Good morning all.

This is the scenario and it is common place:
We have a contract with a local water board as a main contractor, a large part of our work involves confined space to clean out wet wells, these average anything from 5 to 10 metres deep so a considerable risk once the lid is opened from a fall from height.
The issue is that a lot of these wells are located in a field with nothing around them, the tanker is parked away from the well due to the location. The confined space entry is via a standard set up of a tripod & winch, the problem is that we have no where to attach the top man to prevent him falling in, they all have restrain lanyards etc. bear in mind he has to look into the well to observe the confined space operative cleaning the well? WHO's responsibility is it for providing the means of a secure attachment point, the water company or us??

Thanks

IMO it is you - based on the employer has the primary duty of care. The job should be subject to RA and all the necessary control measures put in place.

I would also say the water Board would have a responsibility to assure themselves that you as the contractor have all the necessary health and safety arrangements in place to complete this type of work.

I would probably say both - you to other persons, them to their employees. But would you really want to put this to the test! Remember that the solution (whatever you come up with eg ground anchors) is likely to require some form of long term commitment to evidenced maintenance.

Am I missing something here?

You have installed a safety tripod or quadpod over the chamber to provide a fall arrest anchor. Many of the tripods/quadpods have additional rated attachment points and are designed to cope with more than one person (for assisted recovery etc.).

If you choose the right tripod and properly anchor it, why can't the top man use it as a fall arrest anchor?

In other situations I have seen steel weld-mesh panels placed over an opening to prevent access (in this case falls) whilst still allowing vision and ventilation.

Thank you all some very interesting views, especially the temporary spiral anchor, will look a bit more into that option.

Regards Shaun

http://www.spirafix.com/ ground anchors are well worth a look if you are considering that option. I have used them (in a non work context) and they are incredibly easy to use. Very helpful sales people, lots of different sizes.

Water Board?