Ancillary Safety Statement Sports Centre

LYIT Sports Centre Safety Statement Dec 2017, Issue 6, H.Kennedy

Letterkenny Instituteof

Technology

Ancillary Safety StatementSports Centre

This Ancillary Safety Statement is part of a package which includesthe Parent Safety Statement

andAncillary Safety Statements for:

The School of EngineeringThe School of Business Studies (including Dept. of Design)

The School of Science (including Computing/Nursing)Estates Function

Sports Centre (An Dánlann)


ANCILLARY SAFETY STATEMENT

Sports Centre

1. Sports Centre.There are approximately 8 employees working in the Sports Centre, 4 full time, 4/5part time (20 employees approximately in An Danlann). Facilities include a multipurpose hall, fitness suite, pitch and changing rooms. The Sports Centre opens 70/76hours per week Monday to Saturday. The Sports Centre caters for the sporting, health& fitness and social needs of students and staff of Letterkenny Institute ofTechnology.

2. Organisation and Responsibilities.The overall assignment of responsibilities and the identification of“responsible persons” is detailed in the Parent Statement (Appendix 1 and Page 8section 2).

The “responsible persons” in The Sports Centre are The Registrar Sports Centre Manager Sports Centre Supervisors (x 2)

3. Hazard Identification and Control.

The process of hazard identification is dealt with on page 17, section 3, of theParent Statement (version 4, Feb 2015)

While recognising that a safety audit cannot identify every single hazard, a safetyaudit of the Sports Centre will be carried out annually to reduce the overall riskfrom hazards. This to be done in conjunction with the Health & Saftey Officer &Sports Centre Manager, or Supervisor(s) in her absence.

The hazards currently identified in respect of the Sports Centre are listed in theRisk Assessment & Hazard Identification sheets accompanying this AncillaryStatement.

Safe Work Practice Sheets specifically relevant to the Sports Centre areappended to this document. Each and every employee must follow fully safework practice procedures described in the Safe Work Practice Sheets.


SPORTS CENTRE

Duties and Responsibilities of the Sport Centre Manager.

1) The Safety Statement is brought to the attention of all staff and is displayed in

prominent locations. Risk assessments and operating procedures are created

and conducted by Manager & Supervisors and relayed to all staff.

2) Staff are aware of and understand their responsibilities under the Safety

Statement.

3) The Safety Statement is regularly reviewed and amended in conjunction with

the health and safety officer and as necessary any changes are brought to the

attention of staff.

4) All accidents and ill health or near miss situations arising out of An Danlann

activities are reported immediately to Health and Safety Officer, verbally and in

written form.

5) Staff / Students are adequately trained to carry out any sports activity in the

Sports Centre and are supplied with appropriate personnel protective equipment

as necessary.

6) Work is planned and carried out to ensure minimum risk to students and staff.

7) Operating Procedures/ Codes of Practice are drawn up and implemented to

ensure safe & best working practice.

8) Development and reviews of working practices are monitored & reviewed.

9) When new equipment is brought into the Sports Centre the Centre Manager must

provide written details, or direct Supervisors to provide written details on the hazards


and control measures required, ie. a risk assessment, for inclusion in the safety

statement. This information to be relayed to staff.

Duties and Responsibilities of Staff and Students.

1. Read and understand the Sports Centre safety statement and carry out their work in

accordance with its requirements.

2. All staff/students are to co-operate in the wearing of the correct safety equipment,

using the appropriate safety devices and following proper safe systems of work.

3. All staff and students to co-operate in the investigation of accidents and the reporting

of them and also the reporting to the health and safety officer of any hazards of which

they become aware.

4. All staff/students will be encouraged to promote ideas on the improvement of health

and safety standards and also provide suitable suggestions for reduction in risks.

5. Staff/Students must not interfere with or misuse any specified items of safety

equipment or any safety device.

6. All of the Sports Centre must be kept clean and tidy and high standards of

housekeeping and hygiene maintained.

7. Users should not try to use, repair or maintain any piece of equipment for which full

instructions or training has not been received.

8. Assist in planned preventative maintenance as directed by Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities of Contractors.

1. All contractors will be expected to comply with the Institutes policy for Health, Safety

and Welfare and must ensure that their own Company’s safety Statement is made

available to the college whilst work is being carried out.


2. All work must be carried out in accordance with relevant statutory provisions, and

taking into account the safety of others in the Sports Centre and all in An Dánlann.

3. Equipment used by contractors’ employees must be erected and maintained in

accordance with Regulations and Codes of Practice.

4. All plant and equipment brought into the Sports Centre /An Dánlann by contractors

must be safe and in good working order, fitted with any necessary guards and safety

devices and with any necessary certificates available for checking.

5. Any injury sustained by a contractor’s employee must be reported immediately to the

Health and Safety Officer.

6. Contractors must comply with any safety instructions given by the Health and Safety

Officer.

7. Health and Safety Officer will carry out a Safety Inspection. Contractors informed of

any hazards or defects identified during these inspections will be expected to take

immediate action.


Hazard Identification and Control Measures

Sports Centre

Risk Assessments have been carried out in the Sports Centre in the following areas:

1. Fire2. Slips,Trips and Falls3. Access & Egress4. Housekeeping (OP16)5. Cleaning & Hygiene6. Safe use of facilities (OP3,7,8,9,17)7. Climbing Wall use (OP.17,F33,F32)8. Goal Post Security (OP 22)9. Store Room Access & Storage10. Rebound Boards (Hall Dividers)11. Hall Seating (Bleachers)12. Working with Children/Schools/Youths (F4(b), F30, F32)13. Health of Users (OP F16 , F22 & F28)14. Hall Curtain15. Office Hazards16. Punch Bag17. Moveable Basketball Post18. Floor Covering in Hall19. Exercise Instruction20. Moving Equipment & Furniture21. Lone Working22. Dumbells Use & Storage23. Special Events (ie.5k)24. Volleyball Posts Assembly & Disassembly25. Risk Assessment Process Description

Safe Work Practice Sheetso Evacuation Chairo Goal Post Safety Requirements: IS 356:2007o Goal Post Monthly Safety Checklisto Code of Conduct when working with young Peopleo Work at Height Guide

The Sports Centre Risk Assessments link in with the Sports Centre Operating Procedures

(OPs) referenced above.All Operating Procedures are located in Sports Centre Manager’s Office in file 001.


RISK ASSESSMENT 1Area: Fire

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED

RISKS CONTROLS RESPONSIBILITY DATE OFIMPLEMENTATIONLow Med High

Fire √ The institute has a fire safety programme, which is

documented in the Parent Safety Statement. This isto be read in conjunction with this document. Thisprogramme will guard against an outbreak of fireand ensure as far as reasonable practicable thesafety of persons on the premises in the event of anoutbreak of fire.

Estates ManagerEstates StaffHealth & SafetyOfficerSports Manager.All Sport CentreStaff

Ongoing.Reviewed Sept 2011Sept 12Oct 2014Oct 2015Oct 2016Dec 2017

√The fire safety Programme will incorporatearrangements for: The prevention of an outbreak of fire through the

establishment of day-to-day fire preventionpractices.

The instruction and training of staff. The holding of fire and evacuation drills. The maintenance of escape routes. The provision of adequate fire protection equipment

and systems. The inspection and maintenance of the Fire

Protection equipment and systems. The keeping of a fire Register.

When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low Medium √ High

Staff Signature : ____HK______________________________ Date : 18/12/17_______________ Date of Review : Dec 2018_______Staff Signature: _______________________________________Date: __________________ Date of Review: __________________Staff Signature: _______________________________________Date: __________________ Date of Review: __________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 2SLIPS, TRIPS, FALLS.HAZARDS. RISK. CONTROLS. RESPONSIBILITY.Slipping in any area due to slipperysurface caused by minor spills orwet floors.

Low Food and drinks are not permitted in any room or officeand must only be consumed in designated dining areas.

All Staff

Doormats will be provided at entrances where necessaryduring wet weather conditions.

Estates Office.

All spillages will be cleaned up as soon as it ispractically possible to do so. Where immediate actionis not possible, the area will be screened off until thenecessary resources become available.

Sports Centre Manager.

Where floors are wet as a result of cleaning operations,warning signs should be erected to that effect.

Estates Office

Cleaning of wet/dirty floor areas shall be conducted asapwhen noticed and with care.

Estates OfficeSports Staff for one off spots

That all circulation areas are maintained free of litter andobstructions.

All Staff

Tripping due to trailing electricalleads, school/sports bags, cables,obstructed passageways, unevensurfaces etc.

Low Students to be encouraged to use lockers providedand keep bags in their possession. Bags must not beleft lying around corridors.

Sports Centre ManagerAll Staff

Slipping / Tripping in Sports Hall Hall space to be kept trip-hazard free at all times. Staff tobe aware, and students to be made aware, of danger ofdiscarded clothing during exercise sessions. Sweatshirts,tshirts, jumpers, jackets, hats, bags etc. should not be leftlying on hall floor at any time but stored in lockers.

They will be lifted and placed outside door or on bench.

All Sports StaffAll students to be alerted.


It is permissible to place such items behind goalposts, orstored neatly, out of the way of footfall, if necessaryduring a class /session. Bottles are not permitted in hall.

Estates Office must ensure that floor surfaces are ofsuitable material maintained in good repair, cleanedregularly and as far as reasonably practical, free ofresidues (oil, reagents, chemicals etc.) which could makeit slippery. Defects in flooring, stair treads, handrails andlighting must be reported immediately.

EstatesOffice/Contract Cleaners.

Pathways/walkways will be maintained in good repair atall times.

Estates Office.

Trailing leads to electrical equip. All trailing leads will be secured in such a manner thatthey will not create a hazard to staff or persons accessingor egressing the area.

All Staff

Staff should take care not to leave drawers and filingcabinets open

All Staff

Where corridor space is to be used forpresentations/exhibitions etc the location and nature andposition of exhibits must be agreed in advance by theevents organisers with the estates office.

Estates Office/All Staff

All areas must be kept clean and tidy at all times. All StaffAll workplaces, passageways and stairs must beadequately lit providing lighting levels suitable to thetasks carried out.

Estates Office.

All rubbish and waste paper/plastic shall be placed in binsprovided.

All Staff

All external lighting will be provided and maintained soas to provide safe access and egress to vehicles buildingsand to ensure the safety and security of all persons.

Estates Office


Slipping on ice All staff must take care during icy conditions. As far as isreasonable practicable footpaths and walkways will besalted to reduce any slip hazards created.

Estates Office

When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low √ Medium High

Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : 18/12/16_____________ Date of Review : Dec 2018_________

Staff Signature: _______________________________________Date: __________________ Date of Review: ____________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 3

Area: Access and Egress to Store Room(s)

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED

RISKS CONTROLS RESPONSIBILITY DATE OFIMPLEMENTATION

Low Med High

Trips / Falls

Storage

√ All doors and access points shall be kept clear.Any Problems with doors should be reportedasap to the Manager and Estates Office & toSafety Officer.

All passageways will be kept clear ofobstruction.

All floor coverings and surfaces will be keptclean and free of oil and grease and in goodcondition.

Adequate lighting will be provided at allentry, exit points along corridor andpassageways.Hall Store Room

To access equipment on upper shelves in HallStore Room, use ladder provided. Do notclimb on shelves or other equipment ie. bikes.

Move spin bike(s) in correct manner (to aspacious area either outside of store room orto an adequate space within) to gain access toequipment behind on shelves. Do not climb onspin bike(s). Replace bikes afterwards.

Spin bikes to be lined up neatly and tight(close) to each other, along red shelves, when

Manager & allSport Centre StaffandEstates Office

Estates Office

Sports Supervisors& all Staff

Sports Supervisorsand all Staff

April 2005Reviewed April06.Reviewed April07.Reviewed April08.Reviewed 9th

Sept. 2011Reviewed Sept12.Reviewed 4/9/14Reviewed 25/11/15Reviewed 14/11/16Reviewed 20/11/17


stored to allow for access to rest of storeroom.

Goal posts to be hung up on hooks to left ofentrance to store room, at all times when instorage. Ensure net is not draping on the floor.Lift netting & secure it up to avoid trips etc.

Prop door open with door wedge whilemanouevering equipment into or out of storerooms. Remove door wedge & ensure all firedoors are closed properly immediatelyafterwards.

Store room to be kept neat & tidy with allequipment stored appropriately, carefully &neatly on shelves/hooks/cage or heavyequipment (bikes, boards, step boxes, combatmats etc.) stacked or arranged orderly onfloor.

Mats will hook rings should be hungonstorage hooks when not in use. They shouldnot be left lying on the floor, on top of ordraped over other equipment.

Unauthorisedaccess

Authorised staff, or authorised sports studentsonly permitted in store rooms.


Staff Signature: HK____________________________________Date : 20/11/17_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018____________Staff Signature: _______________________________________Date: __________________ Date of Review: ____________________Staff Signature: _______________________________________Date: __________________ Date of Review: ____________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 4Area: Housekeeping

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Access difficultiescould causetripping, squeezing,climbing hazards.Insecure storage,could cause falling.Unhygenicsurrounds couldcause infection.

√ All areas will be kept clean and tidy at all times. All corridors should be dry and free from obstructions at

all times. Staff should move or seek assistance to moveobstructions immediately when discovered. Wherefloors are wet as a result of cleaning operations, warningsigns should be erected to that effect.

All spillages should be cleaned up asap. All workplaces, passageways and stairwells should be

adequately lit. Defects in flooring, stair treads, handrailsand lighting must be reported as soon as possible.

All light bulbs should be appropriately disposed of. Storage and stacking of goods must be done in

specifically designated places and located in such amanner as to minimise the hazards of good falling.

Goods should not be placed in overhead locations suchas on top of presses and ledges over doors where theycan fall and strike persons below.

Office equipment and their surrounds should be keptclean and tidy.

Operating Procedure 16 (Sports Centre)documentsGood Housekeeping Policy & procedures

Manager & allSport Centre Staff

Ongoing.First implemented inMarch 05.April 07.Reviewed 2/09/2011Reviewed 25/9/12Reviewed 22/9/14Reviewed 06/10/15Reviewed 10/10/16Reviewed 01/11/17


Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : 01/11/17_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018____________Staff Signature : _________________________________Date : / /_____________ Date of Review : ____________________Staff Signature : _________________________________Date : / / _____________ Date of Review : ___________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 5Area: Cleaning/ Hygiene

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED

RISKS CONTROLS RESPONSIBILITY DATE OFIMPLEMENTATIONLow Med High

Possible infection orcontagion fromunclean surfaces inchanging rooms,fitness suitemachines, drains etc.

M Planned daily cleaning schedule in operation for

fitness suite. Performed by Sports Centre staff. Glovesworn.

Daily sweeping of hall and regular washing of hallfloor, by Sports Centre staff.

Cleaning schedules to be recorded & signed whencleaning completed.

Shower drains clearing schedule in operation.Performed twice weekly & recorded.

Contract cleaning in operation each morning for a 2hour period when general cleaning – hovering,polishing, bin emptying, washing & scrubbing ofchanging room floors – is done.

Manager & Supervisorsand all staff

5/8/054/9/073/4/1014/9/1125/9/1225/9/1329/9/1423/10/1524/10/1615/11/18

Blood / Perspiration M Planned cleaning of fitness suite equipment daily. Paper towels and spray bottles (water & savlon mix)

available freely in fitness suite for users to wipeperspiration from machines after use.

It is imperative for all gym users to bring & use a handtowel to the fitness suite while working out to reduceperspiration dripping on machines. This is pointed outto all users during the induction. Daily patrols monitortheir use.

Any blood or perspiration residue on hall floor or onother surfaces is looked for and cleaned up asap ondiscovery during daily checks.

All staff



Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : 15/11/2017_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018___________




RISK ASSESSMENT 6

Area: Safe Use of Facilities (Fitness Suite)

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Falling / Possiblephysical whenusing equipmentincorrectly.

√ Operating Procedure (OP 3, file 001 inManager’s office) drawn up detailing best useof, & instruction in use of, equipment

Inductions necessary for all customers pre-use. Users sign to document attendance.

Qualified staff deliver inductions and exerciseclasses & advice.

Sports CentreManager December 04

May 2007Sept 2011Sept 2012Sept 2013Sept 2014Oct 2015Oct 2016Nov 2017

Regulations posted in fitness suite. Health screening procedure in place. Health advice also disseminated to users &

posted on changing room walls, at reception,outside sports hall and in fitness suite

Printed guidance/instruction also provided onmachines.

Regular patrols of fitness suite by staff. Regular scheduled & documented

maintenance of equipment. Fitness suite equipment must only be

moved by or under the supervision of thesports centre staff or Caretakers.

Olympic bars to be used only as shown bysports centre staff and by safetyinstructions posted on wall.


