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Posted By Sean Nuttall
Appreciate that this general topic must have been worked before but would welcome your thoughts, given a little confusion raised by a previous thread and the fact use of scissor lifts is an area new to me. (have worked with cherry pickers for a number of years)
We ensure ops in cherry pickers clip on to the fixed purpose designed lanyard mount; simple.
Where we seem to step into the abyss is that we also ask that ops in scissor lifts also clip on, as good practice.
On my first site inspection, all the ops in the scissor lifts were in indeed clipped on however the hired-in scissor lifts (some 4 of them) did not have lanyard mounts so the ops had clipped onto the handrails which do not appear to be overtly substantial enough.
Currently I am personally torn between the arguments of not clipping on because it is a safe working platform and we don't clip onto erected scaffolds etc vs clipping on to all mobile platforms setting a uniform precedent that is easy to follow for all employees; I was wondering if anyone else had come across this i.e Do your hired in scissor lifts have lanyard anchor points that enable you to have a simple access platform policy ????
And
Is my assessment of the guard rail not being substantial enough to withstand the forces that could be applied by a falling op correct ??? And thats notwithstanding the changes to C of G and potential toppling risks that may present themselves
Please note I will be addressing the issue of people not over reaching from the MEWP as a separate issue along with supervision etc.
Thanks
Sean
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Posted By Richie
Sean,
From memory, the HSE general guidance on MEWPs recommends fall restraint systems are used. This is, in my view, best practice. Where fall arrest systems are used the HSE demand the manufacturer be consulted to provide details of anchorage points. That said, the HSE do recognise that manufacturers are not required to provide anchorage points on MEWPs.
If the hire firm (as the equipment supplier) cannot provide the information then source one that can, is my advice. Also check the points are within date for test.
Their operational circular on the topic is very clear in my view, and provides useful awareness of what they are looking to see is in place, and management actions that can reasonably be expected:
Operational Circular OC 314/20
Target Audience: All HSE Inspectors
PREVENTING FALLS FROM MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS
(MEWPS) AND SELECTION AND USE OF FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Fall Arrest Systems
17 A typical fall arrest system normally consists of a full body harness and a lanyard with some form of inline shock absorption capability. Use of this type of system should not occur that frequently as most anchor points are not rated for fall arrest and therefore could fail. Where this type of equipment is found in use confirmation of the MEWP’s anchorage compatibility should be sought. The user should always confirm with the MEWP manufacturer that an anchor point is suitable for fall arrest. Anchorage points should be designed and tested as being suitable for fall arrest.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/fo...od/oc/300-399/314_20.pdf
Richie
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Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney
Sean
One of the biggest problem with a scissor lift is, the operatives are usually fine when using the lift for maintenance etc but I see often the scissor being used for access to get off. Whilst in itself not a major issue, it is when a suitable mansafe system is not used correctly, they clip on the way up unclip climb out and then clip to the mansafe point; helooooo what happens while you get out?
CFT
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Posted By Sean Fraser
Sean,
Just to add grist to the mill, however, advice we have been given by our training organsiation who regularly attend site to do MEWP training on scissor lifts, is NOT to clip on. Reason given is that they are usually not supplied with clip points (as you have found) and that if someone was to fall out, the sudden shock when their fall is arrested has the potential to over-balance the unit and cause it to fall, adding further injury to the fallen person.
You are correct in assuming that this is an access platform and as such, those inside should be using it as a means of getting to the work point but not supposed to leave the confines. However, from experience I know that the scissor-lift MEWP is often used as a means of getting the individual(s) to height and then exited to get to where the work has to be done. The point when they leave the unit is the higher risk for obvious reasons.
I am away to read the guidance document referenced above but like a lot of these things, they can never quite account for the actual situation you are facing! I would be interested in the views of the others, although this subject was discussed recently - follow the link below:
http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...iew&Forum=1&Thread=14842
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Posted By Sean Fraser
Intersting though it is, I noted immediately that the guidance document referenced by Richie specifically excludes scissor lifts.
Is there anything from the HSE on these types of units? They are very common after all.
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Posted By Clive Lowery
Sean,
As has previously been mentioned one of the problems with scissor lifts is operatives reaching out and standing on the handrails to gain extra height.
Think back to hierachy of controls, you should be trying to prevent the operatives from falling not arresting their fall. ie Ensure a Restraint Harness is worn not a Fall Arrest Harness.
