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WORKING AT HEIGHT SAFELY IN GENERAL REPAIR & MAINTENANCE

Andy Weaver SGB Group Product Marketing Manager

WORK AT HEIGHT

The SGB View

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Work at Height

The new Regulations :

• Represent the most significant changes affecting work at height since 1966

• Are already having a radical impact on many industries

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Work at Height

Key implications for all concerned

• Planning and organisational practice• Competence• Changes in attitude to access product

requirements• Product selection• Product innovation

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Scope

Everyone is affected :

• Main Clients • Purchasing / procurement• Maintenance Managers• Hotel Management• R & M Contractors

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Competence

“Every employer shall ensure that no person engages In any activity, including organisation, planning, andsupervision, in relation to work at height or workequipment for use in such work unless he iscompetent to do so, or if being trained, is beingsupervised by a competent person.”

Regulation 5 of the WAH Regulations

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Planning and Organisation

Work at Height must be :

• properly planned• appropriately supervised• carried out in a manner that is safe as far as

is reasonably practicable• planned including the selection of suitable

work equipment in accordance with the Regulations

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Repair & Maintenance Access

The Finishing, Repair and Maintenance trades

• Painting & decorating• Plastering & tiling• Heating & ventilating• Lighting & acoustics• High curtain railing – ballrooms etc• Signage• Cleaning

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Internal repair & maintenance

Common themes

• Low rise applications• Repetitive work• Short duration applications• Often low risk• Is a daily requirement

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Selection of suitable work equipment

The methods weonce used :-

• The beer or milk crate• Chairs & stools• Tables• Steps and Ladders• Anything !

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Selection of suitable work equipment

We now need to assess every application :-

• the distance to be negotiated• distance & consequences of a

fall• duration and frequency of use• any additional risks posed by

installation and removal

RISK ASSESSMENT…..

Selection of Suitable Equipment

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Work equipment

According to the WAHR heirarchy we must :-

• Avoid working at height • Prevent falls • Mitigate the

consequences

of a fall

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Preventing Falls

• In much repair and maintenance activity,the work is often of short duration and of a reptetive nature

• The most often used solution is the

Ladder or Stepladder

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Ladders and Steps

• Risk assessment required to prove that safer equipment is not appropriate because of :

• Low risk and• Short duration or site

configuration

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Ladders & Steps : Definitions

Low Risk :• 3 points of contact• Limited height (up to 5m for example)• Can be anchored for regular work• Firm, level ground • Use of effective stabilising devices

Short Duration :• BLMA (in consultation with HSE) suggest 30 mins NB: both above criteria must be met

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New product innovations

There is now a plethora of new low-level products

available for repair and maintenance applications

enabling work to be undetaken in greater comfort and

with far less risk to the person carrying out the

task………….

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Main Product Types

• Podium steps• Room scaffolds• Hop-up step platforms• Height adjustable Stepladders• Pop-Up work platforms• Stair & spanning scaffolds• Aluminium towers• Plastic blocks Mobile and static Aluminium / GRP

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Podium Steps

Low- Level Internal platform to prevent falls

• Compact – 1 person• Generally 150kg safe working

load• Up to 1.5m platform height (2.5m

working)• Meet legal guardrail requirements• Mobile• Fixed and adjustable options

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Podium Steps

• Fit through standard doorways

• Easy access & egress

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Room Scaffolds

• Prevent falls• Light duty• For more than 1 person• Platform heights up to 6.0m• Narrow width• Mobile

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Hop-Up Step Platforms

• For the lowest of levels• 500mm platform height• Guardrailed /

unguardrailed• 110kg – 150kg SWL• Aluminium & alu/GRP• Non-slip decks• Replaces the beer crate

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Height Adjustable Stepladders

• Platform heights up to 3.0m• Handrails • Platform guardrails• Toeboarded• Stabilised

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Pop-Up Work Platforms

• Stable work platform• Variable height options• One-piece units• Failsafe• Simple operation• Adjustable outriggers• Lightweight & compact• Easily stored

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Stair scaffolds

• For stairways & stairwells

• Static unit• Through access • Narrow – less than

700mm wide • Stable• Safer than a

ladder

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Spanning scaffolds

• Aluminium bridging platforms

• Up and over access• Ideal for Offices &

reception areas• Platform heights up to 2m• 2 persons + tools

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Aluminium Towers

• Prevent falls• For higher applications• More than one platform• Built-in ladder access• Stabilisers / outriggers• For all trades• PASMA Trained personnel

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Plastic blocks

• High density polyethylene• 150kg SWL• Block,bridge & step• Totally captive unit• Easy to move• Simply slots together• Handrail available

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Powered Access

For larger external areas

• For heavier duty applications

• May reduce the risks of installation

• Need level ground and operator skills

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Conclusions

• Significant changes have already taken place since advent of WAHR in 2005

• Changes in culture for many trades.• The lead is coming from the major contractors.• New equipment is being developed to meet the

new requirements• Further major changes will continue for some time• We will not continue with the old ways!

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The Role of SGB

• Advice• Interpreting customer

needs• Staff competence• Set example• Product Innovation• Professional Services

Work at Heightin General Repair & Maintenance