations.

2. Application Outs ide Great Britain Order 2001 (AOGBO)

This order is an amendment of the earlier Order that applies most of

the regulations made under the HSW Act to offshore installations,

pipeline works and connected activities in the territorial waters

outside the mainland of Great Britain. As well as these general

regulations, there are also some offshore-specific regulations made

under the Act.

3. Management of H ealth and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

(MH SWR)

These contain general duties to carry out risk assessment, undertake

appropriate health surveillance and arrange appropriate information

and training for employees.

4. Provision and Use of Work Equ ipment Regulations 1998

(PUWER)

PUWER contains general duties covering the selection of suitable

work equipment and its maintenance and information, training and

instruct ion for workers. The equipment to which PUWER applies is

wide, covering mobile equipment such as scaffolding as well as fixed

plant. PUWER also cover the control of hazards such as instability

and contact with dangerous parts of machinery and hot and cold

surfaces.


requisite skills, knowledge and understanding to enable them to perform

their work tasks to an appropriate standard, and also ensures that those skills

are maintained and enhanced.

A competency process ensures that:

♦ Competent persons are employed

♦ Evidence of competency can be provided to the client

♦ Evidence of competency can be provided to the regulatory

authorities

♦ Training needs are identified and appropriate training programmes

implemented

It is acknowledged that, whilst training imparts knowledge, the employee

must be given the opportunity to put this knowledge into practice, in order

to develop the requisite skills and achieve the standard required in the work

place.

Failure by management to provide a safe system of work, and failure by

employees to adhere to procedure, may result in serious injury.

It is recommended that employers have in place procedures for the erection

and dismantling of scaffold structures. Section 11 of this guidance contains

further references to legislation, standards and codes of practice relating to

access.

It is recommended that scaffolders hold a recognised qualification, which

demonstrates the level of skills and competence attained, through training

and examination. The Construction Industry Training Board, CITB, is the

lead body in the provision of scaffold training. The Engineering

Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) is also a recognised body,

which provide scaffolding qualifications based on continuous assessment and

competency. It is further recommended that employers have in place a

programme of continuous assessment, in order to demonstrate t hat skills are

maintained and training needs identified.

Recommended Training

11. LEGISLATION & REFE REN CES

Scaffolder (CITB) Basic & Advanced

Inspector (CITB) Advance or Inspectors

Scaffolder

Helper

(In-house) Scaffold Awareness, Compon ent Ident ification

Manual Handling, Material Quality, etc.


3. RISK ASSESSME NT

3.1 Introduction

A scaffolding activity risk assessment together with a task based risk

assessment must be carried out prior to the erection or dismantling of a

scaffold and must involve the persons carrying out the task. (See Risk

Assessment Flow Chart).

The control room via the permit to work system must ensure that all hazards

in the area of the task location are clearly identified and communicated to

the persons carrying out the t ask.

The success of a Task Risk Assessment will depend on the method of

communication to the workforce. Those carrying out the task must be fully

aware and thoroughly understand, the hazards and the precautions put in

place. Open two-way dialogue should take place at a meeting prior to

starting the task, these meetings are referred to as toolbox talks.

The toolbox talk should fulfil four functions:

1. Give everyone involved in the task a thorough understanding of the

activity details involved in the task, both their own and that of

others. The potential hazards should be identified for each stage of

the task.

The control measures to be put in place to mitigate the hazards and

the individual actions and responsibilities at various stages of the

task should be established for each specific project.

2. Provide the opportunity for those involved in the task to identify

any further hazards and control measures which may have been

overlooked in the initial assessment.

3. Reach agreement of the whole work team on whether or not to

proceed with the task. If agreement cannot be reached, THE JOB

SHOULD NOT BE STARTED.

4. Make clear to all involved that should conditions or personnel

change or assumptions made when planning the job prove false,

they should re-assess the situation and, if in any doubt, THE JOB

SHOULD BE STOPPED.

For these reasons a toolbox talk should be held at or near the worksite, and

should include all people involved in the work and those who may be

affected by it.


When new team members join the team, the same communication should be

given to them.

