IMPORTANT! You must read this letter!

IMPORTANT! You must read this letter!

Thank you for booking into the Work safely at heights (RIIWHS204D) course. It is

important that you read and study the Learner Guide before you attend the course.

The Learner Guide you have been provided with contains everything you need to

know to successfully complete the assessments during the course. It is particularly

important that you study and remember the points in ‘bold’ type.

While reading and studying the Learner Guide is mandatory, the amount of time

required to study will differ from one person to another. It is important that you allow

adequate time to digest the content of the Learner Guide. When you attend the

course you will be formally enrolled and required to sign a declaration that you have

studied the Learner Guide.

Please Note: To pass the written assessments you need to allow adequate time to

read and digest the contents of the Learner Guide before you attend the course.

We recommend covering the information several times until you feel confident.

When you attend the course, there will be a Question and Answer Session to allow

you to ask the Trainer things that you are not sure about. To make the most of this

time, make notes on what you would like to know more about.

After the Question / Answer Session, you will be required to complete the written

assessment which is open book; this means you will be able to refer to Learner

Guide during the assessment. The written assessments will be followed by practical

(hands on) training.

If you feel the course date you are booked into does not allow you enough time to

study the Learner Guide before you attend, we are happy to work with you. Please

contact us as soon as possible to reschedule your course to a later date. If you don’t

attend without rescheduling, you will forfeit the course fee.

Thank you again for your booking, we look forward to seeing you on your scheduled

training day. Should you have any questions, please give us a call – we’re here to

help.

KG Training and Assessing

ABN: 421 334 328 63

National Provider Number (RTO ID): 52112

Location: Unit 1/8 Day Road, Rockingham WA 6168

Postal Address: PO Box 2111Rockingham DC WA 6967

Ph: 08 9592 2535 Fax: 08 9592 2757

Office Email: [email protected]

Accounts Email: [email protected]

Web: www.kgtraining.com.au

Work Safely at Heights RIIWHS204D

Learner Guide

v - 6.4 Learner Guide - RIIWHS204D - SWH 1 / 24

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

This handbook is intended to be a guide to safer work practices in the use of industrial equipment. The intention of this handbook is that it forms part of a formal training course. There is infinitely more to safe use of industrial equipment than is contained within this handbook, and all manufacturers instructions shall be adhered to.

Information contained within, is in the main, based on Australian Standards and is only part of these standards. A full inventory of Australian Standards can be obtained from Standards Australia.

While every endeavour has been made to check that information contained within is true and correct, KG Training & Assessing as far as is permissible by law shall have no liability whatsoever for any loss, claim or damage arising as a result of information contained in or omitted from this book.

All use of industrial equipment should be carried out in a safe efficient manner having regard for standards and law in place where you are operating at the time.

UNIT DESCRIPTOR

This unit covers working safely at height in resources and infrastructure industries. It includes: identifying the work requirements, work procedures and instructions for the task, accessing and installing the equipment, performing work at heights and cleaning up the work area.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand general legislative requirements

• Understand general guidance information

• Codes of Practice

• Implementation of required standards

• Be able to use the process for controlling the risk of working at height

• Understand the requirements with regard to EWP and Scaffold use

DUTY OF CARE

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (OSH) ACT 1984 (WA) MINES SAFETY AND INSPECTION ACT 1994 (WA)

EMPLOYERS

OSH ACT-SECTION 19 MINES ACT-SECTION 9

Employers must, so far as practicable, provide and maintain a working environment where their employees are not exposed to hazards.

General duties include

• Safe systems of work

• Information, instruction, training and supervision

• Consulting and cooperating

• Personal Protection

• Safe plant and substances

• Reporting of fatalities, injuries and disease


PENALTIES

OSH ACT SECTION 19A REFERS TO SECTION 3A MINES ACT SECTION 9A REFERS TO SECTION 4A

Corporate penalties range from $50 000 to $625 000.

EMPLOYEES

OSH ACT-SECTION 20 MINES ACT-SECTION 10

Employees must take reasonable care for their own safety and health at work and avoid harming the safety and health of other people through any act or omission at work.

