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Posted By Iain Cameron
Hi again guys,
Thanks to all who contributed to my previous thread on Gas Storage. I obtained a copy of BCGA Guidance Note GN2 and it clears most issues up. :)
A question has arisen again with regards the issue of fall arrests systems (harnesses and lanyards).
There is a lot of inaccurate information kicking around out there which leads to some seriously suspect work practices. For example, I was on site yesterday and I observed a "Restricted Area, Safety Harnesses Must be Worn" sign beside a riser shaft.
Now, that is fine if it is part of wider control measures, but there seemed to be an absence of any additional information (such as where you latch on etc).
Anyway, I am of the opinion that when ANYONE uses this equipment then they should be trained in its use. Do members on here concur? If training is not felt to be essential, is the supervision of users by a competent person (who inspects the equipment etc) an adequate control measure?
There is very little guidance on the safe use of these items of PPE, except for pre-use checks.
Any ideas?
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Posted By Richard Hinckley
Iain - you are certainly correct with the amount of "mis-information out in the field" I hear some worrying examples of this on a daily basis...
To try and answer your question, a safety harness is part of a fall protection "system" and as such needs a suitable attachment means (lanyard, block etc..) and an unquestionably reliable anchor point (tested eyebolt, structural steelwork which has been identfied to take the potential impact loadings).
When introducing this equipment it is essential that users are trained in pre use checks and actual use as well as rescue (if required).
There are many situations where I, on site see operatives with Harness and lanyards on because there system of work say so, but never actually see them attached to anything, this unfortunately is across all industries.
I recall visiting site last year with the brief to design a fall arrest system for operatives accessing the top of tankers and saw one of the chaps wearing a harness, I was bemused by this as I was there to design the system he would ultimately connect to?
When he quizzed him why he wore a harness, he responded saying that he did because his "gaffer said he had to"!! - he put on at start of shift and took off at end never once connecting to anything (as until my visit there was nothing to conect to).
A lot of work at height risks are obvious though many not so obvious and a very big risk when using protection equipment is suitable anchor points.
All I would say if in any doubt I would aks people to call in a Height Safety Specialist company and not the local Tool Hire Company...
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Posted By DIANE BAINBRIDGEs
Is the harness and lanyard to be used for fall arrest or work restraint? Are users aware of suspension trauma causes and effects, the do's and the dont's. Don't forget to try and prevent someone from falling rather than arresting the fall is the priority, fall arrest can lead to further hazards being posed.
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Posted By KEVIN O'KANE
I even heard the one , where a so called reputable training company said the anchor point can be the rung of a ladder!!Yes wear fall arrest whilst climbing a aluminium ladder, if you fall the ladder will hold you..yea right!
Kevin
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Posted By Edward H
You are right to believe that training is essential.
British Standard BS8437:2005, which has the snappy title " Code of Practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace", states that all users should receive a formal programme of initial training and be assessed on completion. It goes on to say that a newly trained user should not be regarded as competent and should only work under the close supervision of a competent user/supervisor until they have achieved and demonstrated a suitable level of competence.
The HSE publication "Health & Safety in roof work" talks about the safe use of harnesses in Appendix 3 and includes some examples of the sorts of areas training should cover e.g.
Wearing and adjusting the harness
Managing the lanyard etc.
Minimising injury during a fall
Rescue including self-rescue
Equipment inspection
Selection of anchorages
Equipment assembly
Fall arrest is not an easy nor cheap option. Hope this helps...
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Posted By Iain Cameron
Thanks to all who've contributed. Been a big help.
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Posted By ianmilne69
Iain,
Training and awareness is a must and needs reinforced continuously on-the-job. Having had few years experience on different fall arrest options in past lifes, I suggest that you get a consultant or supplier to train a few of your guys (and you) and issue a certificate. This will then allow ongoing training to be provided in-house by staff who 'know-the-job'.
It must be remembered that you need to stand your ground if your company asks you to take short cuts in relation to this training.
There is a lot of good media available as well on the web i.e. suitable lanyards & harnesses, retreival blocks, fixing points etc and ways equipment should/should not be worn. What you are trying to achieve is the second category in the Work at height regs (prevent fall) and not the last one (protect if fell).
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Posted By safety medic
Iain,
You dont mention the context in which you raised the qustion of training but I agree with the previous replies but for me there is a number of steps that MUST be taken prior to setting a person off to work in a harness and lanyard.
Namely these are the WaH heirarchy of control, as outlined in the WaH regulations.
All to often WaH is not properly planned and people look for suitable anchor points for a harness when actually a mobile tower or scaffold or engineering controls can (and should) be applied.
For me, getting trained to wear a harness should be made difficult, this would force people to plan work at height better and introduce additional controls to mitigate the need for a person to WaH anyway.
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Posted By Ciarán Delaney
It is also imperative that you ensure that the anchorage points comply with BS EN 755.
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