1. Including Scaffolding, MEWPS, Ladders and Roof Work
Work at Height
Including Scaffolding, MEWPS, Ladders and Roof Work

2. Rules to Prevent Falls Don’t work at height unless it is essential
Ensure work platform is secure. Check that it:
Will support weight of workers, materials & equipment
Is stable and will not overturn
Is footed on stable ground or on a stable support or structure
Provide guard rails, barriers etc. at open edges of floors, floor openings, edges of roofs and edges of working platforms

3. Factors for Selecting a Work Platform
Duration of work
Risks encountered during erection of working platform
Difficulty of maintaining platform
Number of people to work on equipment
Security of platform

4. Guard Rails and Toe Boards
Guard rails, toe boards and other similar barriers should be provided whenever someone could fall 2m or more

5. Guard Rails and Toe Boards
They should:
be made from a material strong & rigid enough to prevent people falling and able to withstand other loads likely to be placed on them
be fixed to a structure capable of supporting them
include:
Main guard rail at least 910mm above any edge from which people are liable to fall
Toe board at least 150mm high
Sufficient number of intermediate guard rails so that unprotected gap does not exceed 470mm

6. Guard Rails and Toe Boards

7. Guard Rails and Toe Boards
If risk is from falling through openings or fragile material, an alternative is to cover the opening or material. Coverings should be:
Strong enough to support any loads likely to be placed on it (including weight of a person)
Fixed in position to prevent accidental dislodgement. To prevent people removing coverings, mark them with a warning e.g. “Hole below - do not remove”.

8. General Access Scaffolds
For any scaffold ensure:
Designed, erected, altered and dismantled by competent people and work is directed by a competent supervisor
Based on firm, level foundation. Watch out for basements, drains or soft ground
Braced and tied into a permanent structure
It’s capable of supporting loads likely to be placed on it
Fully boarded and wide enough for work and access

9. General Access Scaffolds
For any scaffold ensure:
Scaffold boards are properly supported and not overlapping excessively
Safe ladder or other access onto work platforms
Suitable for the task before it is used and checked whenever it is substantially altered or adversely affected by, for example, high winds

10. General Access Scaffolds

11. Tower Scaffolds If a tower scaffold is going to be used:
Follow manufacturers instructions for erection, use and dismantling. Have a copy of the instruction manual available - if scaffold is hired, the hirer should provide
Tower must be vertical and legs should rest properly on firm, level ground
Lock any wheels & outriggers - base plates provide greater stability if tower doesn’t have to be moved
Provide safe access & egress e.g. internal ladders

12. Tower Scaffolds If a tower scaffold is going to be used:
Provide edge protection at platforms higher than 2m
Provide edge protection on any intermediate platforms used to work from or store materials
Tie tower rigidly to the structure if:
Tower is sheeted
Likely to be exposed to strong winds
Used for carrying out grit blasting or water jetting
Heavy materials are lifted up the outside of the tower
Tower base is too small to ensure stability for the height of the platform

13. Tower Scaffolds If a tower scaffold is going to be used:
Do not overload the working platform
Ratio = Height of tower:Minimum base dimension
3:1 for for outside
3.5:1 for inside on firm, level ground
When moving a tower scaffold:
Check for power lines or overhead obstructions
Check for holes or dips in the ground
Do not allow people or materials to remain on tower

14. Tower Scaffolds

15. Mobile & Suspended Access Equipment
Trained and competent operators
Emergency and evacuation procedures
Handover certificate provided by installer
Control areas of site where people may be struck by falling items
Protect equipment from adverse weather
Secure equipment at end of day

16. MEWPS When using a MEWP, ensure that:
Operatives are trained and competent
Platform is provided with edge protection
It is used on firm and level ground. Ground may have to be prepared in advance
Tyres are properly inflated
Outriggers are extended and chocked as necessary
Everyone knows what to do if platform fails in raised position

