Overview of the
Code of Practice for
Working Safely at Height
Morris Hiang
Manager
Workplace Safety and Health Practices
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Scope of Presentation
• Background
• Overview – CP for Working Safely at
Height
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Introduction
• Falls from Height – Number 1 cause of
death in workplaces
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CP Development
• Inputs from the industry
• 1st consultation : 4th Oct 2008 to 28th Nov 2008
• 2nd consultation : 6th May 2009 to 31st May 2009
• Launched : 2nd Dec 2009
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Contents of the CP
Section A: General Requirements
Section B: Fall Protection Measures
1.
Introduction
13. Access to and Egress from Work Areas
2.
Design for Safety
14. Edge Protection
3.
Fall Protection Plan
15. Fall Protection Systems
4.
Policy for Fall Protection
16. Individual Fall Prevention Systems
5.
Responsibilities
17. Fall Arrest Systems
6.
Risk Management
18. Ladders and Step Platforms
7.
Risk Control Measures
19. Hazards of Working at Rooftop
8.
Inspection and Maintenance
9.
Instruction and Training
10. Accident/Incident Investigation
11. Emergency Response
12. Supervision
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Introduction
• Title of the CP
• Scope – CP is applicable to WAH in all industries
• Purpose – Raise standard of safety where persons are
exposed to the risk of falling from height
• Terms and Definitions – Gives explanation to terms used
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Design for Safety
• Elimination of risk at source, during design
• GUIDE process
G – Group, form review team of major stakeholders
U – Understand, look at drawings and calculations
I – Identify risks due to design or construction method
D – Design around risks
E – Enter information on remaining risks into register
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Design for Safety
All stages of work need consideration:
• Construction and/or installation
• Usage
• Maintenance and/or cleaning
• Demolition and/or decommission
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Fall Protection Plan
Policy
• Site specific
Responsibilities
• Systematic approach for
removing or reducing risk of
falling from height
Risk Management
Control Measures
Procedures
• Components
PPE
Maintenance
Training
Investigation
Emergency
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Fall Protection Plan
Fall Protection Plan - required knowledge:
• Knowledge of work site
• Knowledge of processes
• Knowledge of risk assessment
• Knowledge of fall protection
measures
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Policy for Fall Protection
Set by top management
• Clear – no ambiguity
• Commitment & compliance
• Appropriate to the organisation’s
Needs
Nature
Scale
• Understood, implemented and
maintained
• Reviewed
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Responsibilities
Top management
• Allocate sufficient resources
• Appoint Competent Person
Competent Person
• Develop Fall Protection Plan
• Define responsibilities of staff
• Ensure compliance with regulatory
requirements
• Report performance
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Risk Management
Risk Assessment
• Hazard identification
Multi-disciplinary team
Thorough knowledge of work
• Assessment
Severity & likelihood
• Review
Periodic
Significant changes in workplace activities
Occurrences of falls
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Risk Assessment
Determine Severity
Determine Likelihood
Minor
No injury, injury or ill-health requiring first
aid treatment only (includes minor cuts and
bruises, irritation, ill-health with temporary
discomfort)
Remote
Not likely to occur
Moderate
Injury requiring medical treatment or illhealth leading to disability (includes
lacerations, burns, sprains, minor fractures,
dermatitis, deafness, work-related upper
limb disorders)
Occasional
Possible or known to occur
Major
Fatal, serious injury or life-threatening
occupational disease (includes
amputations, major fractures, multiple
injuries, occupational cancer, acute
poisoning and fatal diseases)
Frequent
Common or repeating occurrence
Severity
Likelihood
Determine Risk
Likelihood \ Severity
Remote
Occasional
Frequent
Minor
Low Risk
Low Risk
Medium Risk
Moderate
Low Risk
Medium Risk
High Risk
Major
Medium Risk
High risk
High Risk
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Risk Assessment
Risk Level
Acceptability of Risk
Recommended Actions
No additional risk control needed.
Low
Acceptable
Conduct periodic review to ensure that assigned risk level is
accurate and does not increase over time.
Evaluate hazards carefully to ensure that risk is reduced to
as low as reasonably practicable within a defined time period.
Medium
Moderately Acceptable
Interim risk control measures, such as administrative controls
may be implemented.
Attention by management is required.
Risk level must be reduced to at least Medium risk before
work commences.
