Legal
The cost of measures not taken
Chris Price looks at the Work at Height Regulations and points out there is more to them than might be presumed
F
alls from height are the number one cause of fatal injuries to workers and also contribute significantly to major injuries leading to compensation.
Companies can also receive large fines if prosecuted. Work at height hazards may exist across the rail industry in stations, depots and sidings, for example daily access around rolling stock for maintenance, work in proximity to inspection pits, depot refurbishment - quite apart from the major construction projects. In September 2013 Network Rail
was fined £125,000 plus costs of £85,000
following a prosecution brought by ORR following the death of a track maintenance worker and serious injuries to two others. Repairs to overhead lines were being carried out from an elevated platform attached to a vehicle at a height of 15ft. The platform became detached and fell to the ground. Network Rail had failed to provide its staff with training on working with the platform and did not identify that the overload alarm had been switched off despite evidence showing the platform weight limit had been significantly exceeded on a regular basis. The Work at Height Regulations
2005(WAHR) apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall that is liable to cause personal injury. It is important to recognise that the regulations stipulate work at height means work in any place including a place at or below ground level as well as obtaining access to or egress from such places while at work except by a staircase in a permanent workplace. They place duties upon employers, self employed and any person who controls the work of others which will include owners of premises who may contract others to work at height and facilities managers. The required control is related to the
February 2014 Page 37
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