This subject outlines procedures to prevent accidents or injuries to you and others from inappropriate selection and use of fall protection equipment.

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 7 REFERENCES Personal Protective Equipment Standards 1.31 PURPOSE This subject outlines procedures to prevent accidents or injuries to you and others from inappropriate selection and use of fall protection equipment. REGULATIONS Follow applicable provincial regulations. STANDARDS WH&S Regulations for each province are required reading for those involved in more complicated activities than those described here. In any work situation where it is possible for a worker to fall a vertical distance greater than 3.0 metres from a temporary work area, or 1.2 metres from a permanent work area, the worker must be protected from falling by: A guard-rail around the work area A safety net A fall arresting device A safety harness, securely attached to an anchor point An alternative means of protection acceptable by WH&S regulations. Powered hoists, cranes, work platforms or work baskets must be approved and inspected before use, as required by good work practice and WH&S Regulations. Bandit Pipeline Rev

2 Page 2 of 7 Floor Areas and Walking Surfaces Clear defined walkways must be established and maintained. Any encroaching materials, equipment parts or spills must be removed promptly. Holes or Pits in Floors Holes, pits or shafts in floor areas must be enclosed with barriers or handrails or fitted with a cover capable of bearing work related loads or meeting WH&S requirements. Stairs and Ladders Specific rules in WH&S Regulations must be adhered to. In general, all portable ladders must meet CSA Standard CAN 3-Z11-M81, Portable Ladders. Electrical workers must use non-conductive ladders. Ladders must be tied off at the top or a second worker must be assigned to secure the bottom of the ladder. Scaffolds Before use, temporary scaffolding must be inspected and tagged as safe to use by competent personnel. Scaffolds not otherwise mentioned in this procedure must be designed by a Professional Engineer and used in accordance with his specifications. The vertical supports of scaffolds must rest upon firm, level foundations or sills. Scaffolds must be erected, maintained or dismantled by, or under the supervision of, workmen competent in such work. All scaffolds must be designed and constructed to support at least four times (4x) the weight of men and material to be carried on them. Bandit Pipeline Rev

3 Page 3 of 7 Work Baskets Work baskets are frequently used for elevated work where scaffolding or ladders are not practical. The basket must be either an approved commercially designed and manufactured unit or be designed and approved by a professional engineer. The basket must be attached to the load line above the hook assembly. Workers in the basket must use safety harnesses attached to a separate line or to the basket. Elevating Work Platforms A worker on a drilling or service rig who is engaged in work at any point above 3.0 metres of the derrick floor shall wear a harness secured to an anchor point or lifeline. Fall Arresting Devices Personal Protective Equipment Standards. Responsibilities Supervisory and Worker Personnel must ensure that walking surfaces are kept free of tripping hazards. Supervisory and Worker Personnel must ensure that stairs, ramps, ladders are designed, constructed and maintained properly, meeting WH&S Regulations. Supervisory and Worker Personnel each have responsibilities to ensure that temporary scaffolding is erected by competent workers, meeting WH&S Regulations. Bandit Pipeline Rev

4 Page 4 of 7 Qualifications Those employees who may responsible for the safety of work on elevated structures or may themselves be required to work on elevated structures must have training and have demonstrated competence in the erection, use and maintenance of the equipment they are using. Instructions to workers 141(2) An employer must ensure that a worker is trained in the safe use of the fall protection system before allowing the worker to work in an area where fall protection system must be used 141(2) The training referred to in subsection 1 must include the following A review with current Alberta or Saskatchewan legislation pertaining to fall protection: B an understanding of what a fall protection plan is; Fall protection methods a worker is required to use of the worksite; D identification of fall hazards; E assessment and selection of specific anchors that the worker may use; F instructions for the correct use of connecting hardware; G information about the effect of a fall on the human body, including maximum arrest force, the purpose of the shock and energy absorber, swing fall, freefall; H pre-use inspections; Bandit Pipeline Rev

5 Page 5 of 7 Emergency response procedures to be used to the worksite if necessary; and J practice in inspecting, fittings, adjusting and connecting fall protection systems and components, and emergency response procedures 141(3) in addition to the training described in subsection 2, an employer must ensure that a worker is made aware of the fall hazards particular to the worksite and the steps being taken to eliminate or control these hazards; GUIDELINES Expert Contact Safety Advisor Notes and Cautions Scaffolding should be erected or supplied by an approved contractor/ supplier. GENERAL PROCEDURE 1. Evaluate the hazard and any potential hazards. 2. Ensure appropriate equipment is selected. 3. Ensure only competent workers are allowed to carry out the work. 4. Check that structures are safe for the job. 5. Correct poor or dangerous practices. 6. Use only the safety equipment provided. 7. Only use the equipment within its designed capability. 8. Report unsafe conditions and stop work if necessary to avoid an accident. Bandit Pipeline Rev

6 Page 6 of 7 Fall protection plan 140(1) An employer must develop procedures that comply with this part in a fall protection plan for a worksite if a worker at the worksite may fall 3 m or more on the worker is not protected by guardrails. 140(2) A fall protection plan must specify A full hazards at the worksite, The fall protection system to be used to the worksite, The anchor to be used during the work, That clearance distance below the work area, if applicable, have been confirmed as sufficient to prevent a worker from striking the ground or an object or level below the work area, The procedure used to assemble, maintain, inspect, use and disassemble the fall protection system, where applicable, and The rescue procedures to be used if a worker falls and is suspended by a personal fall arrest system or safety net that needs to be rescued. 140(3) Bandit Pipeline Rev

7 Page 7 of 7 The employer must ensure that the fall protection plan is available at the worksite and is reviewed with workers before work with a risk of falling begins, 140(4) The employer must ensure that the plan is updated when conditions affecting fall protection change. Bandit Pipeline Rev