Canadian working at heights refresher

Working at HeightsShow me your Permit

Not every place needs a permitBut workers must consider always the

following:CSA standards (or equivalent):

• Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems CAN/CSA Z259.12-01

• Safety Belts and Lanyards CAN/CSA/Z259.1-95

• Full Body Harnesses CAN/CSA/Z259.10-M90

• Fall Arresters, Vertical Lifelines and Rails. CAN/CSA-Z259.2.1-98

• Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall-Arrest Systems. CAN/CSA-Z259.2.2-98

• Descent Control Devices. CAN/CSA-Z259.2.3-99

• Shock Absorbers for Personal Fall-Arrest Systems. CAN/CSA-Z259.11-M92

• Fall Restrict Equipment for Wood Pole Climbing. CAN/CSA-Z259.14-01

http://ohs.csa.ca/standards/personal_protective/Fall_Protection/Z259-12-01.asp

http://ohs.csa.ca/standards/personal_protective/Fall_Protection/Z259-11-05_Scope.asp


http://ohs.csa.ca/standards/personal_protective/Fall_Protection/Z259-2-1-98.asp



http://ohs.csa.ca/standards/personal_protective/Fall_Protection/Z259-11-05_Scope.asp


The regulations give rise to the following concerns

The regulation relating to fall hazards apply where a worker is exposed to any of the following hazards including but not limited to:

• falling from a height of more than 3 metres (approx. 10 feet);

• falling into operating machinery;

• falling into water or another liquid;

• falling into or onto a hazardous substance or object;

• falling though an opening in a work surface.

Introduction what does it really cover in your areas

Cover off with the teams

Working at Height

Hazards Associated with Working at Heights

Control of Hazards

Steps for Safe Working at Height

Fall Prevention

Permit to Work

Emergency Rescue Plan

Local Application

Did they sign off on

Working at Height

Work at height is work in any place, including a place at,

above or below ground level, where a person could be

injured if they fell from that place.

Access and egress to a place of work can also be work

at height.

It does not include stairways or slips or trips on the level.

What is Working at Height

Any persons involved with the design or erection of fall

prevention or fall protection equipment must be subject to formal

competence checks in order to ensure that they possess the

necessary training, competence and qualifications to perform

those tasks before being allowed to work on site.

Working at Height

Working on roof.

Working on ladders.

Working at ground level adjacent to

an open excavation.

Working from temporary work

platforms- scaffold, MEWP, tanks

etc.

Examples of working at height

Working at Height

Planning, Organizing and Competence

Work at Height must be:

Properly planned and

communicated to all, including

contractors before work

commences.

Appropriately supervised by

competent people.

Not carried out if weather

conditions jeopardise safety.

Those working at height must be:

Competent and entered onto a

register.

Or, if being trained, supervised

by a competent person.

Whilst passing this training module counts towards proving

competence, annual practical training, experience and

attendance at induction training, toolbox talks and risk

assessment meetings provides further evidence towards proof of

competence.


Fall Occurs

from the edges of roofs

through gaps or holes in roof

through fragile roof materials and roof lights

injuries by material falling or thrown from roofs.

Working on roofs


Working on Ladders

Types of Ladders

Extension Ladder

Step Ladder

Rolling Ladder

Fixed Ladder

Rope Ladder

Ladder should be used for short-term & light work.


Working on Ladders

Hazards associated with

Ladders

falls from ladders.

struck by falling ladders.

struck by materials

falling from ladders.

tripping over ladders.

lifting heavy ladders.

striking persons or

objects when carrying

ladders.

contact with electrical

equipment.


Working at ground level adjacent to an open

excavation

Hazards while working at

ground level adjacent to an

open excavation.

falls.

falling object.

falling mobile

equipment.

access/Egress.

collapse.


Working from Temporary Work Platforms-

Scaffolds

Hazards while working from scaffolds.

fall from scaffolding.

electric shock .

scaffold collapse.

falling object.



MEWP

MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms)

A general term used for scissor lift, aerial

platform, or an extensible or articulating boom

aerial device (either self-propelled or vehicle-

mounted) used for the purpose of positioning

personnel, their tools and necessary materials to

elevated work locations.



MEWP

Hazards while working from MEWP

tip/roll-over.

collapses.

personnel being thrown from the basket.

falling or pinned by a nearby structure.

contact with electrical lines or equipment.

When working on sloping

roofs:

Use proper roof

ladders.

Wear a safety harness.

When working on fragile

roofs:

Use crawling boards.

Ensure a warning sign is

displayed at all access

points.

Control of Hazards

Working on roofs

Control of Hazards

Ladder Safety

May be used for light tasks of

low risk and short duration (in

conjunction with a safety

harness); or access and egress

to a work platform.

Must be secured to prevent

slipping– sideways and outwards.

Should be Installed at an angle of

4:1 (or 75°).

Must extend approx. 1 m above

working platform (if applicable).

Control of Hazards

Scaffolds

All scaffolds must be designed,

erected, altered and dismantled

by a competent person.

Once erected, scaffolds must be

inspected by a competent

person:

Before first use.

After substantial alteration.

After any event likely to have

affected its stability e.g.

after strong winds.

At least once every 7 days

inspections must be recorded

and a Scaf-tag system or

equivalent used to indicate

inspection status. In the event

that faults are found, the tag

must be pulled and the scaffold

taken out of use until repaired.

Control of Hazards

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP)

MEWP can provide safe access and

safe working at heights, and are

often safer than ladders or other

access equipment.

