Working at height slides

Working at Heights
Training
RST – 1 April 2010
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Aims of this Course
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To provide personnel working at heights with the
practical knowledge and application of safe
practices which will prevent injury.

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 4
Safety Alerts

Course Objectives
5
 Identify the regulations and standards that focus on preventing
fall related incidents applicable to working at heights.
 Demonstrate the ability to identify potential risks when working
at heights and measures to prevent and control them.
 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the safety
systems and equipment needed to maintain and prevent fall
related incidents.
 Demonstrate a working knowledge of personal protective
equipment required for working at heights including details on
selection, inspection, conservation and the equipment’s
limitation of use.

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Course Objectives
 Demonstrate knowledge of what to do in emergency
situations, including basic rescue techniques and first aid.
 Demonstrate awareness of resources and documentation
available that will enforce protection against falls while
working at heights

Introduction
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Working at height has always been a hazardous business …
Gravity had much the same strength in the 1930’s as it has
now …Then, as now, limbs were just as prone to break in a fall
vital organs to tear and crush …
skulls - to crack …
brains - to splatter …
but you wouldn’t necessarily know it from the following pictures

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Lifting
Empire State Building Empire State Building

9
Golden Gate Bridge
Riveting
Empire State Building

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Bolting
Slinging

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What is working at height?
Definitions: “A place is ‘at height’ if a person could be injured
falling from it, even if it is at or below ground level.”
Work’ includes moving around at a place of work (except by a
staircase in a permanent workplace) but not travel to or from a
place of work.”
Work at height means work in any place where, if precautions
were not taken, a person could fall down and injure themselves.
If you do any of the following then you will be working at height,
because you can fall from one level to another.
• Work above ground level.
• Could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface.
• Could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or hole in
the ground.

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• When your feet are 6 feet or above where there is a potential
for a person to sustain injury by falling from one surface to
another surface that is not at the same level.
• When work is performed at elevations of 6 feet or more or near
the edge of an unprotected work stand or platform where you
may fall 6 feet or more.
• When work is performed where there is a potential for a person
to sustain injury by falling from one surface to another surface
that is not at the same level.
What is considered working at heights?

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Every effort should be taken to work at grade alternatives before
beginning work at height. Keep in mind that if you can do it on a
flat surface, it is less dangerous.
What examples of working at height can you think of in your
workplace?
What are the risks involved with work at height?
What is considered working at heights?

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Examples of working at height
• Using working platforms such as scaffolds, tower.
• Scaffolds, cherry pickers, scissor lifts and podium steps.
• Work on a roof, piece of plant or equipment.
• Using ladders or stepladders.

WAH Training –
Why is it needed?
RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 15

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Regulations
What are the employer’s responsibilities?
What are your responsibilities?

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Work at Height Regulations 2005

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The Working at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) have no
minimum height requirement for work at height.
They include all work activities where there is a need to control
a risk of falling a distance liable to cause personal injury
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 were introduced
in a bid to prevent death and injury caused by falls from
height, therefore minimizing risks to workers.
Employers, facilities managers, building owners and
anyone else that controls work at height, including the
self-employed can be held responsible should an
accident occur.
They would be liable if an accident occurred and the
equipment was found to be faulty or uncertified

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These individuals and organizations have a legal responsibility
to ensure that the Work at Height Regulations 2005 are
implemented and that all activity is properly planned,
supervised and carried out by competent persons.
They are also responsible for ensuring that fall protection
systems for Work at Height are inspected regularly, at a
maximum 12 monthly intervals, but more frequently when
working in hazardous environments.

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Who is responsible for Working at Height?
People
The employer (or organization that controls Work at Height,
such as a facilities management company) is required to take
responsibility for certain duties of care under the Work at Height
Regulations 2005.
The regulations state that the employer must ensure that
workers have available to them the appropriate Work at Height
equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Workers should also receive appropriate training in the use of
that equipment and whilst they are in training with the
equipment, they should be properly supervised.

