HS26 Working at Height Policy and Procedure

HS26 Working at Height Policy and Procedure HS26: Working at Height Policy and Procedure v2-0.jun 2016 Page 1 of 8

1. Scope This policy applies to all staff, students and visitors to The Shared Learning Trust (TSLT) premises including contractors who will be expected to apply safety standards to at least the same level as that required of Trust staff and students. 2. Context Work at height is second only to slips, trips and falls in numbers of reportable accidents to people at work in the UK and results in more workplace deaths and serious injuries than any other single cause. Regulators regularly focus on working at height when conducting pro-active inspections with warnings and prosecutions taking place before any person has actually been injured as a result of unsafe working practices. 3. Aims TSLT is committed to ensure a safe environment is maintained where employees, students and visitors operate safe working practices and use access equipment appropriately and legislative requirements are met. Through the application of this policy the Trust aims to create an environment where no one is injured while working at height on TSLT premises. This will be achieved through: ensuring appropriate training for all staff and, as appropriate, students; regular checks and maintenance on all access equipment; planning of all work at height activity including risk assessment; review of all contractor safety method statements and risk assessments prior to allowing work at height to commence; monitoring of work at height whilst under way. 4. Statutory position Work at height is governed generally under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Management of Health and safety at Work Regulations 1999 as amended and the Work at Height regulations 2005. 5. Procedure Detail A place is defined as at height if a person could be injured falling even if at or below ground level; in addition there is no minimum height from which to fall. For the purposes of this policy work includes moving around at a place of work but not travel to or from a place of work. HS26: Working at Height Policy and Procedure v2-0.jun 2016 Page 2 of 8

6. Responsibilities 6.1. Chief Executive To ensure that systems are in place ensuring all work at height within The Shared Learning Trust is properly managed and carried out safely and without injury to TSLT staff, employees, visitors and contractors. To monitor the management arrangements making changes where necessary prompted by for example, change in process, technological development or change to legislation. 6.2. Principals To ensure this policy is implemented at all TSLT locations and throughout all departments and that risk assessments are carried out for all work at height activity within their campuses. To ensure staff training takes place in all relevant facets of this policy. To ensure all access equipment is identified, maintained and records kept in accordance with this policy. To ensure any incidents involving work at height including near misses are reported in accordance with the TSLT Accident and First Aid Procedure. 6.3. Heads of Curriculum To ensure this policy is implemented within the curriculum and support areas as appropriate within their department. To ensure this policy and procedure is communicated to all department staff particularly including technicians and tutors and that regular training takes place on its content to ensure safe methods of work are maintained at all times and that said staff are competent to work at height from equipment they have been trained to use. To ensure risk assessments are carried out for any work at height conducted by the departments within the department. To ensure department staff are prohibited from using access equipment for which they have received no training. HS26: Working at Height Policy and Procedure v2-0.jun 2016 Page 3 of 8

6.4. Facility Manager To ensure the provisions of this procedure apply to any contractors appointed to carry out works on The Shared Learning Trust premises and that their arrangements for working at height are reviewed. Review to include activity specific risk assessments and method statements for the work to be carried out and monitoring to ensure such method statements are complied with whilst the work is undertaken. To ensure this policy and procedure is communicated to all Estates staff and that regular training takes place on its content to ensure safe methods of work are maintained at all times and that said staff are competent to work at height. To ensure that Estates staff are trained in the use of any access equipment they are required to use including hired equipment, and are prohibited from using equipment for which they have received no training. To ensure risk assessments are carried out for any work at height conducted either by TSLT estates staff or contractors. To ensure that all TSLT access equipment is regularly inspected and to maintain a central record of such inspections. 6.5. Health and Safety Manager To monitor the implementation of this policy paying particular attention to the efficacy of work at height risk assessments, training of The Shared Learning Trust staff on work at height and monitoring access equipment inspection processes. 6.6. All employees Comply with this policy and procedure and follow any training or instructions on work at height. Conduct or review a risk assessment prior to undertaking any work at height activity. Use any equipment or safety device supplied for work at height properly. Report to their line manager or the Health and Safety Manager any activity or defect relating to work at height which is likely to endanger himself or herself or another person (including contractors working on site). HS26: Working at Height Policy and Procedure v2-0.jun 2016 Page 4 of 8