Inner bolts to be checked daily by sportsstaff and tightened as necessary



Staff Signature: ____________________________________Date: __________________ Date of Review: ____________________



RISK ASSESSMENT 7Area: Climbing Wall

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED

DATE RISKS CONTROLS RESPONSIBILITY

DATE OFIMPLEMENTATIONLow Med High

Falling √ Climbing Wall policy detailing entry policy (OP17)devised 2005 and reviewed 13/6/07 /09 and Sept 2014.Also includes regulations and safety requirements.

Rope-protected climbing only permitted on wall. Policy statement devised and posted next to climbing

wall, which highlights inherent risks involved. Climbing wall regulations posted next to wall. Authorised persons and staff or club persons deemed

competent (must have undergone an 18 monthlyrenewable site specific climbing wall training assessment)must be in attendance at all times when in use.

Provision made for beginners and minors Checks for independent climbing in place Consent form (F32) to be signed by all potential climbers

and /or Parents/ Guardians of every child Helmets must be worn by U-18s and are recommended

for all and are provided, as is all equipment. Equipment checks carried out & recorded by staff and

club personnel every 2 months. Annual inspection and maintenance carried out in

Oct/Nov each year by Rope Access Specialists company(T&P Fogg) & report provided.

Report recommendations acted on. Equipment and ropes replaced as advised by maintenance

agents & competent persons. Or replaced after a specifiedlifetime.

Site Specific Training & Assessment staff training to beconducted every 18 months by qualified personnel.Climbing Club members also to attend.

Manager.Sport CentreSupervisors &Staff

June 2005Reviewed 13 June 07.Reviewed Sept 2011Sept 2012Sept 2013Sept 2014Oct / Nov 2015Oct / Nov 2016Nov 2017


Training conducted 21/01/2011, 7/12/11, 31/10/12 &13,5/6/14, 27/10/15, 7/10/16, 4/11/17.

Manager, Supervisors & staff to keep abreast of ClimbingWall developments from National Gov Bodies.

Climbing Wall operation seminar attended by HK 24/9/14(Mountaineering Ireland)

When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low Medium * High

Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : 15/11/17_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018____________




RISK ASSESSMENT 8 (b)

Area: Outdoor GAA & Soccer Goal Posts 8(b)

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Toppling(Oudoor GAA &Soccer Posts)

Soccer Goal Posts

At minimum, 2 persons to position GAA postsas directed by Sports Supervisors andmanufacturer’s instructions (see Goal PostSafety in appendix).

4 x anchors/stays to be inserted fully into theground, using weight or mallet provided bySports Centre, at spread & balanced points – 2at rear ground bar, 1 on either side bar.

Posts to be secured at all times, during storage& when in use, using chains and karabinersprovided.

All anchor pegs must be fully inserted intoground, to within an inch or less of bar, usingmallet when posts are being used.

Club coaches/ team captains and allocatedpersons shown correct procedure at start ofseason’s training. A record of this to bedocumented & individuals (club persons) tosign record, when shown procedure by Sportsstaff, & understood.

Monthly Safety checklists to be conducted anddocumented. Suitable actions to beimplemented as necessary. (See Appendix 3–Goal Post Checklist)

Soccer Posts are anchored firmly and semi-permanently in ground inserts by Estates Staffat beginning of academic year.

Sports CentreSupervisor(s) in firstinstance & staff

Sports CentreSupervisors

Estates Staff

Sept 2008Sept 2011Sept 2012Sept 2013Sept 2014Nov 2015Nov 2016Nov 2017


Estates staff remove & store soccer posts atend of academic year.

Storage Posts to be stored and anchored - at side bars& back bar on ground - to the sides & rear ofthe soccer posts and back towards fence fromthe touchline. Chains and karabiners to besecured to perimeter fencing at all times.

Posts are also to be stored out of reach and /orchained to fence in storage with uprightsremoved when possible.

Uprights to be placed along inner fenceperimeter for storage, in close to fence.

Allocated competent club persons, at minimum2, to manoeuvre posts into position for storage& for use.

Sports Staff

Estates Dept andSports Supervisor(s)

Taking Down/Assembling

As per manual/ instructions (see OP 22(b))and Manual Handling Training Feb 2011.

See Goal Post Safety Work Sheet inAppendix at rear.

Estates office/caretakers


Staff Signature : HK_______________________________Date : 16/11/2017_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018________




RISK ASSESSMENT 9Area: Hall Store Room Access to Equipment

HAZARDS

IDENTIFIED

RISKS CONTROLS RESPONSIBILITY DATE OF

IMPLEMENTATIONLow Med High

Tripping &

incorrect twisting

/reaching due to

incorrect storage

M

All store-room equipment to be stored tidilyto be easily accessible. New storage set upSept 2017 ( by D.Gillespie)

Goal-post nets (when stored) to be lifted uponto wall frames & trailing net secured up offground, at least. 2 feet up.

Badminton and Volleyball posts to be storedwith protruding base turned inwards fromcentre of floor.

To access equipment on upper shelves in HallStore Room, use ladder provided. Do notclimb on shelves or other equipment ie. bikes.

Move spin bike(s) in correct manner (to aspacious area either outside of store room orto an adequate space within) to gain access toequipment behind on shelves. Do not climb onspin bike(s). Replace bikes to stored positionafterwards.

Spin bikes to be lined up neatly and tight(close) to each other, along red shelves, whenstored to allow for access to rest of storeroom.

8/9/2010

Reviewed 9/9/2011 HK

26/9/12

Reviewed 9/9/13

Reviewed 2/10/14

Reviewed 26/10/15

Reviewed 4/11/16

Reviewed 9/11/17


Prop door open with door wedge whilemanoeuvring equipment into or out of storerooms. Remove door wedge & ensure all firedoors are closed properly immediatelyafterwards. Store room to be kept neat & tidy with all

equipment stored appropriately, carefully& neatly on shelves/hooks/cage or heavyequipment (bikes, boards, step boxes,combat mats etc.) stacked or arrangedorderly on floor.

Possible injury

through heavy

/unwieldy lifting

Heavy/Bulky equipment to be moved andstored as per Manual Handling training &OP 18 (manual handling procedure)

Exercise caution and do not rush or riskmoving or lifting a weight alone. Seekassistance when necessary

Anchor heavy equipment i.e goal posts &basketball post as per OP 17 & OP 37 andrisk assessments.

Unauthorised

access to store-

room.

Staff only are permitted in store-room.Sports tutors to nominate 4 students tohave access to equipment during a class.

First year sports students induction bySports Staff will highlight this

Store-room to remain locked at all times;key is not to be given to students at anytime.

Basketball controls (main nets) to beoperated by staff only.

Fire Fire extinguishers to be accessible at alltimes. Never to be blocked.



Staff Signature: HK_________________________________Date: 9/11/17_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018________




RISK ASSESSMENT 10Area: Rebound Boards / Dividers (Hall)

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED

RISKS CONTROLS RESPONSIBILITY DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION

Low Med High

Heavy Lifting –back strain

√ 2 people must always be present at alltimes to roll / push, lift and position boardsboth in set up and take down.

One person must not lift or move ormanoeuvre boards alone.

Pegs must be used in inserts, beforemoving boards, to roll and manoeuvreboards.

Both sides must be lifted simultaneouslyonto poles for both set up and take down.(Bend knees when lifting).

Do not drag boards but lift. (Dragging willscuff & mark floor and is not appropriatelifting technique).

Staff to walk slowly one in front of other,not sideways, when manoeuvring boards toposition.

Manual handling training provided (allstaff to attend when offered (28/2/14 & 15)

Manager & allSport Centre Staff.

Health & SafetyOfficer

8/2/200610/3/200801/09/201125/9/123/10/1415/10/1517/11/1621/11/17

Storage of Boards√

Storage - against the back wall of thestoreroom opposite main door.

Boards to be positioned upright and secure/ steady at a slight angle to wall, no morethan 45deg.s

As above


All boards to be positioned leaning againsteach other neatly & uniformly.

When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low Medium √ High

Staff Signature : HK______________________________Date : 21/11/17_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018__________Staff Signature: ____________________________________Date: __________________ Date of Review: ____________________



RISK ASSESSMENT 11

Area: Sport Hall Seating (Bleachers)

HAZARDS

IDENTIFIED


IMPLEMENTATONL M H

Bleacher’sAssembly

√ 2 People on set up at all times. Only members of the EstatesDepartment or trained competent Sports Centre Staff tooperate

First action – source bleacher control mechanism. Lift middle section of lower panel and insert end into green

socket. Hold black arrow key until seating has fully emerged. Remove board at each step on stairs. These boards to be removed 1 by 1 & stored carefully by sliding under seating at aisle side, out of reach. No access permitted via middle door between bleachers. This

door to be locked until assembly is complete. Raise seats up by lifting the middle seat up in each set of

three/ two.

Estates staff

(caretakers).

Secondly,

Manager and

Sport Centre

Supervisors &

staff

April 2005

June 2008

Sept 2011

Sept 2012

Sept 2014

Sept 215

Oct 2016

Nov 2017


BleachersOut

Source the side boards form behind bleacher seating. Takecare whilst removing these; use of hard hats isrecommended.

Staff only permitted under/behind seating. Remove side panel floor catches from behind bleacher

seating and insert into each side panel section at floor. Assemble the side boards starting from the largest to the

smallest. Railings to be set up on each stepped walkway along sides of

bleachers. Open the glass door at top of stairs beforeinserting final railing.

Securely tighten screws on each railing (x2) using allen keyprovided.

Attach bottom steps using hooking mechanism. Top steps tobe drilled using 2screws per step (1on each side of step).

Report any visible or actual flaws/ faults to manager orsupervisor immediately

BleachersDisassembly

Seats lowered down – depress foot lever at middle seat Loosen screws on each side railing using allen key provided.

Remove railings and hang on trolley. Remove side boards and replace behind bleacher seating,

standing upright all along back wall. Remove side board catches and replace behind bleacher

seating. Unscrew top steps using drill and remove bottom steps.

Place these on top of railings and put trolley back into store-room.

Close gates leading from the balcony to the seated area andlock.

Replace boards on each step. 2 people must be out in front before pressing white arrow

button to retract seats. Second person may be needed to lean


against bleachers at side; sometimes stick on way back in.When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low √ Medium High

Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : 8/11/17____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018____________

* No persons need be present in hall when bleacher seating is being taken out or put away other than maintenance and/ or Sports Centre staff.

* Caution to be taken on steps at all times when assembling and disassembling seating/ railing/ etc.

* Observe your position on steps before lifting and moving any equipment.

* Apply manual handling techniques as shown in training.


RISK ASSESSMENT 12Area: Working with Children/Schools/Youths Using Sports Facilities

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Working withYouths/Children on Premises/Summer Camp

√ 7 Staff fully trained in Child Protection (31/3/2011) Staff working with Children are Garda vetted (done

2011) Ratio 1:10 (u-10’s)& 1:12 (o-10’s) per child / Adult

Supervision Constant Supervision at all times even during breaks Codes of Conduct & ethical issues addressed in doc.

F35 & OP 2 in file 001 (Manager’s office). All staffaware of issues

Signed by Parents/ Guardians. Staff meeting addressing health and safety and relevant

issues precedes schools visits and summer camp.

Manager & all SportCentre Staff

Ongoing.First implemented inJune 05 for SummerCamp 2005.Operating Procedure23 (OP 23) updated20/12/08.Reviewed Sept 2011.Sept 12Reviewed May 2013Reviewed Sept 2014Reviewed Nov 2015Reviewed Nov 2016Reviewed Nov 2017

A copy of rules /regulations given to parent /guardians. Parents/Guardians must register child by signing

booking form and consent forms for various activities. Any accidents/ incident to be logged in report files at

reception and parents notified. (copied to Health andSafety (H&S) Officer)

Preparation A pre-Schools Day(s) programme & Summer Campmeeting with all staff is held each June to ensure goodcommunication, planning & various issues

Summer Camp Brochure details rules and regulations. Roll calls taken throughout the day (Summer Camp)


especially after breaks. Health /ailments addressed in Summer Camp Brochure Abilities & permission re. certain activities addressed in

summer camp brochure Any accidents/ incident to be logged in report files at

reception and parents notified. (copied to H&S Officer)

When controls are inplace risk becomes

√(low)

Staff Signature : HK__________________________________ Date :18/11/17 _____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018_____________

Staff Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ____________________ Date of Review: ____________________

Staff Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________ Date of Review: ____________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 13Area: Health of Users when Engaging in Exercise

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Health problemsremaining undetected–Health ailmentsheightened/exacerbated byexercise.

√ Health Screening policy in place (OP 12 in file001 Manager’s office)

Health Alert Poster posted throughout centre &in Fitness Suite & its importance emphasisedat beginning of fitness suite inductions.

Application forms & membership formsinclude health check section which requiressignature of those partaking in activity. Usersconsent to their own participation via ConsentForms (F19, F20, F32, & S Camp Brochure)

Health screening forms (F22) in operation forall doing classes /courses.

Information on screening forms must read andbe acted on by the staff receiving the form.Action is taken by talking to individualprivately and discreetly or by requesting adoctor’s note before any exercise is performed.This to be done by supervisor or manager ordiscreetly if comfortable by staff member.

Health Alert information brought to users’attention at & after fitness suite induction

Users sign that they have been alerted re.health matters, pre-use.

Verbal & observational health screening alsoutilised by instructors on an ongoing basis.

Manager.All staff.

Jan. 2005Feb 2007Feb 2009Sept 2011Sept 2012Oct 2013Oct 2014Nov 2015Nov 2016Nov 2017


When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low √ Medium HighStaff Signature :HK _________________________________Date :15/11/17____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018___________Staff Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________ Date of Review: _____________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 14Area: Hall Curtains

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED

RISKS CONTROLS RESPONSIBILITY DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION

Low Med High

Curtains tearing √ Push curtains into position with arm

circled around bunched portion as opposedto pulling.

Avoid stepping on the bottom of curtain onfloor.

Curtains to be inspected regularly for tearsand swift action taken to repair

ManagerAll Sport CentreStaff

All sports staff onpatrols

March 05.Reviewed March 06Reviewed March 07Reviewed March 08Reviewed Sept 2011Reviewed Oct 2012Reviewed Oct 2013Reviewed Oct 2014Reviewed Nov 2015Reviewed Nov 2016Reviewed Nov 2017

Taking downcurtains (handburns)

√ Care must be exercised when letting down

curtains out of bags. Rope should be fedslowly through hook and hands do not letrope go. If allowed to run fast rope burnsmay result.

Not securingcurtain when stored

Two people required. Haul curtain in (bag)upwards using rope and secure rope usinga figure of 8 knot on hook. Two peoplerequired to perform this action.

Rope going tooHigh.

√ Care to be taken not to let rope run fast

through hoop at top. Feed rope slowly.Sports Staff.



Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : 27/11/17_____________ Date of Review :Nov 2018 ____________

Staff Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ____________________ Date of Review: _______________

Staff Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________ Date of Review: ________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 15

Area: Office Hazards

HAZARDS RISK

CONTROL RESPONSIBILITY

Unsafe work systems andlayout may result in injuryor illness.

Low Adequate office space is allocated for the working personnel. Estates Office.

All furniture, fittings and equipment shall be arranged so that staff canmove about without collision with sharp corners of desks etc.

Estates Office.

Ensure that sufficient room is available for opening filing cabinets. Estates Office.Only one drawer of a filing cabinet shall be opened at any one time. Alldrawers should be closed after use.

All Staff.

Electric or telephone cables shall not trail unprotected across the floor.Cable covers shall be supplied and used where there is no other option.

All Staff.

Chairs/desks should never be used to access higher areas. Step laddersshall be used.

All Staff.

All items stored above head level shall be stored properly to preventfalling.

All Staff.

Electrical Hazard The mains power supply shall be disconnected before attempting to moveelectrical equipment.

All Staff.

No drinks shall be consumed/stored near any computer or electricaldevice.All damaged floor covering, furniture equipment or machinery shall bereported, replaced or repaired.

All Staff.

Chemical Hazard Before using chemicals (e.g. photocopier toners) read the instructions onthe container and avoid contact with skin or clothing.

All Staff.

H. Kennedy 17/11/17 Risk : Low


Staff Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________ Date of Review: _______________


RISK ASSESSMENT 16Area: PunchBag Set Up & Take Down (Hall)

HAZARDS

IDENTIFIED


IMPLEMENTATION

Low Med High

Set-up

Possible injury

through unwieldy/

heavy lifting

Refer to OP 38 (file 001, Manager’s office) 2 people needed for set-up and take-down Position step ladder (acquire in AV room

behind main desk) under & to left of punchbag bracket

First person on second step holding chainattachment

Second person on ground ‘embraces’punchbag to raise it, bending at knees andkeeping back straight

First person attaches hooks to punch bagbracket, other steadying it.

