Posted By Raj I am still searching for some reference regulation which says that if the working platform is safe, as in; 1. Erected and inspected by competent persons. 2. Good material used. 3. Guardrail, intermediate rail, toeboard in position. 4. Tied to building or if independent, with adequate outriggers. Then there is no need for the operator to wear Safety Harness. Please advise. raj

Posted By Ken Taylor You will see that the 'test' in the Regs as to whether further protective measures are needed (whether harness, airbags or whatever) is whether there remains a significant risk of injury by fall from height. This is where the risk assessment by the competent person is needed.

Posted By Steve B Raj, I am not sure you will find a definitive answer with regards what you should and should not wear. The WAH Regs state Collective measures over personal measures. therefore if your collective measures i.e. toe board, mid rail, top rail and safe access and egress are as such that they prevent a fall then there is no need for personal measures, however if the work they are doing on the scaffold may present a risk of falling then you firstly need to review your collective measures. Like all PPE harness etc in the hierarchy of control measures PPE is the last form of defence... I hate to say it but each individual circumstance will be different and the job specific risk assessment will give you the answer. I hope this helps Regards Steve B

Posted By Robert K Lewis ddraigice The guidance you refer to is for cherry-picker type MEWPS only, not MEWPS in general. The harness advice does not apply to flying carpets. I have also yet to find a successful argument with an inspector that a risk assessment removed the need for a harness in a cherry-picker. The HSE view for this is based on the potential for unpredictable basket movements causing a catapaulting of the operatives - nothing to do really with the nature of location of the work. Raj The general approach set out by most of the posters to look at the hierarchy of control leads you to stop when you have achieved adequate control. If you are worried that the operatives are going to do a job beyond the intended work scope for the scaffold then the first port of call is to modify the scaffold - not move to individual protection measures. The use of a fall harness is the absolute end of the road - I can't think of another alternative method of protection from serious injury from falls methodology. Also if you start saying that it is required then you will need to develop a full emergency plan in case of a fall followed by the suspension of the operative in open space. Bob

Posted By ddraigice Yes I know it's for boom type - I should have been more specific but you don't necessarily need a harness unless there is a chance the operative can be thrown out - over rough ground or hit by vehicles - and you should remove those risks where possible. Anyway - this is not part of this thread.....