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Market Report: Health & Safety pt1: Work at height & manual handling High on the agenda Hirers and others in the equipment supply chain have reacted positively to the Work at Height Regulations. Alan Guthrie reports. The Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) are among the most important pieces of Health & Safety legislation in recent years, with implications for all industries. They establish a hierarchy of principles for avoiding and controlling risks from, and the selection of equipment for, work at any height. This entails three main criteria: first, the avoidance of work at height if at all possible; second, the prevention of falls after adopting the most suitable method of working and the most apt equipment; and third, the mitigation of the consequences of a fall, using appropriate fall arrest measures. The Regulations require a risk assessment to be carried out prior to work at any height by any person. One of the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) aims is to reduce the number of workplace accidents related to work at height. Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and major injuries in the construction industry, responsible for 40% of fatalities in 2004/05. Most major injuries result from falls below head height. The WAHR removed the divison between so-called ‘low’ and ‘high’ falls and clarified that dutyholders have an obligation to prevent falls from any height. Mystery shopping exercises amongst hirers Hirers have an important role to play in educating end users about risk assessment and supplying appropriate products. Ian Greenwood, Head of the HSE Falls from Height Team, believes that many hire companies have acted responsibly and pro-actively in embracing the WAHR, which came into effect last April. “Hirers are major allies in informing the supply chain, particularly about the hierarchy of control behind product selection. We undertook a small mystery shopping exercise last year amongst hirers, both large and small, and their knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the WAHR was impressive.” Users fall into one of two broad categories: some work at height for long periods, such as roofing contractors, while others do so for tasks of short duration, like changing light bulbs. “There is a temptation for people in the latter group to simply reach out for the nearest item to hand, or to simply do what they have always done before, without asking if it is really the safest way to do the job,” states Ian Greenwood. “A good example is the use of ladders. There have been claims in certain quarters that the WAHR ban ladders and steps, which is not the case at all. HSE (www.hse.gov.uk) issued additional guidance and a model toolbox talk leaflet in November, outlining safe use of ladders and stepladders, which recommends they should only be used for low risk, short duration work, where the use of more suitable equipment is not justified. Overall, there does seem to have been a qualitative change at many construction sites, showing that they are aware of the WAHR’s requirements. This is a major achievement. Manufacturers and hirers report that demand for specialist low-level products like podium steps is very strong, which is also positive. “HSE is running a Falls Campaign in May and June, reinforcing the WAHR and particularly targeting building and plant maintenance companies and workers, who often visit sites outside normal working hours. They are ‘invisible’ to normal site inspectors, and we are considering ways in which the safe working message can reach them. Also, working in partnership with the Access Industry Forum, we looking to develop a web based ‘solutions’ database for pratical advise on work at height issues where companies may be reluctant to talk directly to HSE. We encourage the exchange of information, and I am happy for hirers to contact me (ian.greenwood@hse.gsi.gov.uk) about this, or any other WAHR related issue.” Promoting awareness PASMA (the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association) has worked closely with HSE in relation to the WAHR. “Our manufacturers worked very hard to agree on just two accepted methods for the assembly, alteration and dismantling of access towers, aspects that are all too easily overlooked,” states General Manager, Peter Bennett. “We also held a series of roadshows to promote awareness of the Regulations, and we have distributed over 2,000 copies of our ‘Don’t Fall For It’ educational DVD. Interest has come from all sectors of industry, including many hirers. “The implications of the WAHR on PASMA have been significant, in terms of updating the information, documents and training that we offer. We have just published the 12th revision of our Code of Practice, which takes account of not only the WAHR, but also the European harmonised standard BS EN 1004 concerning mobile access tower manufacture, replacing BS 1139, Part 3. Our Guide to the Safe Use of Access Towers video has been updated and is available as a DVD, priced at only £35 to encourage greater take-up by industry professionals.” PASMA (www.pasma.co.uk) has systematically updated its training programme and re-trained instructors so that they are fully competent in four main areas: instructional techniques, Health & Safety (product and industry specific), and PASMA training procedures. Standardised courses are soon to be completed in tower assembly and low-level access products, ensuring uniformity of delivery at all PASMA approved training centres. Peter Bennett also acts as Secretary of the British Ladder Manufacturers Association, which has been faced with combating the situation referred to earlier by HSE’s Ian Greenwood. Many construction sites are forbidding the use of ladders, wrongly believing them to have been banned under the WAHR. "The BLMA’s standard training course has been developed with the close co-operation of HSE, giving advice on when ladders can be used, and where they should not. This again helps hirers, users and employers to select the right equipment. Training is available nationally, following documented procedures. We have also devised the BLMA Users Guide, which is like a code of practice, and our web site (www.ladders-blma.co.uk) is being upgraded to offer on-line services like membership applications and purchase of publications." IPAF, the International Powered Access Federation (www.ipaf.org), reports that the WAHR have had a positive effect. “The Regulations have made employers more conscious of the need to ensure that platform operators are properly trained,” states Managing Director, Tim Whiteman. He adds that the organisation issued a record 53,646 PAL cards (Powered Access Licences) in 2005, an increase of 24.7% from 2004. The card is accepted by the Major Contractors Group (MCG) and recognised as proof of training in the use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs). “An opportunity, not a threat” The response from many hirers to the Regulations has been impressive. Speedy Hire (www.speedyhire.plc.uk) highlighted the WAHR with its Safety From the Ground Up initiative, launched last June. It outlines the risk assessment procedure and appropriate solutions in ways that can be understood from the building site to the boardroom. “The response has been tremendous,” states Group Head of Marketing, Philip Prince, “with some contractors even adopting it as part of their own training programmes. The WAHR represent an opportunity, not a threat, and access equipment has traditionally been a strong revenue earner in any hire fleet. “The Regulations affect so many industries, and disseminating information about them will be on-going for a long time yet. Manufacturers are developing specialist equipment that hirers can offer, and items we have added like Zarges’ Sherpascopic and Youngman’s Minit are proving very popular. Traditional products like trestles and ladders are also in demand, in the right situation, and our staff are trained to offer appropriate equipment for a customer’s application.” Alide Plant Services (www.alideplant.co.uk), with depots in Bath and Bristol, is typical of the pro-active independents that have successfully come to terms with the WAHR. “Being smaller, we can be more flexible than some larger companies and it can be easier for us to adapt to changes like this,” contends Managing Director, Gareth Hayward. “Our first question when anyone asks to hire a ladder, or any other piece of equipment for that matter, is what they need it for. We can then advise them accordingly. “We have invested in specialist equipment like podium steps from Interlink Alloy Systems, and they have quickly carved out a niche amongst certain tradesmen, including plasterers and dry lining installers. This sort of item is often hired over the long term, throughout a large project, and they represent a good return on investment. In fact, we recently doubled our fleet.” • Executive Hire News › Archives › Feb/March 2006 › Market Report › High on the agenda
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