Gasunie is one of the biggest gas
infrastructure companies in Europe.
Within the company, we give safety the
highest priority; it forms the basis of our
license to operate. We abide by the
strictest safety, health and environmental
standards, both for our own employees,
external contractors and the
surroundings. Gasunie’s safety policy is
thus characterised by a proactive
approach which is designed to prevent
accidents, incidents and hazardous
situations.
General rules
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Familiarise yourself with the situation at the installation or
construction site where you are going to work as soon as
possible
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Who/what is where?
Apply precautionary measures that are appropriate to the
work you are going to carry out.
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Make enough time for safety: think about what could go
wrong and consider whether you have done everything you
can to prevent any risky conditions.
Remain alert at all times when you are working. If in any doubt, always ask or suspend activities where necessary.
Working at heights
Work carried out at heights is risky and is classified in the ‘high risk’ category. The use of measures to
prevent falls and to protect yourself from falling is mandatory. You will be expected to know when and
how to use them, both before and during your work.
What is ‘working at heights’?
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Working at heights with a risk of falling more than 2.5 m, or at heights of less than 2.5 metres
with increased risks
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All places of work near ducts/trenches deeper than 2.5 m or less but involving increased risks
All workplaces within 2 m of a roof or work platform where there are no rails or other secure fall
preventers
Preparations
Risk of falling (with a risk of injury) must be prevented at all times. Always therefore first
consider/discuss whether the work could be carried out in another way than ‘at heights’.
Flat roofs and scaffolding
Performing work on flat roofs and scaffolds where the fall distance, calculated
from the standing height to the ground, is 2.5 m or more, is permissible
without fall protection provided:
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A rail or fence is installed; this rail or fence must consist of an upper
support to a height of at least 1 metre and up to 1.1 metre above standing
height, an interim support and a foot-level upstand of at least 0.15
metres;
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Work carried out on a flat roof or scaffolding where there is no rail or fence
must be performed at a distance of at least 2 m from the roof edge. This
work area must be marked with a girder or red and white tape.
Work carried out on a flat roof or scaffolding within 2 m from the roof edge
must be fitted with a fall protection system if the conditions prescribed in the
first point above cannot be met.
Ladders
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Low risk work lasting less than 2 hours
Standing height < 7.5 m
Maximum load-bearing weight < 100 N (10 kg)
Angle of placement 65˚-75˚
Placed on flat firm surface
To protrude no more than 1 metre above ground level/roof edge
Abandon work > wind force 6
Secure at top to prevent slippage
Use staircase in construction trenches > 6 metres deep
Scaffolding
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Inspection:
- By a person with the necessary expertise
- At least once every 3 months
- Following extreme weather conditions
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To be erected, altered and dismantled only by a person with the necessary expertise
Only to be mounted if a green scafftag is present
Moveable scaffolding
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Erect in accordance with supplier’s instructions
Maximum internal height 12 m, external height 8 m
Place on stable surface (or dock boards/U-profiles)
Assemble workfloor connected against the scaffolding
Wheels must be locked/blocked before mounting
Abandon work > wind force 6
Aerial lifts
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Operator must have the right specific training
Fall protection must be worn
Workers must not use the aerial lift without assistance
Abandon work > wind force 6
Two or more aerial lifts in the same area: compile a task/risk analysis (TRA)!
Before starting work
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Inspect and check the workplace
Identify emergency escape routes and assembly points
Check (moving) scaffolding (NB scafftag; work permit)
Check the tools you will be using
Inspect and check your fall protection gear
Check the weather conditions
Make sure relevant areas are cordoned off in the event of falling objects
Extra risks involved in working at heights
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Difficult to access places
Installations or installation parts that are in operation
Difficult working conditions
Erecting/dismantling heavy components
Simultaneous activities (e.g. hoisting)
Making adjustments to a scaffold yourself: do not improvise
If you have any questions or need more information, you can always contact the site manager or
supervisor, or the Safety Department.