HEALTH & SAFETY
In the oil & gas sector, the nature of the
infrastructure involved forces the need to work at height. Tere are some measures that can be introduced to avoid a degree of climbing, but these are limited. Drones, for example, are being used successfully for routine structural inspections on onshore installations but where the need for maintenance or repair work is identified, there is no alternative to sending a human being aloft.
CATEGORIES OF MEASURES Fall protection can be divided into three categories: fall prevention, fall restraint and fall arrest. Fall prevention measures are generally what the HSE terms ‘collective’ measures, such as guardrails and toe boards. Restraint and arrest systems involve the use of specific personal fall protection systems (PFPS) for which the worker is individually fitted and trained to use. Fatal falls are often the result of
incorrectly specified equipment or lack of training in its correct use. To correctly specify PFPS, it is essential to understand what the equipment is designed to do, how it works, its capabilities – and its limitations. Tere is by no means a ‘one size fits all’ solution and few are sufficient on their own. Types of PFPS to be considered include:
Restraint: this is equipment that involves a positioning system holding a worker in place while keeping the hands free to work. Restraint equipment may be used to prevent a worker from reaching a fall hazard position, but it is not designed to arrest a fall. Suspension: suspension equipment, such as a cradle, provides a platform to work from. Again, a suspension system’s components are not designed to arrest a free fall, so back-up fall restraint and arrest systems are critical. Fall arrest: a fall arrest system is required if there is any risk that a worker may fall from an elevated position. Te system activates only when the actual fall occurs and typically consists of a full-body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard or retractable lifeline, an anchor point and a means of rescue.
In the event of an arrested fall, retrieval equipment is also needed to rescue a
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Aside from the height itself, other risks include dirty and slippery conditions
worker and bring them to safety. Tis can either allow for self-rescue, rescue by a co-worker or a rescue team, depending on the particular situations. Devices include tripods, davit arms, winches and comprehensive rescue systems.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT PFPS must be chosen for the specific task and the more hazardous the environment, the more critical this is. Equipment must, of course, be CE marked but this alone is an insufficient guide. For example, the typical test mass used to validate commonly used fall arrest equipment is 100kg, which given that the UK Office of National Statistics state average male weight/height averages of 5ft 9in and 13st may seem reasonable. However, you also have to factor in the extra weight, such as tool belts and other equipment that a worker at height may be carrying. Another factor to consider is the potential distance of a fall. A fall arrest system will be of no use if the deployment distance is greater than the available clearance, a factor that WAH regulations require to be calculated. Fall clearance is the minimum distance a worker needs so that a fall is arrested before striking the ground or objects below the working area. Tere are multiple factors to consider when calculating fall clearance accurately. Specialist manufacturers are the best source
of advice and guidance and can provide charts and formulae for making these calculations for individual items of PFPS.
KEEPING IT SAFE PFPS used in any sphere of the oil and gas industry have to withstand grease and grime, contact with corrosive and abrasive materials and need to be protected from volatile environments. Stringent inspection and maintenance regimes for PFPS are as important to worker safety as choosing the right system. Regulation 12 of the WAH regulations sets out duties for the inspection of equipment. It offers advice on inspection regimes and information on the frequency, procedure and level of detail of inspections as well as the type of records that must be kept. In addition to what is required
under WAH regulations, there are also requirements for inspection in BS EN 365:2004 (the British Standard for personal protective equipment against falls from height) and recommendations in BS 8437:2005 (code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of PFPS) and Health & Safety Executive Publication INDG367 (inspecting fall arrest equipment made from webbing or rope). Product-specific inspection requirements are provided by equipment manufacturers and should be incorporated into the inspection routine.
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