Rank: Forum user 
|
I'm sure this has been asked before but can't get search facility to work.
Friend is a self emplyed joiner who uses a 50cm high hop up for short duration work. Would this be acceptable under Work at Height regs?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
omg common sense or rules rules rules?
risk assessment .... all part of WAH Regulations
what is the 19 inch high platform to be placed on to be stable, flat surface?
is it foldable and checked before use for defects?
is it cleaned etc after use?
consider it as work equipment (PUWER)
After such safe system of work is in place I doubt you have a reason not to use it.
BUT...
being self employed and no doubt sub contractor it will also be up to the client to satisfy them why it would be acceptable... and if on construction sites some of the the bigger clients may only allow podiums. Why... because they make the rules!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
He has all controls in place - stable flooring, equip in good condition, daily checks, he's fit and healthy (no vertigo), good lighting, only used for light work eg shelf fitting etc. Unfortunately when he looked up the HSE website there was no definite answer and some hire companies avised him that he would need edge protection and barriers to prevent a fall - which is I suppose correct if you follow the regs word for word.
However, one clients has thrown him off their site for using it (local authority).
As an ex LA adviser I think the controls he has in place are sufficient and reasonably practicable. A guarded work platform would cost approx £500 which seems a bit much for a fifteen minute job.
Does anyone have stats for the incidence of severe injury caused by falling off a hop up?
Just wondered if it was just me who thought the rules are OTT.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Think you may have hit nail on head... LA rules!
With all the controls in place the likelihood & severity would be pretty low indeed!.
If challenged no doubt the person who threw him off site would likely say 'it's the rule' and not offer any further information!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Most of the bigger Principal Contractors now insist on Hop-ups for low level work (e.g. plastering, electrical etc.) as opposed to step ladders, so much so a lot of them actually ban step ladders from site. One of them is now asking for hop-ups to be scaf-tagged, registered weekly and a permit issued. Opinion from the people doing the work is mixed. Some feel safer on steps.
I personally don't think it comes under PUWER and should be maintained/inspected as per WaH Regs as access equipment (which is what it is), exactly the same as steps and ladders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Correction, wrong way round....maintain/inspect as per PUWER.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Disappointing to read he was thrown off site by LA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user 
|
Taking into consideration that the equipment is free from defects etc etc, I believe that the main focus would be on what tasks is he actually performing that he needs the hop ups for. I'm not a big fan of hop ups and always try to minimise the use of them in our organisation. There are a lot of safer and financially feasible products available in the access equipment industry at the minute. Again the tasks would be the main focus of what his assessment would be built around, but I think he will forever invite scrutiny when using hop ups on site.
Hope this helps
Watchy
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.