How to protect a confined space top man from falling from a height

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How to protect a confined space top man from falling from a height - How to protect a confined space top man from falling from a height

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dennispollard		#1 Posted : 29 July 2021 14:01:47(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		In my company we carry out low / medium risk confined space works. The entrant to the confined space is connected to the tripod by a harness and winch, they also have an escape set and gas monitor. My question is how can i protect the Top Man from falling from a height, if the top man wears a harness and fall arrest lanyard they would need a rescue plan and possibly a 3rd man to rescue them. If they use a resraint lanyard then they are restricted when it comes to using the winch or lowering tools and equipment down the chamber. Is there a simple solution to prevent the top men from falling from a height?


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peter gotch		#2 Posted : 29 July 2021 14:31:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Hi Dennis There isn't a "simple" answer. Would depend on the size of the opening, but if you provide edge protection it may well be that the Top Man sometimes need to be between the edge protection and the leading edge, so at that location the edge protection might increase rather than reduce the risk. This is, to an extent, illustrated in the guidance from Water UK - Occasional Guidance Note: The Classification & Management of Confined Space Entries (2019) \| Water UK Assuming you are in the UK, whatever is done has to meet the test of "reasonable practicability" and the risk is somewhat mitigated in that the Top Man is usually looking at a leading edge.

2 users thanked peter gotch for this useful post.		RVThompson on 29/07/2021(UTC), dennispollard on 30/07/2021(UTC)
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dawsoni		#3 Posted : 23 October 2021 12:27:32(UTC)
Rank: New forum user		hi As an option for the top person, they could possible attach to the tripod via use on a work postion type lanyard / intertia retrival reel system this would mitigate a fall from height risk for the top person


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