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GB1977  
#1 Posted : 13 May 2016 15:51:50(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
GB1977

Hi We have a couple of waste sites that we provide fall arrest equipment on for use by drivers when sheeting or unsheeting their lorries. We provide the fall arrest equipment and the harnesses to be worn. We get the equipment inspected but I am unsure as to where we stand with checking competencies of those using the equipment. The equipment is available for use by any driver most of whom are not our staff. Should we be checking that these drivers are trained to the use the equipment know how to wear and inspect the harness or does our duty stop at ensuring the equipment is safe to be used and it is up to the drivers to ensure they know how to use it etc. Thoughts? Thanks
A Brown  
#2 Posted : 13 May 2016 17:48:07(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
A Brown

Does the site layout not allow for guarded platforms from which the sheeting can be carried out? Al
Bigmac1  
#3 Posted : 13 May 2016 22:42:36(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bigmac1

Fall arrest OMG, fall restraint if you cannot guard, they will hit the floor !!!!!!
DavidBrede  
#4 Posted : 16 May 2016 20:57:43(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
DavidBrede

Would have thought there would need to be training on the use of the equipment or evidence that the driver has had the training. In the event of an accident taking place you may have to defend a duty of care to those working on your site and this may include using equipment that they have not been trained in the use of.
HSSnail  
#5 Posted : 17 May 2016 08:15:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
HSSnail

quote=Bigmac1]Fall arrest OMG, fall restraint if you cannot guard, they will hit the floor !!!!!!
Completely agree! Would be very surprised if they would be at a height to let the equipment deploy correctly. If you are using any for of harness lanyard for fall restraint/arrest it is imperative that people are trained in its use. To hand it over to untrained people is a recipes for disaster in my opinion. I would look again at the best system to reduce the risk of injury from falls on this site.
Jimothy999  
#6 Posted : 17 May 2016 09:48:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Jimothy999

In my years in the waste industry on landfill and waste transfer sites I never came across fall restraint equipment (arrest kit simply won't work as others have said) being provided for customers for de-sheeting. De-sheeting safely was their sole responsibility and I would want to keep it that way or you could end up in court next to them when something goes wrong. There are auto-sheeting options for most lorry types and for things like skips de-sheeting can be done at ground level. Even something as simple as a long pole is often all that is needed. I would recommend that site management get on the phone to the customers using this kit and agree a timescale for it to phased out and replaced with safer methods. If they stall or refuse then you simply inform them when the harnesses will be removed and remind them that you reserve the right to eject drivers from site who are acting unsafely.
GB1977  
#7 Posted : 18 May 2016 15:50:48(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
GB1977

Thanks for the responses. I am very uncomfortable with this too as there is no control over who uses it. Whether it will deploy in time is also a good point. I wouldn't want to test it! I think I'll be having a chat with the director about how we resolve this. I have already requested a gantry is removed from another site for similar reasons so we may be going down the same route here me thinks! Thanks
A Brown  
#8 Posted : 18 May 2016 16:12:29(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
A Brown

Jimothy999 wrote:
Even something as simple as a long pole is often all that is needed.
I recon about half the work at height issue I deal with in my role in the art college can be solved by this single point!
SP900308  
#9 Posted : 19 May 2016 13:19:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SP900308

Jimothy999 wrote:
In my years in the waste industry on landfill and waste transfer sites I never came across fall restraint equipment (arrest kit simply won't work as others have said) being provided for customers for de-sheeting. De-sheeting safely was their sole responsibility and I would want to keep it that way or you could end up in court next to them when something goes wrong. There are auto-sheeting options for most lorry types and for things like skips de-sheeting can be done at ground level. Even something as simple as a long pole is often all that is needed. I would recommend that site management get on the phone to the customers using this kit and agree a timescale for it to phased out and replaced with safer methods. If they stall or refuse then you simply inform them when the harnesses will be removed and remind them that you reserve the right to eject drivers from site who are acting unsafely.
Quite agree. Whatever happened to hierarchy of control. Also agree with A Brown's option for guarded platforms (in a safe zone of course). Many landfill related fatalities are caused by unnecessary plant and pedestrian interfaces.
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