Posted By srd
We have a two man 'cradle' that we use for the internal cleaning of windows in a large / high hall. The 'cradle' is suspended from a bar running along the top of the hall walls, and can be made to raise / lower and travel sideways by the two operators.

The two men are prevented from falling out of the cradle by the wearing of a belt restraint.

Is this all that is required, or should we be using some type of fall arrest equipment, and if so how would this help, as if the cradle were to fall to the ground it would take the men with it as they are strapped in?

Stephen.

Posted By Mike Draper
Stephen

I would have thought that the cradle constituted lifting equipment for lifting persons and was therefore subject to regular thorough examination. This is also one aspect of your fall prevention strategy.

Given then that the workers are in a cradle which has guardrails all round, if they are correctly anchored then they are practically prevented from falling out of the cradle, aren't they?

However if they can still fall outside of the cradle despite the guardrails and the restraint, then perhaps you need to do so more work.

Mike

Posted By Robert K Lewis
We need to remember that the reason for the harnesses in this situation is to stop falls of persons in the following situations

Unpredicted movements of the cradle due to failure of lifting parts or electrical faults

Failure of suspension parts leading to the cradle becoming suspended at a steep angle.

In both scenarios there is a possibility of suspension although with short restraint lanyards this is not likely. The operatives are therefore able to self recover the level of the cradle using the manually operated controls for the cradle. They should however be using a full harness for this rather than a belt. This ensures that they are held vertically upright, which is highly unlikely with a belt.

The catastrophic collapse of the cradle is however a scenario that can only be minimised through proper maintenance, inspection and testing of all parts including the track. Operatives cannot be affixed to the building unless you have a fifteen minute rescue plan, even then the HSE would see this as an admission that your maintenance regime does not have your full confidence.

The failures I have seen have been due almost exclusively from a total failure to inspect and test the equipment regularly. I have seen only one electrical failure giving problems in over 25 years and this was overcome by the operatives.

Bob

Posted By srd
Thanks all for your replies, and to Brian for sending some helpful attachments via email.

Stephen.