Golden Rule #2:
Working at Height
Where there is a hazard of falling 1.8 meters or more,
approved , maintained and certified equipment for fall
arrest and travel restraint must be used.
.
GOLDEN RULES
Golden Rule #2 – Working at Height
Where there is a hazard of falling 1.8 meters or more, approved , maintained and
certified equipment for fall arrest and travel restraint must be used.
Assessment of
Working at
Height Hazards
Access, Work and
Retrieval
Procedures
• Risk of significant or fatal injury can occur for any fall from even a small
height. To prevent this type of situation from occurring, engineered
railings are a required installation on all fixed stair cases and platforms
that are located above grade level. There are situations that do not
allow this type of protection while working at height, which include:
− Work near an open hole or drop point.
− Accessing and working from a portable working platform.
− Working on inclined surfaces (such as a building roof).
− Accessing and working on large equipment.
Proper Protective
Equipment in
Place
• All work at height must be assessed prior to initiating any work to
ensure that the proper procedures have been established and that
protective equipment is in place and can be used as designed.
GOLDEN RULES
Golden Rule #2 – Working at Height
Where there is a hazard of falling 1.8 meters or more, approved , maintained and
certified equipment for fall arrest and travel restraint must be used.
EQUIPMENT
Working at
Height Protection
• When working at or greater than 1.8 meters above grade, that has the
risk of exposing a person to a fall, the use of protective equipment is
required.
• Two main type of personal protection devices currently exist:
1. Travel Restraint: A device that allows limited mobility in the
immediate area of work but restricts the ability of an individual to
approach a point of fall. This is applied where the restriction of
travel can prevent a fall situation.
Travel
Restraint
Fall
Arrest
Anchor Points
2. Fall Arrest: A device used, where there is the risk of a fall
situation, that prevents undue shock to a person in the event of a
fall. Shock absorber lanyards are used for this purpose.
• For either of these personal protective devices to be effective, anchor
points must be capable of sustaining the forces applied if it is required
for use.
GOLDEN RULES
Golden Rule #2 – Working at Height
Where there is a hazard of falling 1.8 meters or more, approved , maintained and
certified equipment for fall arrest and travel restraint must be used.
PLANNING
Assessment and
• Planning for working at height is required to prevent the risk of injury.
This planning will include:
Acquisition of
Equipment
− Assessment and acquisition of required equipment to manage risk.
− Ensuring a procedure is in place for the work required
Procedure
Familiarization
with Safety
Equipment
Retrieval and
Rescue Planning
− Ensuring personnel are trained and familiar with the use of all
working at height equipment applied for the task.
− Ensuring the all safety equipment is checked for integrity prior to
the start of the task.
− A fall arrest rescue plan and any additional equipment or
personnel required for its effective execution.
− Any necessary work permitting.
GOLDEN RULES
Golden Rule #2 – Working at Height
Where there is a hazard of falling 1.8 meters or more, approved , maintained and
certified equipment for fall arrest and travel restraint must be used.
• All harnesses, lanyards, travel restraint devices, shock absorbers and ‘D’
rings are to be visually inspected for defects prior to use.
Equipment
Inspection
• All travel restraint devices are to meet internal / external inspections
requirements for certification.
• All portable equipment applied for working at height must be inspected
prior to use.
• It should be noted that only full body harnesses are to be worn with Fall
Arrest Systems.
Requirements
• All scaffolding must be assembled by professionals who are trained to
erect it. Site inspections of this equipment are required prior to use.
• All working platforms should have a guard to prevent material from falling
off.
GOLDEN RULES
Golden Rule #2 – Working at Height
Where there is a hazard of falling 1.8 meters or more, approved , maintained and
certified equipment for fall arrest and travel restraint must be used.
The following key questions are suggested for leaders who must provide the
supporting systems for risk control for working at height tasks.
Is there a formal process in place to identify hazards associated with working
at height situations?
Five Key
Questions for
the Organization
Have procedures been defined for working at height tasks such that they
manage risk to the lowest level achievable?
Have training programs been established for developing the competence of
those who will be executing work at height?
Has all required safety equipment and inspection services been acquired by
the organization for effective management of risk for working at height?
Is there a process to audit the effectiveness of controls and training programs
for work at height?
GOLDEN RULES
Golden Rule #2 – Working at Height
Where there is a hazard of falling 1.8 meters or more, approved , maintained and
certified equipment for fall arrest and travel restraint must be used.
The following key questions are suggested for a leaders who may have to
assign work at height.
Do I understand the working at height work and the safeguards that are
required to protect the people performing the work?
Five Key
Questions for
Leaders
Have I ensured that the risks associated with executing the work at height
task are defined and have been shared with the persons doing the work?
Have I checked that the persons doing the work are trained, qualified and
able to do the work and inspect/use the protective equipment required?
Have I made sure that all necessary work, and rescue, procedures and
equipment are in place to perform the work at height safely?
Have I ensured that all necessary work permits have been completed before
the work proceeds?
GOLDEN RULES
Golden Rule #2 – Working at Height
Where there is a hazard of falling 1.8 meters or more, approved , maintained and
certified equipment for fall arrest and travel restraint must be used.
The following key questions are suggested for an employee who may have to
perform a critical task.
Do I know the risks associated with executing the work at height?
Five Key
Questions for
Employees
Have controls to manage the work at height risks, including a rescue plan,
been defined and shared with me?
Do I have the appropriate knowledge to perform the work at height and
apply/inspect the safety equipment?
Has all necessary equipment for prevention of a fall situation, or protection in
the event of a fall, been provided and reviewed with me?
Do I have the necessary authorization to proceed with the work at height?
(e.g. Work Permit)