Store step-ladder temporarily in store roomuntil taking down

29/4/200913/9/20112/10/1212/9/134/10/143/11/154/11/1614/11/17

Take-down

- possible injury

through heavy

lifting

Position ladder by punch bag First person at top/second step; second on

floor Second person takes weight of punch bag

by ‘embracing’ it with both arms and raisesslightly so the chain attachment at top isrelaxed

First person detaches chains from punchbag bracket

Return punch bag to store room carried inan ‘embrace’ between two staff/student


Return steps to store at main desk

Using the bag -

Possible hand

/wrist injury

Appropriate boxing mitts/gloves asprovided to be worn at all times , no barefist punching

No kicking or “kneeing” punch bag


Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : 14/11/17_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018__________




RISK ASSESSMENT 17

Area: Moveable Basketball Post (Hall)

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Possible injurythrough unwieldymanoeuvering

1 /2 people to set-up or take down. 2 must be used ifavailable – a competent person can be called on toassist, with guidance.

Lower post to lowest position using silver dial on therear post; tighten sufficiently

Gripping hoop and with a hand on upright post, tiltpost forward towards self at an angle so bottom of postis on wheels

If 2 people; one at basketball rim: 2nd at base support Steer apparatus on wheels, pushing & facing forward

Sports Supervisors 8/9/201013/9/20113/10/1212/9/134/10/1425/11/1518 /11/1621/11/17

Toppling Hazard

*Anchoringnecessary*

Position slowly over grey insert in hall floor, do notallow to fall abruptly into position

Ensure anchor screw is securely tightened into floorinsert (find in manager’s office)

Attach base of post to floor insert via carabineer (findattached to base of post)

Adjust post height as necessary Do not allow any swinging from hoop or from any part

of postTaking Down

Possible injurythrough unwieldymanoeuvring

Return to lowest position , tighten sufficiently Loosen carabiner and detach from floor insert Move as above, return to storeroom Remove floor insert and return to manager’s office.







RISK ASSESSMENT 18Area: Hall Activity when Floor covering &/or furniture is in place

HAZARDS

IDENTIFIED


IMPLEMENTATIONLow Med High

Possible injury to

persons engaging in

exercise & sport

M

When black floor covering is laid or being laid

(partially or fully) on hall floor, sports activity

should not take place in hall. The exception is

as follows:

Exercise classes / activity that does not involve

running can take place but only with staff

instruction present throughout duration of class

ie. body conditioning, spin fit, kettlebells.

Staff to point out to users to be careful on floor

surface at start of class.

Users may not interfere with black cover or

tape at any time.

Low ratio (<1:4) staff:student or student:client

and low impact non running activity

Manager & Sports

Supervisors. Sept 2011Sept 2012Sept 2013Oct 2014Nov 2015Nov 2016Nov 2017


Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : _18/11/17___________ Date of Review :__Nov 2018 _______

Staff Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ____________________ Date of Review: __________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 19

Area: Instruction of Exercise Classes / one-to-one Instruction

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Possible incorrectinstruction couldlead to injury.

M All exercise instructors will beappropriately qualified & knowledgeable,with up to date qualifications.

Health screening should be conducted forany newcomer before a class in writtenform. To be checked before startingexercise and acted on.

Also visual & verbal screening should beongoing by the instructor throughout theclasses.(See OP 12 file 001, Helen’s office)

Appropriate warm up & cool downnecessary in each class.

Clear & audible instruction should begiven throughout class with teachingpoints & safety points given.

Instructor to observe all clients whileinstructing.

Instructors to facilitate all abilities and acton incidents if they arise in classes

HK, Manager, infirst instance andboth Supervisors(SG & DG)

01/09/0804/9/20113/10/134/10/1425/11/1517 /11/1621/11/17

When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low √ Medium HighStaff Signature : _HK____________________________ Date : 21/11/16_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018_________Staff Signature: ___________________________________Date: ____________________ Date of Review: __________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 20

Area: Moving Equipment and Furniture

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


L Med High

Injuries arising fromincorrect manualhandling of equipmentand furniture.

X Sports staff to undergo Manual Handling Course asorganised by the H& S Officer biannually. (last training28/2/11, 17/11/12, 30/10/14)

Equipment, tables and chairs to be lifted and moved asper manual handling instruction. (Associated OP 39, file001 in manager’s office)

Discern if you can safely lift object before commencing tolift.

Two staff persons usually required for unwieldy items. Knees bent, back straight to lift. Push rather than pull trolleys or equipment on wheels. Fitness suite equipment not to be moved.

Estates Office(Caretakers).Secondary, Sports Staff.

01/09/113/10/124/10/1417/11/1517/11/1622/11/17

Injuries arising whenstacking or moving tables

X Two-wheeled upright trolley to be used to move tables. Two people should reposition or rearrange tables, one

person at either side. Tables to be stored along either side of the canteen and

along back of canteen neatly. Two people should performthis.

Emergency exits must remain unblocked at all times

Injuries arising whenstacking or moving chairs X

Canteen chairs to be stacked four high and placedunderneath table.

When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low √ Medium HighStaff Signature : HK_____________________________Date : 22/11/17_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018Staff Signature: ___________________________________Date: ____________________ Date of Review: __________________Staff Signature: ___________________________________Date: ___________________ Date of Review: __________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 21Area: Lone Working

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med Hi

New Institute Lone Working Policy in place March2014. Available under Health & Safety documentationon Intranet. All staff to read and adhere to.

April 2014

Risk to staff if threatposed:ie. unwelcomeperson(s), accident,illness, violence orunruly persons.

Support Two persons at least should work together, the

exception being Saturdays between 10-2/3pm, whencustom is quite low. A second rare exception is Fridayevenings 5-8pm at quiet periods.

Security & Caretakers will be informed in advance byManager or Supervisor(s) that a staff member will belone working (and may need assistance should theneed arise) outside of normal hours when Institute isclosed.

Staff do not open or lock up the building, theCaretakers /Estates Office have this responsibility.Sports staff should not lock up alone.

When the Sports centre is nearing closing time(approx. 15 minutes in advance), the Caretakers shouldbe called to perform the lock up & set the alarm.

Manager in firstinstance thenSupervisors.

Estates Office /Caretakers.

Sept 12October 2013October 2014Nov 2015Nov 2016Nov 2017

Communication If a risk is sensed Security or Caretaking staff should be

contacted asap on 6999 or 6900. Staff should not investigate matters by themselves. Staff should not try to deal with possibly risky or tricky

situations on their own, rather remove themselves fromtrouble or threat and call assistance asap.

If necessary tell other customers to remove themselvesfrom the situation also.

Sports Staff


A personal alarm is fitted below the main receptiondesk and should be used, if possible, if any threat issensed or real.

The Manager or Supervisor(s) may be contacted bymobile phone if necessary for advice, or if anemergency arises.

The Manager or Supervisor(s) will assist in any waypossible.

Any incidents, accidents, issues or concerns occurringwhen lone working should be recorded on the IncidentForm and related to the Manager /Supervisor(s) asap.

Estates Office

Lack of Supervision– unaware ofprocedures

Pre-emptive Action All staff are/shall be first aid trained. Staff shall not work alone if they have medical

conditions which make them unsuitable for loneworking.

All staff are trained and familiar with the Sports Centreoperating procedures and risk assessments.

All staff are particularly familiar with opening (OP10& 11) and lock up procedures (OP 11a) and will haveconducted opening & lock up on many occasionsbefore lone working.

Staff working alone will have had 6 months experiencein working at Lyit Sports Centre and as much aspossible will have supervisory experience &competency.

The building will be well lit inside, and outside duringevening hours & when staff member is leaving.

Sports Manager

Estates OfficeWhen controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low √ Medium High

Staff Signature : HK_________________________________Date : 17/11/17_____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018___________Staff Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________ Date of Review: ____________________

Staff Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________ Date of Review: ____________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 22

Area: Dumbbells

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED

RISKS CONTROLS RESPONSIBILITY

DATE OFIMPLEMENTATION

Low Med High

DumbbellsLoose ends/ crack

Cracks and damagethat can courseinjury

All dumbbells to be checked dailyfor any damage.

Daily log book to be recorded and anyproblems reported.

Damaged dumbbells to be fixed/removedwhere applicable.

All users to be informed during induction ofsafety and instruction notices posted in gym

All staffmembers

July 2014Reviewed Oct 2015Reviewed Nov 2016Reviewed Nov 2017

Trip occurring, orfalling, from poorstorage ofDumbbells

Dumbbells to be placed back on rack whenfinished. All users must be briefed on safestorage of dumbbells during induction

Signs in situ to reinforce proper storage habits. Dumbells should not be brought outside onto

balcony but should remain in the gym.

All staffmembers

Immediately & ongoing

Dumbbell storage Falls (injury) Misuse Injury

Dumbbells must be stored flat and in pairs, notstanding up.

Dumbbells must not be dropped from anyheight.

Induction will include dumbbell storage safety. Weekly dumbell cleaning will assist with

observations

All staffmembers

Immediately & ongoing

When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low Medium High

Staff Signature : HK_______________________________ Date : 13/11/17____________ Date of Review : Nov 2018__________Staff Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________ Date of Review: __________________Staff Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________ Date of Review: __________________


RISK ASSESSMENT 23

Area: Sport Centre Special Events ie. 5k / Fund Raiser Initiatives

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Participant Safety Be knowledgeable of, use as guidance, and adhereto institutes Safety for Special Events workingdocument.

Registration of all participants necessary All participants must be briefed on the route and

any potential hazards i.e. entrance ways, footpathlevels etc., prior to the run.

Full route details to be given verbally/mapprovided

All participants to be instructed to wear reflective/high visibility gear. (as appropriate to light &weather)

Manager and allstaff as designated Nov 2014

Reviewed Nov2015Reviewed Nov2016Nov 2017

Parking A parking steward should be in position to directthe vehicles into the preferred parking location (infront of Sports centre building)

Route Layout Direction Critical Junctions

A map shall be provided, posted up and signalled,prior to run outlining route, start & finish. Verbalinstruction on route and safety points also given.

A steward will be position at critical junctionsalong the route.

Route – Course A course assessment should be undertaken prior to


Obstructions Parked vehicles

along footpathforcingcompetitors ontothe road

Narrow footpaths Lighting

the run being staged to identify any immediateobstruction (temporary) (i.e. parked vehicles)

A steward may be positioned to safely directparticipants around any obstructions/or areas ofpoor visibility

Route – StartingPosition/line Space Direction

The starting position should be of suitable widthfor the anticipated volume of participants. Startingposition will be of suitable distance from start line.

Start line to be graded and controlled.ie fasterathletes to front and slower paces at rear.

Loud speaker instruction as necessary

Route – End line To be wide enough to avoid collisions or trips To be controlled funnelled by time-keepers and

organisers i.e. access to and leaving the areas. All registered participants should be accounted for

at endWeather Wet (slippy) Wind (debris) Ice Snow

Course to be assessed prior to the staging of theevent.

For wet conditions participants are advised to wearadequate footwear.

For icy/snowy conditions, footpath (course) shouldbe treated with salt/sand/grit.

Marshalls/Stewards/Caretakers Junction Injuries

All individuals must be briefed on responsibilitiesprior to the run and have the necessary training.

Stewards must wear appropriate clothing and beprovided with a high visibility jacket.


Safety Manual Handling

Stewards must have adequate first aid or be in aposition to contact first aid (see below)

First Aid Trips, slips , Falls Minor injuries Major injuries

There must be adequate first aid cover in relationto number of participants.

First aiders must be stationed on the course or be ina position to be summoned to a location.

In the event of a major incident relevant servicesmust be contacted. The course must allow foraccess to casualty (i.e. reroute/stop run)

When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low Medium High

Staff Signature : _____HK____________________________Date : 28/11/17_________ Date of Review : Nov 2018________




RISK ASSESSMENT 24

Area: Volleyball Post Assembly & Disassembly, Sports Hall

HAZARDSIDENTIFIED


Low Med High

Heavy posts fallingor moving duringplay, assembly ordisassembly.

Posts not beingsecurely set up asmany steps to theassembly &disassembly.

Snagging / hurting/ cutting hands etc.

Carrying a heavyweight.

Assembly1. Two personnel to set up and take down

posts in a step-by-step fashion as follows:2. Wheel posts out of store room, 1 per

person. Do not carry, wheel.3. Detach all 4 wheels by screwing off at

sides (bottom of both posts).4. Screw both (wheels) inserts in to the floor

sockets on both sides of court.5. Feed net wire through gap on post (with

ratchet). Must be in line with runner onlittle protruding wheel on post (on outsideof post).

6. Feed wire down through ratchet (behindbar) & up to hook and secure it.

7. Loosen round (large) hand screws8. Push up manually to desired net height.9. Hook in net on opposite side –all 3 (cord

loops & wire at top).10. Hook net loop onto hooks on inner sliding

part of post.

Supervisors& all Sports Staff

20/11/14Reviewed 23/11/15Reviewed 18/11/16Reviewed 27/1/117


11. Slowly tighten in place with ratchethandle.

12. Ensure round hand screws (x3) at bottomare tightened to secure the net.

Disassembly1. On ratchet side, unhook ratchet wire.2. Slowly, manually lower inner slide bar.3. Unscrew round hand screw on net side &

slowly lower inner bar.4. Once lowered, finger tighten all round

hand screws.5. Unhook net loops on all sides, carefully.6. Be careful of wire hoops when detaching,

do not let it swing out.7. Unscrew floor anchors (inserts).8. Reattach anchors & wheel unit (all one

unit) to blue inserts at base of posts.9. Wheel posts carefully to store room one at

a time.10. Store posts upright. Fold net neatly in for

storage.When controls are in place risk becomes /remains: Low Medium High

Staff Signature : Helen Kennedy________________________ Date : 27/11/17________ Date of Review : Nov 2018Staff Signature : ______________________________________ Date : _______________ Date of Review : ________Staff Signature : ______________________________________ Date : _______________ Date of Review : ________Staff Signature : ______________________________________ Date : _______________ Date of Review : ________


Risk Assessment Process DescriptionAny potential risk to safety must be assessed, addressed and measures taken to eliminate hazards inthe planning stages of an event. Whether involving the Institute population and/or external users,assessment of the event must be carried out and documented in the planning stages by the EventOrganiser in conjunction with the Sports Centre to minimize the possibility of accident or incident.

Person Exposed to Risk; Students Staf f ; Public ; Contractors ; VisitorsHazardsExisting, emerging or potential elements that may pose a risk or cause an accident.Accidents resulting from events organised without thorough risk assessment.

Controls

It is the responsibility of the Sport Centre Manager and Supervisors to ensure that all eventsorganised by staff or students or external groups are risk assessed by the Event Organiser orPlanner using the attached Risk Assessment Form. Each event will have its own individual riskassessment requirement but should include, but is not restricted to, the following as necessary:

o Supervsion of minors and all participants / attendees.o Equipment and set-upso Access and egress. Entry and exit control.o Slips / Trips / Fallso Housekeeping during the evento Accidents and incidentso Crowd control / stewardingo Security and safety measureso Emergencies and emergency evacuationo Loading/unloading equipmento Traffic control and parking

Lyit Sports Centre, and as necessary the Estates Office, is responsible for hiring the sports facilities toexternal users, outside of term time, at weekends and evenings if available. It is the Sports Centre’sresponsibility to ensure that all events organised by external users are risk assessed by the EventOrganiser or Planner using the attached Risk Assessment Form.

Checks & InspectionsResponsibility for internal bookings - the Event Organiser/Planner and Head of Function.Responsibility for external users - the Estates Office / Sports Centre and the Event Organiser.

Event PlanAn Event Plan / Method Statement may be necessary following assessment.

Phone:0749186800 /9186868Email: [email protected]


Appendix

Safe Work Practice Sheetso Evacuation Chairo Goal Post Monthly Safety Checklisto Goal Post Safety Requirements: IS 356:2007o Code of Conduct when working with young Peopleo Work at Height Guide





8 November 2007

Guide to the

Safety Health and Welfare at Work(General Application) Regulations 2007

Part 4: Work at Height

58

H.Kennedy. June 2005. Revised April 2011/ April 12 / April 13/ April 2016

LYIT Sport Centre’s Code of Conduct when working with young people

Leaders should ensure as much as possible that young people /children should:

1. Feel safe and be safe

2. Participate on an equal basis

3. Have fun and enjoy sport/ fun activities

4. Be encouraged & applauded positively in developing ideas & in activities

5. Experience competition at a level which is comfortable for the individual

6. Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect

7. Get help in a threatening or bullying situation

8. Be listened to patiently

9. Be able/ allowed to say NO

10. Be able to confide

Young players/ child participants should:

1. Treat Sports leaders, supervisors, referees and all associated Sports staff with

respect.

