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Market Report: Health & Safety pt1: Work at height & Manual handling Raising awareness While the evidence suggests that accident rates are falling, there is still more to be done in spreading awareness of the Work at Height Regulations’ implications throughout industry, and hirers can help. As with any major Health & Safety legislation, research has been on-going into the impact of the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) since their introduction in April 2005. Among the key changes they brought about was the fact that the same standards for any task, involving work at any height, now apply to all industries. Previously, the ‘2m rule’ prevailed in construction, whereby accepted procedures had to be followed for tasks involving work above that height, and some parts of the industry had unsuccessfully argued for its retention. Ian Greenwood, Team Leader of the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) Falls Programme, states that “fatal and major injuries from falls are at their lowest level ever, which is excellent news. There has been a 23% reduction in falls from above 2m, but falls from below this height have only decreased by 8%, and so this is something for particular attention. “The first major appraisal of the WAHR was published in February, showing that the safe working message has been adopted more widely by larger construction organisations but less so by other, smaller companies across the rest of industry, and in the service sector in particular. HSE inspectors’ reports suggest there might be an emerging discontinuity between what is needed to comply fully with the law, and the measures that industry is telling us it is implementing.” This suggests that, while site managers might be introducing measures to reduce the number of accidents, they might not be sufficient to meet the WAHR’s requirements. “Hirers have been a great asset” “Our research also indicates that hirers continue to have an important role to play in educating end users. Hirers have been a great asset in promoting HSE’s message,” states Ian Greenwood. “There is obviously a commercial implication too, but we are working together to positive advantage.” Work at height varies greatly and hirers can reach many different industrial segments with appropriate advice and information. Many companies have made great efforts in promoting best practice. HSS and Speedy, for example, are discussing with HSE how they might participate in HSE’s next work at height awareness initiative, planned for this summer and focusing on ladder safety, with regional demonstrations and advice sessions. Advice is available on the dedicated HSE web site (www.hse.gov.uk/falls), which offers links to a section with practical solutions for specific tasks, such as decorating a stairwell and installing roof trusses. More information will be offered by HSE at the Access Industry Forum’s conference entitled Working at Height – Getting it Right on 24 May, during the Safety & Health Expo at the NEC. Case studies will outline various solutions for common tasks and discuss their pros and cons. The programme has been developed by several members of the Access Industry Forum, an alliance comprising trade bodies including the British Ladder Manufacturers’ Association (BLMA), which will shortly change its name to the Ladder Association; the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF); and the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA). Considerable efforts continue to be made to develop safe working practices and relevant training. PASMA (www.pasma.co.uk), in co-operation with HSE, has approved only two methods of assembling and dismantling mobile access towers, namely the 3T, or through the trap, method and the advance guardrail procedure. For its part, the BLMA (www.ladders-blma.co.uk) has been trying to combat the misconception that leaning ladders and stepladders can no longer be used. Don Aers, the Association’s Chair, states “The WAHR do not ban ladders; they clearly state that ladders can be used when the task is of low risk and short duration. Indeed there are instances where the use of ladders or stepladders, because of their portability and ease of use, are the most practical work at height method. We need to think less about prohibiting them and more about education.” Updated training scheme Recently updated, PASMA’s industry-standard training scheme is designed to enable tower owners and users to correctly assemble, use, move, inspect and dismantle mobile access towers. The Association has also helped to develop a low-level access course catering for products below 2.5m such as podium steps, folding room scaffolds and wide area, low-level access towers, as well as a work at height course dealing with appropriate equipment selection. The Ladder Association’s national training scheme addresses relevant issues raised by the WAHR. Delivered at approved training centres, it stresses the need for planning ahead, positioning and stabilising ladders, climbing and descending safely, assessing what loads will be created by the task; and selecting the right class, material, height and type of ladder. Candidates successfully completing these Associations’ principal courses receive a certificate and a photo card. Peter Bennett, PASMA’s General Manager, contends that “2007 will be the year of the card. The focus in 2006 was on education and communication, but this year will see management and Health & Safety professionals seeking objective proof of competence for anyone using access equipment on site.” • Executive Hire News › Archives › March 2007 › Market Report › Raising awareness
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