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Equipment
Regulation 12 of The Work at Height Regulations deals
specifically with the inspection of fall protection equipment.
Here, the responsibility lies with the employer to have Work at
Height equipment properly tested and inspected on a regular
basis.
For example, in the case of a handrail and guardrail (under
PUWER 1998) this would require at least 12 monthly
inspections, or more frequently if the environment is hazardous.

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Place
The Work at Height Regulations also state that surfaces,
parapets or permanent rails, where work is to be carried out,
should be checked on every occasion before that equipment is
used. Again, it would be the responsibility of the employer (the
Duty Holder) to ensure this is carried out effectively.
The legislation points to certain ‘danger areas’ such as fragile
surfaces, where it advises that special consideration is given.
In case of fragile surfaces, the employer (or contractor
responsible for the work) must ensure that a suitable and
sufficient platform or covering is supplied.

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They must also take all precautions to ensure that the distances
from these surfaces to the ground are restricted to minimize the
consequences of a fall.
Another responsibility of the employer or duty holder is to
ensure that workers are alerted to fragile surfaces with
prominent warning notices as they approach the hazard.
In addition the guidance recommends that equipment is made
available, such as guardrail, to prevent an individual entering a
dangerous Work at Height area.

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 Reduce death and major injuries from falls from height.
 HSC/ HSE targets 10% reduction in death and major injuries
by 2020.
 Working with sectors were falls are an issue;
– Caretakers
– Facilities Management Companies
– Maintenance / fitters
– Construction / Installation
Falls Program
.

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The Work at Height Regulations
Background: The background to the Regulations, where they came
from, why have Regulations?
Scope: What is work at height. Who and what is covered by the
Regulations.
Managing risks from work at height: What duty holders need to
do. The hierarchy.
Selecting the right equipment: How to make sure that the
equipment selected is safe and fit for purpose.
Other Requirements: What else needs to be considered or put in
place to ensure people work at height safely.
Summary

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Background : Objectives
 Temporary Work at Height Directive (2001/45/EC)
 Bring existing legislation together into risk based regulation
 Maintain and improve standards
The Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) are goal setting and risk based
and seek to maintain and improve current standards.
They bring together duties from;
•The Workplace Regulations 1992,
•The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996,
•The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998,

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The Regulations were consulted upon during 2004 including a focused
consultation on retaining the requirements for particular precautions for
construction work at or above 2mtrs.
[It may be appropriate to discuss the 2 metre rule and why it was not retained.
The main points are;
 The TWAH Directive and the Work at Height Regulation makes no
reference to any specific height.
 The 2-metre rule has been misrepresented – the Construction Regulations
say that suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken , ASAIRP., to prevent
any person falling’
 2 metres applied only where particular work equipment should be used.
 In fact several fatal and two thirds of major injury accidents occur at heights
below two metres and it is important that action is taken to stop them.
Current position

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The Regulations have been in force since 6 April 2005.
There is no transitional period as the regulations consolidate what should be
existing good practice.
However it is understood that industry will need to familiarise themselves with
the regulations and ensure that what they do is sufficient to comply.
There is no Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) produced for the new
Regulations.
HSE are taking a different approach to communicate the Regulations.
This is based on A Brief Guide to the Regulations and promoting sector
specific guidance.
Current position WAHR

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WAH Regulations: Overview
 Scope
 Risk assessment/organisation/planning
 Avoid – Prevent – Minimize
In this part of the presentation we will look more closely at the Work at Height
Regulations,
Who is covered,
The arrangements you should have in place for work at height,
The hierarchy for controlling the risk from work at height; avoid work at
height where possible, prevent falls where work must take place at height
and minimize the consequences of a possible fall.
We will also look at the selection of the right work equipment and what other
precautions that may need to be taken when planning or working at height.
And finally, some key messages from HSE about the Regulations and their
effect on the work place.
 Select the right Work Equipment
 Other Precautions
 Key messages

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Scope: What Sectors are covered?
 Covers all industries: e.g. construction, agriculture, manufacturing,
maintenance etc; but not those paid to lead or train climbing and caving
 Duty holders are:
– Employers;
– Self-employed; and
– Those in control of people at work
There are also specific duties placed on employees to use
equipment provided in accordance with the training received
and the instructions given.
To report any defect or activity that is likely to endanger the
safety of the employee or another person.

