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Posted By naomi
Hi All
I'm hoping some one can help me out, i need to produce a method statement of entering a sewage pit which is situated in a warehouse and is 10 metres deep, the engineer requires to access the valves which would require him to enter at least 1 1/2 metres by using a harness (access ladder has been situated 3 ft from access!)
I have all the necessary information in regards to equipment etc but struggling how to put it into a method statment / safe system of work.
If any one can help i would be very grateful
Thank you in advance
Naomi
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Posted By Bob Youel
I would advise you to involve the work force as its not a one person job
and use one of your current method statements as your template
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Naomi
This is a confined space so you need to set the method up as such, before you can even consider the task safety.
I feel uncomfortable about what you mean in your reference concerning harness and a 1 - 1.5 metre entry into the pit. I have visions of this operative suspended from a standard harness to do the work. but this may be because you have abbreviated the method a little too much. Can you provide details? No work should involve being suspended in a harness for any length of time, 15 mins and less has lead to deaths.
Bob
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Posted By naomi
Hi Bob
Sorry i didn't explain it clearly enough, the harness to be worn with the use of a vertical system to enable the operative to be lowered into the sewage pit, this will be the type which in the event of a fall will lock into place. Fall restraint rather than fall arrest system.
The operative will not be working alone while carrying out this activity.
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Posted By Kevin Drew
Bob,
With regard to the time to death when suspended in a harness. The 15 minutes that you quote is only if the person is unconscious. There is plenty of evidence of workers comfortably working suspended in a harness for many hours.
Kevin Drew
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Kevin
Not so - the famous incident was during testing in Switzerland ( I think) - The user was suspended and concious, he died quietly having been suspended for about 15 minutes. You can use purpose made abseiling harnesses but this was not stated. Using standard fall arrest harnesses for raising and lowering into a 10 metre pit is just about acceptable but I would prefer a manrider arrangement.
We can be very blase at times concerning the use of harnesses but my thoughts are that we should avoid them if at all possible.
Bob
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Posted By Kevin Drew
Bob,
I refer you to the HSE document, Harness suspension: review and evaluation of existing information, contract reasearch report 451/2002 sections 1.7 and 1.8.
I am concerned that your previous comments are an exaggeration and are in conflict with the above which others might find misleading.
We are in danger of going off at a tangent so I will agree to differ and make no more comment.
Kevin Drew
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Posted By Simon Birks
Hi All,
Ref the original post, this is sounding very much like a confined space entry, of which specific guidance is issued inc, Training, Emergency Arrangements, RA’s & SSofW and ‘working with sewage from the HSE. The type of equipment used is decided in the RA, if the entry point is small then a confined spacer rescue harnesses might be required, if not then maybe a work position harness obviously taking into the considerations of the working at height hierarchy.
As for Suspension Trauma, yes it could happen quickly depending on body position, type of harness, injury and type of fall (if applicable) there are a few variables. The original suspension trauma trials were in the USA where one of the workers died in the trail. (US Army Corps of Engineers Working at Heights Rescue Trails). But one of the main dangers is the rescue of someone by untrained personnel causing greater harm in not causing the fatality.
I disagree with the 10m, we have several types of confined space access winches, some are 12m (standard) to 20m and a 36m. we also have a rescue winch system (HoistQuip Rescue winch RGR7) with 50m working length, our access capabilities limited by training, experience, competence and equipment, amongst other things.
Gussy
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Posted By Helen C In response to the original question. The production of confined space method statements and risk assessments is my line of work. Please feel free to contact me directly if you haven't managed to resolve this one yet. helen@csts.co.uk or 01925 244144.
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