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prads  
#1 Posted : 07 May 2019 03:59:22(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
prads

Dear All,

We are revising our site rules with respect to use of PFAS. Will it be safe to suggest or mention that PFAS can be used only at a platform higher than 4m, taking into consideration the fall distance combining, the length of lineyard, deccelerator, height of the person and the safety factor. Using PFAS at platforms lower than 4m may risk in the person hitting the ground. Hence, there is a discussion to mandate use of a complete platform with edge protections for height less than 4m, and not PFAS.

Your valuable suggestion is requested.

Regards,

Pradeep

nickpatience1  
#2 Posted : 07 May 2019 19:40:40(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
nickpatience1

Hi Pradeep 

If you are following the UK Work at Height Regs then a few more steps are needed before deciding on the use of fall arrest equipment. Such as: can the work be done without a fall risk? Consider collective fall protection measues before personal equipment.

Ultimately to decide on the minimum safe height you will need to have discussion  with the manufacturer/supplier of the fall arrest equipment.  What does the instruction manual say?

Where is the anchor point? What are they anchored to?

Personally I think 4m is probably too short a distance - 1.8m lanyard + 1.1m deceleration distance + 2m height of worker + 1m safety clearance = 5.9m needed. BUT you need to check the specifics for your equipment.

If you can make a safe working platform with collective fall protection - guardrails/toeboard then that is what you should do.

Waz  
#3 Posted : 09 May 2019 11:55:51(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Waz

Concur with what Nick states, use the W@H hierarchy of control, collective over personal.  However, instead of fall arrest, why are you not looking at restraint e.g. prevention?  Inertia's will work better and the distance not so critical to the user, given it works in the same way a seatbelt works.

Just a thought, save all the issues you are having.

Joebaxil  
#4 Posted : 09 May 2019 16:00:34(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Joebaxil

Agree with all comments and the added bonus of working to restarint is non reliance of rescue plans as you are demonstrating preventing the fall ,granted not quite schedual 2 and more schedual 5 but ultimately compliant all the same. But as implied above you really do need to justify why you can not use collective - barriers - guardrails ect first. 

I always refer to this OC

http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/ocs/200-299/200_31/#dangerareasreg11

J

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