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Organisation, Planning, Competence
All work at height should be properly planned and appropriately
supervised. This includes planning for an emergency or rescue
should the need occur.
Generally, you should take sensible precautions to protect
against bad weather.
However, work at height should not be carried out when weather
conditions might endanger health and safety.
This could be in high winds or where low temperatures make
surfaces slippery.
The emergency services are excluded from this part of the
Regulations, although they must still do what they reasonably
can to protect their employees.
.

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Those working at height should be competent to do so or if
being trained they should be supervised by a competent
person.
There is no definition of “competent” in the Regulations.
However a competent person would generally be expected to
have had the right level of, formal training, experience, and/ or
instruction for them to be able to do their job to the level of
responsibility required.
Competence also includes involvement
in organisation, planning, supervision,
and the supply and maintenance of equipment
Organisation, Planning, Competence

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Risk Assessment
 Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at work Regulations
 Do a risk assessment
Risk assessment –
All work should be risk based, well organised and planned in advance. There
is a requirement to complete a risk assessment for work at height. If you
employ 5 or more persons you should keep a written record of this risk
assessment.
For many tasks your risk assessment might be simple and straightforward.
For example it will often be enough to follow good practice for the task you are
doing, e.g. using a kick stool. But in other case where what you are doing is
more complicated a more detailed risk assessment might be needed.
For further information, HSE has produced “5 steps to risk assessment”
Risk Assessment Clip

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Assessing and Managing Hazards
A hazard analysis must be conducted regardless of whether fall
protection already exists. Hazards associated with working at
height must be identified and addressed prior to beginning
work. The analysis must include, but is not limited to the:
• Likelihood of falling. If a fall is likely, then a means to prevent a
fall must be put in place. If fall prevention is not possible,
adequate fall protection must be provided.
• Risk of injury to a person if a person falls.
• Risk of falling objects to workers below

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Assessing and Managing Hazards
The hazard analysis shall identify control measures that reduce
the potential for injury to personnel working at height.
These control measures fall into two broad categories:
• Fall prevention- (1st Choice) Fall prevention shall be used in
place of fall protection to minimize the risk to personnel from
falling during work at height when possible.
• Fall protection- When fall prevention is not available fall
protection / PPE shall be used.
Where feasible, eliminate the need for elevated work through
design or facility modifications through the installation of
permanent platforms with prevention in the form of; handrails,
toe boards, drop bars, etc.

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Avoid - Prevent - Minimise
• Avoid work at height
– if you don’t have to go up there DON’T!
• Prevent falls
– use an existing place or means of access
– Use the most suitable way of working
– Select the most suitable equipment

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Avoid – Prevent - Minimise
 Minimise the distance and consequences
– Minimise the consequences
– Take other measures to prevent injury eg instruction,
information and training

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Select the right equipment
 Collective protection before personal protection
 Select guardrails/working platforms before personal fall
prevention (eg work restraint)
 Select nets/airbags before personal fall arrest
The Regulations require that duty holders consider the use of
collective protection equipment before anything else.

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Select the right equipment
 Working conditions
 Access and Egress
 Distance and consequences of a fall
 Duration and frequency of use/task
 Ease of rescue/evacuation
 Risk of use, installation and removal of equipment
 Guardrails
 Working platforms (scaffolds/MEWPS etc)
 Nets/Airbags
 Personal Fall Protection systems
 Ladders

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Communication
 What HSE have done
 What HSE would like you to do
 How will HSE know if they are getting it right?
HSE Key Message
 If you follow good practice you should be doing enough to comply
 Do a risk assessment, plan and organise your work properly
 Follow the hierarchy: avoid – prevent minimise
 Choose the right equipment - select collective protection before
personal
 Guide supported by Industry Specific Guidance.