17. MEWPS When using a MEWP, do not:
operate close to OH lines or other dangerous machinery
Allow a knuckle, or elbow, of the arm to protrude into a traffic route when working near vehicles
Move equipment with platform in raised position (unless equipment is designed for this)
Wearing a harness with a lanyard attached to the platform can provide extra protection against falls

18. MEWPS

19. Suspended Access Cradles/Platforms
Most accidents happen due to:
unsafe access to and from cradle
Insufficient or poorly secured counterweights and holding down systems
Failure of the cradle platform or components
Failure of winches, climbing devices, safety gear and ropes usually due to poor maintenance
Failure to follow manufacturers instructions on erection & dismantling

20. Suspended Access Cradles/Platforms
When using cradles, ensure that:
Equipment is selected, installed and tested to ensure suitability
It is only used by trained & competent workers
Adequate edge protection is provided, and that materials cannot fall from or through cradle base
Equipment fits closely to building
Building is capable of carrying loads, particularly counterweights. Advice of a structural engineer may be needed

21. Suspended Access Cradles/Platforms
When using cradles, ensure that:
Adequate stops are provided to prevent cradle running off track
Adequate operating instructions and technical support is available
Cradle is not overloaded
Loads are placed on cradle as uniformly as possible
There is safe access onto cradle. Access at ground level is safest
Provide safety harnesses attached to inside of cradle

22. Boatswains Chairs Used for light, short-term work
Only used where it is not practicable to provide a working platform
User should be attached to suspension system by harness and lanyard

23. Safety Harnesses Last resort!
Will not prevent falls - only minimise risk of injury
Person may be injured by shock load
Allow for free-fall of no more than 2m
People should be able to attach themselves before they are relying on protection by the harness

24. Safety Harnesses
Any attachment point must be capable of withstanding the shock load
Everyone wearing a harness must know how to check, wear and adjust it before use and how to connect themselves to the structure or safety line as appropriate

25. Safety Harnesses

26. Ladders Only to be used as a workplace for short-term work
Only suitable for light work
If ladders are to be used, make sure:
Work can be reached without stretching
Ladder can be fixed to prevent slipping
Good handhold is available

27. Ladders Carry light tools in a shoulder bag or holster on belt
Heavy or bulky loads should not be carried up or down a ladder
Check stiles are not damaged, buckled or warped
Make sure no rungs are cracked or missing

28. Ladders
Do not use makeshift or home-made ladders or carry out makeshift repairs
Do not use painted ladders (can hide defects)
Ladders made for DIY use may not be strong enough for site work
Set on a firm, level surface
Always secure by rope or other stabilisation device

29. Ladders When using ladders, ensure:
Ladder is angled to minimise risk of slipping (one out for every four up)
Top of ladder rests against solid surface
Both feet of ladder are on firm footing and cannot slip
If ladder is more than 3m long, or used as access to a workplace, it is secured from falling
If ladder cannot be fixed, it is footed by a second person
Ladder extends above any landing place where people will get on and off (about 1m)
Extending ladders have an overlap of at least 3 rungs

30. Ladders

31. Step-Ladders Easily overturned
Not designed for any degree of side loading
Never work on top step unless designed for this purpose

32. Roof Work
Openings & lights can be protected by barriers or with covers either secured in place or labelled with a warning
Use purpose made roof ladders or crawling boards to spread the weight of workers and materials
Edge protection at eaves level is usually needed

33. Roof Work For work on roofs, ensure:
Safe access onto and off the roof e.g. a general access scaffold
safe means of moving across the roof e.g. roof ladders secured on the roof apex or crawling boards
Safe means of working on the roof e.g. scaffold or MEWP
Do not throw debris from top of roof - use enclosed debris chutes or lower debris in containers

34. Roof Work

35. Roof Work

36. Protection Against Falling Items
Keep platforms clear of loose materials
Provide toe boards, solid barriers, brick guards or similar at open edges
If scaffold is erected in a public place, nets, fans or covered walkways may be needed

37. Protection Against Falling Items