General Duties Include:

• Follow the employer’s safety and health instructions

• Using personal protective equipment

• Taking good care of equipment

• Reporting hazards

• Reporting work related injuries or harm to health

• Cooperating with employers so that employers are able to carry out their duties under the Act.

PENALTIES

OSH ACT SECTION 20A MINES ACT SECTION 10A

Penalties - (a) First offense: $25 000 (b) Subsequent offense: $31 250

Additional penalties -

OSH ACT SECTION 3A MINES ACT SECTION 4A

For individuals, penalties range from $5 000 to $312 000.

HARMONISATION OF WORK HEALTH & SAFETY LEGISLATION

In response to industry calls for greater national consistency, the Commonwealth, states and territories have agreed to implement nationally harmonised Work Health & Safety (WHS) legislation to commence on 1 January 2012 (WA still to join).

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS 19961 (OSH REGS)

REG 3.48 - Prevention of falls at work places

MINE SAFTEY AND INSPECTION REGULATIONS 19951 (MINES REGS)

REG 4.5 - Fall arrest equipment

FALL INJURY PREVENTION SYSTEM

Both OSH Regs and Mine Regs require the employer to provide a fall injury prevention system.


AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS

AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices AS / NZS 5532: single-point devices used for harness-based work at height.

DOCUMENTS THAT COVER SAFE WORKING AT HEIGHT (SWH)

At all times when working at height, you must comply with:

• AS / NZS 1891

• AS / NZS 5532

• OSH Regs

• Mines Regs

• Manufacturers instructions

• Codes of practice

• Work Instructions

• Safe Work Method Statements

• Site Policies/Procedures

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF SAFE

Do we all have the same definition of SAFE?

How in the workplace do we define SAFE?

PLANNING THE TASK

People think that just because they are wearing fall arrest equipment, attached to an anchor point, that that they are safe, this is not true. Your harness can kill you, without sufficient planning.

Planning the task is vitally important when working at height. This involves workers doing the task, including supervisors through to managers. The appropriate fall arrest equipment must be selected at/during the planning stage.


The area where the work/task is to be carried out must be checked out by those persons involved in the task, including the supervisor.

A risk assessment must be completed by those involved in the task; a rescue plan must be part of risk assessment. A working at height permit is also required and the rescue plan is also part of the working at height permit.

A person working at height must never work alone.

HARNESS SAVES WORKMAN IN FALL

25/5/2004 maintenance work, Westgate Bridge Melbourne

The platform had no hand rails. The contractor decided that no hand rails were necessary as the workers were trained riggers.

WORKSAFE W.A. FATALITY STATISTICS IN WA: 2006-2007 to 2015-2016


FALL ARREST AND SUSPENSION TRAUMA

• Can kill in as little time as 3-5 minutes

• Must be able to perform a rescue or give foot support as soon possible

• Suspension trauma is caused by low blood pressure due to blood pooling in the legs

• Is also accelerated by pressure restrictions from the harness groin straps

• Need to keep the legs moving to keep up the blood flow

FALL ARREST SCENARIO

• If the person weighs 100kgs

• The lanyard length is 2m plus the shock absorber

• The person falls the full length of the lanyard

• The body will receive a shock load of 600kgs, as the use of a shock absorber reduces the imposed shock load on the body to 600kgs

• If there is no shock absorber in the fall arrest equipment, the imposed shock load on the body is 2340kgs

• All lanyards must be fitted with a shock absorber as per AS/NZS1891

Once the fall arrest equipment has arrested a fall, all the equipment must be tagged out of service and destroyed or returned to the supplier or manufacturer who will destroy the equipment.

Fall arrest equipment is a one fall application only.


SUSPENSION TRAUMA

Prompt rescue is one of the best ways to ensure that suspension trauma is minimized for a worker.

However, due to the variety of work locations that can be found at height, it is important to have a way to reduce the potential damage of suspension trauma outside of having a prompt rescue plan.

