A campaign emphasising the importance of working safely to avoid falls from the platform when using Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) to enable temporary work at height has been launched by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) at its annual Summit in London, UK, on 10 March 2022. IPAF’s Don’t
Phil Rashbrook, European Training Manager for Fall Protection at MSA Safety shares his 10 top tips to refer to when considering fall protection training. MSA Safety is a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of industry-leading safety products and provider of quality safety at height training. 1.) Preparation is key The
Within the construction sector, working at height continues to be one of the greatest causes of death and major injury. When not following proper health and safety precautions, accidents are far too common, putting workers in danger, and the company responsible for them at risk of personal injury liability. Read
Working at height has been a popular topic of discussion for some time, and while there are clear best practice techniques outlined by the HSE, there are also a multitude of key myths abound which may yet confuse the issues and challenges faced when working at height. As such, a
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
A campaign emphasising the importance of working safely to avoid falls from the platform when using Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) to enable temporary work at height has been launched by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) at its annual Summit in London, UK, on 10 March 2022. IPAF’s Don’t Fall For It! safety campaign outlines the possible underlying causes of falls from the platform when using MEWPs, which almost always lead to serious injury or death. It offers operators and managers key advice to mitigate the most common risks and avoid accidents of this type, as identified in IPAF’s ongoing incident reporting and analysis via the www.ipafaccidentreporting.org portal. Peter Douglas, CEO & MD of IPAF, comments: “MEWPs are designed to safely conduct temporary work at height in just about every environment, but every year the most common type of accident we see reported are falls from the platform, which as you can imagine nearly always lead to serious injury or death if they occur while using machines at height. “We are determined that our new Don’t Fall For It! targeted global safety campaign will help to instil safe working practices and remind operators and managers of some fairly basic positive steps they can take to reduce the risk of such incidents occurring. The messaging is really simple – select the correct machine for the job, don’t take risks, don’t cut corners, and wear the correct personal fall protection equipment in boom-type platforms.” Brian Parker, IPAF’s Head of Safety & Technical, says: “Operators can help avoid this type of accident by focusing on the principles we’ve set out as part of this campaign. If they are properly trained and familiarised on the MEWPs being used, then hopefully none of this guidance should be new, but we know that complacency breeds contempt, and that too often corners are being cut or fundamental principles of safe use ignored. “With this safety campaign, IPAF is saying that, if you find yourself tempted to do something different to what you know is the right and proper way to work, or if you are ever asked to do something that you think just isn’t safe by a work colleague or supervisor, then ‘don’t fall for it!’ Far better to think twice and save a life – whether it is a workmate’s or your own!” Key points of guidance in the IPAF Don’t Fall For It! global safety campaign include: Plan thoroughly – conduct a proper MEWP site survey/assessment, select the correct machine for the work and use professionally trained operator(s) and supervisor(s). Know your machine – operators should be trained on the machine type they are using and familiarised on the specific model. Operators should assess that the machine is suitable for the task and conditions, and adequate in terms of reach, articulation, and load-bearing capacity. Machine knowledge includes whether personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) should be used and, if so, what type to use, and how to attach it. Clip on – If personal PFPE is required, all occupants of the platform must attach their lanyard to the correct anchor point. Ensure movement within the platform is possible while attached, and do not move the machine or elevate the platform until and unless all occupants are attached. Set up and manoeuvre the machine/platform effectively – occupants should never need to over-reach, unfasten PFPE, step or climb on guardrails or otherwise extend the safe working envelope of the platform. Ensure vertical MEWPs are positioned and repositioned as necessary to allow easy access to the area of work to be undertaken; operators should not overreach or stand on guardrails to access a work area instead of taking the time and effort to correctly reposition the machine. Stay inside the platform/attached – the guardrails of the platform form the primary fall prevention and define the operational envelope of the machine being used. Always stay inside the platform. Where there is a requirement for PFPE, you must wear it. Do not exit the platform at height; unclip/exit only on completion of work when safely lowered to the ground. IPAF offers further guidance on using MEWPs that provides more detail on specific risks and advises on safe operating procedures. For more information on all of IPAF’s safety campaigns and links to relevant technical guidance visit www.ipaf.org/safe or see www.ipaf.org/contact to find your nearest IPAF office or representative. ● Please visit www.ipaf.org/training and www.ipaf.org/resources for the full range of IPAF training course and the latest safety and technical guidance materials from IPAF.
