Ladders/Towers


In search of the Holy Grail FORMED in 2004, the Access Industry Forum (AIF) liaised closely with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) during the development of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and is now an established and respected source of information and expertise promoting and encouraging the safe and proper use of access equipment for working at height. It provides a forum for all the principal trade associations and federations involved in this important sector, ranging from ladders and towers to safety nets and MEWPs. Promoting the link between training and competency in the workplace, the


Forum advocates the need for users of all types of access equipment to be professionally trained to a recognised standard based on the agreed work procedures of its member organisations.


of getting key messages and guidance about how to work at height safely out to a wider audience,” they have been produced by AIF member organisations and cover a wide range of topics including the safe use of ladders and stepladders, fall protection when using mobile access towers and guidance for operatives using MEWPs in restricted overhead spaces. With a running time of


approximately 10-minutes, the videos can be viewed free online on the Forum’s website and come complete with a short questionnaire to assess understanding. Occupying the minds of


‘In search of the Holy Grail: No more work at height accidents ever!’ was the


Forum’s theme in the AIF Knowledge Base at this year’s 2012 Safety & Health Expo. Following on from last year’s ground breaking debate, it again brought together the leading UK health and safety organisations to explore possible options for greater collaboration and cooperation. In addition to Peter Bennett for the Forum, contributors included representatives from IOSH, IIRSM, RoSPA and the British Safety Council. “Falls from height continue to challenge


safety organisations and safety professionals,” says the Forum. “An enormous amount of valuable and constructive work is being done to reduce the risks, but it’s often being done in isolation. The opportunity to exchange ideas and developments seldom occurs, and that’s where the AIF Knowledge Base and the Holy Grail initiative comes in.” According to the Forum, it provides the


platform to engage in some joined up thinking and acts as a catalyst for working together with a view to helping reduce – sooner rather than later – the number of falls from height reported to HSE every year. So, can work at height accidents ever be


eliminated? The answer to this can best be summed up by a comment from the very first meeting, when Nigel Bryson representing the British Safety Council said: “The minute you say you can never design out a problem means that you’ve stopped looking!” Peter Bennett for the Forum agreed: “We have to believe that the Holy Grail is attainable.” Helping to make it more attainable are


the Forum’s free Toolbox Talks. Described by HSE as “An innovative way


12 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE


everyone involved in working at height is the Lofstedt Review: Reclaiming Health And Safety For All. The Forum has welcomed


the publication of the review and, in particular, the fact that it acknowledges the problem lies less with the regulations themselves, but more with their interpretation. Comments Peter Bennett: “We welcome a report that proposes to simplify the regulations and by doing so brings greater clarity and understanding to their application. However, we do have a number of significant misgivings, not least of which is


the proposal to exempt self-employed workers from certain requirements of health and safety legislation.” “Working at height is inherently hazardous and needs to be properly


controlled and managed.” A key outcome for the Forum is the recommendation that the Work at


Height Regulations and associated guidance should be reviewed by April 2013. The regulations are central to much of the work of the Forum’s member organisations and have informed an important part of their guidance and best practice since their introduction in 2005. The Forum looks forward to making a significant contribution to the review process going forward and is reassured by the comment that “Any changes to the (Work at Height) Regulations should not result in an increased risk to employees or others.” For its part the Forum will continue


to promote the link between training and competency and act as a resource for knowledge and information for work at height.


www.toolbusiness.co.uk


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