Since there are a number of different situations that can cause the symptoms of suspension trauma to occur, the use of trauma suspension straps could significantly reduce the risk associated with suspension trauma

TRAUMA SUSPENSION STRAPS


VITAL STEPS TO REDUCE FALL ARREST AND SUSPENSION TRAUMA

Prior to use:

• Check fit of the harness • Follow the standards, guidelines and instructions • Develop an appropriate rescue plan • Test rescue plan

RISK ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL

A risk assessment must be completed to determine the safest work practice, before starting work

HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

1. Elimination 2. Substitution 3. Isolation 4. Engineering control measures 5. Administrative practises 6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Using the hierarchy of controls when conducting a risk assessment reduces the risk of hazards.

RISK ASSESSMENT

• Risk of falling must be managed by an appropriate risk assessment and control system

• Persons must be adequately trained to work at any height where a fall could occur

• The risk assessment must be used at all times to determine the safest work practice for working at height

Risk assessments must be used to identify the proposed fall protection equipment required for the task.

Risk assessments must be completed by the persons involved in the task.

The risk assessment shall be reviewed and revised whenever there is evidence to indicate that there is a change in the risk.

NOTE: Working at less than 2 metres is still considered to be working at height as the fall hazard still exists.


INSPECTION FREQUENCIES

AS/NZS 1891.4:2009, Section 9

Under the Australian and New Zealand standard, AS/NZS 1891, 4, Care, Use and Maintenance of Fall Protection Equipment, the frequency of inspection guidelines are as follows:


HARNESS AND LANYARD INSPECTIONS

Harnesses and lanyards must be inspected:

• Before and after every use by the user

• Every 6 months by a competent person as per AS1891

• Site policy and procedures, every 3 months by a competent person and quarterly tagged

Check Manufacturers Tag on Harness and Lanyard for:

• Australian Standards 1891 (do not confuse with Quality accreditation)

• Date of manufacture

• Date of withdrawal

• Manufacturer serial number

• Manufactures instructions

Inspecting harness and lanyard:

• D- Rings

• Karabiners and hooks

• Webbing

• Buckles and adjusters

• Stitching

• Stitch blocks

• Quarterly site inspection tag is in place and in date

HARNESS FITTING

Harnesses com in various sizes (e.g. S, M, L, XL), your harness must be the correct size for you and must be adjusted correctly.

Adjusting your harness involves:

• Checking chest/shoulder adjustment points

• Checking leg adjustment points

• Harnesses will inherently work loose on adjustment points, stop work and re-adjust when necessary

When fitting your harness you must comply with the manufacturers’ instructions and specifications.


HARNESSES AND LANYARDS

TYPES OF HARNESS

• Basic fall arrest harness

• Work positioning harness

• Confined space harness

Work positioning harness fitted with:

• Dorsal D ring

• Front D ring

• Side D rings

• Waist belt


TYPES OF LANYARDS

LANYARDS USED IN FALL ARREST

Fall arrest lanyards must not exceed 2 metres in length and must have a shock absorber.

Lanyards must be attached by the shock absorber to the dorsal D ring in fall arrest.


TWIN TAIL LANYARDS

Twin tail lanyards are primarily used when transferring between anchor points while there is a risk of a fall.

• Attach the spare tail to the same anchor point as the one already in use.

• Twin tail lanyards should NOT be used unless the worker has been trained in their correct application and use.

• At no time is the spare tail of the twin lanyard to be attached to the harness.

• Attach the lanyard directly overhead to minimize the swing fall hazard.

• Use the shortest lanyard possible for the job.

• Inspect the lanyard before use.

OTHER ACCESSORIES

HOOKS

KARABINERS

BEAM STRAPS AND SLINGS


FALL ARREST BLOCKS AND INERTIA REELS

You must refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on their abilities, as they vary; e.g. vertical to

15°, and 360°.

BEAM ANCHORS


RESCUE/RETRIEVAL EQUIPMENT

RESCUE ARRANGEMENTS

Rescue plans should be rehearsed and communicated to all persons involved in the task. All persons using rescue equipment should be trained in all aspects of its use.

