HEALTH & SAFETY GETTING HIGH


of being ejected from the platform or getting into a fall situation. All equipment used at height must be


carefully and regularly inspected for faults that may prove hazardous to worker’s safety. However, you may not realise how regularly you should be inspecting your work from height equipment. PFPE inspections should comply with BS EN 365:2004 and BS 8437:2005. Meaning PPE must be inspected every 12 months, or more frequently if exposed to extreme environments. Pre-use checks, sometimes called a pre-use inspection, should also be completed by the wearer at the beginning of each working shift.


I


n 2022, there were 135 fatal work- related injuries in the UK, with 30% of fatal injuries due to falls from


height. Chris Wraith and Ben Hughes, Health and Safety Officer and Training Manager respectively at Horizon Platforms, explain to Welding World how these incidents might be reduced. Shocking statistics from the HSE reveal


that in 2022, there were 135 fatal work- related incidents in the UK. With 40 of these due to falls from height, making up 30% of the fatal work-related injuries. Mobile Elevated Work Platforms


(MEWPs) offer a secure way to work at heights, designed with dedicated safety regulations for operators and those nearby. Despite this, accidents can still


occur, often influenced by various human, environmental, and unforeseen factors. Adhering to health and safety


regulations is imperative for any job, especially when working at height or with heavy machinery in hazardous conditions. Unfortunately, these rules can still be broken due to ignorance, cutting corners or outright disregard, which may result in severe penalties, lawsuits, imprisonment and sometimes even tragedy. You or your team may inadvertently


overlook essential health and safety rules when working at height. This is why the experts at Horizon Platforms have shared vital insights into these safety measures that can’t be ignored.


PPE needed at height We come across instances where PPE (personal protection equipment) is not being used as it should. When working at height, PPE is often referred to as PFPE (personal fall protection equipment). While it’s assumed that PFPE is a non-negotiable, not everyone may be fully aware of the list of required safety equipment which helps prevent accidents and injury: Harness - is only part of a Personal Fall


Protection System. It is a body-holding device worn by an individual and has one or two attachment points, usually one on the chest and one on the back, where a lanyard can be attached to. Lanyards - Connect to the safety harnesses and clip onto the anchor points inside the platform. This lanyard should be adjusted in length to ensure it prevents the wearer from the possibility


Weather conditions Weather conditions can be crucial when working from height. Work deadlines or not, when working on MEWPs there are HSE expectations you must follow to ensure full safety of workers. Wind - the wind speed limit for


each MEWP can be found on the manufacturer’s data plate and in the operator’s manual. Many MEWPs are only to be used indoors with a maximum rated wind speed of 0 mph. Snow and ice - present a slip risk. But it


can also cause damage to the MEWPs and height safety systems, so full inspections should be carried out before use. Freezing conditions can also affect the movement and response of the controls, so it is essential to do pre-use checks of all functions before use in extreme weather. Thunder and lightning - all outdoor work


from height should stop immediately. A robust risk assessment must


be conducted before every job to determine if it’s safe to proceed with the work. Undertaking tasks in adverse weather conditions without ensuring it is safe to do so can lead to potential accidents, injuries, or even loss of life, along with legal consequences and reputational damage for the responsible parties. If it’s too dangerous, stop.


Dangerous scenarios to avoid Although wearing the correct PFPE and working in the correct weather conditions may seem obvious health and safety rules when working at height. There are some rules that many people might need to consider or be reminded about. It’s amazing how rushing to complete a job can get in the way of safety.


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