[BIRMINGHAM]

THE WAHR 2004 HAVE COME ABOUT BECAUSE OF NEW EUROPEAN LEGISLATION-
THE TEMPORARY WORK AT HEIGHT DIRECTIVE 2001/45/EC.
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO COME INTO FORCE IN AUTUMN OF 2004.

THE MAIN AIM OF THESE REGULATIONS IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INJURIES CAUSED BY WORK AT HEIGHT, CURRENTLY FALLS FROM HEIGHT IS THE MAJOR CAUSE OF WORK PLACE FATALITIES.

WAHR WILL TRY TOACHIEVE THIS THROUGH THE FOLLOWING.

ELIMINATING,OR MINIMISING THE RISKS FROM WORKING AT HEIGHT.

GIVING GUIDELINES ON THE ORGANISATION AND EXECUTION OF WORK AT HEIGHT.

SETTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SELECTION OF SUITABLE SYSTEMS OF WORK AND WORK EQUIPMENT.

ENSURING THAT PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF WORK BEING CARRIED OUT AT HEIGHT

ENSURING EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND OPERATIVES ARE COMPETENT TO USE IT.

WHHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE WORK AT HEIGHT?

THERE IS NO MINIMUM HEIGHT, WAHR INCLUDE ALL WORK ACTIVITIES WHERE THERE IS A NEED TO CONTROL THE RISK OF FALLING A DISTANCE LIABLE TO CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

EXAMPLES OF THIS COULD BE:

WORKING ON A MOBILE ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM.

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 OR TELEGRAPH 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 MANRIDING HARNESSES ON OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS.

WORKING IN A MINE-SHAFT.

WORKING AROUND, OR ON TOP OF FRAGILE SURFACES.

AS WITH PREVIOUS LEGISLATION THE EMPHASIS IS ON ADEQUATE PLANNING AND RISK ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF THE TASK.

[UBA1]

Well researched

[poleman]

so you have not read about the two metre rule from current legislation. new consultation period for the EU Temporary Work at Height directive.

Andy

[martin19842]

hi there,

as i have said before, one of the biggest problems with all of this legislation is how the directives or regulations are interpreted by differeing people in differnet parts of the country.

we do a lot of work on sites, on some developerssites 100% no ladders, on others we ladder access 1st floor.

if you read some of the HSE info regarding different forms of access, they all start the same, with the word 'ladder' 'cherry picker' 'abseil' inserted in the relevant section.

the other question that needs to be asked is why are insurance companies still providing insurance cover to external by ladder access to 8 metres.  if there was no cover available then the problem would be solved, no insurance cover- no ladder.

regards

martin

ps the other laughable situation is how will firefighters fight fires?

[easycleanwindows]

Firefighters dont tend to fight fires on a ladder.

If its a house fire they tend to use a strike jet in through the front or back door.

If its a larger building then a turntable ladder.

If they use the 13.5mt extention ladder then thats only for snatch rescues which they can still use because they are only gaining access.

But it may have changed  a little

[martin19842]

the hse has brought in this further consultation regarding the two metre rule as a result of the construction industry, highlighting that the proposed WAHR did not cover this topic.

it appears the the WAHR is edging towards

three point holding, therefore one hand have secure attachment whilst on a ladder.

the other area which is interesting is that short time tasks from ladders, seem to be in an area which will be allowed.

another point being that ladders may be considered a safe form of access if a relevant risk assessment has been completed showing that other form of access is unpractical.

there also seems to be a phrase 'REASONABLY PRACTICABLE'  obviously it is not reasonanbly practicable to erect a tower or use a cherry picker to clean the windows on a 1st floor level.

the final legislation could be very interesting.

we are on building sites, utilising ladders on ground and 1st floor, and if the legisaltion is anything like the draft regs, then all should be ok.

regards

martin