Tool Box Talk 10 Working at heights 4. Tower Scaffolds

WORKING AT HEIGHTS 4.TOWER E SCAFFOLDS

Tower scaffolds represent the safest way of getting access to equipment above ground level.

 Tower Scaffold Rules
1. Towers must only be erected on a firm level base (Regulation 15)
2. The maximum height (of platform) is 3 x min base measurement if outdoors and 3.5 x if indoors. Outriggers are permitted to increase base dimension so that greater height can be achieved.
3. Minimum platform size recommended is 1.219m x 1.219m. The area must be fully boarded and have toe boards and hand rails if above 1.980m high.
4. Access must be by fixed ladder. Best is internal diagonal type. (Keeps C.G. inside base and braces tower.) An alternative may be part of end frame of tower with rungs not more than 300 mm apart. Shinning up the tower tubes is not permitted.
5. Where the tower is mobile (on wheels) each wheel must be fixed to the tower (not held in place by the weight of the tower) and be fitted with a brake. The brakes must all be ‘on’ whilst the tower is in use.
6. The above rule means that men and materials must not be on the platform whilst the tower is being moved.

7. Move by pushing horizontally near the base. Make sure the route is clear, both at ground level and up to the height of the tower, before starting to push.8. Extra care is essential if outriggers are in use. The height/side ratio may be affected if the outriggers have to be removed for moving. Only raise the outriggers by the minimum amount possible. If in doubt about stability, get helpers to steady all four corners whilst moving.
9. Ladders must not be leant against towers, or stood on the platform to gain height. The risk of overturning the power is too great!
10. When working on a tower, pushing and pulling actions need to be undertaken with due thought as to where you are, to avoid the risk of overturning.

Towers built of scaffold tubes and fittings must comply with all the scaffold parts of the Construction (Work Place) Regulations and only be erected (and dismantled) by competent scaffolder's properly supervised.

Report any defective equipment immediately and prevent others from using it.

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Tool Box 9 Working at heights 3. Trestle Scaffolds

WORKING AT HEIGHTS 3. TRESTLE SCAFFOLDS

Trestle Scaffolds allow access to work where more than one person is needed or where access is necessary to a wider area than a ladder could reach.They should be regarded in the same way as ladders or steps i.e. light, temporary access only. For heavy or long term access, proper scaffolding of tubes and boards of a mobile tower must be provided.The Regulations concerning trestles and staging are the same as for other access equipment regarding strength, condition, stability etc.
Trestle Scaffold Rules
1. A trestle scaffold is not permitted to have the deck more that 4.5m high. (Reg. 21.2.a)
2. If the trestles are erected near an edge the 4.5m is measured from the lowest level.
3. The decking should be no more than two thirds up the height of the trestles.
4. Proprietary decking will have a label attached stating maximum loading and span and possibly maximum number of men. – Heed it!

5. The platform must be at least 635 mm wide (25”). More if materials are deposited on it
6. Access to the staging should be by an adjacent step ladder. Do not climb up the trestles.
7. Trestles are not a substitute for a step ladder – the horizontal bars are too far apart – such use is not the way it was intended and is therefore abuse. Remember – suitability – (Work Equipment Regulations 1992.)
8. Where Planks make the platform the following guide as to maximum span should be followed:

• 38mm planks (11/2 “) 1.5m
• 50mm planks (2”) 2.5m
• 65mm planks (21/2”) 3.0m

9.Check that there are no loose or missing screws and bolts, no splits, warping or decayed or broken parts. It could be your neck that gets broken if it collapses.

Report any defects to your supervisor and ensure no one else uses faulty equipment

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Tool Box Talk 8 Working at heights 2. Step Ladders

WORKING AT HEIGHTS 2. STEP LADDERS

Folding step ladders are an extremely convenient way of accessing work, which is out of reach, but familiarity can lead  to carelessness. Falling off a step ladder is no less serious than off an ordinary ladder so equal care is called for. (The floor is just as hard)
Step ladders are covered by the same regulations as ordinary ladders regarding construction and materials and this is even more critical because of the extra parts required to make them foldable. (Construction/Working Places) Regulations and Work Equipment Regulations).