High
Not Acceptable
Interim risk control measures should not be used. Risk
control should not overly rely on personal protective
equipment. If possible, the hazard should be eliminated
before work begins.
Immediate involvement by the management is required
before work commences.
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Risk Control Measures
• Follow hierarchy of control
• Ensure that controls do not pose new risks
• Review – ensure effectiveness and
relevancy
Decreasing
preference
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Procedures
• Administrative control
• Can be coupled with other control
methods
• Development should include those
who perform the tasks
• Adequate communication
• e.g. during toolbox meetings
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Fall Protection Plan
Personal Fall Protection Equipment
• Short term contingency
• Last resort
• Additional measure
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Inspection and Maintenance
• Pre-usage visual inspection and checks
• Maintenance program
Operational Equipment (e.g. Ladders)
Safety Equipment (e.g. Harnesses)
• Inventory of equipment that require
maintenance
• Periodic maintenance, repairs, replacement
• Record keeping
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Instruction and Training
• Information (theory, classroom)
• Training (practical, hands on)
• Analysis of training needs
• Many different possible channels
• Ensure understanding
• Induction
New roles
New work methods
• Emergency situations
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MEWP Training
• Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP)
• Pre-usage checks
• Site assessment (e.g. ground
conditions)
Unstable ground conditions
Steep slopes
Holes or obstructions
Overhead obstacles / structures
Traffic (vehicular or human)
• PPE needed
• Familiarisation
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Accident/Incident Investigation
Incident Investigation
• Investigation and analysis
• Determining deficiencies
Corrective action
• Preventive measures
• Communication of findings
Relevant parties
• Records to be kept
Findings
Outcomes
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Emergency Response
• Emergency response plan
• Rescue equipment
• First aid
• Training of designated rescuers
• Procedures during emergency
• Rescue from suspension after fall
arrest
Suspension trauma issues
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Suspension Trauma
• May occur to a person suspended in
harness
• Blood pooling in legs
• Reduced backflow of blood to heart
• Severe injury or death
• Quick rescue
• Proper treatment of suspected victims
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Supervision
• Especially important for new,
inexperienced workers or workers
under training
• Supervisors must be competent, with
knowledge of the work they are
supervising
• Supervisors must ensure:
Safety measures are in place before
work starts
Workers are supervised
Only workers that have been trained
are to carry out the work
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Access to and Egress from
Work Areas
• Factors to consider
Human traffic
Materials transportation
Surfaces and need for platforms
Lighting
Housekeeping and Material Storage
Cleaner and safer workplace
Increased productivity
• Roof access
• Guarding of holes and openings
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Edge Protection
• Guardrails
• Locations that require edge protection
• Requirements (Height, strength…etc.)
• Access points
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Fall Protection Systems
Safe practices and/or requirements for:
• Scaffolds
Requirements (height,
strength…etc.)
• Tower scaffolds
• Elevating work platforms (MEWPs)
• Suspended gondolas
• Mast climbing work platforms
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Individual Fall Prevention
Systems
• Travel restraint systems
Prevents falls through
movement control
Not designed to stop/arrest
falls
• Industrial rope access systems
Specialised form of abseiling
Used where other forms of
access are impractical
High level of competency &
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skill
Fall Arrest Systems
• Individual fall arrest systems
Full body harness, lanyard, shock
absorber, anchorage
Full body harness, self retracting lifeline
• Points covered
Checking for defects
Limitation
Possible hazards
Rescue
Calculation
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Fall Arrest Systems
Video Clip
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Fall Arrest Systems
Fall clearance distance
• Prevents users from striking the ground
after a fall
• Calculation of Fall Clearance Distance
• Safety belts are not suitable
• Harnesses recommended
• Other hazards still present
Insufficient clearance height:
• Self Retracting Lifelines
Length of
lanyard
Energy
absorber
extension
Height of
worker
Safety
distance
• Short lanyard
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Ladders and Step Platforms
• Portable ladders
Height to base ratio
Checking for defects
Securing before climbing
• Step platforms
• Safe use of step ladders
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Hazards of Working at Rooftop
• Types of fragile/brittle roofs
Moulded or fabricated materials
Glass
Acrylic…etc.
• Appropriate safety measures
Safe access to work area
Crawl boards
Work platform
MEWP (for low-rise buildings)
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Thank You
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