7. General safe working method for work at height All staff must ensure the following: 7.1. Work at height is avoided if possible by ensuring that no work is done at height if it is safe and reasonably practicable to do it other than at height. 7.2. Risk assessment: A risk assessment is carried out under regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 using the standard TSLT risk assessment process. 7.3. Planning: Any work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in as safe a way as reasonably practicable to prevent any persons or any objects falling a distance liable to cause injury. 7.4. External work at height: Any external work at height is postponed while weather conditions endanger health and safety. 7.5. Competency: Everyone involved in the work is competent or if being trained is supervised by a competent person. This includes anyone involved in the organisation, planning, supervision and the supply and maintenance of equipment. 7.6. Safe place of work: The place where work is done at height is safe and has features to prevent a fall. 7.7. Appropriate equipment: Any equipment for work at height is suitably selected and appropriately inspected. 7.8. Protection measures: Collective protection measures are given priority over personal protective measures. 7.9. Roof access: Where regular access is made onto roofs, managers must ensure that such areas are checked prior to work commencing e.g. checking every parapet, permanent rail etc. 7.10. Fragile surfaces: No one under their control goes onto or near a fragile surface unless that is the only reasonably practicable way for the worker to carry out the work safely and a risk assessment has been carried out and suitable fall arrest and protection measures put in place prior to work commencing. 7.11. Warnings: Appropriate warnings are in place to prevent anyone under their control going onto or near a fragile surface. 7.12. Falling objects: The risks from falling objects are properly controlled. HS26: Working at Height Policy and Procedure v2-0.jun 2016 Page 5 of 8

7.13. Prohibition: Access is prevented and clearly signed to areas where there is a risk of a person falling or being struck by a falling object. 7.14. Ladders: If a ladder is used for any work at height, that a risk assessment has demonstrated that the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified and the guidance in sections 4-7 is complied with and the inspection record in appendix B is completed. 8. Safe Use of Steps, Ladders and Scaffold Tower general information 8.1. Any stepladder or ladders must be fit for purpose (Class 1 industrial grade ladder or to EN131 light trade, not carrying excessive weights). Use of domestic ladders and stepladders is prohibited. 8.2. Any scaffold tower or other access equipment must be fit for purpose (BS2482 boards and BS5973 tubes and fittings). 8.3. All access equipment is subject to routine inspection regimes but employees must check before each use that ladders and other access equipment is in good condition. 8.4. Damaged or repaired ladders or access equipment must not be used unless professionally certificated as safe for use. 9. Stepladders The following basic safe practice must always be applied: 9.1. Stepladders must be positioned correctly on stable ground and open to the full extent of the retaining bar. Stepladders should always be placed at a right angle to the work face to ensure stability. If this is not possible alternative access equipment should be used. 9.2. Stepladders must not be placed where they can be dislodged or struck by traffic or opening doors. 9.3. The users knees must always remain below the top of the steps. 9.4. Users must never stand on the top platform of stepladders. 10. Ladders The following basic safe practice must always be applied: 10.1. Prior to using ladders the safest means of access must be considered and use of a suitable adjustable platform whenever possible. HS26: Working at Height Policy and Procedure v2-0.jun 2016 Page 6 of 8

10.2. Whenever using a ladder its condition must be inspected prior to use paying particular attention to the condition of the feet, damaged stiles or rungs, dents, bends and loose rivets. 10.3. Ladders should be positioned at a 75 degree angle on a firm and level base, evenly supported on both stiles (uprights). 10.4. Rungs should be kept free of mud, boots should be cleaned before use. 10.5. Only one person should be on a ladder at any one time. 10.6. A second person should be at the base of the ladder to add stability and keep the area clear. 10.7. Users must tie off / stabilise ladders at all times either using a ladder stability device attached to the base of the stiles or using fixings attached to the wall. 10.8. When climbing / working from a ladder, users must maintain 3 points of contact i.e. 2 feet / 1 hand or 2 hands / 1 foot should be in contact with the ladder at all times. 10.9. A ladder must not rest against any fragile surface or fitting. 10.10. Placed ladders must not be left unattended. 10.11. Users must not over reach as this leads to over balancing and falls. 10.12. Users must not carry heavy / bulky items up a ladder; use a gin wheel or other lifting equipment. 10.13. Users must carry light tools and equipment in a shoulder bag or on a belt. 11. Scaffolds and towers 11.1. TSLT employees are prohibited from working on scaffolds unless a suitable permit for work at height has been issued by a competent* TSLT Facilities Manager, Senior Management Team member or Head of Department / Curriculum Head. 11.2. Users must not assemble or use a scaffold tower or other access equipment without having first received training in correct methods of assembly and safe working practices. 11.3. Users must not move a scaffold tower when someone is occupying it. HS26: Working at Height Policy and Procedure v2-0.jun 2016 Page 7 of 8

11.4. Users must not use the rungs of a ladder to support boards for access. Intermediate landing places should be provided on a scaffold to ensure a maximum ladder height of 9 metres. 11.5. TSLT employees are not permitted to work on working at height access equipment without having first received training in its use. 12. Regular inspection All The Shared Learning Trust ladders and access equipment are subject to annual inspection by a competent person. A central record of inspection must be maintained by the Facility Manager. Inspection includes comprehensive formal visual checks on ladder, stepladder and other access equipment condition, details of which are included on the ladder / stepladder inspection register. Further guidance is provided in procedure HS26.1 Ladder / stepladder register and inspection procedure. HS26: Working at Height Policy and Procedure v2-0.jun 2016 Page 8 of 8