Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Admin  
#1 Posted : 04 May 2006 11:11:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert S Woods
What is the minimum height for a guard-rail and the permissable distance between the upper and intermediate rails?

Are the same as they are for scaffolding?

All help appreciated


Bob
Admin  
#2 Posted : 04 May 2006 11:22:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Frank Hallett
Are you looking at Work at Height compliance or at Building Regs? The height of guardrails for WaH compliance is in the Regs.

Frank Hallett
Admin  
#3 Posted : 04 May 2006 11:28:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert S Woods
A new machine is being trialed and employees are working off a platform to feed materials into it. The platform has no edge protection and there is a real possibility that an operator could have a 1.5m fall onto surrounding stillages.

I just want to make sure I've got my facts correct before the preverbial hits the whatsit

They realy don't seem to beleive they are doing anything wrong.

Bob
Admin  
#4 Posted : 04 May 2006 12:05:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Frank Hallett
Robert

You really need to provide the WaH Regs to whoever is supervising the machine trialing and point out that they will be required to defend the indefensible!

Of course, if you have any direct control my advice would be to "Stop Now" and prevent resumption until the potential for all falls has been prevented or mitigated.

Frank Hallett
Admin  
#5 Posted : 04 May 2006 12:29:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert S Woods
Frank,

That is the gist of the letter I have just written. Thanks for the input.
Admin  
#6 Posted : 04 May 2006 12:49:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By gham
SCHEDULE 2
Regulation 8(a)



REQUIREMENTS FOR GUARD-RAILS, TOE-BOARDS, BARRIERS AND SIMILAR COLLECTIVE MEANS OF PROTECTION


1. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Schedule to means of protection is to a guard-rail, toe-board, barrier or similar collective means of protection.

2. Means of protection shall -


(a) be of sufficient dimensions, of sufficient strength and rigidity for the purposes for which they are being used, and otherwise suitable;

(b) be so placed, secured and used as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that they do not become accidentally displaced; and

(c) be so placed as to prevent, so far as is practicable, the fall of any person, or of any material or object, from any place of work.


3. In relation to work at height involved in construction work -



(a) the top guard-rail or other similar means of protection shall be at least 950 millimetres or, in the case of such means of protection already fixed at the coming into force of these Regulations, at least 910 millimetres above the edge from which any person is liable to fall;

(b) toe-boards shall be suitable and sufficient to prevent the fall of any person, or any material or object, from any place of work; and

(c) any intermediate guard-rail or similar means of protection shall be positioned so that any gap between it and other means of protection does not exceed 470 millimetres.


4. Any structure or part of a structure which supports means of protection or to which means of protection are attached shall be of sufficient strength and suitable for the purpose of such support or attachment.

5. - (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), there shall not be a lateral opening in means of protection save at a point of access to a ladder or stairway where an opening is necessary.

(2) Means of protection shall be removed only for the time and to the extent necessary to gain access or egress or for the performance of a particular task and shall be replaced as soon as practicable.

(3) The task shall not be performed while means of protection are removed unless effective compensatory safety measures are in place.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20050735.htm#sch2

Hope it helps
Users browsing this topic
Guest
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.