Equipment must be thoroughly

tested & examined by a competent

person before first use & at least

once every six months.

Equipment must be inspected

daily by operators / users and

repaired if defects found.

Operators must be trained in its

use, inspection and emergency

procedures.

Baskets must have barriers /

boards (approx. 1.1 m in height

and toe boards / kick-plates).

Operators must wear a safety

harness - attached to the basket.


1: Risk Assessment.

2: Hierarchy for Safe

Working at Height.

3: Planning and Organizing.

4: Ensure that those working

at height are competent.

5: Use appropriate Work

Equipment.

6: Manage the Risk from

Falling Objects.

7: Inspect and Maintain the

Work Equipment and

Workplace.

Steps:


Step 1: Risk Assessment

Each assessment should be

proportionate to the risks involved

but factors to consider include:

Environment and

conditions – location, access,

egress, weather and ground

conditions, other activities.

Task to be performed -

extent of the task, its

complexity, duration,

frequency.

People involved - numbers,

degree of exposure to the risk,

competence of workers

involved, (including

Contractors),levels of

supervision required.

The quality of the site

induction program, were

Alstom’s expectations for

working at height explained

adequately?

Fall Prevention

When an elevated work location cannot be accessed

safely from a ladder or protected work platform or when

the installation of guardrails is infeasible, fall restraint or

fall arrest systems may be used.

Personal fall-arrest system arrests a fall.

Personal fall-restraint system prevents a fall.

Fall Protection Equipment

Fall Prevention

A personal fall-arrest

system consists of an

anchorage, connectors,

and a full-body harness

that work together to stop

a fall and to minimize the

arrest force. Other parts of

the system will include a

lanyard, a deceleration

device, and may include a

lifeline.

A personal fall-restraint

system prevents a worker

from reaching an

unprotected edge and thus

prevents a fall from

occurring. The system

consists of an anchorage

point, connectors and a

body harness.

Fall Protection Equipment

Fall Prevention

When using a fall arrest system, the fall distance

calculation must account for the length of lanyard,

deceleration distance, the height of the person wearing the

equipment (or the height of the D-ring attached to the back

of the harness), the position of the anchorage point,

lanyard or rope elongation and a safety factor.

Fall Distance Calculation

Emergency Rescue Plan

A rescue plan must be

developed where a safety

harness is being used as a

control measure & when

personnel may not able to self

Rescue.

A person suspended in a

harness may be unconscious

within five minutes and dead

within fifteen minutes if help

is not immediately available.

Any method statement must

include a rescue plan that

considers how an injured

worker could be safely

recovered. Speed of response

is an essential consideration.

The emergency plan must be

simulated annually.

Rescue Plan

Operational Analysis and Control (OAC)Model

Analyse the Operation

Manage the Operation

Effectiveness Review

What can cause harm?What are you doing about it?Is it enough?

What has to be done?What resources do you need?When does the operation need reviewed?

Has the operation progressed as planned?Detail the changes needed?List the improvement actions?

Safe Working Procedure - Working at Heights

Know where the harm is;

Identify the key hazards associated withworking at heights & outcomes of a fall orimpact from falling objects.

Source of Hazards(non-exhaustive list)

• Scaffolding (fixed & mobile)

• Ladders

• Trestles

• Roofs

• Edge of drops (e.g. floor-

openings, pits)

• Stairwells

Outcomes of exposure(non-exhaustive list)

• Physical injury


Controlling the Hazard -Options

In priority order;

1. Eliminate where possible,

2. Use control measures,

3. Protect all those exposed to

the hazard

Insert eliminate

image

Insert controlimage

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Control

• Avoid working at heights, whenever possible.

Access Equipment

• Using the appropriate type of access equipment and controls means…

Access equipment (e.g. MEWPs, ladders) and anything attached to it and used in lifting is to be of adequate strength and stability for each load, and

is to be designed and erected in a way that prevents the user from being crushed, trapped, struck or falling from the carrier.


Control - Access Equipment (cont’d)

• Additional fall arrest equipment is to be available when

the risk of falling from the carrier is not eliminated;

by the design or

by the erection of the access equipment.

• Ensure training and fitness requirements are met.

• New people must work under close supervision even

after full training has been provided.

Remember: Avoid working at heights, if possible.

Markings/ Warnings.

• All access equipment is to conform to the relevant

national statutory requirements and bear the

statutory markings (e.g. CE marks, Safe Working

Load).

• All markings and warnings are to be clearly visible,

audible (where appropriate), easily understood and

conform to nationally or internationally recognised

standards.


Controlling the Hazard


Overhead Hazards

• Safe clearances are to be established and maintained when working near to or under overhead electrical cables to avoid direct contact with cables or arcing.

Controlling the Hazard

Environmental Conditions

• Consider the effects of weather conditions, including wind speed before authorising any work at height


Inspection, testing and maintenance

• All work equipment is to be…

Inspected, Tested and Maintained

in accordance with national statutory requirements and in compliance with the accepted national standards.

Ensure that the

• Work equipment is maintained by competent people, and

• Where necessary, is carried out under a permit to work

system.


Business Activity Managers

Safety Managers

Managing Director

Employees

Duty Holders

Ensuring compliance.

Providing professional safety advice.

Complying with the requirements.

Responsible for…

Co-operating with the requirements.


Documentation

• Product control sheets.

• Maintenance and inspection logs.

• Site certificates.

• Competence certificates.

Law

Canadian working at heights refresher