2. Play fairly and try to do their best at all times

3. Respect all team members, and opponents whether you win or lose

4. Wear appropriate loose clothing and running shoes/ sneakers

5. Obey rules of LYIT Sports Centre and Summer Camp

6. Respect all children regardless of age or ability

7. Keep areas tidy and litter free

8. Respect the building and equipment

9. Relate any problems or grievances to the leaders/ supervisor (s)

10. Listen and adhere to safety points from staff.

Young players/ child participants Should NOT:

1. Leave the area of activity or LYIT Sports centre without permission from

leaders

2. Leave an activity alone

3. Chew gum or eat snacks during an activity

4. Smoke

5. Use any bad language

6. Bully or treat another child / unfairly. Tease or call other children names

7. Wear inappropriate clothing- no midriffs/ bellybutton showing, no jewellery

59

8. Exercise unruly behaviour

9. Cheat

10. Use violence or inappropriate physical contact

11. Keep secrets of an unethical nature ie. regarding being harmed or bullied

12. Tell lies or spread rumours

13. Moving around or stand in a moving bus. Children must be seated while

travelling

14. Cross roads or carparks or anywhere else, unaccompanied by a Parent

/Guardian or leader.

LYIT Sports Centre: Guidelines for Parents/ Guardians

1. Accompany your children from the car /car-park, or on foot, directly to the

Sports Centre reception.

2. Collect your children from the Sports Centre reception by physically coming

to reception

3. Please maintain the highest standards of conduct when interacting with

children, other parents, with officials and staff at the Sport Centre

4. Always behave responsibly and not seek to unfairly affect the player/ game or

event

5. Recognise and respect the value and importance of the volunteers/ staff who

provide sporting/ recreational opportunities for your child.

6. Encourage your child to play by the rules and to display sportsmanship in

defeat as well as in winning

7. Applaud the participation as well as good play on both sides.

8. Please be punctual when both dropping off and collecting your child(ren) at

the allocated time. (LYIT will not be responsible for, nor will have staff

available for supervision, of children left unsupervised before and after the

designated time of activities).

9. Parents/ Guardians should support all efforts to remove abusive and bullying

behaviour

10. Parents/ Guardians should calmly listen to, and discuss genuine concerns

/complaints from staff should they arise.

60

Parents Code of Conduct:

1. I will respect the rules and procedures as set down in LYIT Sports Centre Code of

Ethics for Children in Sport.

2. I will respect all children regardless of age or ability

3. I will respect my child(ren)’s, co-participants, leaders, and other associated staff &

support their efforts. I will encourage my child likewise.

4. I will give encouragement, and applaud positive endeavours of, all children and

Staff/ Helpers

5. I will never demonstrate threatening or abusive behaviour or use foul language.

6. I will physically and safely accompany my child(ren) to and from the Sports

Centre reception, when delivering and collecting him/her/them.

7. I will respect the commencement and end times of the activity, delivering and

collecting my child(ren) punctually. (LYIT will not be responsible for children left

unsupervised outside the designated hours of the activity)

Parent / Guardian’s Name: _______________________________

Child’s Name:________________________ Child’s Name:____________________

Child’s Name:________________________ Child’s Name:____________________

Date: ___________________________

61

Page

Introduction 3

Regulation 94: Interpretation for Part 4 7

Regulation 95: Organisation, planning and risk assessment 10

Regulation 96:Checking of places of work at height 11

Regulation 97: Weather conditions 11

Regulation 98: Avoidance of risks from work at height 12

Regulation 99: Protection of places of work at height 15

Regulation 100: Selection of work equipment for work at height 17

Regulation 101: Condition of surfaces for supporting structures 21

Regulation 102: Stability of supporting structure 21

Regulation 103: Guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers, etc. 22

Regulation 104: Stability of working platforms 24

Regulation 105: Safety on working platforms 24

Regulation 106: Loading of working platform and supporting structures 25

Regulation 107: Scaffolding, additional requirements 26

Regulation 108: Collective safeguards for arresting falls 29

Regulation 109: Personal fall protection systems 30

Regulation 110: Work positioning systems 32

Regulation 111: Rope access or positioning technique 32

Regulation 112: Fall arrest systems 34

Regulation 113: Work restraint systems 34

Regulation 114: Ladders 35

Regulation 115: Fragile Surfaces 38

Regulation 116: Falling Objects 39

Regulation 117: Danger Areas 40

Regulation 118: Interpretation for Regulation 119 41

Regulation 119: Inspection of work equipment 41

62

Guide to Part 4 of the General Application Regulations 2007

Part 4: WORK AT HEIGHT

IntroductionThis Guide is aimed at safety and health practitioners, employers, managers, employees, safetyrepresentatives and others to give guidance on Part 4 (Regulations 94 to 119) of the Safety,Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) asamended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)(Amendment)Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 732 of 2007) relating to work at height. The objective of the Guideis to give general guidance aimed at the prevention of occupational accidents or ill health. It isnot intended as a legal interpretation of the legislation.

In this Guide the text of the Regulations is shown in italics.

From 1 November 2007, Part 4 of the General Application Regulations 2007 re-transposesDirective 89/955/EEC as amended by Directive 2001/45/EC and replaces the Safety, Healthand Welfare at Work (Work at Height) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 318 of 2006), which arerevoked from that date.

The General Application Regulations 2007 are made under the Safety, Health and Welfare atWork Act 2005 (No. 10 of 2005) referred to elsewhere in this Guide as “the Act”.

Aims of the Work at Height requirementsThe objective of Part 4 of the General Application Regulations 2007 is to reduce deaths andinjuries at work caused by falls from height as these account for a significant percentage ofworkplace fatalities and serious injuries each year.

Part 4 of the General Application Regulations sets out the basic principles for safe work atheight for all sectors of employment and provides a fundamental framework for safe working atheight, based on risk assessment, applicable to the wide range of work activities carried out atheight.

Purpose of this guidanceThis Guide sets out the key requirements for safe working at height and provides guidance on themain types of work equipment available for work at height. This guidance is for anyonedirectly or indirectly involved in work at height: employers, employees, supervisors, the self-employed, those in control of work premises and those involved in inspecting work equipmentor sites. Those who hire out work equipment also need to be aware of the Regulations.

What is “Work at Height”?Work at height means working in a place (except a staircase in a permanent workplace) wherea person could be injured by falling from it, even if it is at or below ground level.

Do the rules apply to you?The Work at Height Regulations apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liableto cause personal injury. They place duties on employers and the self-employed.

63

Some examples of activities covered by the Regulations include: using a kick-stool or stepladder in a stock-room or library; order picking using a fork-truck with an integrated platform;using a mobile elevating work platform to erect steel work; using trestles and ladders to paintor clean; changing lamps or ceiling tiles in an office; working on the back of a lorry to sheet aload; working on the top of a fuel truck; climbing masts or poles; rigging lighting for a concertor stage production; using harnesses and ropes professionally to instruct in abseiling or rockclimbing; working close to an open excavation or cellar trap door; erecting bill posters at aheight; erecting or working on a scaffold.

What are your duties as an employer?You must do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anyone falling a distance liable tocause personal injury.

The Regulations set out a simple hierarchy for managing work at a height:

avoid work at height where this is reasonably practicable; use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where you cannot avoid

working at height; and where you cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other

measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.

The Regulations also require employers and the self employed to ensure that:

all work at height is properly planned, organised, supervised and carried out; the place where work at height is done is safe; all work at height takes account of weather conditions; those involved in work at height are instructed and trained; equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected; the risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and injury from falling objects is prevented.

What do Employees need to know about work about work at height?

The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places duties on employees to:

comply with statutory provision such at the Work at Height Regulations; protect their own safety and health, as well as the safety and health of anyone who may

be affected by their acts or omissions at work; ensure that they are not under the influence of any intoxicant to the extent that they

could be a danger to themselves or others while at work; cooperate with their employer with regard to safety, health and welfare at work; not engage in any improper conduct that could endanger their safety or health or that of

anyone else; participate in safety and health training offered by their employer; make proper use of all machinery, tools, substances, etc. and of all personal protective

equipment provided for use at work; and report any defects in the place of work, equipment, etc. which might endanger safety

and health.

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Requirements for Working at HeightPart 4 of the General Application Regulations requires employers to carry out a risk assessmentfor all work conducted at height and to put in place arrangements for:

Eliminating or minimising risks from working at height; Safe systems of work for organising and performing work at height; Safe systems for selecting suitable work equipment to perform work at height;

and Safe systems for protecting people from the consequences of work at height.

The risk assessment and the action taken should be proportionate to the harm that could occurif no action was taken. It should include a careful examination of what harm could be causedfrom working at height with a view to taking the necessary steps to reduce the likelihood of thisharm occurring, either through avoiding the activity or, where this is not reasonablypracticable, by carrying it out in a safe manner using the appropriate work equipment.

Employers and self-employed persons must ensure that:

any work at height performed in their undertaking or by their employees on anyother site or premises, and the equipment provided for such work, complies withthe requirements of Part 4 of the General Application Regulations and does notput others at risk, e.g. members of the public;

if they send workers to another site, that they are not at risk from working atheight on that site. All employers at the site must co-operate to make sureemployees are not asked to do tasks where there is inadequate protection;

they consult their employees on matters relating to safety and health withrespect to work at height and, where appropriate, in the development of riskassessments for work at height.

Wherever there are multiple contractors, a written formalised way of proceeding should beagreed so that it is clear who is responsible for particular aspects of the work at height. Everycontractor involved with the site will have duties under safety and health legislation, but theextent of the responsibilities will depend on the circumstances and are best agreed in writingbefore the work commences. Further guidance can be obtained from the HSE publication “Use

of contractors – a joint responsibility” (INDG368).

Those who provide equipment for use at work but do not control its use or the premises whereit will be used should still ensure that the work equipment complies with Part 4 of the GeneralApplication Regulations to the extent that their control allows. The Regulations require that allthe risks of the work be managed by the relevant people to ensure safety. It is vital that this iscommunicated to all those involved on multi-occupied sites. For example, where a scaffoldinghire company delivers the equipment to a site and erects it on behalf of the user the hirecompany must ensure that it has been erected in accordance with the Regulations. The ongoingmaintenance, inspection and recording requirements may, however, fall on the employer incontrol of those using the scaffold.

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Employees using their own equipment for work at heightPart 4 of the General Application Regulations also applies to personally-owned equipment usedfor work at height. Employers need to ensure that such equipment is checked and assessed asbeing suitable. This is particularly important where an employee brings his or her own tools onto the site and where the employee chooses to use his or her own equipment for work at height(e.g. safety harnesses). The employer needs to establish who will be using such equipment(especially where it might be shared) and that the users are clear as to how to use it. Theemployer should also ensure that safe loading is adhered to and that it is compatible with othersafety equipment, such as anchor points. An employer should ensure that any personally ownedtools used by their employees are appropriate for the task, are in good condition and cancomply with the safety and health management controls identified in any risk assessment. Theresponsibility for the safe application and use of personally owned tools and equipment cannotbe derogated to employees carrying out the work.

Application to Offshore activitiesPart 4 of the General Application Regulations applies fully to offshore activities includingoffshore installations, wells, pipelines, pipeline works and connected activities within Irishterritorial waters.

WORK AT HEIGHT FLOW CHART

Assess the risks to help you decide how to work safely

Is there a risk of a person falling a distance liable to cause personal

injury?

No

Yes

Perform the task in a safe manner from the ground

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Perform the task in a safe manner

Is it reasonably practicable to safely carry out the work other than at height?

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Take suitable and sufficient steps to -

PREVENT the risk of a fall, including:

Using an existing work place in compliance with Regulation 98 and, in other cases,

Selecting the most suitable work equipment in accordance with Regulation 100.

Where the risk of a person or object falling still remains, take suitable and sufficient measuresto:

Minimise the distance and consequences of any fall. Steps should include the selection ofwork equipment in accordance with Regulation 100.

When selecting work equipment give collective protection priority over personal protection(Regulation 100).

Regulation 94 - Interpretation for Part 4.94. (1) In this Part:

“access” and “egress” include ascent and descent;

“fragile surface” means a surface, including fittings, that would be liable to fail if aperson ’s weight were to be applied to it in reasonably foreseeable circumstances;

“ladder” includes a fixed ladder and a stepladder;

“line” includes rope, chain or webbing;

“personal fall protection system” means—

(a) a fall prevention, work restraint, work positioning, fall arrest or rescuesystem, other than a system in which the only safeguards are collectivesafeguards, or

(b) rope access and positioning techniques;

“scafold” means any temporary structure, including its supporting components,whether fixed, suspended or mobile, that is used—

(a) for supporting employees and materials, or

(b) to gain access to any structure,

and includes a working platform, a working stage, a gangway, a run and a ladderor stepladder (other than an independent ladder or step-ladder that does not formpart of such a structure), together with any guard-rail, toe-board or

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other such safeguard and all fixings thereon, but does not include—

(i) lifting equipment, or

(ii) a structure used only to support another structure or equipment(including lifting equipment),

and “scafolding” shall be construed accordingly;

“supporting structure” means any structure used for the purpose of supporting aworking platform and includes any plant used for that purpose;

“work at height” means work in any place, including a place—

(a) in the course of obtaining access to or egress from any place, except by astaircase in a permanent place of work, or

(b) at or below ground level,

from which, if measures required by this Part were not taken, an employee couldfall a distance liable to cause personal injury and any reference to carrying outwork at height includes obtaining access to or egress from such place while atwork;

“work equipment” means any machine, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation foruse at work (whether exclusively or not) and includes anything to which Regulations101 to 114 apply;

“working platform” means any platform used as a place of work or as a means ofaccess to or egress from a place of work, including any scafold, suspended scafold,cradle, mobile platform, trestle, gangway, gantry and stairway that is so used.

(2) Any reference in this Part to the keeping of a copy of a report or plan includesreference to it being kept in a form in which it is —

(a) capable of being reproduced as a printed copy when required, and

(b) secure from loss or unauthorised interference.

Work at HeightThe Regulations do not specify a minimum height requirement for work at height. Part 4applies to all work activities where there is a need to control a risk of falling a distance liable tocause personal injury. This is regardless of the work equipment being used, the duration theperson is at a height or the height at which the work is performed. It includes access to

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and egress from a place of work. It would, for example, include:

Working on a scaffold or from a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP); Working on the back of a lorry, e.g. sheeting a load; Container-top working in docks, on a ship or in a freight yard; Arboriculture and forestry work performed in trees; Using cradles or ropes to gain access to parts of a building, or a ship under

repair in a dry dock; Climbing permanent structures, such as gantries, masts or telephone poles; Working close to an excavation area or a cellar opening, where someone could

fall into it and injure themselves or others; Painting, pasting or erecting bill posters at height; Work on staging or trestles, for example at a concert or for filming; Using a ladder, step ladder or kick stool for shelf filling, window cleaning,

shop fitting or other maintenance tasks (e.g. changing a light bulb); Using man-riding harnesses on offshore installations; and Working in a mine-shaft.

The risk assessment and action required to control risks from using a kick stool to collectbooks from a shelf will be simple (e.g. not overloading oneself, not overstretching, etc.).However, the action required for a complex construction project will involve significantlygreater considerations and assessment of risk. Further guidance on risk assessment is providedin relation to Regulation 98.

The following are excluded from the requirements of this Part 4 of the General ApplicationRegulations:

Slips, trips and falls on the level; Falls on permanent stairs if there is no structural or maintenance work being

undertaken; Work in, for example, an office on the upper floors of a multi story building

where there is no risk of falling (except activities within the workplace which doinvolve a risk of falling, e.g. from a stepladder); and

Work carried out by private individuals (e.g. maintenance work in their ownhomes that is not for the purposes of business or trade).

Where a person is employed by a private householder to do work, e.g. cleaning windows orrepairing gutters on a private home, the person employed to do the work has duties under theseRegulations. The householder does not have duties under these Regulations.

Also excluded from the requirements of the Regulations are activities such as climbing andcaving where these are carried out by way of sport, recreation, or other leisure or adventureactivities. The Regulations do apply, however, to persons employed, including to those self-employed, in such activities. The employer of such persons has a duty to ensure the safety andhealth of his or her employees and other persons under his or her control.

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Regulation 95 - Organisation, planning and risk assessment.

95. (1) An employer shall ensure that—

(a) work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried outin a manner that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without riskto health, and

(b) in planning work at height—

(i) the selection of work equipment is in accordance with Regulation 100,

(ii) an appropriate risk assessment and safety statement pursuant tosections 19 and 20 of the Act are prepared, and

(iii) a plan is prepared for emergencies and rescues, without prejudice tosection 11 of the Act.

(2) In identifying measures to comply with this Part, an employer shall take accountof the risk assessment.

