1.

PURPOSE

This procedure provides the safe work method of fall protection to prevent any incidents or
accidents to the workers and staff while performing any works at height.

2. DEFINITION

4.1 JSA – Job Safety & Health Analysis

4.2 SHO – Safety Health Officer

4.3 ES&H – Environment Safety & Health

4.4 PPE – Personal Protective Equipment

4.5 MEWP – Mobile elevated work platforms

3. RESPONSIBILITY

Nil

4. PROCEDURE

6.1 Fall Protection Systems

4.1.1 Primary Fall Protection Systems

a) Collective fall protection systems provide walking and working surfaces in elevated areas
which are free from floor openings and are equipped with standard guard rail systems on all
open sides and with closure apparatus for ladder openings or other points of access when
required.
b) Use of such protection systems would normally eliminate the risk of falls and, subsequently,
eliminate the need for any other type of fall protection methods.
c) These systems include, but are not limited to:
• Scaffolds
• Aerial lifts (articulating, scissor, etc.)
• Other approved personnel hoisting devices

4.1.2 Floor Opening/voids/Hole

Covers Floor opening/void/hole covers are used to close openings and holes in floors, platforms
and walkways. These covers must be capable of supporting the maximum potential load to
which they may be subjected. The cover must completely cover the opening/hole and be
secured against accidental displacement. These covers must be marked "HOLE COVER - DO NOT
REMOVE."

4.1.3 Aerial Lifts (Scissors, Snorkel, etc.)

a) As refer aerial lifts include Lifts, Scissors Lifts, Snorkel Lifts, Cherry Pickers, etc. Personnel
riding in or working from these lifts must wear an approved safety harness/lanyard system
and secure their safety lanyard to the lift basket anchorage point at all times with the
exception of scissor lifts which can only fail safe.
b) Other requirements include:
 Lifts shall be placed on solid level surfaces so as to eliminate possibility of overturning.
 Only authorized personnel shall operate the lifts.
  Personnel shall be prohibited from tying off to an adjacent pole or structure or other
equipment.
 Employees shall stand firmly on the floor of the basket or platform. Climbing on the
railing or using planks, ladders, or other devices shall be prohibited.
 Boom and basket/platform load limits shall not be exceeded.
 Personnel riding in or working from mobile work platforms must wear an approved
safety harness securely connected to a suitable anchor point on the platform.
4.1.4 Crane Hoisted Personnel Baskets
Personnel riding in or working from these lifts must wear an approved safety
harness/lanyard system and secure their safety lanyard to the lift basket anchorage
point at all times, or to a collar chain/sling that is attached to the crane hooks.

4.2 Secondary Fall Protection Devices

These systems must be worn and used as a backup to primary fall protection systems or in
the absence of primary systems. Secondary fall protection systems shall include, but are
not limited to:
 Safety harness/lanyard system.
 Horizontal life lines/running lines.
 Vertical life lines/retractable life lines.
 Other fall protective devices
4.2.1 Safety Harness / Lanyard Systems
a) Fall protection in the form of safety harnesses and lanyards must be used in situations
where it is impracticable to provide collective systems.
b) Whenever full body safety harnesses are used they must be secured to a secure anchorage
point, running line or arrester device.
c) Full safety harnesses with thigh and shoulder straps shall be worn.
d) Shock absorbers must be provided with the harness system in order to reduce the shock
loading in the event of a fall or alternatively fixed length lanyards are acceptable when used
as fall restraint.
e) The fall protection lanyard shall be attached to the D-ring located in the middle back of the
safety harness.
f) D-rings located at the waist may only be used for positioning and with rail type ladder
climbing devices.
g) Work positioning assemblies are to be attached to D-rings at the harness belt location.
h) Only safety harness/lanyard systems furnished by Contractor (or subcontractor employer)
are to be used.
i) Where fall arrest devises are to be used, emergency rescue provisions shall be defined
within the JSA and Method Statement e.g. crane with man cage, MEWP.

6.2.2 Horizontal Life Lines / Running Lines

a) Lifeline systems are points of attachment for fall protection lanyards and must be capable of
supporting at least (2,268 kg) per employee.
b) Lifelines may be mounted either vertically or horizontally and are generally intended to
provide mobility to personnel working elevated areas.
c) As structures are erected, priority shall be given to the consideration of proper lifeline
placement.
 d) Horizontal lifelines shall be installed and maintained by persons competent in the rigging
practices necessary to ensure adequate lifeline systems.
e) Lifelines shall not be used for any purpose other than fall protection.
f) Lifelines in use shall be inspected weekly (by the competent person who installed them).
g) Lifelines shall be of a unique color to ensure they are easily identifiable and are used only as
lifelines.
h) Running line systems can be used to provide a secure anchorage point for safety harnesses.
i) Running lines shall only be installed and maintained by competent persons.