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Fall factors – always try to connect above the worker. Make sure
the operative is trained to use the equipment properly.

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Working at Height
Factors which can affect the risk from work at height:
• Damaged materials
• Fragile roofs
• Unprotected edges
• Vertical distance
• Poorly maintained access equipment
• Environment
• Faulty tools
• Falling materials

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Working at Height
Hierarchy of control
- avoid working at height where possible
- use an existing safe place of work
- provide work equipment to prevent falls
- mitigate both the distance & consequences of a fall
- instruction, training & supervision
AVOID
EXISTING
PREVENT
MITIGATE
PROVIDE

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To manage the risk of falls, you are required to follow the hierarchy of
controls for work at height as follows:
Level 1, Perform the work on the ground or on solid
construction
Level 2, Use a passive fall preventive device eg cherry picker,
mobile Scaffold, install guard rails.
Level 3, Use a work positioning system eg a travel restraint
system
Level 4, Use a fall arrest system
Level 5, Use a ladder or administrative control
Five Level Hierarchy of Control

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Working at Height
Control measures:
• Proper planning and supervision
• Avoid working in adverse weather conditions
• Maintenance of work equipment
• Guard Rails
• Toe Boards
• Fall arrest harnesses
• Head protection
• Adequate training & instruction
• Emergency Response Procedures.

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Working at Height
Mobile Tower Scaffold
Control measures:
• Lock wheels
• Fully extend stabilisers
• Do not overload
• Do not move with
people/materials on them
• Level ground
• Do not use in adverse
weather
• Do not overreach
• Proper access
• Height/width ratio.

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Working at Height
Mobile access equipment: Cherry
Picker
Control measures
• Trained, competent users only
• do not move whilst elevated
• Level, stable ground
• Signs/barriers
• Overhead power lines
• emergency procedures
• Fully extended outriggers
• Safety harnesses
• Maintenance & inspection
• Wheels immobilised when in use
• Tyres properly inflated

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MEWPs, also known as power-operated elevating work
platforms, are designed to provide a temporary working platform
which can be easily moved from one location to another.
MEWPs height can be adjusted using articulation, scissor
mechanisms, telescoping booms or towers.
The platforms can be vehicle-mounted, self-propelled, towed or
manually moved.
A trained and knowledgeable person shall be designated to
operate the work platform, scissor lift, crane lift platform, building
maintenance unit or man lift.
A fall-arrest system (such as a fall-arrest harness and lanyard)
shall be used in conjunction with a MEWP and a Rescue Plan
must be in place.
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs)

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Working at Height
Mobile Elevated Work Platforms – MEWP
Further controls:
• Beware scissor mechanism
• Overhead obstructions
• Pedestrian segregation
• Banks person.

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Ladder Usage
What are some
Risks with
Portable
Ladders?

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Working at Height
Ladders
Control measures:
• Must be secured at the top and/or bottom
• No more than a 9m run should be used
without a landing area or platform
• Correct angle
• Inspections
• Correct ladder for the job
• Maintain 3 points of contact
• No overreaching
• Light duty work only
• Footwear
• Not used in adverse weather
• Training

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Working at Height
Stepladders
Further controls:
• Fully extended
• Do not stand on platform.

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Working at Height
Fall restraint & fall
arrest harnesses

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Working at Height
Guard rails & edge protection

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Working at Height
Waste chutes

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 60
Working at Height

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There must be a process for ensuring that anchorage points are tested in
accordance with a recognized standard and/or approved by a competent
person.
This is intended to ensure that the anchor points are secure and can hold the
required load they may be subjected to during a fall.

