Working At Height.

[Jono Pashley]

Would you deem working on Hi Bay fittings at a working height of 5M including testing work from a extending ladder as a acceptable means of access. I say it isnt acceptable as to test or perform any dismantle work you would lose 3 points of contact also stopping the heavy fitting swinging around on the chain while working.

Any other opinions would be great.

 

[Zeespark]

Mobile scaffold tower Jon.

Andy Guinness

 

[Sidewinder]

Not acceptable.

I can hire you an "IPAF" tower if you have the licence! ;

Also better means of access TBH would be Scissor or Boom MEWP.

 

[ParkySparky]

Ladders are for access only. Surly risk assessment and method statement clearly states this. Not many sites even allow steps now. Podiums are to be used even of working a foot of the ground. Health and safety gone mad.

Makes me laugh though, when it gets towards the end of the job and people are queuing up outside a room to get in with their podiums or pop ups then steps are soon back on site to get the job done quickly!!!

 

[Jono Pashley]

I have the "IPAF" 1b 3a 3b. All other similar jobs weve always had MEWPS in. Dont know why this one is any different. Let the guy whose in charge of the job know my feelings see what he says in the morning, will probably end with a scissor lift being brought in. Just wanted to have my ammo in order for the morning.

 

[Sidewinder]

Parky,

You are WRONG, ladders & steps CAN be used for work, & even HSE state this on their website.

It is HOW they are used that is the issue.

Also most H&S bods on sites are incompetent.

Jono,

I'm sure you can dig out enough ammo, if not ring me!

 

[Jono Pashley]

Im hoping the HSE WAIT toolkit will be enough, thanks another pint i owe yourself and mr kme

 

[ProDave]

I defy anybody to do any meaningful work on a pair of steps while maintaining 3 points of contact.

I guess I'll have to stop using my steps to change a domestic light fitting now.  I'll stand on a beer crate instead then. :coat

 

[Sidewinder]

It's easy PD, you just need to fully understand what is meant by 3 points of contact by HSE.

Check the HSE website & their Myth of the Month pages also...

 

[Jono Pashley]

http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/usingladders/threepointsclarify.htm

 

[kme]

You can happily cover your rear end bud - and the fact that you come to get ammo first is a bonus

As snakehips - you know where we are..........

 

[Technician]

An observation;  the work has to be of short duration;

according to what I have read this means measured

in minutes.

 

[ParkySparky]

Sidewinder it's all down to individual risk assessment and method statements am who is the main contractor on sites.

Suppose if your just twin and earth bashing on your own you can do what you want but I'm sure after an accident, if there's a claim or HSE gets involved and your not working to your method statement then that's were the problems start.

Why don't you have a look at the 'guy who's in charge's' method statement and see how it should be done. You should have signed them all before starting work anyway.

 

[Sidewinder]

Parky,

It is down to who is the H&S muppet for the main contractor.

Trouble is many of them are not competent to "legislate" over many of the tasks they try to exercise control over!

This is why I don't "do" site work in construction unless it is very well paid, it is too much hassle, and because I frighten them when I do!  :innocent

 

[Evans Electric]

I went to the printers today to investigate a  5ft fitting not working .

Amazingly I couldn't reach it on the 8 ft ceiling  .

I thought I mustn't use my steps as I won't have 3 points of contact so I'd best order a tower from my hire guy.

During the 2 hour wait for the tower I thought I'd save time so I filled in a Risk assessment for off loading the tower from their pick-up and another one for  assembling .  With the tower platform at it's lowest I had to lay down with my nose pressed against the fitting but at least I was safe.

After changing the tube & starter it did not work .

I then filled in another risk assessment for testing a live fitting to see if it was ...well...live ...and it was and I could see melted remains of a ballast in there .

So I immediatly filled in another risk assessment for making the fitting dead and a safe isolation form and handed them to myself.

Then although sorely tempted to stick some tape across the switch , I killed the circuit plunging half the place into darkness.

I then fitted an MCB lock , closed the Dist, Bd, door and wedged it shut with a builder's Acro prop from the opposite wall .  

I now needed to drive to the nearest wholesaler for a new fitting , so after checking the tread depth on the tyres , the MOT and insurance were current and all the lights were working and my driving license had not expired, I set off.

I tested the fitting for dead , then tested the testers on a known source then tested the known source with a second set of testers and of course checked the second set on a second known source before disconnecting .  But only after licking my finger and stabbing it on quickly  :innocent  

After replacing the fitting , which I checked to conform with BS something or other,  I restored the power , checked the Zs  , filled in a Minor Works and issued it to myself .  Oh and checked that my meter had a current calib. cert. which I photo-copied and sent off to the Queen .All of  which I recorded on the Minor Works,  of which I made 5 copies, to send to the ECA, the H&SE , ELECSA, my MP and the European Commitee for Poking it's Nose into our Affairs.  

Then  due to not having a license to carry scrap metal and dead fluorescent tubes on the King's Highway I phoned for a skip and when it arrived after 2 hours I threw the old fitting into it . 

I now find that the customer is not happy with the £ 400 + VAT bill I have just invoiced him for .  

 

[ProDave]

Deke, that's just classic.  :slap :slap

Sadly, in many places, it's also true.  :z

But one more thing if I was doing the job:

When laying on the platform, with the fitting 3" from my nose, I couldn't focus on it as it was too close. So I had to go the optician to get a different set of close up glasses first. That put the bill up to £500

Less the £20 I got for selling my redundant pair of steps on ebay.

 

[Evans Electric]

:Applaud    Yes  I forgot ... I certainly  would not be able to focus at that distance .

I also forgot to drill the ceiling , fit a concrete anchor and hook my safety harness to it ...but I think I got away with that. 

I did  indeed replace a faulty fitting at the printers today but must admit to using a modicom of  descriptive license ...........it was a 6 ft !!!!   :^O   :^O  

 

[kerching]

Did you not carry out an RA in case the fitting contained PCBs. OR worse still, fastened to an asbestos ceiling?

just being cautious....

 

[ProDave]

And a stubby set of VDE screwdrivers, as the normal ones wouldn't fit the gap between the fitting and the platform.

 

[Evans Electric]

Bloody 'ell guys ....  if I started doing all that I'd be there all bleedin' day !