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Overview of the

Code of Practice for

Working Safely at Height

Morris Hiang

Manager

Workplace Safety and Health Practices

• Background

• Overview – CP for Working Safely at

Height

Scope of Presentation

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Introduction

• Falls from Height – Number 1 cause of

death in workplaces

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• Inputs from the industry

• 1st consultation : 4th Oct 2008 to 28th Nov 2008

• 2nd consultation : 6th May 2009 to 31st May 2009

• Launched : 2nd Dec 2009

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CP Development

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Contents of the CP

Section A: General Requirements

1. Introduction

2. Design for Safety

3. Fall Protection Plan

4. Policy for Fall Protection

5. Responsibilities

6. Risk Management

7. Risk Control Measures

8. Inspection and Maintenance

9. Instruction and Training

10. Accident/Incident Investigation

11. Emergency Response

12. Supervision

Section B: Fall Protection Measures

13. Access to and Egress from Work Areas

14. Edge Protection

15. Fall Protection Systems

16. Individual Fall Prevention Systems

17. Fall Arrest Systems

18. Ladders and Step Platforms

19. Hazards of Working at Rooftop

• Title of the CP

• Scope – CP is applicable to WAH in all industries

• Purpose – Raise standard of safety where persons are

exposed to the risk of falling from height

• Terms and Definitions – Gives explanation to terms used

Introduction

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• Elimination of risk at source, during design

• GUIDE process

– Group, form review team of major stakeholders

– Understand, look at drawings and calculations

– Identify risks due to design or construction method

– Design around risks

– Enter information on remaining risks into register

G

U

I

D

E

Design for Safety

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All stages of work need consideration:

• Construction and/or installation

• Usage

• Maintenance and/or cleaning

• Demolition and/or decommission

Design for Safety

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Policy

Responsibilities

Risk Management

Control Measures

Procedures

PPE

Maintenance

Training

Investigation

Emergency

Fall Protection Plan

• Site specific

• Systematic approach for

removing or reducing risk of

falling from height

• Components

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Fall Protection Plan

• Knowledge of work site

• Knowledge of processes

• Knowledge of risk assessment

• Knowledge of fall protection

measures

Fall Protection Plan - required knowledge:

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Policy for Fall Protection

Set by top management

• Clear – no ambiguity

• Commitment & compliance

• Appropriate to the organisation’s

Needs

Nature

Scale

• Understood, implemented and

maintained

• Reviewed

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Responsibilities

Top management

• Allocate sufficient resources

• Appoint Competent Person

Competent Person

• Develop Fall Protection Plan

• Define responsibilities of staff

• Ensure compliance with regulatory

requirements

• Report performance

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Risk Assessment

• Hazard identification

Multi-disciplinary team

Thorough knowledge of work

• Assessment

Severity & likelihood

• Review

Periodic

Significant changes in workplace activities

Occurrences of falls

Risk Management

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Determine Severity

Minor No injury, injury or ill-health requiring first

aid treatment only (includes minor cuts and

bruises, irritation, ill-health with temporary

discomfort)

Moderate Injury requiring medical treatment or ill-

health leading to disability (includes

lacerations, burns, sprains, minor fractures,

dermatitis, deafness, work-related upper

limb disorders)

Major Fatal, serious injury or life-threatening

occupational disease (includes

amputations, major fractures, multiple

injuries, occupational cancer, acute

poisoning and fatal diseases)

Determine Likelihood

Remote Not likely to occur

Occasional Possible or known to occur

Frequent Common or repeating occurrence

Determine Risk

Likelihood \ Severity Remote Occasional Frequent

Minor Low Risk Low Risk Medium Risk

Moderate Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk

Major Medium Risk High risk High Risk

Severity Likelihood

Risk Assessment

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Risk Level Acceptability of Risk Recommended Actions

Low Acceptable

No additional risk control needed.

Conduct periodic review to ensure that assigned risk level is

accurate and does not increase over time.

Medium Moderately Acceptable

Evaluate hazards carefully to ensure that risk is reduced to

as low as reasonably practicable within a defined time period.

Interim risk control measures, such as administrative controls

may be implemented.

Attention by management is required.

High Not Acceptable

Risk level must be reduced to at least Medium risk before

work commences.