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Working at Height
Scaffold control measures:
• Competent persons
• Access & egress
• Toe boards, brick nets, etc.
• Inspection:
• After completion (before use)
• Daily (before use)
• Following alterations/damage/collision/high winds/
storms
• Must be carried out by competent persons
• Records available, scaffold tagged.

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 64
Temporary Works
“Temporary works “ can include building, construction,
renovation, alterations, extensions, demolition and excavations.
What are the hazards associated with temporary works?

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 66
Avoid Drops from Heights

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 68
Avoid Drops from Heights

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 71
PFAS

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 72
Check Equipment for Fall Arrest
Systems for Safety
• Inspect personal fall arrest systems and equipment for wear,
damage, deterioration, and defects in the components.
• Remove any equipment that does not pass inspection and tag
for non-use.

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• Annually, have a qualified person inspect all fall protection
and update records.
• Any equipment in question should be inspected by a qualified
person and not worn again unless a qualified person
determines that it is not damaged and is safe to use.
• The harness should be of the full body type with a “D” ring
centered in the back (dorsal) of the harness and a fall arrest
system rated for no less than 310 pounds. In order to
minimize the likelihood of Roll Out, size recommendations for
D-rings is 3” OD and 2 ¼” ID

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• Rope and straps shall be made from synthetic fibers; cotton
and manila rope is not allowed.
• Lanyards and self-retracting lifelines, which automatically limit
free fall to 2 feet or less, shall be capable of sustaining a
minimum load of 3000 pounds.
• If the lanyard and self-retracting lifelines are not capable of
limiting free fall to 2 feet, “ripstitch” lanyards with a tensile
strength of 5000 pounds will be used.
• Mismatching or interchanging manufacturer brands and
connecting mechanisms may cause rollout.

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.
Double Auto-locking Carabineer
The use of Double Auto-Locking Carabineers minimizes the risk
of accidental roll-out which may be caused by incompatible
equipment and connectors.

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 76
Activity
Using on-site fall arrest equipment, perform a visual
inspection on the following:
• Full body harness
• Cross arm strap
• Rope and Cable Grabs
• Shock absorbing lanyards
• Self retracting lifelines
• Shock absorbing lanyards
• Carabineers

Engineering Controls
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“The use of engineering controls such as barriers or guardrails can also
improve safety while working at height by providing a barrier against falling
Guardrails may be used to provide effective fall protection at:
• The perimeters of buildings or other structures
• The perimeters of skylights or roof structures
• The edges of shafts or other excavations
Engineering controls do not eliminate hazards, but rather keep people
isolated from hazards. Capital costs of engineering controls tend to be higher
than those the less effective controls within the hierarchy, however they may
reduce future costs (i.e. building a work platform rather than purchasing,
replace, and maintaining fall arrest equipment)”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierarchy_of_hazard_control

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 79
Requirements for Guardrails
www.sciencedirect.com

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 80
Horizontal Lifelines

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Safety Nets
Safety nets must extend outward
from the outermost projection of the
work surface as follows:
http://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/subpartm.html

Personal Protective Equipment
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The company must provide employees, free of charge, with the
appropriate PPE in a perfect state of operation and repair in all
situations where:
a) measures of a general nature do not provide complete protection against
the risk of accidents or occupational hazards at work; or
b) collective protection measures are being deployed; or
c) in response to emergency situations.
The employer must:
a) provide the appropriate PPE to counter the risks involved in each type of
activity;
b) only provide workers with approved PPE; and make sure it is used
c) guide and train employees in the proper use, safekeeping and preservation
of the PPE provided

Personal Protective Equipment
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The employee must:
a) Use the PPE provided only for the purpose for which it
is intended;
b) be responsible for its custody and preservation;
c) communicate to the employer any change that makes
the equipment provided unsuitable for use; and
d) comply with any directives from the employer in relation
to the equipment’s proper use
d) replace PPE immediately in the event that it is damaged or misplaced;
e) take responsibility for periodic cleaning and maintenance of PPE;
f) Immediately communicate to management any irregularities observed