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS

• Use tool lanyards to prevent tools falling

• Do not carry tools in your hands when climbing a ladder

• Set up gin wheel or pulley system

• Wear a tool belt eg: riggers belt

• Use of certified crane work boxes


Working on a roof – wear an approved harness

and lanyard, attached to anchor point unable to

reach a position to fall.

LANDING MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT AT HEIGHT

Place materials and equipment in a safe location to eliminate or minimize the risk of items being knocked off or falling

MONITOR CHANGES

Be aware of:

• Potential changes in weather conditions ie: squalls, strong winds, willy willy’s

• Cranes setting up near your work area and passing loads overhead

EFFECTS OF WIND

• In a strong wind you could be blown off a roof or structure

• The material you are working with could become airborne

• Wind can increase anything up to an extra 10mtr per second at 20mtr in height

• Assess the risk of wind before working at heights

WORKING AT HEIGHTS - PERMITS

When would you require a working at heights permit?

Some Examples:

• Working on a roof

• Near open edges

• Creating an open penetration

• EWPs

• Workboxes

• Open Structures

OPEN PENETRATION PERMITS

Site polices must be complied with; eg: Grid mesh removal permit will be required to create the opening.

Hard barricading will be required for all openings/around penetrations

This is a good example of what NOT to do. They

should be hooked on lower and to a structure,

not a handrail.



EXCLUSION ZONES TO PROTECT PERSONS BELOW

When working directly above people, you may need to barricade the area below and use signs to protect others workers. These exclusion zones may be required to be placed at all floor levels beneath the working level.

Protective matting should be used when working on grid mesh to prevent bolts, nuts, tools etc falling through grid mesh. Fire blankets should be used when conducting hot work eg: oxy cutting.

Follow site procedures for the placement of barriers, barricades and signage.

Protective signs and barriers can only be removed when the task is complete.

ANCHORAGES IN kN

Definitions AS 5532.5.1

• Limited free fall (single person) less than 600mm anchorage 12kN

• Limited free fall (two persons) less than 600mm anchorage 18kN

• Free fall (single person) more than 600mm anchorage 15kN

• Free fall (two persons) more than 600mm anchorage 21kN

TETHERED RESTRAINT

Attached to anchor point unable to reach a position to fall


RESTRAINT SYSTEMS CONSIST OF:

• Anchorage point or points

• Static line or restraint line of appropriate strength and length

• A harness or restraint belt

• Purpose is to limit horizontal movements so that the user is totally restrained from reaching a position where, either a free fall or limited free fall is possible

FALL-ARREST SYSTEMS SHOULD BE USED IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS APPLY:

• The user can reach a position where a fall is possible

• The user has a restraint line that can be adjusted in length so that a free fall position can be reached

• The user may fall through the surface (e.g. roofing material):

• The slope is over 15 degrees

• There is any other reasonably likely misuse of the system, which could lead to a free fall

ANCHOR POINT (INCLUDING STRUCTURE) REQUIREMENTS

• Consult an Engineer to establish if the anchorage is capable of withstanding the forces

• Must be used in accordance with Australian Standards and manufacturers’ instructions

• Employer is responsible for anchor point location, engineer approval may be required

• Trained person to install and use anchor points

• Anchorage certified to correct kN for circumstances

• Clearance required if fall occurs

• No higher than 2.2 metres above work level (head high is best)

• Must consider pendulum affect in fall

• Shock absorber attached to the harness not the anchor point


ANCHOR POINT EXAMPLES

FIXED ANCHOR POINT

Attaching your lanyard above your head rather than waist height will reduce the fall distance and minimise the fall swing hazard.


STATIC LINES

STATIC LINE REQUIREMENTS

• Basic rigger / scaffolder generally accepted to install static lines

• Must be used in accordance with Australian Standards and manufacturers’ instructions

• Trained person to use static line

FALL CLEARANCES

Fall clearances should be considered when selecting personal fall arrest equipment or any other working at height safety equipment.

The fall restraint technique requires operator competence, as well as clearly documented work procedures.