Establishing a habit of checking off a mental list each time a pair of steps is used, will lead to safe working. Steps are probably the most ‘borrowed’ item of all site equipment and although this may be frowned upon, it is unlikely that it can be stopped. Always check ‘borrowed’ steps doubly well as it is still your responsibility to ensure your own safety.
Step Ladders Rules
1. Steps must be suitable. ‘Domestic’ weight steps are not normally up to ‘trade’ use.
2. Check anti-spread device (cords, clips brackets etc.). Remember, if it’s defective it’s illegal!
3. Check folding mechanism (hinges, pin, rivets, etc).
Remember …………
4. Always spread the ladder to its fullest extent, so that it can’t suddenly jerk while you are on it.
5. Ensure that all four stiles are on firm, level ground. This is specifically mentioned in the Regulations (Reg. 32.7) so
use of an unsteady step ladder is an offence!
6. You must always have a secure handhold not less than 1.06m above the highest level reached by your feet. Clearly this means you cannot stand on the top steps unless there is some other handhold e.g. an extension.
7. Place the ladder at right angles to the work so that twisting the body is not necessary. Try to visualise where the
centre of gravity of you, any tools or materials, and the ladder, lies so that it stays within the base area of the
ladder.
8. An assistant standing on the bottom step lowers the centre of gravity very effectively, but make sure they understand and so do not step off suddenly.

Report any defective step ladder immediately and prevent its use by others.

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Tool Box Talk 7 Working at heights 1. Ladders

WORKING AT HEIGHTS 1. LADDERS

Much of our work involves equipment deliberately put out of reach. We therefore need to use access equipment (steps, ladders, towers, and scaffolding) to get at it.

More accidents occur involving ladders than any other piece of work equipment. This is because there are so many of them, not because they are particularly dangerous.
A few easily memorized rules can ensure ladder safety. The use of ladders is covered by the Construction (Working Places) Regulations (Construction Sites) and by the Work Equipment Regulations (Everywhere else).
Ladder Rules
1. Only use ladders for work of short duration and which can safely be done from a ladder e.g. work requiring only one hand and within easy reaching distance.
2. Ladders must be of sound material, strong enough for the purpose and properly maintained. (No

 splits, warping, decay, damage, etc.). A missing or defective rung condemns a ladder automatically (Reg. 31). Wooden ladders must not be painted. (Reg. 9).
3. Ladders must have a firm footing for each stile and if more than 3m long be secured at the upper
4. Maximum height to be reached by ladder is 9m unless a resting place can be provided. (Greater heights require a scaffold or tower to ensure ‘safe Place of Work’).
5. Ladders used for access to a higher level must extend at least 1.06m above the landing place unless other regulation height hand hold is provided. (Reg. 32).
6. Ladders must be placed at a safe angle of approx. 75 degrees. This means; distance from base of ladder to the wall should be ¼ height reached by the ladder.
7. Only one person should stand on a ladder at one time, except when a second person is standing on the bottom rung to ‘foot’ the ladder.

8. When climbing or descending ladders, both hands are needed, so carry tools etc. in a shoulder bag or such like (or hoist them up afterwards).
9. Do not use metal ladders near electrical equipment.
10. Do not use a ladder in a driveway or passageway unless protected by barriers or an assistant is constantly in attendance.

end, i.e. be lashed. Where such lashing is not possible, securing at or near the base is necessary. Where securing at neither the top nor bottom is possible, a person must ‘foot’ the ladder. (Reg. 32).

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Tool Box Talk 6 Wearing and caring for PPE

WEARING AND CARING FOR PPE

Personal Protective Equipment is intended to protect you from risks, which cannot be eliminated or guarded against by other more effective means.
Your employer must assess the work you do and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or reduce risks (PPE Regulations). If he decides that some risk still remains he must provide you with PPE. Some risks are deemed to be always present on building sites, hence separate Regulations require ‘hard hats’ to be worn in ‘hard hat areas’, at all times.
1. You have a duty to wear any PPE provided by your employer and he has a duty to See that you do.
2. You must wear and use the PPE in the way it was intended – therefore it must fit you. If it doesn’t –report it.
3. PPE must be suitable for the risk and the job in hand – if it’s not – report it.
4. PPE must not itself create a new risk – if it does – report it.
5. You have a duty to take care of the PPE and not to abuse it.
6. You have no right to take the PPE off site unless your employer says you can. Otherwise you must return it to the appropriate storage place after use.
7. If you are unsure about how to use PPE (e.g. breathing apparatus) ask for training first. You must be adequately trained.
8. If there is anything wrong with the PPE provided e.g. worn out, broken, missing, In need of maintenance or cleaning etc. you must report it.
9. The Health and Safety Executive provide free advice leaflets on PPE for construction workers.
10. Remember, the law does not expect your boss to be psychic, if you know of a problem Regarding PPE or a risk that need guarding against TELL HIM ABOUT IT!

Note – Underlined words and phrases indicate a specific mention in the Regulations. Offences against the Regulations are Criminal Acts.

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