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Emergency Rescue Plan

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Purpose of Working at Heights Rescues
When a worker falls and is suspended in a harness, it’s
important to rescue him or her as quickly as possible because
of the following reasons.
 The worker may have suffered injuries during the fall and
may need medical attention.
 When workers are suspended in their safety harnesses for
long periods, they may suffer from blood pooling in the lower
body. This can lead to suspension trauma.
 Suspended workers may panic if they are not rescued
quickly.
 The event that led to the fall may create additional risks that
need to be addressed.

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Emergency Planning
The three main parts of emergency planning are:
1) Training
2) Creating an emergency plan
3) Outlining rescue procedures.
1) Training
All site personnel must attend a site-specific safety training
session where they will review emergency response procedures
and receive instruction on alarms and assembly areas.
Train a designated crew to perform the rescue. This crew must
know how to use the equipment that is available to them at the
jobsite and where they can find it.
They should review the rescue procedure every two weeks with
the crane crews.

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Emergency Planning
2) Emergency Response Plan
If a worker falls and is suspended by a safety harness,
implement the emergency response plan by following the steps
below.
Note: It’s important to know your role.
1. The site supervisor (or alternate foreperson) takes control of the situation.
2. The site supervisor sounds the emergency alarm—two long blasts from a
horn. All workers in the immediate vicinity of the incident stop working. The
site supervisor quickly evaluates the situation and identifies any further
hazards that could arise.
3. The site supervisor or their designate goes to get help if workers are close
by. If no one is close enough, the site supervisor calls for help. .

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4. The crane operator remains on standby. The operator frees
the hook and waits for further direction in case the designated
rescue team must perform a basket rescue.
5. The site supervisor (or a worker assigned to the task) isolates
the accident zone and its perimeter to limit further exposure.
6. The site supervisor (or a worker assigned to the task) moves
all non-affected personnel to a safe zone or directs them to
remain where they are.
7. The site supervisor enables radio silence on the jobsite,
except for crisis communications from emergency responders.
These communications are conducted on a pre-selected
"emergency only" radio channel.
Emergency Planning

89
3) Rescue Procedures
The following rescue procedures are ordered (A) through (D),
with (A) being the preferred method and (D) being the method
used when there is no other means of rescue.
A. Elevating Work Platform Rescue—If an elevating work
platform (EWP) is available on site and the suspended worker
can be reached by the platform, follow the procedure below.
1. Bring the EWP to the accident site and use it to reach the suspended
worker.
2. Ensure that rescue workers are wearing full-body harnesses attached to
appropriate anchors in the EWP.
3. Ensure that the EWP has the load capacity for both the rescuer(s) and the
fallen worker. If the fallen worker is not conscious, two rescuers will
probably be needed to safely handle the weight of the fallen worker.
Emergency Planning

90
4. Position the EWP platform below the worker and disconnect
the worker’s lanyard when it is safe to do so.
When the worker is safely on the EWP, reattach the lanyard to
an appropriate anchor point on the EWP if possible.
5. Lower the worker to a safe location and administer first aid.
Treat the worker for suspension trauma and any other injury.
Arrange transportation to hospital if required
Emergency Planning

91
B. Ladder Rescue—If an elevating work platform is not
available, use ladders to rescue the fallen worker with the
procedure outlined below.
1. If the fallen worker is suspended from a lifeline, move the
worker (if possible) to an area that rescuers can access safely
with a ladder.
2. Set up the appropriate ladder(s) to reach the fallen worker.
3. Rig separate lifelines for rescuers to use while carrying out
the rescue from the ladder(s).
4. If the fallen worker is not conscious or cannot reliably help
with the rescue, at least two rescuers may be needed.
Emergency Planning