Regulation 95 requires employers to plan their work properly; to ensure it is appropriatelysupervised and that it is carried out in a safe manner. Planning includes the selection of workequipment and preparing for emergencies. Employers should:

plan the work and use suitable work equipment;

provide supervision proportionate to the findings of the risk assessment and theexperience and capability of the people involved in the work. Employees maybe trained to a nationally accredited standard, but may still need to beacquainted with the layout and the peculiarities of the site and have the task(s)required of them carefully explained.

make sure those affected understand the risk assessment and what they must doto comply with it. This may be a briefing session to make sure workers areaware of hazards and when they should ask for further assistance. Informationmay need to be made more widely available as the conduct of others in theworkplace may be very important to those working at height above or nearthem.

plan for emergencies and rescue. Where necessary have a rescue plan in placebefore the work starts. Employers should assess this plan throughout thelifetime of the project and update it if there are any substantial changes to thework being carried out. The plan needs to take account of possible risks torescuers. It should not be assumed that the emergency services will be able to

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effect a rescue in all situations, especially within the necessary time. (See alsoguidance on Regulation 109 – Personal fall protection systems.)

Involve employees or their representatives. Consulting the workforce will encourage them tobe more aware of risks from work at height and their duties under safety and health legislation.It will also help employers to comply with their duties.

Regulation 96 - Checking of places of work at height.

96. An employer shall ensure that the surface and every parapet, permanent rail or othersuch fall protection measure at every place of work at height are checked visually priorto use and at appropriate intervals during use.

Regulation 96 requires that the surface conditions and other permanent features where work atheight will be taking place are checked before use and at appropriate intervals during use, inorder to identify whether there are any obvious defects. This would include, for example,checking the ground surface on which a tower scaffold or a portable ladder was to be placed. Ifan employer is unable to do this personally, he or she should ensure that a competent personcarries out the necessary checks. The results of such checks need not be recorded.

Regulation 97 - Weather conditions.

97. An employer shall ensure that work at height is carried out only when weatherconditions do not place the safety and health of employees at risk.

Regulation 97 requires employers to ensure that work at height is carried out “only when theweather conditions do not jeopardise the safety and health of employees”. The risk assessmentand planning arrangements should, therefore, take into account the effect that the weather canhave on outdoor work at height. The General Application Regulations require that workequipment be suitable for the conditions intended and that suitable and sufficient lighting beprovided at any place where work equipment is in use. Lightning, wind, rain, snow, ice,temperature and sun will change the working conditions during the job and may increase therisks that need to be addressed. Protective gloves, sun block, non-slip footwear etc. may help,but the risk assessment should consider wider aspects such as whether bulky clothing could getcaught up in machinery or make access more dangerous. The build-up of mud on ladders, forexample, will make them less safe, as would placing them on a surface that may have becomeslippery. Extreme heat can make people exhausted more quickly and may increase humanerror.

Regular work breaks may reduce the risk of an accident occurring. Wind can blow materialssuch as sheet insulation, decking and timber off edges and such material should be secured toprevent it being blown away.

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Regulation 98 - Avoidance of risks from work at height.

9 8 . Taking account of the general principles of prevention in Schedule 3 to the Act, anemployer shall—

(a) ensure that work is not carried out at height where it is reasonablypracticable to carry out the work safely and without risk to health otherwisethan at height,

(b) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), ensure that work is notcarried out at height unless it is reasonably practicable to do so safely andwithout risk to health,

(c) where, having regard to paragraphs (a) and (b), it is necessary to carry outwork at height, take suitable and suficient measures to prevent an employeefalling a distance liable to cause personal injury, including—

( i i i ) ensuring that the work is carried out—

( I ) from an existing place of work, or

( I ) in the case of obtaining access or egress, by using an existingmeans of access or egress,

in compliance with this Part, where it is practicable to do so safely andunder appropriate ergonomic conditions, and

(ii) where it is not practicable for the work to be carried out in accordancewith subparagraph (i), ensuring that suitable and suficient workequipment, in compliance with Regulation 100, is provided to preventa fall occurring,

(d) where the measures taken under paragraph (c) do not eliminate the risk ofa fall occurring—

(i) provide suficient work equipment, in compliance with Regulation 100,to minimise the distance of a potential fall and the risk of personalinjury, and

(ii) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c), provide suchadditional training and instruction or take other additional suitableand suficient measures to prevent, so far as is practicable, anyemployee falling a distance liable to cause personal injury.

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Assess the Risks to Help Decide how to Work SafelyBefore working at height employers must assess the risks and take whatever steps theassessment shows are necessary to work safely. A person (either the employer or an employee)who is sufficiently experienced to be able to identify competently the safety and health risksarising out of the work should carry out the assessment.

Work at height is an activity that has generally well-established procedures of good practiceand, in nearly all cases, employers should be able to follow these to carry out work safely. Riskassessment for the purposes of the Work at Height Regulations will require them to comparewhat they do with what is accepted as good practice. If an employer is doing what goodpractice suggests, that will normally be enough to comply with the law. If not, it will benecessary to take action to reach the standard. Good practice may be regarded as a “generic”risk assessment for a particular kind of work at height. It may be used for the purposes of riskassessment if the circumstances of the work fall wholly within the scope of the good practice.However, there may be occasions when a more specific assessment is called for (e.g. whentrainees are involved).

It may be necessary to reassess the risks and, if needed, introduce other protection methods ifcircumstances change. There should be few circumstances where there is no established goodpractice or where it does not apply to the work. For those instances, where the good practiceavailable is limited, or applies only partly to the task, it should be followed so far as it isrelevant and any residual risks should be assessed. In those few instances where good practicedoes not exist, start from the first principles of risk assessment using the HSA publication“Guidelines on Risk Assessment and Safety Statements” and call upon expert assistance asnecessary.

Whatever action is taken to control the risk should be proportionate to the risk of harm andreflect what is reasonably practicable, but remember serious injuries may be caused by fallsfrom relatively low heights. Do not assume that little or nothing need be done to prevent them.The health of workers may need to be taken into consideration for some types of work atheight.

Particular attention will need to be paid to the risk assessment and its review, where necessarygetting expert advice and discussing issues with employees. Drivers of straddle carriers andoperators of large cranes might, for example, require a high level of physical stamina andagility to gain safe access to their work positions, which may be a considerable height aboveground. Each assessment should be proportionate to the risks involved, but some of the factorsthat will need to be considered include:

the environment and conditions of the site, including its location, access and egress toand from the site, weather and ground conditions on the site and the risks relating toother activities on the site or surrounding area;

the task to be performed, including the extent of the task and its complexity; the duration and the frequency with which the task needs to be performed; the people involved, including the numbers involved in the work, the degree of their

exposure to the risk, the competence of the workers involved, and the levels ofsupervision required;

the risks to, or presented by, those not directly involved in the work; the work equipment and/or other structures to be used, including the suitability of

existing structures for work at height, the existence of fragile surfaces, the selection

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of work equipment to be used and any risks arising from pre-and post-use of the workequipment (e.g. installing and dismantling scaffolding or using a mobile elevatingplatform or ladder on a busy road).

Follow the safe work at height hierarchy – Avoid, Prevent, Mitigate and givecollective measures priority.

Avoid work at height so far as reasonably practicable.

If it is not necessary to work at height, don’t.

It may, for example, be possible to assemble a structure on the ground and then lift it into placeusing the appropriate lifting equipment, or pole-cleaning systems may be used for cleaningwindows so that the work can be carried out from the ground. Under the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, designers need to consider those carrying outconstruction work and others who could be affected by it, for example, members of the public.They should plan to allow for those constructing and maintaining a structure to work safely andto avoid the need for work at height where reasonably practicable.

In making an assessment of the risks of working at height, the risks of alternative methods ofworking must also be considered. In some circumstances the risk assessment may justify theuse of a safe work at height system rather than a more risky ground-based system. An excess ofwater, for example, from a window cleaning system could be dangerous if it fell on a pavementin icy weather. This needs to be considered in the overall risk assessment.

Prevent a Fall, so far as PracticableWhere it is not reasonably practicable to avoid carrying out work at height, employers musttake suitable and sufficient measures, including the choice of appropriate work equipment, toenable the work to be carried out in a way which, so far as is practicable, prevents a personfrom falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. Suitable and sufficient measures aremeasures to prevent all reasonably foreseeable fall accidents.

A scaffold, for example, properly erected with guard-rails, toe boards and all other appropriatesafety measures in place would not normally require a safety net, as it would be reasonable toexpect that the scaffolding would prevent a fall. If that scaffolding, however, gave access to afragile surface it would be reasonable to expect further measures to prevent a fall. One way ofmeeting the duty to prevent falls is to ensure that work at a height is done safely, underappropriate ergonomic conditions, from an existing workplace that meets the criteria set out inRegulation 99. This Regulation specifies that it must have sufficient edge protection, including,as necessary, balustrades, guardrails and toe boards or other barriers that would prevent a fall.Thus, the place of work, which could be a permanent structure such as a building or anindustrial plant, the top of a piece of machinery or a vehicle, or an item of work equipmentsuch as a scaffold or a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), must be safe, i.e. there is noforeseeable risk of a person falling from it. A place of work that required edge protection tomake it safe would not meet the conditions of this paragraph and so would require the duty-holder to use the appropriate work equipment to make it safe. Safe access and egress also has tobe considered at this stage.

“Ergonomic conditions” relate to factors such as the physical strain of using the tools provided,the suitability of the working space for the task to be performed properly, or the

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space for passage of loads and people, including adequate provision for loading and unloading.Employees should not be expected to exert undue force or stretch or reach beyond their normalstrength or physical reach limitations to work safely. The effects of temperature or moisture(or both) should also be taken into account. Once the duty-holder has taken measures to avoidor prevent injury from a fall, such as by providing a properly constructed scaffold withguardrails, there is no need to take further action, e.g. by providing nets. However, if aguardrail has been temporarily removed, introducing a residual risk of falling through thetemporary gap, this would need to be addressed. Further action may also be required, forexample, when working on a MEWP on a travel route, where there may be a high risk ofcollision. The resulting unexpected violent movement may make it unlikely that guardrailsalone would prevent a person from being thrown out and injured.

Mitigate the Consequence of any Remaining Fall RisksDespite the method of work chosen, if it is not practicable to avoid or prevent a fall, employersshould ensure that both the distance of the fall and its consequences are minimised. Nets, airbags or other soft landing systems, for example, may be used as a safety measure. Theequipment chosen to arrest a fall should minimise injury to the person concerned, but it isnecessary to consider the whole site where the work is being performed. Trailing lanyards, forexample, may cause a significant tripping hazard and are rarely suitable at a height below fourmetres. The consequences of falls will include the effects on the fall protection equipmentused. Someone whose fall has been arrested by a personal fall arrest system may suffer injurycaused by deceleration and from hanging motionless in the harness after the fall. The distanceof the fall will also be critical. See also guidance for the Regulations on fall protection systemsin relation to rescue.

Instruction and TrainingThe users of equipment such as scaffolds, mobile elevating work platforms, ladders, andmobile towers should receive adequate instruction and, where necessary, training in the use ofthe equipment. Workers will often be familiar with the use of the equipment but may not havereceived specific instruction in its safe use. The instruction required will depend on the type ofequipment and its use. For example, the users of ladders should know how to visually check theladder before use, how to secure the ladder, the importance of not over-reaching, how to carrytools, the importance of having three points of contact while working, the need to keep the topthree rungs free, the requirement that ladders used for access should project at least one metrebeyond any landing and be secured, how to protect members of the public, the correct angle(4:1 ratio), how to cope with sloping footpaths or slippery surfaces, the dangers from overheadlines, what footwear should be used and the dangers of use in wet or windy conditions.

Regulation 99 - Protection of places of work at height.

9 9 . An employer shall ensure that a place of work, or means of access or egress thereto, atwhich work at height is, or is to be, carried on—

(a) is stable and of suficient strength and rigidity for the purpose for which itis intended to be or is being used,

(b) where applicable, rests on a stable, suficiently strong surface,

(c) is of suficient dimensions to permit the safe passage of employees and the

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safe use of any plant or materials required to be used and provide a safeworking area having regard to the work to be carried out there,

(d ) is provided with suitable and suficient edge protection,

(e) possesses a surface that has no gap—

(i) through which an employee could fall,

(ii) through which any material or object could fall and injure anemployee, or

(iii) giving rise to other risk of injury to any employee, unlessmeasures have been taken to ensure that no employee could be soinjured,

( f ) is so constructed, used and maintained in such condition as to prevent, so faras is reasonably practicable—

(i) the risk of slipping or tripping, or

(ii) any employee being caught between it and any adjacent structure,and

(g ) where it has moving parts, is prevented by appropriate devices from movinginadvertently during work at height.

Regulation 99 sets out the criteria by which employers should judge whether a place of work atheight is safe. If it meets these criteria, work may be carried out from there without the need touse work equipment to make it safe. This might, for example, apply on a permanent structurewhich had a strong, level surface and parapets of sufficient height to prevent falls, or on a pieceof industrial plant which has permanent guardrails and other built-in features to prevent falls.

The place of work must have a suitable surface. The surface is the specific site on or fromwhich employees perform their tasks. There will be conditions which will make a fall from anywork surface more likely. For example, if the working surface is not level, there areobstructions or it is slippery or greasy, special thought needs to be given to worker safety. Thesurface must not be fragile, i.e. it must be able to take the weight of people or materials passingacross it and be able to sustain the impact of people or materials liable to fall on to it. It isimportant to note that this should take account of deterioration caused by weather, climaticconditions, age, impacts and other relevant factors. It must not be possible to fall off the edgeor through a hole in the surface.

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Regulation 100 - Selection of work equipment for work at height.

100. An employer shall—

(a) in selecting work equipment for use in work at height—

(i) give collective protection measures priority over personal protectionmeasures, and

(ii) take account of the following:

(I) the working conditions and the risks to the safety and health ofemployees at the place where the work equipment is to be used;

(II) in the case of work equipment for access and egress, the distance andheight to be negotiated;

the distance of a potential fall and the risk of personal injury;

the duration and frequency of use of the equipment;

the need for easy and timely evacuation and rescue in an emergency;any additional risk posed by the use, installation or removal of that workequipment or by evacuation and rescue from it;

(VI) the other requirements of this Part, and

(b) select work equipment for work at height that—

(i) has characteristics, including dimensions, that are appropriate to the natureof the work to be performed and the foreseeable loadings,

(ii) allows safe passage, and

(iii) in other respects, is the most suitable work equipment, having regard inparticular to Regulation 98.

The Work at Height Regulations recognise that work at height can be performed safely in anumber of different ways, using a wide range of work equipment. The choice of equipment willdepend on the risk assessment – different types of equipment will have advantages anddisadvantages depending on the task and the environment in which the work is to beperformed. Whatever equipment is selected should be of sound construction in suitablematerial, be of adequate strength and be free from obvious defects. It must also meet anyspecific requirements set out in the Schedules to the Regulations. General guidance onselecting work equipment is provided below.

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Give Collective Measures PriorityAs well as taking account of the risk assessment in selecting the most suitable equipment,collective prevention and arrest measures, e.g. guardrails, should take precedence over personalmeasures. In principle, this means that equipment such as mobile elevating work platforms(MEWPs), scaffolding and cradles should be used in preference to personal fall protectionsystems. It does not prohibit however, the use of the latter type of equipment if these are themost appropriate in light of the overall plan and risk assessment, and the nature of the work tobe carried out.

Choosing the Right Equipment for the TaskThe choice of equipment involves “reasonable practicability” and must comply withRegulation 9 8(c) to prevent a person falling or, to the extent that that cannot be achieved,mitigate the distance and consequences of such falls. Choices should be thought through. Aladder may reach the workplace but if workers need to climb it for long durations or with heavyor bulky equipment, scaffolding is likely to be more appropriate. On the other hand, the risks ofinstalling scaffolding should be considered, especially for work of short duration, where aMEWP might be more appropriate.

Selecting the Right Equipment for Access and EgressSelecting equipment for access or egress will depend on the particular use envisaged. Forfrequent access, employers should consider more permanent arrangements. If a scaffold, forexample, is to be in place for some time, the erection of a staircase with handrails would bemore appropriate than a ladder tied in place, especially if bulky loads are being carried up along flight. Employers should also consider the use of hoists or other methods if this willreduce the risks of falls.

Systems of work or means of access should be designed so that workers do not have to climbover guardrails. If frequent access is required it may be appropriate to use gates, which willallow access when required and also protect those working on the scaffold by providing abarrier. For work on high-rise buildings, which may take considerable periods of time tocomplete, the use of mast climbing work platforms or suspended platforms may be appropriate.These should only be erected, altered, operated or dismantled by those with the necessarycompetence and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

MEWPs should not generally be used as a means of access to or from another structure orsurface – climbing out of MEWPs in these circumstances has injured several people. MEWPsmay, however, be used for this purpose if they have been specifically designed for it, or as partof a properly planned operation where, in exceptional circumstances, this is the safest way togain access to a place of work at height. In such cases, suitable fall protection should be wornand correctly anchored.

