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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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