Phil Rashbrook, European Training Manager for Fall Protection at MSA Safety shares his 10 top tips to refer to when considering fall protection training. MSA Safety is a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of industry-leading safety products and provider of quality safety at height training. 1.) Preparation is key The old adage of ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ carries significant weight when it comes to working at height. Preparation is critical, and it all begins with quality training, so consider your fall protection training carefully. Ask yourself: Is it with a reputable company with a wealth of experience across many sectors? Are they best placed to prepare your workforce for working at height safely and efficiently? Remember, you can’t put a price on the safety of your workers so do your research. Invest in the best training available that will leave your workforce confident and competent. 2.) Theory and practical: finding the balance Some trainees are impatient to get going with the practical straight away. Others prefer ample time to carefully digest the theory and ask any questions they might have. Everyone learns differently, which is why it’s so important to strike a successful balance between the two. Training should be delivered in a manner that is effective for everyone. 3.) Added confidence Working at height safely and efficiently depends not only on skill but having the confidence to make the right decisions at the right time; whether that’s knowing the limitations of equipment and how to use it properly or deciding whether conditions are safe enough. Confident operatives will feel empowered to thoroughly and accurately assess their surroundings for safety risks, ask questions and raise potential safety concerns with their site or safety manager. This generally makes for a much safer working environment. 4.) Creating safety ambassadors Get your team onboard. Work at height operatives returning from fall protection training will feel more encouraged to share their safety knowledge with colleagues. This helps to not only foster a safer working environment but discourage any semblance of a ‘no blame culture’. 5.) Don’t forget the wellbeing benefits While the main priority of quality fall protection training is to help prevent physical harm, the mental wellbeing benefits it offers should not be overlooked. Being asked to work at height without proper planning, preparation and training in place can be extremely distressing. A well-trained, competent operative will likely make for a more confident, comfortable worker. 6.) Keep it fun! Something that’s often forgotten is the value of keeping training fun and engaging. In my experience, if you enjoy training you will learn and retain more information. An enjoyable experience generally helps to nurture a positive change in attitude. 7.) Location, location, location Conducting training on site in conditions workers face on a day-to-day basis is preferential, but not always possible. The next best thing is a state-of-the-art training centre with both indoor facilities protected from inclement weather, and outdoor facilities with multiple applications. Choose training providers that can offer both. 8.) Follow-up support Support shouldn’t stop once training has finished. Follow-up should be a key feature of a quality training provider, from offering the option of return visits and continued support, to conducting site audits and helping operatives to fully realise the benefits of the training. 9.) Think of it as an investment Quality training not only makes for a safer workforce but helps to provide operatives with the know-how to do their job better and more efficiently. And, in my experience, a more confident, competent workforce is usually a happier and more productive workforce. The long-term business and wellbeing benefits of a well-trained workforce cannot be underestimated. 10.) Just get it done My other nine tips are important, but if you take away anything from reading this it should be this: whatever you do, do not take risks. The safety and wellbeing of your workforce is too important for you not to provide them with the very best training, so don’t delay. Do your research and choose a training provider you can depend upon.
Within the construction sector, working at height continues to be one of the greatest causes of death and major injury. When not following proper health and safety precautions, accidents are far too common, putting workers in danger, and the company responsible for them at risk of personal injury liability. Read more to understand five key tips to follow when working way above ground level. Carry out a risk assessment Before beginning any job or project, a comprehensive risk assessment must be carried out which ensures there is no viable alternative to working at height, and that the method of access to be used is the safest way of undertaking the job. If it is determined that working at height is unavoidable, it is an employer’s duty to carefully select the appropriate equipment, ensuring it meets all the safety standards and minimises the risk to the member of staff. Select the right equipment When choosing the appropriate scaffolding or other equipment that is necessary when working at height, there are several things to consider. Ground conditions, environmental surroundings, maximum workload and the experience of the workforce are all important aspects which help employers understand the type of equipment their staff should be using. There are plenty of places offering scaffolding towers for sale, but not all of them meet the high-quality standards necessary for a safe working environment. As such, be sure to only purchase equipment from trusted suppliers, such as those which meet the British Safety Council’s criteria for membership and those whose equipment is BSI Kitemark registered. Trained staff All staff working at height must be properly trained and understand the health and safety risks. When using any equipment on site, staff should be fully aware of its proper use, and should consult the user guides where necessary in order to make sure they are being used correctly. The user manual can assist with installation, maintenance and inspection, all of which are essential in ensuring the ongoing safety of any equipment used on site. Watch out for hazards Hazards are rife within construction sites and these are only amplified when you add great height into the equation. If staff are working on uneven surfaces, near power lines or manhole covers, then they must be equipped to deal with the potential threats they could pose. Undergoing a detailed safety assessment at the start of any project, as well as ensuring staff are always on the lookout for potential hazards when working at height, is essential. Moreover, keeping the construction site organised throughout a project is important, not only for organisational purposes, but also for health and safety, since having tools lying around can only spell disaster for workers who are trying to manoeuvre accurately at great height. Inspect equipment thoroughly Once equipment has been installed and you are ready to get started on the project, it is vital to meticulously inspect everything to ensure the equipment is as safe as possible. Be sure to keep an eye out for anything that could have been glossed over during the installation process. For instance, the braces and ties which secure the equipment to the building should be extremely secure, and the guardrails should be set-up properly. Construction sites are rampant with potential hazards, especially when staff must work at height. However, by adhering to the proper health and safety standards, carrying out thorough risk assessments and continuously being on the lookout for issues, employers can ensure their staff are kept safe from harm at all times.
Working at height has been a popular topic of discussion for some time, and while there are clear best practice techniques outlined by the HSE, there are also a multitude of key myths abound which may yet confuse the issues and challenges faced when working at height. As such, a little clarity can go a long way in helping to understand the safety implications of working at height. Of course, with the HSE regarding working at heights to be one of the most common causes of industrial injuries and accidental death, both employers and their operatives are required to take all manner of precautionary care to ensure that they are protected above and beyond traditional safety standards in ground-based roles. Of course, the key way in which legal requirements can be met is quite simple, by not working at heights at all, yet, if this proves impossible, methodologies must be pursued to best ensure the safety of those working in such environments. Yet, while there are some clear ways through which employers and employees can ensure a level of safety which is compliant, there are a number of less-founded ways of doing so, with some even making the situation worse; the myths that detract from the key issues and challenges of working at heights Of these myths, one of the most predominant is that of CE markings – the belief that CE marking and safety are synonymous. Yet, while CE marked products can indeed be a positive step forward, the very notion that CE marking alone makes products safe for use is a myth which can lead employers and employees into believing that they are using safe products, when this may not always be the case. Key considerations which must be taken into account include the very nature of the task at hand, of course, and while certain products may be suitable for one task, the reliability and safety of the same product in an entirely alternate scenario is one which employers should, and to a degree, must look into individually.
