Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By William O'Donnell
Hi all,
Hope someone out there can help? I need some advice, and guidance, on persons working on sloping ground ending in a five foot drop onto a public footpath.
The operatives will be laying a membrane on the sloping ground, and there are no suitable anchor points for fall arrest equipment.
Any help, or direction on where to seek guidance, will be gratefully received.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ken Taylor
Now that we have lost the '2m rule', I suppose that this may now come under the Work at Height Regs? Guidance is awaited.
The risk assessment will need to address the degree of slope, ground condition, proximity to edge, nature of work, etc.
If this was a roof, the standard CITB guidance would be for protective measures such as edge protection if the slope is more than 30deg or between 10 and 30deg if slippery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By William O'Donnell
Yes Ken, you are right we are treating this as work at height.
The problem is that the work site is a cemetry, where the operatives will need to access the slope to lay a anti-weed growth membrane. The slope leads down to a five foot wall, with no edge protection. I am unable to identify any other method of carrying out the task,other than by using fall arrest equipment to prevent the operatives slipping and ending up falling over the wall precipise onto the footpath below. It has been suggested that a small vehicle is used as an anchor point for the 'life-lines'.
I have ben searching for any 'ndustry guidance', as I am sure that similar activities must have been carried out previously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Paul Leadbetter
William
I don't know if they would be appropriate for use in a cemetery, but could you use something similar to snow anchors used by winter mountaineers? I have seen something similar used to winch vehicles out of soft ground in the absence of fixed objects to use as anchors.
Paul
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Robert K Lewis
William
Just a trifle puzzled - if there is need to lay an anti-weed membrane then the ground is relatively soft, ie not concrete or similar. If this is so what is the problem in driving in support posts for temporary edge protection. The heirarchy places such measures above those aimed at individuals and which then rely on supervisory effort to enforce. Also I would need to wonder whether materials may be knocked off the edge on to the public.
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By steven bentham
Have you tried working it from the bottom up, it might be easier to build up protection!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ken Taylor
Whilst not generally encouraged, the use of a vehicle as an anchor for a safety line and the like does take place (particularly in rescues!) I would accept this on a risk-assessed basis provided that the vehicle is immobilised so that it cannot be moved by mistake or intentionally and the line is secured to a towing eye. Presumably you cannot erect a temporary platform in the fall area?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ken Taylor
PS. If you go for the line, use an inertia reel as the fall-height is too small for arresting a fall.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By William O'Donnell
Thank you to everyone who responded. I now have several options that I can put forward to the relevant manager.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.