Working At Height 1

Working At Height (WAH) HSE Safety Virtual Campaign

AAGGEENNDDAA • Introduction • Case Studies • Legislation & ACOP • Working at Height (WAH) • Common Hazards of WAH • WAH Rescue Operation • Ladder Safety

Introduction Is he safe? Are they safe? 3 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential

Introduction Are they 29 June 2022 safe? Strictly Confidential 4

Introduction Are they 29 June 2022 safe? Strictly Confidential 5

Introduction Are they 29 June 2022 safe? Strictly Confidential 6

Introduction Data from Ministry of Manpower, Singapore Workplace Safety & Health Report 2021 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 7

Introduction Data from Ministry of Manpower Jan-Mar 2022, Singapore Workplace Safety & Health report 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 8

Case Studies Strictly Confidential 9 • Case 1:Fall through Skylight • 7 workers were assigned to remove asbestos roof sheets from a pitched roof. • A worker fell 11 meters through a skylight during the task. • The workers were equipped with restraint belts but were not anchored. 29 June 2022

Case Studies Strictly Confidential 10 • Case 2:Fall through Roof Opening • A worker was tasked to install a canopy roof in front of the office building. • The worker was supposedly working alone when he fell through a roof opening. • He fell 4 meters to the ground and succumbed to his injuries. 29 June 2022

Case Studies Strictly Confidential 11 • Case 3:Fall from Roof Edge • 2 workers went up to the roof of a link bridge for a painting job. • The workers gained access to the roof top via a boom lift, and utilize rope access for the painting task. • During the course of the work, one of the workers fell off the roof and landed on the ground about 15 meters below. 29 June 2022

Legislation Strictly Confidential 12 The WSH (Work at Heights) Regulation come into operation on 1st May 2013. The Regulation application is for • All workplaces where work at height is carried out. • Permit To Work system for hazardous work at height. 29 June 2022

Legislation Fall Prevention Plan Paragraph 5.- (1) It shall be the duty of the occupier of every workplace specified in the Schedule, and in which work at height is carried out, to establish and implement a fall prevention plan. (2) The fall prevention plan referred to in paragraph (1) shall be established and implemented in accordance with the requirements of the approved code of practice relating to safe and sound practices for fall prevention. (3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of every workplace specified in the Schedule to ensure that the fall prevention plan referred to in paragraph (1) is made available for inspection upon request by any inspector. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 13

Legislation - Permit To Work (PTW) System Implementation of permit-to-work system Paragraph 20.- (1) Before the carrying out of any hazardous work at height at a factory, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to — (a) appoint a competent person for the hazardous work at height at the factory to carry out the duties of an authorised manager in accordance with this Part; and (b) appoint a competent person for the hazardous work at height at the factory to carry out the duties of a work-at-height safety assessor in accordance with this Part. No hazardous work at height without permit-to-work Paragraph 21.- (1) Subject to paragraph (2), any person who carries out any hazardous work at height in a factory without a permit-to-work first issued by the authorised manager in respect of that hazardous work at height shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 14

Legislation - Permit To Work (PTW) Application for permit-to-work Paragraph 22.- An application for a permit-to-work to carry out any hazardous work at height shall a) be made by the supervisor of the person who is to carry out the hazardous work at height; b) be made in such form and manner as may be required by the authorised manager; c) state the measures which will be taken to ensure the safety and health of the person who is to carry out the hazardous work at height; and d) be addressed to the authorised manager and submitted to the work-at-height safety assessor where the hazardous work at height is to be carried out. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 15

Legislation - Permit To Work (PTW) 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 16

Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 17

Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for PTW The permit-to-work system is a formal documented process used to manage work identified as potentially hazardous. The permit-to-work system aims to: • Ensure a systematic and tiered authorization for hazardous work; • Enable responsible persons to be aware of all hazardous work conducted, their locations in the workplace and when the work cease; • Establish a standardized approach with clear individual responsibilities to take all reasonably practicable measures to ensure the task can be carried out safely; • Enhance supervision of hazardous work with routine monitoring of the work; and • Provide a visual display (of permit) to clearly identify locations of approved tasks and task durations. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 18

WAH - Fall Prevention • Edge protection must be provided to the edge of a scaffold, walkway, ramp and landing or wherever a person is at risk of falling from open sides. • The protection must also be able to withstand the impact of a person falling against it. • Edge protection must also be provided at any other edge at the workplace where a person could fall. Such protection must adhere to dimensions and other requirements as stated in the Risk Assessment. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 19

WAH - Fall Prevention Inadequate demarcation and worker Example of proper demarcation and protection during temporary removal of travel restraint for worker during edge temporary protection. removal of edge protection. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 20

WAH - Fall Prevention • 100% tie-off is mandatory when moving from one area to another during working at height. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 21

WAH - Travel Restraint System • Consists of a full body harness with single or double lanyards, which is attached to a static line or anchorage point. • System is designed to restrict the travelling range of a person wearing the safety harness so that the person cannot get into a position where he/she could fall off an edge of a surface or through a surface. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 22

WAH - Travel Restraint System • The travel restraint system should prevent a person falling from the edge of a roof. The system should not be used on fragile roofs. • The persons setting up and/or using the system should be able to demonstrate that they have a clear and thorough understanding of the system, and how the work area can be accessed without the possibility of a fall occurring. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 23

