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

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

Error

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

Options

Previous Topic Next Topic

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?


User Profile View All Posts by User View Thanks

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)
User Profile View All Posts by User View Thanks

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


User Profile View All Posts by User View Thanks

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.