92
5. If the fallen worker is suspended directly from a lanyard or a
lifeline, securely attach a separate lowering line to the harness.
6. Other rescuers on the ground (or closest work surface) should
lower the fallen worker while the rescuer on the ladder guides
the fallen worker to the ground (or work surface).
7. Once the fallen worker has been brought to a safe location,
administer first aid and treat the person for suspension trauma
and any other injury.
8. Arrange transportation to hospital if required.
Emergency Planning

93
C. Rescue from Work Area or Floor Below—If the fallen
worker is suspended near a work area and can be safely
reached from the floor below or the area from which they fell,
use the following procedure.
1. Ensure that rescuers are protected against falling.
2. If possible, securely attach a second line to the fallen worker’s
harness to help rescuers pull the fallen worker to a safe area.
You will need at least two strong workers to pull someone up
to the level from which they fell.
3. Take up any slack in the retrieving line to avoid slippage.
4. Once the worker has been brought to a safe location,
administer first aid and treat the person for suspension
trauma and any other injury.
5. Arrange transportation to hospital if required.
Emergency Planning

94
D. Basket Rescue—If a worker has fallen and is suspended in
an inaccessible area, you may need to perform a basket
rescue.
For basket rescues, the basket must be designed by a
professional engineer in accordance with good manufacturing
processes to withstand all loads to which it may be subjected.
It must be kept on site at all times in an accessible location
where it is clear of material or other equipment.
Fit the rescue basket with appropriate rigging for quick hookup
by the crane operator.
Emergency Planning

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Always keep the following items in the rescue basket
1. First-aid kit
2. Three lanyards equipped with shock absorbers
3. One full-body harness
4. Tag line attached to the basket at all times
5. Descent controller rescue device in good working condition
6. Secondary safety line to tie the basket above the headache
ball of the crane.

96
To perform a basket rescue, follow the steps below
1. Make sure preferred methods A, B, and C are not possible
2. Notify the crane operator right away to position the crane to attach the
basket.
3. While the basket is being attached, the crew leader checks that all safety
rigging is done and all the required safety equipment is available.
4. With two rescuers in the basket, hoist it to a position that is above and as
close as possible to the fallen worker.
A designated worker on the ground guides the basket with a tag line.
The designated worker must make sure that when the rescue basket
reaches the right elevation, the door of the basket is facing the structural
steel to provide an easy exit for rescuer #1.

97
5. Rescuer #1 exits the rescue basket and gets into a position to reach the
fallen worker. When doing this, rescuer #1 must be tied-off at all times to
either the structure or the rescue basket.
6. Rescuer #2, who is still in the rescue basket, lowers the line that will be
used to retrieve the worker. Rescuer #2 attaches an extra lanyard to the line if
required.
7. Rescuer #1 assesses the fallen worker for injuries and then decides how to
proceed (i.e., treat injuries first, guide the fallen worker into the rescue basket,
or lower the basket to the ground with the fallen worker attached to it).
8. Once the fallen worker has been brought to a safe location, administer first
aid. Treat the person for suspension trauma and any other injury.
Arrange transportation to hospital. A designated worker must accompany the
injured worker to hospital
To perform a basket rescue, follow the steps below

98
Post-Rescue Procedure
All non-affected workers should remain in the designated safe
gathering zone until the site supervisor notifies them to do
otherwise.
The site supervisor and health and safety representative
should
 Begin the accident investigation.
 Quarantine all fall-arrest equipment that may have been
subjected to fall fatigue effects and/or shock loading for
further investigation.
 Secure the area (the OHSA requires that an accident scene
not be disturbed where a fatal or critical injury has
occurred).

