Working at height

Before working at height a risk assessment should identify how you will access the area, and what is the most appropriate suitable system the job to be done. Here fitters were installing the steel work for an hydraulic hammer above a crusher, the access platform consisted of two planks tied to handrails and structure of the plant. This is totally inadequate and the access for the fitters should have been by scaffold.

Every platform needs to be sufficiently strong, properly supported and provided with double hand rails and a kicking board. Has your company got a policy on getting access at heights? Look at your walkways and access onto vehicles, can it be improved?

Fitters using wheeled loader bucket as working platform, this is not acceptable and has been the cause of many accidents and fatalities.

Here the conveyor is used as access. Proper access must always be provided before work commences. A portable scaffold tower or mobile access equipment should be used.

Where possible permanent access should be provided and it should be part of the design of the quarry. Here on a new plant access was required to a damper on a ventilation duct. No access was provided and the operators walked along the top of the ducting.

A permanent access was later provided.

Ladders are for access only. They are not working platforms and consideration should be given to scaffold or MEWPS.

Many people have been killed or seriously injured using loading shovels for work platforms. Here the loader moved forwards when the brakes failed and crushed the fitter between the back of the bucket and the structure of the conveyor causing fatal injuries. He was only raised 0.5m. In other cases the people have been killed when falling from the bucket of the machine.

Many accidents occur because of debris left on walk ways. Walkways should be kept clear, good house keeping will reduce accidents.Here the cables form a hazard.

Here debris form the hazard, good house keeping is essential

Here debris form the hazard, good house keeping is essential

Access ladders get damaged by machinery, often clearing spillage. Damaged ladders and steps must be replaced.

An example of damage to a silo access

Any work at height should be scaffolded or other suitable means of access provided

Multipurpose vehicles such as this telehandler can be used for access at height as well as reducing manual handling risks. Guidance on using forklift trucks for as access platforms is given in PM 28

Handrails must be provided with kick boards where falls will result in injury or above 2m and must be properly maintained.

Spillage prevents safe access and may affect the stability of the plant and walkways

The access to this dumper is clearly damaged. Slipping of the bottom step of these machines is a major cause of avoidable injury.

A similar situation for a loading shovel

This company have fitted rubber steps to avoid damage and provide safe access to their vehicles

A close up of the improved access. You can do a lot to improve the access in your quarry.

Good access systems were supplied on electric excavators and the principles can be applied to all quarry equipment, especially dump trucks and loading shovels.

This modern excavator has good access which again could be fitted to dump trucks and loading shovels.

The industry can learn from access systems fitted to other types of equipment such as this rubber tracked tractor.

Here the refuelling, lubrication, and air start ports have all been brought to the front of the truck. This followed a fatal accident involving a vehicle being refuelled. Do not forget access to refuelling points on excavators and dozers where similar systems can be used.

Safe access is also required for fixed plant. A portable scaffold tower or powered access should have been used here. Never expose yourself to this kind of risk.

Here ice has formed on the steps to the control cabin, yet no one has attempted to clear it. This is an accident waiting to happen.

Sheeting is one of the most common access problems This driver is at risk of falling over the rear of the lorry even though an access platform is provided down the side

Another view of the same problem showing how easy it is to fall over the rear of the lorry. This vehicle is not using the sheeting bay at all. Remember the quarry operator is responsible for the safety of all who work on the site, including the lorry drivers.

All lorries that use quarries should be fitted with ground operated sheeting systems. Companies should have a policy on this and enforce the policy.

This is the only system that ensures the driver cannot be inured when they fall from the vehicle

This lorry load needed trimming before the sheeting system could be used. The driver climbed on the lorry even though there was a sheeting gantry next to him. This illustrates that even where all lorries have sheeting systems access onto the vehicle may still be required. The operator is responsible for the safety of all people on their site and the sheeting of vehicles must be part of their management system.

Do not forget the tanker drivers who are loaded at the quarry. Frequently they cannot raise their hand rails because of the loading bay structure is too low. This tanker is not fitted with a rail and should be. A fixed hand rail should be provided as part of the loading bay.

Similarly tankers delivering need safe access and in this case the hand rail should be provided and raised.

Inappropriate access to a mobile crusher

Remember that access is also required for emergency services and roads should be designed for this.