PAPERmaking! g FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY ® Volume 10, Number 1, 2024
1. The law and who’s responsible Taking ownership for your responsibilities is essential when it comes to ensuring that you are covered from all angles. Acts, Regulations, Codes and Standards all need to be complied with and no matter which end of the process you are; designer, builder, manager or user they must be followed and adhered to. As a brief guide the hierarchy of legislation is as follows: 2. Correct use of ladders According to Safe Work Australia, falls from ladders are the second highest cause of falls-related fatalities. Whether it be non-compliance, incorrect placement or overbalancing, this is a statistic that is hard to go past and shows that while many people regard climbing a ladder as a basic task requiring little skill, correct training and proper supervision is still required. Portable ladders, due to their ease of use, are particularly prone to mishaps. Regular inspections are vital towards ensuring that ladders are not missing any components, have not suffered any damaged to the stiles, rungs or brackets and that the structural integrity has not been compromised. It is also essential to remember that if there is a risk of a person falling more than two metres, a SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) should be undertaken. 3. Stop unwanted access Have you controlled access to unwanted areas on your building sites or premises? The installation of a lockable ladder cage gate or door can eliminate intruders or unauthorised workers entering locations of high risk, ensuring that only trained and qualified personnel are accessing the area. 4. Check those skylights Falls through skylights and voids still contribute to a large amount of incidents and deaths and are very much a hidden danger. Skylights are often inadequately protected and may not be easily seen due to a build up of debris or can simply be mistaken as a solid surface. Guardrail or skylight protectors will ensure they cannot be accidentally fallen through or stood on and are the most effective form of protection. If safety mesh is installed it is always essential to check that it offers substantial and compliant protection. For more information on this subject read our article Skylight roof safety mesh is not enough - find out why. 5. Scaffolding – is it up to the task? The erection of scaffolding can assist greatly in fall protection however, according to the project findings in a construction blitz run by Safework NSW, many infringements for missing components or inadequate edge protection were recorded. Nothing has highlighted the deadly consequences of this more than the recent tragic death of a young worker, who was killed when the scaffolding he was on collapsed at a Sydney worksite. Safework NSW’s Construction Blitz Initial Findings contains interesting reading and statistics about the problem of falls from height. You will also find an extremely handy falls from height checklist at the back of this document which can assist in ensuring compliance around your work areas. 6. Use the correct equipment Do you know differences between equipment that is used for fall restraint, fall arrest, fall prevention and what these terms mean? Did you know that not all anchors can be used for rope access? What is the benefit of using rigid rails vs overhead cable systems for fall arrest? We have several reference articles which may be of assistance. x “Understanding anchor selection and why it matters” – the differences between fall arrest and rope access anchors and why it is critical that the right anchor is chosen for the required task.
Article 12 – Working at Height
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