Falls Below two MetresThere has always been a duty to use a safe system of work and to prevent people from fallingfrom any height. Under the Construction Regulations, all falls were required to be prevented.For falls under two metres, how this was done was determined by the risk, while for over twometres, the use of guardrails and working platforms to prevent falls was specified.

The Work at Height Regulations require that the risk of a fall to be prevented wherever a fall isliable to cause personal injury. This means that for any height where there is a risk of a fallcausing personal injury measures should be taken to prevent injury.

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The old division between low and high falls in construction applies no longer. The duty is toprevent falls. There are almost as many low-fall injuries as high-fall injuries and low falls causemany serious injuries.

The Work at Height Regulations require you to take a sensible risk-based approach topreventing falls. Where it is reasonably practicable to take precautions to prevent a fall, stepsshould be taken to do so. Examples of what you have to consider in a risk assessment include:

using guardrails on trestles and scaffolds for bricklayers; ensuring that guardrails to scaffolds and towers are provided and not deliberately

removed for work at heights of less than two metres.

However, it is essential that a sensible and pragmatic approach is taken when addressing lowfalls, so precautions should only be taken when the scope and duration of the work presents arisk of injury. If the risk is trivial and it is not reasonably practical to take other precautions,then no action needs to be taken apart from training and instruction.

Falls above two MetresWhere the fall height is two metres or more, appropriate action must be taken to prevent falls.When selecting work equipment, the expectation is that guardrails and working platforms willbe used. These are always the preferred measures to protect from falls unless a risk assessmentclearly identifies other equipment as providing better protection given the nature and durationof the task. These Regulations do not reduce the pre-existing standards for work at heightabove two metres. Where a working platform (e.g. scaffolds or mobile platform) is used forconstruction work where there is a risk of falling more than two metres, the equipment must beinspected before use and every seven days. See Regulation 119.

LaddersLadders, including fixed ladders and stepladders, are commonly used in most employmentsectors. However, people often seriously underestimate the risks involved in using them, andfalls from ladders account for many of the serious work-related injuries each year. In a typicalyear, two fatalities and 220 other injuries involving ladders and resulting in four or more day’sabsence from normal work are reported to the Authority. The actual number of non-fatalinjuries is a multiple of this. Most of the injuries were falls from a height but other accidenttriggers were lifting and carrying the ladder, slipping or falling while carrying it, or the ladderitself collapsing or falling.

Ladders should only be used as work equipment, either for access and egress or as a place fromwhich to work, where a risk assessment shows that the use of other work equipment is notjustified because of the low risk and the short duration of the job or unalterable features of thework site. The risk assessment is essential and should consider not only those using the ladderbut others who could be affected, such as passers-by. The safety of lone workers who useladders, such as window cleaners, depends significantly on their correct use and the provisionof adequate training is essential. Safety should not be compromised by haste to complete thejob. All ladders must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The Work at Height Regulations do not ban ladders but require consideration to be given totheir use. They require that ladders should only be considered where the use of other more

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suitable work equipment such as towers, mobile platforms, scaffolds or temporary stairs is notappropriate. Ladders, for example, are frequently used during fit-out installations, but in mostcases other work equipment is more appropriate. Where ladders and stepladders are used, theyshould only be used as a workplace for light work that is low risk and of short duration.

In selecting the most appropriate work equipment for a particular work activity the selectionprocess must take into account the following hierarchy of controls:

first avoid work at height where possible; then prevent falls from height; and, failing that reduce the consequences of a fall.

Where work at height is necessary, you need to justify whether a ladder or stepladder is themost suitable access equipment compared to other access equipment options. You do this byusing risk assessment and the hierarchy of controls.

When considering whether it could be appropriate to use a ladder or stepladder, you need toconsider whether the activity is suitable for the use of a ladder.

As a guide, only use a ladder or stepladder:

where the work is of short duration. Ladders are not suitable for work where they are inone position for 30 minutes or more.

where the risk is low, i.e. because the nature of the work makes a fall unlikely or wherethere is a fall that the nature of the fall would be unlikely to cause injury.

for “light work”. Ladders are not suitable for strenuous or heavy work. for work that does not involve carrying heavy or awkward tools or equipment; where a handhold is available both for climbing the ladder and in the working position. where you can maintain three points of contact (hands and feet) at the working position.

On a ladder where you cannot maintain a handhold, other than for a brief period oftime, other measures will be needed to prevent a fall or reduce the consequences of one.On stepladders where a handhold is not practicable, a risk assessment will have tojustify whether it is safe or not.

On a ladder or stepladder do not:

overload it. The person and anything they are taking up should not exceed the highestload stated on the ladder.

overreach. Keep your belt buckle (navel) inside the stiles and both feet on the samerung throughout the task.

When working on ladders and step ladders, you should avoid work that imposes a side loading,such as side-on drilling through solid materials (e.g. bricks or concrete), by having the rungs orsteps facing the work activity. Stepping on or off the top of a ladder onto another surface ishigh risk unless the ladder is properly secured to prevent it slipping or moving sideways.Where side-on loadings cannot be avoided, you should prevent the ladder from tipping over,for example, by tying the ladder to a suitable point. Otherwise a more suitable type of accessequipment should be used.

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You should avoid holding items when climbing, for example, by using tool belts:

on a ladder where you must carry something you must have one free hand to grip theladder;

on a stepladder where you cannot maintain a handhold (e.g. putting a box on a shelf ordrilling into a wall), the use of a stepladder will have to be justified by taking intoaccount: the height of the task; a safe handhold still being available;whether it is light work;whether it avoids side loading;whether it avoids overreaching;whether the user’s feet are fully supported; andwhether you can tie the stepladder if it is likely to move.

If ladders are to be used to work from, and not just for access or egress, make sure that:

a secure handhold and secure support are available at all times; the work can be reached without stretching; the ladder can be secured to prevent slipping.

When working from an A frame ladder, never straddle the ladder.

It is tempting to try to ensure that all the work is completed without having to go down theladder and move it, but overreaching while working from a ladder is a major cause of falls,even for experienced workers. See also guidance relating to Regulation 114 to the Regulationsfor more information on ladders.

Regulation 101 - Condition of surfaces for supporting structures.

101. An employer shall ensure that a surface upon which any supporting structure rests isstable, of suficient strength and of suitable composition to support safely thesupporting structure, the working platform and any loading intended to be placed onthe working platform.

Any surface which is intended to support a supporting structure must be capable of carryingand dispersing the load of the structure and any load placed on the working platform.

Regulation 102 - Stability of supporting structure. as amended by the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work (General Application)(Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 732 of 2007)

102. An employer shall ensure that a supporting structure is—

(a) suitable and of suficient strength and rigidity for the purpose for which it is beingused,

(b) in the case of a mobile structure, prevented by appropriate devices from moving

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inadvertently during work at height,

(c) in a case other than a mobile structure, prevented from slipping by secureattachment to the bearing surface or to another structure, by provision of anefective anti-slip device, or by other means of equivalent efectiveness,

(d) stable while being erected, used and dismantled, and

(e) when altered or modified, so altered or modified as to ensure that it remainsstable.

(as amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)(Amendment) Regulations 2007)

Supporting structures are subjected to a wide range of loading during erection, use anddismantling. A supporting structure should support its own dead load and live loads includingshock and wind loads during erection, use, alteration and dismantling. In the case of mobilestructures, devices are required to prevent inadvertent movement during use.

Regulation 103 - Guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers, etc.

103. (1) A reference in this Regulation to a means of protection is to a guard-rail, toe-board,barrier or other similar means of protection.

(2) An employer shall ensure that a means of protection is—

(a) of suficient dimensions, strength and rigidity for the purposes for which it isbeing used and is otherwise suitable,

(b) so placed, secured and used as to ensure, so far as is practicable, that itdoes not become accidentally displaced,

(c) so placed as to prevent, so far as is practicable, the fall of any employee, orany material or object from any place of work,

(d) in relation to work at height involved in construction work such that—

(i) the top guard-rail or other similar means of protection is at least 950mm above the edge from which any employee is liable to fall,

(ii) toe-boards provided are suitable and suficient to prevent the fall ofany employee, or any material or object, from any place of work, and

(iii) any intermediate guard-rail or similar means of protection ispositioned so that any gap between it and other means of protectiondoes not exceed 470 mm.

(3) An employer shall ensure that—

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(a) any structure or part of a structure that supports a means of protection, or towhich a means of protection is attached, is of suficient strength and suitable forthe purpose of that support or attachment,

(b) subject to paragraph (2)(d), there is not a lateral opening in a means ofprotection other than at a point of access to a ladder or stairway where anopening is necessary,

(c) a means of protection may be removed only for the time, and to the extentnecessary, to gain access or egress, or for the performance of a particular task,and is replaced as soon as practicable, and

(d) the particular task is not performed while the means of protection is removed,unless efective compensatory safety measures are in place.

Guard rails may be required to make a work platform or other place of work safe by preventingfalls. The criteria set out in Regulation 103 applies to all guard rails, whether permanentstructures or work equipment, and the principles that lie behind the criteria are that whenever aperson is working at height in a place that is protected by guard rails, the rails should not allowthe person to fall over, under or between them. To the extent that any permanent rails do notprevent this from happening, there will need to be temporary measures, such as the erection ofscaffolding, to ensure that falls are prevented. The Regulations set the minimum height forguard rails for construction work to be at least 950 mm. The Regulations also require anintermediate guardrail to be provided. The gap between the top rail and intermediate rail, andalso the gap between the intermediate rail and the toe board, must not exceed 470 mm. Theheight of the toe board should be at least 150 mm.

For permanent structures or other platforms where there are relevant recognised Irish orEuropean Standards, these should be complied with. In the absence of such standards therequirements specified for construction work should be used as a guide.

See Health and Safety Executive (UK) publication, “Health and Safety in Construction HSG150” for further information on guard rails (and working platforms) in construction.

See “EN1281 1 – 1:2003 Temporary Works Equipment – Part 1: Scafolds – Performancerequirements and general design for guard rails on scafolds ”.

See “EN ISO 14122-3:2001 Safety of Machinery – Permanent means of access to machinery –Part 3: Stairways, stepladders and guard-rail, for further information on guard rails aroundmachinery”.

See “Code of Practice for Access and Working Scafolds ”, Health and Safety Authority forfurther information on the design, erection, and dismantling of scaffolds used in construction.

It may be necessary, in certain circumstances, to remove guard rails, fencing and other meansof protection for short periods. Regulation 103(3)(c) and (d) make it clear that this may onlyoccur:

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to the time and extent necessary for the job, before the barrier is replaced; and such that guards are not removed while workers are at height unless there is some other

safeguard, e.g. a safety net.

Measures to protect workers while the task is carried out could include safe systems of work(or permit-to-work systems where appropriate) including the provision of a fall protectionsystem, limiting access to specified people and ensuring that those performing the task areprovided with adequate information, training and supervision.

If regular access or egress is required, it may be more appropriate to provide gates onscaffolds. In all cases, the gap in the protection should be minimised and the gate closedimmediately after the operation has finished.

Regulation 104 - Stability of working platforms.

104. An employer shall ensure that a working platform is—

(a) suitable and of suficient strength and rigidity for the purpose for which it isintended to be used or is being used,

(b) so erected and used as to ensure that its components do not become accidentallydisplaced so as to endanger any employee,

(c) when altered or modified, so altered or modified as to ensure that it remainsstable,

(d) where it has moving parts, prevented by appropriate devices from movinginadvertently during work at height, and

(e)dismantled in such a way as to prevent accidental

displacement. Regulation 105 - Safety on working platforms.

105. An employer shall ensure that a working platform—

(a) is of suficient dimensions to permit the safe passage of employees and the safe useof any plant or materials required to be used, and provides a safe working area,having regard to the work being carried out there,

(b) possesses a suitable surface and, in particular, is so constructed that the surface ofthe working platform has no gap—

(i) through which an employee could fall,

(ii) through which any material or object could fall and injure an employee,or

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( i i i ) giving rise to other risk of injury to any employee, unless measures havebeen taken to ensure that no employee could be so injured, and

(c) is so erected and used, and maintained in such condition, as to prevent, so far as isreasonably practicable—

(i) the risk of slipping or tripping, or

(ii) any employee being caught between the working platform andany adjacent structure.

Regulation 106 - Loading of working platform and supporting structures.

1 0 6 . An employer shall ensure that a working platform or a supporting structure is not soloaded as to give rise to a risk of collapse or to any deformation that could afect itssafe use.

Stability, Safety and Loading of working Platforms and supporting structuresWorking platforms are defined in Regulation 94 as “any platform used as a place of work or asa means of access to or egress from a place of work…”. In considering whether a platform issuitable for work at height, employers need to ensure that it is:

of sufficient dimensions to allow safe passage and safe use of equipment and materials; free of hazards that could cause trips, or allow people’s feet to pass through the

flooring; constructed to prevent feet and objects passing over the edge, i.e. toe boards or edge

protection are in place; kept clean and tidy, e.g. do not allow mud and debris to build up on platforms; secure; and capable of carrying the load.

“Sufficient dimensions to allow safe passage” means that runs, ramps, walkways and other“platforms” of this type should be wide enough to allow a person at shoulder width to passalong them easily. This width would normally be considered to be at least 600 mm althoughthere are circumstances in which a narrower platform may have safety advantages, such astowers on stairs being used for light work, or other situations where wider boards would bemore difficult to use at height because of their weight. Platforms should be wider than 600 mmif they are used for storage as well as access.

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs)MEWPs may provide a safe means of working at height if used properly in accordance withthe manufacturer’s instructions. Employers and others responsible for the use of MEWPsshould assess the risks of users falling from or being thrown from the basket and takeprecautions to eliminate or control those risks.

The precautions for safe work from a MEWP include:

a guard rail and a mid rail round the edge of the basket to stop the user falling; a slip-resistant floor;

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toe-boards round the edge of the platform; deadman controls clearly marked to show their method of operation; use of stability devices, e.g. outriggers, provided to make the machine stable, which are

interlocked such that the MEWP will not operate unless they are fully extended; and locking-out controls (other than those in the basket) to prevent inadvertent operation.

A safe system of work should be in place that includes:

making sure that the MEWP selected is suitable for the task; consideration of access to and exit from where the work is being carried out; planning the job to address the risks from overhead hazards and passing traffic,

including precautions to prevent collision; use of trained/experienced operator(s); use of harnesses; instructions to the workers about safety issues; and instructions in emergency procedures, such as evacuation, should power be lost.

MEWPs are also lifting equipment for lifting people. Employers should therefore ensure that aMEWP has a thorough examination by a competent person at least every six months or, whereapplicable, in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.Employers should also ensure that routine maintenance is performed in accordance with themanufacturer’s instructions and advice from a competent person.

In addition to purpose built access equipment such as a MEWP, access to work at height mayalso be achieved by the use of working platforms fitted to counterbalanced fork lift trucks(FLT), very narrow aisle trucks (VNAT), and/or telehandlers. There are two types of workingplatform – non-integrated working platforms and integrated working platforms. Integratedworking platforms contain controls within the platform that are integrated into the controls of thetruck/telehandler. The non-integrated platforms do not have such controls within the platform.

FLTs are not specifically designed to carry people. This means that the use of a workingplatform on a forklift truck is restricted to exceptional use only. Trucks or telehandlers fittedwith integrated working platforms which have been designed to carry people may be used forroutine access to work at height. The design must relate to the combination of thetruck/telehandler and the working platform, not simply to the working platform in isolation.

For more information on working platforms for use on forklift trucks and telehandlers, seeHealth and Safety Executive (UK) publication: “Guidance Note PM 28 (3rd edition, Dec 2005)– Working platforms on (non integrated) forklift trucks ”.

Regulation 107 - Scaffolding, additional requirements.

1 0 7 . An employer shall ensure that—

(a ) every scafold and every part of it is of good design and construction, composed ofsuitable and sound material and is of adequate strength for the purpose for whichit is used or intended to be used,

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(b) strength and stability calculations for scafolding are carried out unless—

(i) a record of the calculations covering the structural arrangementscontemplated is available, or

(ii) it is assembled in conformity with a generally recognised standardconfiguration,

(c) depending on the complexity of the scafolding selected, an assembly, use anddismantling plan is drawn up by a competent person, which plan may be in theform of a standard plan supplemented by information on the scafolding inquestion,

(d) a copy of the plan referred to in paragraph (c), including any instructions it maycontain, is kept available for the use of persons concerned in the assembly, use,dismantling or alteration of scafolding until it has been dismantled,

(e) the dimensions, form and layout of scafolding decks are appropriate to the natureof the work to be performed, suitable for the loads to be carried and permit workand passage in safety,

(f) while a scafold is not available for use, including during its assembly, dismantlingor alteration, it is marked with warning signs in accordance with the requirementsof Part 7, Chapter 1 and, where appropriate, is protected by barriers or othersuitable means from unauthorised access or use, and

(g) any scafolding assembled, dismantled or significantly altered is only carried outunder the supervision of a competent person and by persons who have receivedappropriate and specific training in the operations envisaged that addressesspecific risks that the operations may entail and precautions to be taken, and, inparticular—

(i) in understanding the plan referred to in paragraph (c) for the assembly,dismantling or alteration of the scafolding concerned,

(ii) the need for safety during the assembly, dismantling or alteration of thescafolding concerned,

(iii) measures to prevent the risk of persons, materials or objects falling,

(iv) safety measures in the event of changing weather conditions that couldadversely afect the safety of the scafolding concerned,

(v) permissible loadings, and

(vi) any other risks that the assembly, dismantling or alteration of the

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scafolding concerned may entail.

