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The HSE’s is maintaining its campaign relating to working at height following the new legislation introduced last year and ‘Height Aware’, a campaign to raise awareness of the risks maintenance workers face when working at height, will be launched later this month. The HSE has also made a couple of interesting statements recently relating to the ever heated topic of working at height, so it would probably be a good idea to take a look at those.
Back to ladders due to drought
“If you decide to go back to using ladders and a bucket for window cleaning during a drought, remember to make sure you have assessed all the risks,” says Dr Elizabeth Gibby, Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Director of Injury Reduction Programme, in response to questions from the window cleaning industry clarifying how the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) apply to window cleaners in any areas where water companies operate Drought Orders.
The WAHR, which came into force on 6 April 2005, introduce a simple hierarchy of risk management and equipment selection. The first step is to avoid work at height where reasonably practicable; changes in the industry in recent years have encouraged window cleaners to adopt waterfed pole systems.
Some water companies in the South of England are now seeking to restrict the non-essential use of water in their areas, including the cleaning of windows by hosepipes and other similar apparatus - which could include waterfed poles.
Considering the possible impact of Drought Orders, Dr Elizabeth Gibby, said: “Our approach to the application of the WAHR remains unchanged. Should water restrictions effectively ban the use of waterfed poles and it is not reasonably practicable to clean windows at height, HSE will expect window cleaners to apply the WAHR hierarchy in selecting appropriate equipment and managing risks arising from work at height. This may mean, that for the duration of any ban, some window cleaners will return to using moveable ladders. In these circumstances I would urge them to become re-acquainted with the risks, and take the necessary precautionary action.”
Dr Gibby added: “In applying WAHR to window cleaning during a drought we need to adopt a pragmatic and practical approach enabling the industry to use alternative equipment in pursuing their business. The nature of the WAHR provide the flexibility to do this”
Minister thanks Access Industry
Lord Hunt, Minister of health and safety, thanked the member’s of the Access Industry Forum (AIF), earlier this month, for their efforts to improve the safety of people working at height.
Addressing the delegates at the AIF conference the minister said: “Reducing the number of falls from height remains a priority for HSE, 53 workers died during 2004/5 when they fell from a height. Last year, over 2000 workers suffered a major injury as a result of a fall form a ‘low height’, those below head level.”
The Work at Height Regulations are now a year old. The number of podium steps hired across the country has increased significantly, Lord Hunt explained and claimed that this demonstrated that many people are using safer equipment. “A great deal of effort has gone into educating employers and employees about the Regulations and much of this work has involved AIF members, you have risen to the health and safety challenge by producing safer access equipment and making better training available. I thank you for your contribution,” He added.
“Most falls are preventable and when workers fall so can profits. Employers of, and those working, as maintenance workers, electricians, painters and decorators, plumbers and carpenters should plan work properly. Always assess the risks, choose the right equipment and ensure all work at height is carried out by those competent to do so.”
European Safety
Beyond these shores and on another topic the HSE’s European Union equivalent, the European Union Agency For Health and Safety At Work, is planning another of its annual campaigns. In the past these have dealt with issues such as noise at work and safety in construction.
The agency has already released information about next years campaign, as these campaigns tend to reflect the priorities for health and safety legislators across Europe it is worth taking a look.
Next year’s campaign will address the safety of young people at work as according to European statistics they run a 50% higher risk of work accidents than other workers
Accidents like these are a daily occurrence and a serious threat to EU’s 58 million young people. According to Eurostat data, the risk of work accidents is at least 50% higher among those aged 18-24 years than in any other age category. Accidents and damage to the health of young workers are particularly distressing where the young person has to live with the consequences for the rest of their lives. Worse still is the premature death of a youngster from a usually avoidable work accident.
“Young persons are less likely to recognise the risk of accidents and even when they do, they may be less able to take appropriate action. And sometimes they are simply assigned to tasks beyond their capabilities or are not provided adequate training or supervision,” explained Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. “We must take steps to ensure young people have a safe and healthy start to their working lives, and to promote risk awareness and risk prevention in enterprises, schools and colleges.”
In anticipation of the campaign that will run next year, the European Agency has just launched an online pool of information on issues related to young people and their safety and health. Topics covered include accident prevention and integrating occupational safety and health into education.
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Airstream Communications