My advice is to insist that restraint harnesses are worn at all times, either clipped to the anchor point or around the intermediate guardrail, assuming the guardrail was in a good state of repair, you would have to have an extremely powerful person to damage the handrail by merely pulling against it with the harness.
Regards
Clive
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Posted By Sean Nuttall
Thanks Chaps,
what a minefield. Given that the HSE's guidance is that fall prevention equipment need not be worn under normal circumstances within a scissor lift, I am tempted to go with this stance though levels of supervision for activities within the MEWPS will be increased to ensure good practice though there is something at the back of mind that says the use of fall restraint is still a good measure as do some of our clients.
Thanks for all your help guys
Regards
Sean.
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Sean
Pleased to see you stay with the sensible option. We should not be providing PPE to overcome misuse of equipment. The thread concerning manriding cages and FLTs covered these areas.
Good training and supervision are the key to safe working.
Bob
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Posted By Sean Nuttall
Just as an addage, I contacted the HSE help line where the soul on the other end of the phone ended up tied up in knots when I asked "are we misusing work equipment i.e. the scissor lift if we or a client to who we are contracted insists that an operator clips a body harness onto a handrail - a purpose for which it is not designed. The answer silence followed by -Reg 5 LOLER says we should prevent people falling so it will be down to interpretation by the local inspector !! That inspector is calling me tomorrow so lets see just how they interpret their own circulars. I am hoping common sense prevails
More to follow
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Shame they did not know the regs to quote - Ah well thats life. I am sure the manufacturers will be only too happy to walk away from everything as the handrail is not a fixing point. If we need to put restraint harnesses onto such operatives we will need them on all scaffold towers at the minimum.
Bob
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Posted By Sean Nuttall
final on this
Following chat with our local HSE inspector, this morning, she was quite admament and clear. She does not expect any ops in scissor lifts to ever clip on; full stop.
If anything, in her view, the wearing encourages a false sense of security re potential to lean out etc.
She even offered to go and "educate" our clients on our behalf.
Thanks for all replies
S
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Sean
Obviously a person after my own heart. I hope this puts an end to all of these people who see it is a necessary adjunct to prevent malpractice. PPE is there for a specific need not to ensure operatives do not misuse equipment.
Happy hunting
Bob
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Posted By Chris W
The Powered Access Interest Group (PAIG)has produced Technical Guidance note H1/05/05 which is available on the IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) web site.
Lanyards should only be attached to the designed anchor point in any Mobile Elevated Work Platform. If you require anchor points get the hire company to provide one that has the correct fittings. Surely it is a matter of selecting the most suitable equipment for the job.
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Posted By Sean Fraser
Interesting that the opening sentence of the IPAF "Legislation and Guidance Supporting the Use of MEWPs" states the following:
"Unfortunately, from the access industry’s point of view, health and safety legislation today is “goal setting” rather than “prescriptive”."
There is always someone who wants to be told what to do rather than think for themselves.
The thrust of the argument was that it would be better if the law just said "always use MEWPS". However, it goes on to make a persuasive argument under the existing legislation on why a MEWP is often the better option. However, it does not take account of the various factors that influence a risk assessment decision, such as accessibility, stability, routing and duration of work.
Guidance note referenced is very clear on the subject of harnesses though - thanks for the link. Direct access is via:
http://www.ipaf.org/h10505.pdf
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Posted By gham
Some Lifts are too large for a standard lanyard to allow you to work from on fixed point, in many cases these are on the floor of the plat form and personally i would not use fall RESTRAINT or ARREST on this equipment. The idea behind the design of the scissors lift is to prevent a fall from height and to provide a safe working platform. If there is a risk of falling from the lift it is due to factors not directly associated with the safe use of the lift itself as such these factors should be managed to enable safe operation.
If overreaching is an issue and also climbing up the rails the this is certainly dangerous missconduct and appropriate disciplinary action should be taken to discourage this activity, (what PPE would you provide for persistant lateness).
G'
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Posted By Ken Taylor
The CITB view is that MEWPs are intended as work platforms and not means of access to other elevated levels. Fall-restraint is advised as and where necessary and fall-arrest in high-risk situations such as: where there are protruding features which could trap the 'basket'; where vehicles or plant could collide with the MEWP; where the MEWP could intrude into a traffic management system; where operatives are likely to lean out such as when handling awkward workpieces which may move unexpectedly; and where rapid movement of the MEWP is possible.
Scissor lifts differ from plant with articulated and telescopic booms in as much as movement when the platform is in use as a workplace is normally only in one direction and so there should be less risk of sudden movement that could cause the occupants to fall out.
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