Regulation 107 covers specific requirements for scaffolds. Scaffolds should be designed,erected, altered and dismantled by competent people. A competent person should alsosupervise the work. System scaffolds should be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’sinstructions.

Those erecting or dismantling scaffolding should be trained in accordance with the FÁSapproved Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) as required under the Safety Healthand Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations.

Scaffolds must be based on a stable foundation that is firm and level in order to support theloads to be placed upon them. If necessary, extra support should be provided. If the scaffoldingneeds to take heavy-duty loads, proper consideration will be needed to make sure it is designedand erected to a suitable specification.

Workers erecting any scaffold must look out for voids such as basements or drains, or patchesof soft ground, which could give way when loads are placed upon them. This should beconsidered regardless of loading. Scaffolds should be correctly braced and tied onto apermanent structure or otherwise stabilised.

If a tie is removed to allow work to proceed, an equivalent tie should be provided nearby tomaintain stability. This work must be undertaken under the supervision of a competent person.The Construction Regulations place duties on clients, designers and project supervisors toeliminate or reduce the risks to workers during the construction phase. As part of this duty theyshould take reasonable steps to ensure that suitable anchorage points are provided within thebuilding or structure.

“Depending on the complexity of the scaffolding selected” means that plans are needed forspecial or unusual designs where structural members could be overloaded or the scaffoldingcould become unstable if not reinforced or erected in a particular way.

Most scaffolds can be erected following a generally recognised standard configuration, such asthose given in the National Access and Scaffolding Contractors (NASC) guide to EN 12811 orin British Standard BS 5973, or used in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance forsystem scaffolds.

Where scaffolds due to their complexity or size cannot be erected to these establishedconfigurations they should be designed according to the principals given in EN1281 1, BS5973 or based on fundamental engineering principals. In these cases a note of the designshould be available. Competent scaffolders should always erect tube and fitting, or systemscaffolds and a safe system of work should be followed, for example, as described in NASC’sguidance note SG4.

Tower scaffolds can provide quick, easy and safe access. However, like any scaffold theyshould be erected, used, maintained, and dismantled in accordance with the manufacturer’sinstructions. Employers hiring a tower scaffold should ensure that they are provided with themanufacturer’s manual or instructions. Tower scaffolds must be secure when in use so that anywheels should be locked and stabilisers should be in place. In certain circumstances, e.g. ifover the manufacturer’s recommended base to height ratio or if being used to carry out gritblasting or water jetting, they will also need to be tied to the structure.

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While moving a tower scaffold ensure that no one is on it, beware of any overheadobstructions or power lines, check there are no unsecured tools on the platform and ensure thatthere are no depressions or holes in the floor surface.

Further guidance on tower scaffolds is contained in the Health and Safety Executive (UK)publication: “Tower scafolds’ Construction Information Sheet (CIS 10) revised”.

Regulation 108 - Collective safeguards for arresting falls.

108.(1) Any reference in this Regulation to a safeguard is to a collective safeguard forarresting falls.

(2) An employer shall ensure that—

(a) a safeguard may be used only if—

(i) the risk assessment has demonstrated that the work activity can, so faras is reasonably practicable, be performed safely while using it andwithout afecting its efectiveness,

(ii) the use of other, safer work equipment is not practicable, and

(iii) a suficient number of persons are available, if required, to assist withany aspect of the safeguard’s operation and have received adequatetraining specific to the safeguard, including rescue procedures,

(b) a safeguard is suitable and of suficient strength to arrest safely the fall of anyemployee who is liable to fall,

(c) a safeguard—

(i) in the case of a safeguard that is designed to be attached—

(I) is securely attached to all the required anchors, and

(II) has anchors, and the means of attachment thereto, that aresuitable and of suficient strength and stability for the purpose of safelysupporting the foreseeable loading in arresting any fall or during anysubsequent rescue,

(ii) in the case of an airbag, landing mat or other similar safeguard, is stable,and

(iii) in the case of a safeguard that expands when arresting a fall, afordssuficient clearance, and

(d) suitable and suficient steps are taken to ensure, so far as is practicable, that in

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the event of a fall by any employee, the safeguard itself does not cause injury to thatemployee.

Collective safeguards for arresting falls include nets, mats and inflated devices that aredesigned to catch a falling person. They may be anchored to prevent movement, but themanufacturer’s instructions will need to be followed. If there are gaps in the supports forcollective safeguards which could compromise safety, these should be filled or covered.Specific consideration should be given before the work starts to rescue procedures which mayneed to be carried out and to the effects of landing. Where a collective safeguard is designed tobe suspended and requires a clear zone in which to deflect, that zone should be kept clear ofobstructions to allow the safeguard to operate properly, i.e. so that a falling person would notcome into contact with anything else if and when the safeguard is used.

Where the design of a collective safeguard requires an external power source (such as a pump foran airbag) or restraints (such as brickwork enclosing bags) to make it effective, these powersources or restraints must be sufficient to maintain the effectiveness of the equipment in theevent of a fall and rescue.

Regulation 109 - Personal fall protection systems.

109. An employer shall ensure that—

(a) a personal fall protection system is only used by an employee if—

(i) the risk assessment has demonstrated that—

(I) the work can, so far as is reasonably practicable, be performed safelywhile using that system, and

(II) the use of other, safer work equipment is not practicable, and

(ii) the user and a suficient number of persons are available, if required, to assistwith any aspect of the operations envisaged and have received adequatetraining specific to the operations envisaged, including immediate rescueprocedures,

(b) a personal fall protection system is suitable and of suficient strength for thepurposes for which it is being used, having regard to the work being carried out andany foreseeable loading,

(c) where appropriate, a personal fall protection system—

(i) fits the employee,

(ii) is correctly fitted,

(iii) is adjustable to minimise injury to the user if a fall occurs, and

is so designed, installed and used as to prevent unplanned or uncontrolled

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movement of the user,

(d) where designed for use with an anchor, a personal fall protection system is securelyattached to at least one anchor, and each anchor and the means of attachmentthereto is suitable and of suficient strength and stability for the purpose ofsupporting any foreseeable loading,

(e) suitable and suficient steps are taken to prevent any employee falling or slippingfrom a personal fall protection system, and

(f) suitable and suficient steps are taken to ensure, so far as is practicable, that in theevent of a fall by any employee, an injury from the personal fall protection systemis minimised.

Personal fall protection systems are defined in Regulation 94(1) as “(a) a fall prevention, workrestraint, work positioning, fall arrest or rescue system, other than a system in which the onlysafeguards are collective safeguards, or (b) rope access and positioning techniques”. Therequirements in Regulation 109 apply to all rope-based activities for work at height whencarried out as a work activity. Most equipment for personal fall protection systems should haveappropriate CE marking, normally in accordance with the European Communities (PersonalProtective Equipment) Regulations. For personal protective equipment (PPE), there are threecategories – most fall protection equipment is classed as PPE category III, “equipment formortal danger”, e.g. harnesses.

CE Marking does not necessarily mean that a piece of equipment is safe for the task. Check themanufacturer’s instructions to consider, for example, whether the particular piece of equipmentis compatible with others being used – this is equally important if workers have requested touse their own safety equipment. Some equipment may have a lifespan date given by themanufacturer and generally should be disposed of after this date.

All equipment used in the personal fall protection system should be strong enough to withstandany forces placed upon it and should include an adequate margin for safety above those forces.

Check the equipment’s safe working loads, working load limits or maximum (and sometimesminimum) rated loads. It is usual with much personal fall protection equipment to be suppliedquoting a minimum static strength, rather than safe working loads. Check too that anyaccessories or other equipment meets those requirements.

Employees performing rope access work should be properly clothed. Employers shouldconsider:

avoiding clothing with loose flaps that may become caught in any moving equipment; suitable footwear to give protection and a good grip; weather conditions, e.g. provision of gloves in the cold and sun block in hot conditions;

and provision of appropriate personal protective equipment such as head protection. (For

personal fall protection systems these should always have chin-straps that prevent thehat from falling off during use.)

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Depending on the assessment of the risk, where work will take place for a reasonable time inone position, rope access workers should be provided with a seat for comfort. A seat may notnecessarily be a boatswain’s chair. In work situations where support additional to thatprovided by the harness would be beneficial, a simple support board or strap may be sufficientand be more appropriate and less risky to handle than a bulky boatswain’s chair. Considerationshould also be given to rest periods.

The need for rapid and effective rescue is particularly important when using personalprotective systems where a delay might have severe consequences, e.g. when someone is lefthanging motionless in a harness after a fall. In a worst-case scenario, loss of consciousnessfollowed by death could occur in a few minutes. This phenomenon, known as suspensiontrauma, is caused by a number of factors, but is principally due to the disturbance of bloodflow to the vital organs, especially the brain but also the heart and kidneys, which is an effect ofhanging motionless, and possibly of the restriction of blood flow to the limbs by the harness. Itcan be exacerbated by other factors such as shock or injury caused by the fall itself. The timebefore loss of consciousness depends both on the severity and the combination of these factorsand can vary from about six minutes to two hours.

Regulation 110 - Work positioning systems.


(a) a work positioning system is used only if—

(i) the system includes a suitable backup system for preventing or arresting afall, and

(ii) where the system includes a line as a backup system, the user is connected toit, and

(b) if not practicable to comply with paragraph (a), all reasonably practicablemeasures are taken to ensure that the work positioning system does not fail.

A work positioning system is a personal fall protection system that enables a user to workwhile supported in tension or suspension in such a way that a fall is prevented or restricted. Anexample would be a boatswain’s chair.

Regulation 111 - Rope access or positioning technique.


(a) a rope access or positioning technique is used only if—

(i) it involves a system comprised of at least two separately anchored lines, of whichone (known in this Regulation as “the working line ”) is used as a means ofaccess, egress and support, and the other is the safety line,

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(ii) the user is provided with a suitable harness and is connected by it to theworking line and the safety line,

(iii) the working line is equipped with safe means of ascent and descent and has aself-locking system to prevent the user falling should he or she lose control ofhis or her movements, and

(iv) the safety line is equipped with a mobile fall protection system that is connectedto, and travels with, the user of the system,

(b) provision is made for a seat with appropriate accessories depending, in particular, onthe duration of the job and the ergonomic constraints, and

(c) the system referred to in paragraph (a)(i) does not comprise a single line, exceptwhere—

(i) the risk assessment has demonstrated that the use of a second line would entailhigher risk to employees, and

(ii) appropriate measures have been taken to ensure safety.

Rope access and positioning techniques is a personal fall protection system that specificallyuses two static (i.e. non-moving relative to the anchor) separately secured sub-systems. One ofthese sub-systems is the means of support and the other is a safety back-up for getting to andfrom the place of work and which can be used for work positioning systems. Fundamental tothis is the concept of the static rope. The user moves up and down the rope rather than the ropemoving with the user. If the rope moves with the user, it is not rope access but workpositioning.

Double Rope WorkingTo operate safely, rope access systems should comprise two separately anchored securedsystems: the working line and the back-up safety line. This principle should apply except wherea risk assessment demonstrates that the use of two ropes would be more hazardous than a singlerope (see commentary on “Single Rope Working” below). The safety line provides theprotection against a fall should the working line fail. The worker must be provided with, anduse, a harness which conforms to an appropriate standard, e.g. EN 361 for full body harnessesand EN 813 for seat harnesses. The harness should be attached to both the working and safetylines. It is important that the safety line is strong enough to withstand any forces placed upon itin the event of it coming into use.

The working line must also be equipped with a device or system to stop or slow anuncontrolled descent if a worker loses control. Similar devices to arrest the fall of a workermust also be in place on the safety line. In all rope access work there should be a minimum oftwo workers, one of whom is competent to supervise. Contingency plans should be in place inthe event of a rescue being required, especially in circumstances where someone is left hangingmotionless, as discussed above in guidance for Regulation 109. An effective

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communication system should be in place between all workers and, where necessary, thirdparties (e.g. a control room if working offshore). This system should ensure that all thoseinvolved in the task are visible to one another and in audible range. Where this is not possible orsuitable, an alternative safeguard, such as an extra banksman or a radio system, should be inplace, in accordance with the risk assessment.

Single Rope WorkingRegulation 111(c) states that single rope working is permitted where use of another line wouldentail higher risk and where appropriate measures have been taken to ensure safety. This mightapply, for example, to personnel “flying” in a theatre, where use of a second line might riskentanglement, and where other measures to ensure safety are in place.

Further information is contained in “BS 7985:2002, Code of Practice for the use or rope accessmethods for industrial purposes ”, which gives guidance for those who commission or use ropeaccess methods. It is appropriate where ropes are used as the primary means of access, egress orsupport. The standard is not applicable to the use of ropes in arboriculture, steeplejacks or useby the emergency services. Guidance is also contained in the Industrial Rope Access TradeAssociation’s (IRATA), “Guidelines on the use of rope access methods for industrial purposes”.

Regulation 112 - Fall arrest systems.112.An employer shall ensure that—

(a) a fall arrest system incorporates means of absorbing energy and limiting the forceapplied to the user’s body, and

(b) a fall arrest system is not used in a manner that—

(i) involves the risk of a line being cut,

(ii) where its safe use requires a clear zone (allowing for any pendulum efect),does not aford such zone, or

(iii) otherwise inhibits its performance or renders its use unsafe.

A fall arrest system is a personal fall protection system by which a fall is arrested to preventthe collision of the user with the ground or structure. An example would be the traditionalharness plus lanyard incorporating energy absorbance.

Regulation 113 - Work restraint systems.

113.An employer shall ensure that a work restraint system is only used if it is—

(a) designed so that, if used correctly, it prevents the user from getting into a positionin which a fall can occur, and

(b) used correctly.

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A work restraint system is a specific form of personal fall prevention system by which aperson is prevented from reaching zones where the risk of a fall exists. An example would be aharness and lanyard or rope system adjusted so that it prevents the user from getting to theedge of a roof.

Regulation 114 - Ladders.


(a) a ladder is used for work at height only if the risk assessment has demonstratedthat the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because—

(i) the level of risk is low, and

(ii) the duration of use is short, or

(iii) existing features at the place of work cannot be altered,

(b) any surface upon which a ladder rests is stable, firm, of suficient strength and ofsuitable composition to support safely the ladder, so that the ladder’s rungs orsteps and any loading intended to be placed on it remain horizontal,

(c) a ladder is so positioned as to ensure its stability during use,

(d) a suspended ladder is attached in a secure manner so that, with the exception of aflexible ladder, it cannot be displaced and swinging is prevented,

(e) a portable ladder is prevented from slipping during use by—

(i) securing the stiles at or near their upper or lower ends,

(ii) efective anti-slip or other efective stability devices, or

(iii) any other arrangement of equivalent efectiveness,

(f) a ladder used for access is long enough to protrude suficiently above the place oflanding to which it provides access, unless other measures have been taken toensure a firm handhold,

(g) no interlocking or extension ladder is used unless its sections are prevented frommoving relative to each other while in use,

(h) a mobile ladder is prevented from moving before it is used,

(i) where a ladder, or run of ladders, rises a vertical distance of 9 m or more above itsbase, suficient safe landing areas or rest platforms are provided at suitableintervals, where reasonably practicable, and

(j) a ladder is used in such a way that—

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(i) a secure handhold and secure support are always available to the employee,and

(ii) the employee can maintain a safe handhold when carrying a load unless, inthe case of a step ladder, the maintenance of a handhold is not practicablewhen a load is carried, and the risk assessment has demonstrated that the useof a stepladder is justified because—

( I ) the level of risk is low, and

( I ) the duration of use is short.

There are many types and sizes of ladders including portable, suspended, step, interlocking,extension, mobile and fixed ladders. They all, regardless of their use, need to meet therequirements of the Work at Height Regulations. This would include, for example, a portableladder that is tied in place for many months for access to an office on a building site. Theyshould, for example, be strong enough to take the loads placed upon them. New ladders aremarked in accordance with their conditions and class of use. Anyone, for example, using aladder or stepladder for industrial work should ensure that it is marked in accordance with Irish,European or other appropriate standards, such as:

EN 131 -1 and EN 131 -2 Ladders; Timber BS1 129: 1990 Kite marked Class 1 Industrial; Aluminium BS2037: 1994 Kite marked Class 1 Industrial; and Glass Fibre BSEN1 31: 1993 Kite marked Industrial.

