What factors do you need to consider?
Working conditions
When deciding which type of equipment is most suitable for a particular task, consider the following:
- slopes or poor ground conditions;
- obstructions, eg steelwork or overhangs;
- fragile surfaces;
- floor loading
Distance to be climbed
Portable ladders are less suitable for higher climbs, particularly if loads are carried. Where possible, provide temporary stairs or scaffold access towers with internal stairs, rather than portable ladders.
Duration and frequency of use
Longer duration or regular jobs generally justify a better standard of fall protection, eg. a tower scaffold, podium step or cherry picker rather than a ladder or stepladder. A ladder or stepladder may be acceptable for short duration tasks, eg. replacing a light bulb when buillding a tower or podium would not be reasonable because the task itself takes only a few seconds to do. But, installing several rows of light bulbs or fluorescent strips in a false ceiling refurbishment may justify the use of a tower or podium steps because the task takes longer.
Distance and consequences of a potential fall
If you have to use a fall arrest system you must make sure there is adequate clearance for it to deploy, so the user does not hit an obstruction or the ground before the fall is stopped. If you have to use nets or airbags they should be located as close as possible to the working level because they do not work as effectively if the fall distance is too great.
Evacuation and rescue
If you have to use a fall arrest system, you must make sure a rescue can be carried out if a worker is left suspended from a roof edge.
Installation and removal
When selecting work equipment look at all the risks, not just those associated with the ‘use’ phase. It may take two or more people to assemble a tower scaffold to get onto a roof and install temporary edge protection, whereas the repair may need only one person on the roof, putting several people at risk so one person can work safely. A better solution would be to use a cherry picker, so one person can perform the task safely from the working platform. This avoids others being put at risk during set up and dismantling.
There are even more risks assosiated with work on a fragile fibre/asbestos cement roof. Where possible, use a cherry picker or tower scaffold to access and repair a leaking skylight. This will remove risks associated with setting up and dismantling work equipment on the roof.
How do you decide what equipment to use?
What is collective protection?
Collective protection is equipment which can protect more than one person and, once properly installed or erected, does not require any action by them to make sure it will work. Examples which prevent a fall include, scaffolds, tower scaffolds and cherry pickers which have guard rails and equipment which minimises the consequences of a fall, include nets and airbags.
What is personal protection?
Personal protection is equipment which protects only the user/wearer and requires action by the individual, such as properly wearing and adjusting it, for it to work. Examples include work restraint equipment which prevents a fall and fall arrest equipment which minimises the consequences of a fall.
Why give priority to collective measures?
Collective measures have several advantages. They are easier to use, protect everyone at risk in the work area and need less effort in terms of maintenance and user training. Personal measures have disadvantages – they require a high level of training and maintenance and they only protect the user.
What does this mean in practice?
If you can provide collective protection you should. For example:
- use a tower scaffold (collective fall prevention) rather than work restraint (personal fall prevention);
- use airbags (collective mitigation) instead of a fall arrest system (personal mitigation);
- however, choose work restraint (personal fall prevention) before airbags (collective mitigation).
Work equipment which prevents a fall.
- Collective : Guard rails, scaffolding, tower scaffolds, cherry pickers, scissor lifts, podium steps.
- Personal : Work restraint
Work equipment which minimises the consequences of a fall.
- Collective : Airbags, safety nets
- Personal : Fall arrest
Other work equipment which neither prevents or mitigates a fall
- Collective : Ladders, stepladders, kick stools
Personal : Ladders stepladders, kick stools
What else do you need to do?
Make sure people who select, assemble, use and supervise the use of the equipment is regularly inspected and maintained, including ladders and stepladders.
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