Once the team is satisfied that all hazards have been identified and that

suitable controls have been put in place to reduce the risk to an acceptable

level, they can then undertake the task.

Risk Assessment Flow Chart

Break tasks into component parts to

identify activities to be assessed

Identify who hazards could affect

Using risk ratings – determine level

of risk

Is risk significant?

Identify and evaluatecurrent control measures

Identify any hazards

Is significant risk already

adequately controlled?


adequate ly controlled?

Review/ revise existing control m easures

or identify/ implement new preventative

and protective measures

Evaluate controls

Is risk now acceptable?Is risk now acceptable?

Implement controls

Record findings of risk assessment

and set d ate for review

Monitor and review

yes

yes no

no

noyes

Break tasks into component parts to

identify activities to be assessed

Identify who hazards could affect

Using risk ratings – determine level

of risk

Is risk significant?

Identify and evaluatecurrent control measures

Identify any hazards


adequately controlled?


adequate ly controlled?

Review/ revise existing control m easures

or identify/ implement new preventative

and protective measures

Evaluate controls

Is risk now acceptable?Is risk now acceptable?

Implement controls

Record findings of risk assessment

and set d ate for review

Monitor and review

yes

yes no

no

noyes


The guidance below has been developed to act as a checklist of activities that

require to be considered and/ or actioned when working overside:-

• Valid Permit to work is available for the task in hand

• Task specific risk assessments are conducted for each individualoverside job. “Take 5 principles” are encouraged as the mechanism to

address any changes to the workscope.

• Stand-by vessel is available at all times when working overside.

• Radio contact is maintained with the stand-by vessel at all times.

• Fall arrest system is in place including training to the scaffoldingoperatives, rescue arrangements for working overside to be detailed on

a rescue plan.

• Twin chamber, self-inflating lifejackets are worn at all times whenworking overside.

• Any overside scaffold that is outwith the parameters of BS 5973 and/ orcompany technical manuals, is designed by a competent design

engineer.

• Weather restrictions are advised by the standby vessel captain.

Overside working during the hours of darkness will only be undertaken in

EXTREME emergency situations and with a suitable & sufficient task risk

assessment in place.

9.2 Manning

Recommended minimum manning for overside scaffolding works:-

• Two competent scaffolders overside

• One competent scaffolder providing materials for overside workers.

• One competent radio operator. (Must have valid training on the radiocommunication equipment on board)

10. COMPETE NCE & TRAININ G

A competency and training process ensures that employees have the


9.1 Restrictions


3.2 Manual Handling

The manual handling of scaffold components on offshore oil and gas

installations is commonplace because of restricted access for mechanical

handling aids. In practice, this results in scaffold components being man-

handled from storage racks to worksites, often at different levels on the

installation and often, at outside locations, in inclement weather e.g. high

winds. Manual Handling risks can be reduced by the use of lightweight

system scaffold, where feasible (see section 6). The manual handling

operations regulations apply to all employers in respect of their employees at

work and others who may be affected. Manual handling operations are

defined as the transporting or supporting of any load, including the lifting,

putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving by hand or bodily force.

The scaffolding service provider shall, so far as is reasonably practical, avoid

the need for his employees to undertake any manual handling operations at

work, which involve a risk of personal injury.

Risk assessment shall identify whether mechanical handling aids (e.g. crane)

can be used. Where mechanical handling aids cannot be used, the employer

shall:

a) Make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the manual handling

operations to be un dertaken

b) Take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to those

employees arising out of manual handling operations

c) Take appropriate steps to provide those employees who are

undertaking any manual handling operations general indications,

and, where it is reasonably practical to do so, precise information on:

• The task to be carried out

• The weight of each load/ component

Attention to the ergonomic design of th e workplace is an important factor in

controlling the risks associated with manual handling.

Appropriate manual handling training should be provided for all personnel

involved in the erection/ dismantling of scaffold structures. The training

should address:

4 How to recognise harmful manual handling

4 Appropriate systems of work

4 Use of mechanical aids

4 Good handling techniques

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Scaffolding safety offshore - baixardoc