99
 Determine whether or not the jobsite-specific rescue and
evacuation plans were followed as designed.
 Record modifications or additions to the plans that the rescue
team deems necessary.
 Record all documented communications with fire, police,
MOL, and other contractors involved. (When a fall occurs and
is arrested, you must notify the MOL in writing.)
 Record all documented statements from employees,
witnesses, and others.
 Save all photographs of the incident.
Record all key information such as dates, time, weather,
general site conditions, and specific accident locales including
sketches of the immediate incident area, complete with
measurements if applicable
Post-Rescue Procedure

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 100
Documentation
What
documentation
is needed
before you can
begin work?

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 101
Stop Work Authority
Workers must show due regard at all times for
their health and safety and for the health and
safety of others who may be affected by their
actions or omissions.

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 102
Work Permits

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 103
1. Review safe working environment procedures
2. Discuss job tasks and identify hazards
3. Make a check list as a group
Activity
Perform a Job Safety Analysis on a potential job.

107
• Check there is a safe method of getting to and from the work
area. Decide what particular equipment will be suitable for the job
and the conditions on site.
• Make sure work platforms and any edges from which people are
likely to fall have guardrails, toe boards or other barriers.
• Make sure that the equipment needed is delivered to site in good
time and that the site has been prepared for it.
• Check that the equipment is in good condition.
Summary of steps to take before working at
height

Summary of steps to take before working at height
108
• Make sure that whoever puts the equipment together is trained
and knows what they are doing.
 Make sure that those who use the equipment are supervised
so that they use it properly.
• Check any equipment provided by another company to make
sure it is safe before using it on site.

110
Common Hazards With Working At Height
Poor conceptual design of the permanent works (designed with no
thought or provision for how they will be built)
•Poor structural design (breaks under load, not strong enough,
components fracture or malfunction)
• Poor functional design (not properly designed for the stated purpose)
• Inadequate planning and provision for weather
• Structural elements incorrectly erected or installed
• Poor workplace design (working platforms, access, egress)
• Signalling systems (manual, mechanical, electronic) malfunction
• Misuse (elements and equipment not used as designed or planned)
• Unprotected edges and openings
• Loads insecurely attached
•Release of pressure (concrete pumps)

111
These cause the following hazards
•Workers handling very heavy or awkward loads causing falls or injury
•Falls due to collapses of partly built permanent works
•Workers crushed by falling or otherwise moving elements or equipment
•Crushing due to impact of moving or toppling plant and equipment
•Impact from release of pressure (e.g. concrete exploding from concrete
pump hose failure)
•Falling from plant and equipment
•Falls caused by swinging loads, plant and equipment
•Limbs or bodies caught in parts of the permanent works or machinery
•Physiological damage through exposure to weather
•Physiological and psychological damage through stress of dangerous
work
•Stress caused by poor environment (noise, heat, poor ventilation,
chemicals, noxious gases)

112
Can you minimise the consequences of a fall?
• You must first try to avoid and then prevent a fall before
using measures that will only minimise or limit the
consequences.
• Airbags and safety nets are examples of such measures,
because they should minimise the risk of injury if
someone falls.
• Fall arrest equipment will also minimise injury if someone
falls, providing the equipment is set up correctly, users
know how to look after it and they understand its
limitations.
• REMEMBER Equipment being used at height may fall,
safety nets or drop protection should be used to
avoid exposing others to harm – should this happen.
• While helmets, gloves and footwear are extremely
important personal protective equipment in fall prevention
and safety, complete fall protection must include at least
one of the following components: Guard Rails, Safety
Nets or Personal Fall Arrest Systems.

RST-FP&FF V2 GL 27-11-11 113
• When working off the ground in any capacity you need
the right mindset.
• Always think about safety and the safest way to
accomplish the task at hand.
• Never work above the ground if you are overly tired.
• Even working under emotional stress should be avoided.
• You need your reflexes and mind to be at 100% when
working above the ground.
• We have mandated training for anyone who works off
the ground.
• Personal protective equipment is a big part of fall
prevention and knowing when and how to use the
equipment is critical.
What did we learn?

Working at height slides

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