WAH – Lifelines A self-retracting lifeline (SRL) involves a spring-loaded reel to ensure the shortest possible length of lifeline between the user and the reel. SRLs specifications are: • Must not be used in the horizontal plan/position. • Must not be attached to a horizontal lifeline. • Lanyards must not be attached between the SRL and the full body harness as this may increase the fall distance. • Attachment of more than one user to each SRL is not be allowed as it will overload the component. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 24

WAH – Lifelines Lifelines are flexible or rigid lines connected at least to one end to a reliable anchor to provide a link between the anchor and the user of a personal fall prevention/ arrest system. Lifelines should meet the following characteristics: • Safe rating high enough to withstand forces generated in the event of a fall; and • Installed in a proper manner such that they do not interfere with any other items of equipment or clothing, or create any tripping hazards. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 25

WAH – Anchorage for Fall Prevention > Lifelines & SRLs Structural Anchorages Roof Anchorages Tested Anchorages >Steel beams >Eye bolt Approved & Certified Anchorages Strictly Confidential 26 >Vertical / Horizontal & Extension Slings 29 June 2022

WAH - Working on Scaffolds Scaffolds are temporary structures: • On which a person performs work in a workplace where a temporary work structure is needed; • Which enable a person to access the location to perform work at height; • Which enable materials to be taken to a place at height where the work is being performed. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 27

WAH - Working on Scaffolds SCAFFTAG WAH on scaffolds golden rules - Erection and Inspection Record • Never alter or modify any scaffolding unless LOCATION you are a certified scaffolder. Ref. No • A scaffold must be fitted with a scaffold tag Date Erected at every access point and inspected by a Requested by certified and competent scaffold supervisor Built by or scaffold assessor. Name of competent person • Never work on any scaffold which is not Signature fitted with a “Safe to Use” scaffold tag. Scaffold to be used for 29 June 2022 Light Duty Medium Duty Heavy Duty Strictly Confidential 28

WAH - Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) A mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) is a mobile machine consisting of a work platform surrounded by an edge protection system with controls and an extending structure that is intended to position persons, tools and materials at heights. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 29

WAH - Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) • Only trained and competent operators are to operate MEWPs. • Safety harness with double lanyards must be worn when working on the MEWP with 100% tie-off. • Check the SWL before using the MEWP. • Post warning signs & barricade working area. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 30

WAH - Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) A personal fall arrest system is a collaboration of components that work to: • Safely stop a person from falling an uncontrolled distance. • Reduce the impact of the fall. The personal fall arrest system consists of three main components: • Anchorage (A). • Body support (B) ie body harness. • Connection (C) ie landyard with shock absorber. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 31

WAH - Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) • Anchorage (A) Scaffold snap hook Connector 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 32

WAH - Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) • Body support (B) 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 33

WAH - Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) • Connection (C) Connector Shock absorber 29 June 2022 Double lanyards Scaffold snap hook Strictly Confidential 34

WAH - Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) • Calculation of fall distance will determine the minimum height required when WAH for the PFAS to be effective and safe. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 35

WAH - Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) For a harness & lanyards with energy absorber assembly: • Clearance Height = Length of Lanyard + Length of Energy Absorber Extension + Height of Worker + Safety Distance (minimum of 1 meter) For a Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL)/ Retractable Fall Arresters: • Clearance Height = Deceleration Distance + Height of Worker + Safety Distance (minimum of 1 meter) 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 36

Common Hazards of WAH Practices & behaviour • Personnel without adequate training Structure & equipment • No safe work procedure • Open edge • No risk assessment • Open hole • No apply fall protection equipment • Defective guide rail & hole cover • No permit to work system • Defective fall preventive equipment • Defective fall protective equipment • Poor in-building luminance • Trip and fall • Falling object 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 37

Common Hazards of WAH Open Edge 29 June 2022 Open Hole Strictly Confidential 38

Common Hazards of WAH Defective Fall Inadequate Protective Guide Rail Equipment 39 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 39

Common Hazards of WAH Improper & unsafe anchorage 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 40

WAH Rescue Operation Strictly Confidential 41 • Suspension trauma happens when the body is being held in an upright position from a restrained position for a period of time. • Gravity pulls blood into the tissues of the legs, and the blood circulation is restricted on the pelvic region. • Loss of consciousness followed by permanent damage to muscle/organs if suspended person is not rescued within a period of time. 29 June 2022

WAH Rescue Operation In the event of a fall Wait for the ERT to ERT will lower a rescue arrest, stay calm and do perform the rescue loop to take the tension not panic. operation. away from the harness, Call and shout for help. and perform the rescue. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 42

Ladder Safety All ladders shall • be of good construction, sound material and adequate strength. • be free from defects/damages. • be suitable and safe for the purpose for which it is intended. The surface upon which any ladder rests or bears upon shall • be stable, level and firm. • be of sufficient strength to safely support the ladder and the person/load intended to be placed on it. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 43

Ladder Safety Base of Ladders used to access another ladder level should be tied and should be extended at least 1 metre secured. above the landing point to provide a secure handhold. Place the ladder on stable and level Ensure that the ground. ladder is fully Do not place it on extended an uneven surface. before starting work. 29 June 2022 Strictly Confidential 44

Ladder Safety Do not use the Do not use the ladder if Do not use the ladder if it is ladder if it is bent. their spreaders do not missing any step. have a locking device or 29 June 2022 mechanism. Strictly Confidential 45

Ladder Safety 3 points Always contact maintain 3 Top end of ladder covered to points of prevent standing. contact when 29 June 2022 climbing ladders. Strictly Confidential 46

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