PENDULUM EFFECT

A fall may result in lateral movement or swinging which may produce a pendulum effect resulting in either:

• The operator striking objects to one side of the fall path

• Snagging of the lanyard or anchorage line of a fall arrest device, reducing its effectiveness in arresting the fall

This applies to both fixed anchor points and static lines.

LADDER REQUIREMENTS

• Fall arrest equipment to be used if indicated on the ladder or JSA

• 4 metre up to 1 metre out rule (4:1 ratio) or 75 degrees

• Secured and 1 metre higher than landing minimum

• Appropriate material, e.g. no metal for electrical work

• 6 monthly checks and register maintained as a minimum, or as per site policy and procedure

• Never used as work platform

• Ladder is access tool not a work platform


EWP REQUIREMENTS

• Must hold a High Risk Work Licence if maximum reach of EWP is 11 metres or more

• Trained person to operate EWP

• All operators must hold a high risk work licence when operating EWPs of any class on mine sites and constructions sites

• Harness required in any boom type EWP by law

• Must comply with all Legislation, Standards, operating instructions and training requirements

• Use the shortest possible lanyard with a shock absorber

SCAFFOLD REQUIREMENTS

Any persons erecting scaffold to a height of 4 metres or more must hold a scaffolding high risk work licence.

Edge protection is required on all scaffolds, whenever a person or object can fall.

Persons accessing scaffold:

• Must not alter or modify the scaffold

• Must NOT put things down the tubes

• Must protect structures and PPE from welding burns

• Comply with scaffold tagging system


SCAFFTAG SYSTEM

An in date, completed Scafftag must be attached to the scaffold following an inspection by a qualified scaffolder.

INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for inspection of scaffolding structures are required where any person or object may fall more than four (4) metres. The scaffold and its supporting components should be inspected in the following incidents:

• Before the scaffold is first used.

• At intervals not exceeding 30 days, or as per site requirements.

• After severe weather conditions, earthquake or where an incident has affected the stability or adequacy of the scaffolding structure.

• Prior to its use after any major alterations or repairs have been conducted.

Australian standards states the employer must ensure that no work is carried out on the scaffold unless written confirmation has been obtained from a competent person in each of the points listed above.

CLEAN UP

When the task is complete, clean up area:

• All working at heights safety equipment should be inspected, cleaned and returned to the store

• Tag out and report any defective equipment

• Remove signs, barriers and barricades

• Complete / return any permits or documentation

All harnesses, lanyards etc should be stored in a clean, dry environment away from dust, chemicals, solvents, oils/grease, UV light and heat etc.


RESOURCES

AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall arrest systems and devices

• Part 1: Harness and ancillary equipment

• Part 2: Horizontal lifeline and rail systems

• Part 3: Fall arrest devices

• Part 4: Selection, use and maintenance

AS/NZS 5532: Manufacturing requirements single-point anchor devices used for harness-based work at height

AS/NZS 1892: Portable ladders

AS/NZS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairs and ladders

AS/NZS 1576: Scaffolding

AS/NZS 4576: Guidelines for scaffolding

AS/NZS 2550:

• Part 1: Cranes General requirements o Section 6.19: Suspension of persons by crane (workbox, must wear fall arrest harness)

• Part 10: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms o Section: 5.15: Use of fall arrest systems or restraint devices o Section 5.16: Working above personnel access areas (dropped objects)

• Part 19: Telescopic handlers (Workbox attachment) o Refers back to AS/NZS 2250: 1.6.19 (must wear a fall arrest harness)

AS/NZS 2359:

• Part 1: Powered industrial trucks (Forklift) o Section 12.3: Work platform (must wear a fall arrest harness)

Codes of Practice

• Prevention of falls in the workplace (WorkSafe WA)

• Managing the risk of falls at workplaces (Safe Work Australia)

Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984

Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996

Mines Safety Inspection Act 1994

Mines Safety Inspection Regulations 1995

Company/site policies and procedures for working at height

NOTES

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NOTES

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www.kgtraining.wa.edu.au

(08) 9592 2535

Unit 1 / 8 Day Road, Rockingham

Documents

IMPORTANT! You must read this letter!