Interim risk control measures should not be used. Risk

control should not overly rely on personal protective

equipment. If possible, the hazard should be eliminated

before work begins.

Immediate involvement by the management is required

before work commences.

Risk Assessment

• Follow hierarchy of control

• Ensure that controls do not pose new risks

• Review – ensure effectiveness and

relevancyDecreasing

preference

Risk Control Measures

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• Administrative control

• Can be coupled with other control

methods

• Development should include those

who perform the tasks

• Adequate communication

• e.g. during toolbox meetings

Procedures

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Personal Fall Protection Equipment

• Short term contingency

• Last resort

• Additional measure

Fall Protection Plan

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• Pre-usage visual inspection and checks

• Maintenance program

Operational Equipment (e.g. Ladders)

Safety Equipment (e.g. Harnesses)

• Inventory of equipment that require

maintenance

• Periodic maintenance, repairs, replacement

• Record keeping

Inspection and Maintenance

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• Information (theory, classroom)

• Training (practical, hands on)

• Analysis of training needs

• Many different possible channels

• Ensure understanding

• Induction

New roles

New work methods

• Emergency situations

Instruction and Training

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• Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP)

• Pre-usage checks

• Site assessment (e.g. ground

conditions)

Unstable ground conditions

Steep slopes

Holes or obstructions

Overhead obstacles / structures

Traffic (vehicular or human)

• PPE needed

• Familiarisation

MEWP Training

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Incident Investigation

• Investigation and analysis

• Determining deficiencies

Corrective action

• Preventive measures

• Communication of findings

Relevant parties

• Records to be kept

Findings

Outcomes

Accident/Incident Investigation

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• Emergency response plan

• Rescue equipment

• First aid

• Training of designated rescuers

• Procedures during emergency

• Rescue from suspension after fall

arrest

Suspension trauma issues

Emergency Response

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• May occur to a person suspended in

harness

• Blood pooling in legs

• Reduced backflow of blood to heart

• Severe injury or death

• Quick rescue

• Proper treatment of suspected victims

Suspension Trauma

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Supervision

• Especially important for new,

inexperienced workers or workers

under training

• Supervisors must be competent, with

knowledge of the work they are

supervising

• Supervisors must ensure:

Safety measures are in place before

work starts

Workers are supervised

Only workers that have been trained

are to carry out the work 26/36

Access to and Egress from

Work Areas• Factors to consider

Human traffic

Materials transportation

Surfaces and need for platforms

Lighting

• Roof access

• Guarding of holes and openings

Housekeeping and Material Storage

Cleaner and safer workplace

Increased productivity

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Edge Protection

• Guardrails

• Locations that require edge protection

• Requirements (Height, strength…etc.)

• Access points

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Fall Protection Systems

Safe practices and/or requirements for:

• Scaffolds

Requirements (height,

strength…etc.)

• Tower scaffolds

• Elevating work platforms (MEWPs)

• Suspended gondolas

• Mast climbing work platforms

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Individual Fall Prevention

Systems• Travel restraint systems

Prevents falls through

movement control

Not designed to stop/arrest

falls

• Industrial rope access systems

Specialised form of abseiling

Used where other forms of

access are impractical

High level of competency &

skill30/36

Fall Arrest Systems

• Individual fall arrest systems

Full body harness, lanyard, shock

absorber, anchorage

Full body harness, self retracting lifeline

• Points covered

Checking for defects

Limitation

Possible hazards

Rescue

Calculation 31/36

Fall Arrest Systems

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Video Clip

Fall clearance distance

• Prevents users from striking the ground

after a fall

• Calculation of Fall Clearance Distance

• Safety belts are not suitable

• Harnesses recommended

• Other hazards still present

Length of

lanyard

Energy

absorber

extension

Height of

worker

Safety

distance

Insufficient clearance height:

• Self Retracting Lifelines

• Short lanyard

Fall Arrest Systems

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Ladders and Step Platforms• Portable ladders

Height to base ratio

Checking for defects

Securing before climbing

• Step platforms

• Safe use of step ladders

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Hazards of Working at Rooftop

• Types of fragile/brittle roofs

Moulded or fabricated materials

Glass

Acrylic…etc.

• Appropriate safety measures

Safe access to work area

Crawl boards

Work platform

MEWP (for low-rise buildings)

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Thank You

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