All duty holders considering using a ladder to perform work at height, or as a means of accessor egress, should carry out a risk assessment. The assessment should be proportionate to therisks involved. For example, a generic assessment may be quite suitable for simple, routine orrepetitive tasks, but more complex work will need specific planning. Doing a writtenassessment will ensure that the risks are recorded. A risk assessment should cover factors suchas the height to be negotiated, the site conditions (including weather), the duration and extentof the work and the frequency of access, etc. It is important to remember that:

ladders should only be used as a place to work when other, potentially safer, meanssuch as tower scaffolds are not reasonably practicable; and

ladders should only be used for access when putting in a staircase is not reasonablypracticable.

In addition to the above, when considering whether it could be appropriate to use a ladder orstep ladder it is also important to establish that:

the work is of short duration; and the work is low risk, e.g. light work. Ladders are not suitable for strenuous or heavy

work.

Many falls from ladders occur because the ladder moves unexpectedly during use. This is veryoften caused by the user overstretching or the feet of the ladder slipping due to

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inadequate grip. Maintenance issues such as ensuring it is free from mud or paint, and that thefeet are still providing effective grip are vitally important. Research has indicated that the feetof a ladder are particularly susceptible to damage that can significantly reduce the grip, makethem more vulnerable to movement and, as a result, increase the potential for falls.

Portable ladders (not step-ladders) should always be placed at the correct angle, which isaround 75 degrees or roughly one metre out for every four metres up.

Portable ladders should be prevented from slipping during use, e.g. by:

tying the stiles effectively to an existing structure. (Securing them at the top is thebest method; securing at the bottom or middle is not very effective to preventsideways slip, unless it is done properly with equipment designed for the purpose.);

using an appropriate ladder stabiliser or anti-slip devices; and having another worker “foot” the ladder (this is where someone stands on the bottom

rung, and is only suitable when it is not practicable to secure the ladder in another way,as it is not very effective);

As well as being properly maintained, regular visual checks should be made for damage suchas cracked or bent stiles or rungs, corrosion and defective or missing fittings. The surface on oragainst which a ladder is placed must be strong enough to support any loads placed upon it.Plastic gutters and glass, for example, are unlikely to be able to support the weight of a ladderand worker. The surfaces onto which ladders are leant must be flat unless special provision ismade, such as the use of a levelling device. Weather and other factors will affect the surface,e.g. ice, rain and wet leaves will reduce the friction of the surface. Where a worker needs togain access to a platform, the stiles of the ladder should protrude sufficiently to enable a safehandhold and, if necessary, have a handhold when working at the higher level. Even astepladder should not be positioned where there is access to a doorway or where passing trafficis likely to strike it.

As well as the physical strength of the ladder, certain environments require additional thought.Ladders should not be used within six horizontal metres of overhead power lines unless theyhave been made dead or protected by insulation. Where it is essential that work be performed,workers in the vicinity of electrical circuitry should be using nonconductive access equipment,e.g. made of glass fibre. However, if the electricity is isolated, workers on an aluminium towerscaffold will get far greater protection from falling than from being on a ladder. In “sterile”industries such as the manufacture of food, computer circuit boards or health products, glassfibre is the preferred material for access equipment. In the chemical and oil industries, 100%glass fibre ladders are suitable where the access equipment needs to be “spark free” as well asnon-conductive.

It is also important that the ladder is not only standing on a firm level surface, but also that therungs remain horizontal whilst in use. There are a number of devices that now help solve thisproblem allowing for safer working on uneven ground or sloping surfaces. However, theyshould be carefully selected and used as directed by the manufacturer.

Other factors that can improve the safe use of ladders include facing the ladder at all timeswhen climbing or dismounting and maintaining contact with both feet and at least one hand.“A secure handhold should be available” means that the user can grasp an upper rung orhandrail on the ladder or stepladder (if, as recommended, the user is not working from thetopmost two or three rungs or steps this should be possible). It does not mean that the user is

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expected to be holding the rung or handrail at all times as this would clearly make itimpossible to carry out many tasks for which two hands are needed. Where two hands areneeded to perform work on a ladder other protective measures, such as fall arrest or restraintsystems, should be used to prevent or arrest a fall. In the case of a stepladder, provision ismade for the carrying of a load, which makes it impracticable to maintain a handhold, providedthat:

a proper risk assessment has been carried out; and the risk assessment demonstrates that the use of other potentially safer equipment is not

practicable because of the low level of risk and the short duration of use.

Also in the case of a stepladder, consideration should be given to, for example, its suitabilityfor the site conditions and the task (e.g. is it of short duration and light duty). Other factors toconsider would be the height of the task, whether the user can balance properly, whether thestepladder can be positioned close to the task to avoid overreaching, whether the task does notinvolve side loading that could cause the stepladder to fall over, and if it is sited on firm levelground.

Overreaching while working from a ladder is a major cause of falls. Always go down andmove the ladder rather than be tempted to over reach. Stepladders can be used sideways, butnot for any work that puts a side loading on them of any significance. When it becomessignificant depends on the height and the floor type. As a rule of thumb, cable pulling, drillingand sawing should not be undertaken sideways, but inspection work, painting and operatingswitches may be done with the stepladder sideways. There should never be more than oneperson on a stepladder and he or she should never try to stand or rest a foot on the top handrailsto gain extra height.

When the job is done, a portable wooden ladder needs to be protected from the weather in acovered, ventilated area. A ladder should not be hung by one of its rungs, as this could weakenit.

Fixed ladders should not be provided in circumstances where it would be practical to install astaircase.

Regulation 115 - Fragile surfaces.


(a) ensure that no employee passes across or near, or works on, from or near, afragile surface, where work can be carried out safely and under appropriateergonomic conditions without his or her doing so,

(b) where it is necessary to pass across or near, or work on, from or near a fragilesurface—

( i ) ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that suitable and suficientplatforms, coverings, guard rails or other similar means of support orprotection are provided and used so that any foreseeable loading issupported by such supports or borne by such protection, and

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( i i ) where a risk of an employee falling remains despite the measures takenunder this Regulation, take suitable and suficient measures to minimise thedistance of a potential fall and the risk of personal injury, and

( c ) where an employee may pass across or near, or work on, from or near a fragilesurface, ensure that—

(i) prominent warning notices are afixed at the approach to the place wherethe fragile surface is situated, or

(ii) where that is not practicable, such employee is made aware of it by othermeans.

Regulation 115 requires employers to manage the risks from fragile surfaces. This applies tosurfaces where there is a risk of a person or object falling through including, for example,fragile roofs, ceilings and skylights. These surfaces may be either close to or part of thestructure on which work is to be done and will include vertical or inclined surfaces.

Any surface from which work at height is carried out must be strong and stable enough so thatany foreseeable loads placed on it will not lead to its collapse. Duty-holders should considerwhether work on a fragile surface could be done in a way which does not expose workers torisk by having to stand on or near the surface, e.g. can the work be done from below? Duty-holders should consider the whole installation, including the fixings of the surface material.Remember that while the surface may support a person’s weight, it may prove fragile once theweight of a load being carried is taken into account. It is also vital to consider the dynamicforces of the person falling from height onto the surface and the effect of ageing on the surfacematerial and the deterioration caused by weather, environment, impact, and any structuralalterations.

Roof lights in non-fragile roofs may be difficult to see – they may have been painted over andin bright sunshine they can blend in with the surrounding sheets. Remember that fragilesurfaces can also be vertical, or nearly so, as well as horizontal. For example, some, mainlyolder, skylights may have large vertical glass sections which people can fall through.

If the work requires regular or occasional access where there is a fragile surface, permanentfencing, guards or other measures to prevent falls should be in place. Where a risk of fallsremains, fall arrest equipment is required, so far as is practicable.

Regulation 116 - Falling objects.


(a) take suitable and suficient steps to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, thefall of any material or object where necessary to prevent injury to any employee,

(b) where it is not practicable to prevent the fall of any material or object as referredto in paragraph (a), take suitable and suficient steps to prevent any person beingstruck by any falling material or object that is liable to cause injury,

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(c) ensure that no material or object is thrown or tipped from height in circumstanceswhere it is liable to cause injury to any person, and

(d) ensure that materials and objects are stored in such a way as to prevent risk to anyemployee arising from the collapse, overturning or unintended movement of thematerials or objects.

Regulation 116 requires that if a falling object could injure someone, steps be taken to ensurethat this is prevented. The effectiveness of any measures will depend on the material and toolsthat are being used and the effect that weather, wind or other factors may have in creating amore widespread hazard. The risk of falling materials causing injury should be minimised bykeeping workplaces at height clear of loose materials and stacking or storing materials wellback from edges Sheets of plywood, insulation and decking should be secured to prevent thembeing blown over edges. Ways of preventing objects rolling or being kicked off the edge mightinclude toe boards or solid barriers, or attaching them to people or fixed structures. Any guardsused (including brick guards) must be robust and usually require a mid rail. Tools or personalitems, such as mobile phones, can cause injury if they hit someone. High visibility netting maybe one way of dealing with this risk; another might be to ensure personal items or otherequipment not necessary for the task are left in a safe place before working at height.

Rubbish chutes used to dispose of materials from height need to be properly managed so thatthe debris does not hit anyone either as it goes down the structure or when it hits the skip orpile at the bottom. It is also important to impress on workers the risk of injury to people byusing hoists, other ropes or hand-to-hand methods to move work equipment or other goodssuch as scaffold clips. Loads and equipment need to be stored correctly so they do not collapseor fall at any time and cause injury. The logistics of storing material on work surfaces mayneed to be reviewed so that the workers can access smaller amounts kept at a height and thatsurpluses are stored on the ground. These issues require special thought in relation to the dutyof any person under an employer’s control.

Regulation 117 - Danger areas.

117. An employer shall ensure, without prejudice to the preceding requirements of this Part,that, where a place of work contains an area in which, owing to the nature of the work,there is a risk of any employee sufering personal injury by—

(a) falling a distance, or

(b) being struck by a falling object,

the place of work, so far as is practicable, is equipped with devices preventing unauthorisedemployees from entering the area and that the area is clearly indicated by warning signs orother appropriate means.

Regulation 117 requires that where workers are adjacent to an area where there is a danger offalling (e.g. near fragile surfaces) or being struck by an object, the employer needs to make

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sure, so far as practicable, that people whose presence is not necessary are prevented fromentering the area. It also requires that clear indication of this area is given, for example, throughnotices. This will alert those who may need to access the site to recover objects or carry outmaintenance work to take suitable precautions, such as attaching themselves to fall protectionsystems or wearing head protection.

Regulation 118 - Interpretation for Regulation 119

118. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), in this Regulation and Regulation 119, “inspection” meanssuch visual or more rigorous inspection by a competent person as is appropriatefor safety purposes and includes any testing appropriate for those purposes.

(2) Where a thorough examination has been made of lifting equipment under aspecific requirement of any of the relevant statutory provisions—

(a) the examination, for the purposes of Regulation 119, other than paragraph(1)(c) of that Regulation, shall be treated as an inspection of the liftingequipment, and

(b) where a report of the examination has been prepared under the relevantstatutory provisions, the report shall be treated for the purposes ofRegulation 119(4)(b) as the recording of the inspection.

Regulation 119 - Inspection of work equipment.

119.(1) An employer shall ensure that, as regards work equipment to which Regulations 101 to114 apply—

(a) where the safety of the work equipment depends on how it is installed or assembled, it isnot used after installation or assembly in any position unless it has been inspected inthat position,

(b) without prejudice to paragraphs (a) and (c), work equipment exposed to conditionscausing deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations is inspected—

(i) at suitable intervals, and

(ii) where exceptional circumstances have occurred that are liable tojeopardise the safety of the work equipment, as soon as practicable followingthese exceptional circumstances, and

(c) without prejudice to paragraph (a), a working platform—

(i) used for construction work, and

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( i i ) from which an employee could fall 2 m or more,

is not used in any position unless it has been inspected in that position within theprevious 7 days or, in the case of a mobile working platform, inspected on the site,within the previous 7 days.

(2) A person carrying out an inspection of work equipment to which paragraph (1)(c)applies shall—

(a) promptly prepare a report containing the particulars as set out in Schedule5, and

(b) within 24 hours of completing the inspection, provide the report, or a copythereof, to the person on whose behalf the inspection was carried out.

(3) An employer receiving a report under paragraph (2) shall keep the report or acopy of the report—

(a) at the site where the inspection was carried out until the construction work iscompleted, and

(b) thereafter, at an ofice of the employer.

(4)An employer shall ensure that—

(a) no work equipment under the employer’s control is used in another place ofwork unless it is accompanied by evidence that the last inspection required tobe carried out under this Regulation has been carried out, and

(b) the result of an inspection under this Regulation is recorded and keptavailable for inspection by an inspector for 5 years from the date ofinspection.

Inspection of Work Equipment

Regulation 119 sets down the requirements for the inspection of equipment used for work atheight. Work equipment, including working platforms at any height, must be inspected beforeuse where the safety of the equipment depends on how it was erected or assembled. Thepurpose of such an inspection is to identify whether the equipment is fit for its purpose, hasbeen properly assembled or installed and can be used safely.

Work equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration that is liable to result in dangermust be inspected at regular intervals and also where any exceptional circumstances haveoccurred that are liable to jeopardise its safety. These inspections are important in ensuring thatthe equipment can continue to be used safely and that any deterioration is detected andremedied before it results in unacceptable risks.

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A competent person should determine the nature, frequency and extent of any inspection,taking account of such factors as the type of equipment, how and where it is used and thelikelihood of deterioration. Periods between inspections should be chosen on the basis of riskassessment and should be reviewed in the light of experience.

Regulation 119(1 )(c) requires that working platforms used for construction work in excess oftwo metres high must be inspected as erected in the location they are to be used in, unless theyare mobile platforms in which case they should be inspected on the site within the previousseven days. When using fall-arrest equipment, pre-use checks (visual and tactile (by feel)) areessential and should be carried out each time before the equipment is used. Where users carryout these checks, they should be instructed on how to do so. Detailed inspections by acompetent person should also be carried out at minimum intervals specified in the employer’sinspection regime. It is recommended that a detailed inspection be undertaken at least every sixmonths. For frequently used lanyards, it is suggested that the frequency be increased to at leastevery three months, particularly when the equipment is used in arduous environments (e.g.demolition, steel erection, scaffolding, skeletal steel, masts/towers with edges and protrusions).Detailed inspections should be recorded. Interim inspections may also be required, based on theemployer’s risk assessment for the type of equipment and its conditions of use, e.g. exposure topaints, solvents, acids or alkalis.

Lifting equipment used for people or loads is subject, under other specific Regulations, to amore detailed comprehensive inspection, called a thorough examination which may includesome dismantling or testing. Where work equipment is moved from one place of work toanother, the employer in control of the equipment is required to ensure that evidence of the lastinspection accompanies the equipment.

Where work equipment is hired to the user, it is important that both parties agree, in writing,exactly what inspection has been carried out and that information is available and can bepassed to the workers.

MaintenanceInspection and thorough examination are not a substitute for properly maintaining equipment.The information gained in the maintenance process, inspection, and more technical thoroughexaminations should inform one another. The processes should be complementary. If amaintenance log exists, make sure it is kept up to date and accessible to the competent personperforming the inspection or thorough examination. The maintenance process also needs propermanagement. Frequency of maintenance will depend on the equipment, the conditions in whichit is used and the manufacturer’s instructions. Equipment for performing work at height shouldbe checked prior to use, e.g. through a visual check. This will identify any fault, such as afrayed safety line, which could lead to a significant failure.

Where work equipment is hired to the user, it is important that both the hire company and theperson responsible for hiring the equipment establish which party will carry out safety-relatedinspections and maintenance. This is particularly important for equipment on long-term hire.The terms of the agreement between the hirer and the user should record this responsibility.

Both parties should agree, in writing, exactly what they are responsible for and that informationshould be passed to the workers.

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All those performing maintenance work should be competent to do so. They should have theskills, experience and knowledge of the relevant equipment, e.g. they should be able to identifypotential defects, be aware of their significance and know what action to take as a result.

Record KeepingEmployers are required to record inspections that relate to the site safety or to the workequipment so that in the event of an accident they can provide useful information. They mustbe made available to a Health and Safety Authority inspector, and that is why they must bestored in a way that is accessible and is protected from being tampered with. Records may bekept electronically if they are secure and capable of being printed out.

Documents

Ancillary Safety Statement Sports Centre