Working at Height in Restraint Pete Ward Height Safety Manager SpanSet Ltd

Where to use Personal Fall Protection Work at height comes in many forms Many work tasks can avoid exposure completely – with a little thought Longer term or recurring works require more permanent solutions Solutions often involve new work methods and fresh thinking Personal fall protection fills the gaps You need to use the hierarchy to get to PFPE

The hierarchy for work at heights Work at Height regulations 2005 Avoid where possible Collective measures are better than personal Collective looks after all Personal requires the human element Prevention is better than protection Prevention does not let a fall occur Protection deals with the consequences of the fall

Our Involvement in the Lift sector We were asked to take a fresh look at existing problems We viewed sites and watched how people worked We questioned what they were trying to achieve to identify the priorities We realised that a good solution could be had from a combination of measures We understood that our knowledge base was in height safety – not lift installation or service

Working together to create a solution The discussion included staff from all sectors Health and Safety – The drivers Staff – The reality check Managers – The eventual owners Other suppliers – To avoid gaps or conflicts Work restraint was not the whole solution Platforms were included Work restraint techniques employed Some Fall arrest techniques remained

Removing some Myths Work restraint is where the use of PFPE prevents the possibility of a fall occurring Work Restraint requires an attachment that prevents the user reaching the fall hazard Inertia reels only restrain when fully extended The type of equipment you use does not dictate the way you work The equipment you use must be suitable for the way in you are working

You need the knowledge to carry out the work Staff require the understanding to get the best from their equipment Some of the differences can be quite subtle Solutions are the combination of - a work method, appropriate equipment and staff able to carry it out Miss out part of a solution – what have you got! Review and learn for next time

The requirements for the work restraint system Personal Fall Protection systems can be split into 4 parts The anchorage The connection The harness The user BS8437 – Code of Practice for the selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace

Where Work Restraint can be employed Lift Industry When working adjacent to fall hazards Doors and access areas On top of lift cars Work at Height in general Mobile Platforms Transport vehicles and containers Roof top safety systems Most locations where people use PFPE

The problems of misuse Restraint equipment is not necessarily designed to arrest falls Most fall protection equipment, if used correctly can be a part of a restraint system The aptitude of the user is key Flexibility brings both benefits as well as pitfalls Misrepresenting fall arrest as restraint Provision of rescue for restraint

The benefits of employing work Restraint It is a fall prevention solution Top of the hierarchy for personal measures Can be integrated as a part of a solution to reduce the overall risk No falls = No impacts on the user No falls = No clearance height issues No Falls = No risk of suspension No requirement for rescue

Working at Height in Restraint Pete Ward Height Safety Manager SpanSet Ltd