6.3 Safety Nets

a) Safety nets may be used in situations, as secondary fall protection. Use and installation of
nets when required will be addressed with site SHO.
b) Only qualified personnel shall install nets in accordance with the net manufacturer’s
specifications.
c) Nets and installation shall comply with BS EN 1263-1 or equivalent.
d) The erection of safety nets must be carefully planned and supervised and only undertaken
by properly trained operatives.
e) Nets should be fitted as close to the working surface as possible.
f) The initial sag of the net should be 1/4 to 1/5 of the total span of the net, and as the net will
be displaced vertically in the event of a fall; there must be a further clearance of 1.83 meter
from the lowest point of the net.
g) Nets must be inspected after any fall, prior to each use, and every 7 days.

6.4 Working from Ladders

a) Ladder use shall be restricted to short duration works only and use justified in preference to
towers justified within the JSA.
b) Permanent caged structural ladders may be ascended or descended without additional fall
protection.
c) When ascending or descending ladders, personnel shall use both hands. Materials or tools
shall not be carried in hands white using ladders.
d) Personnel using the ladder must be knowledgeable in the hazards associated with the use of
portable ladders and associated fall protection techniques.
e) Personnel climbing ladders that are not tied off at the top must have another person hold
the ladder at the bottom until it can be secured. This includes the last trip down after
untying a ladder at the top.

6.5 Temporary Work Platforms / Walkways

a) Every effort shall be made to ensure all temporary platforms/walkways, scaffolds, etc., are
equipped with solid decks free of openings and provided with standard guardrail systems
regardless of height.
b) Personnel working from or travelling on incomplete temporary work platforms shall wear an
approved safety harness and lanyard at all times e.g. scaffolds in the process of erection.
c) Personnel are not required to secure their lanyards when the temporary work platform or
catwalk is complete with standard guardrail systems and walking/working surfaces (decks)
are free of openings.
 d) All access openings in the platform must be provided with closure devices such as ladder
gates.
e) Personnel who are not protected by completed decks and guardrail systems must have their
safety lanyard secured property at all times. Personnel who must lean through or over
protective railings must also secure their lanyard.

6.6 Permanent Structures / Stairs / Caged Ladders

a) Personnel working or travelling on permanent decks, floors and walk ways that are free of
fall exposures are not required to wear safety harnesses and lanyards provided they can
access the elevations by completed permanent stairs, or fully enclosed personnel hoists
(elevators), or the area is fully fitted with guard rails, and items are identified on the risk
assessment, Pre-task briefing.
b) Priority shall be given to installation and securing of permanent floors and walking surfaces
and all guard rails and other permanent fall protection devices.
c) When required, temporary guardrails and floor covers shall be installed to eliminate fall
exposures.
d) Only authorized personnel involved in work activities associated with the installation of fall
protection may work on floors or walkways that are incomplete. These personnel must be
provided with secondary fall protective systems.
e) Permanent stairs when completed shall be used to access or egress elevated work areas.
The completion of permanent stairs shall be a priority.
f) Caged ladders do not require secondary fall protection (retractable lanyard). Personnel
climbing ladders must keep both hands free for climbing at all times. Carrying items in the
hands is prohibited.

6.7 Structural Steel Erection

a) The use of ladders and personnel hoists/lifts shall be maximized as the safe method of
vertical travel in structural steel elevations.
b) Climbing of columns and diagonal structural steel members is prohibited. NOTE: This
provision applies to steel erection activities only.
c) Preference where possible shall be given to pre-installing lifeline equipment prior to lifting of
horizontal beams. Where this is not practicable the next course of action is to use a MEWP
for access and installation.
d) When lanyard lengths longer than standard are required due to large steel members, the
site ES&H supervisor shall be contacted to approve methods for obtaining the additional
length.
e) Vertical access on these structures shall be gained by means of property positioned and
secured access ladders.
f) Securing lanyards to cable trays, conduit and small bore screw pipes is prohibited.

6.8 Reinforcement Steel / Concrete Work

a) Personnel working above ground level on rebar walls, piers and on concrete form walls,
piers must have fail protection 100 percent of the time unless an access scaffold with full
working platform with double rails and access ladder has been provided.
b) Fall protection can be achieved through the use of retractable lifelines, static lifeline and
rope grabs or use of double lanyards.
 c) Personnel working rebar or formed walls and elevated piers generally require a work
positioning lanyard (cannot be used for fall protection) and a fall protection lanyard.
d) On vertical rebar walls, the safety lanyard shall be secured either to a lifeline or a horizontal
section of rebar at a point above the worker’s head.
e) On form walls, personnel shall use patented construction form tie-off attachments or
lifelines to secure their safety lanyards. These persons shall receive specific JSA on the
equipment to be used and the fall protection practices to be used.

6.9 Information & Training

a) Employees required to work at heights shall be trained in fall hazard recognition, fall hazard
equipment, and the requirements of this Procedure.
b) Employees shall be retrained when the training program has been changed, fall equipment
has changed, or the employee exhibits inadequacies in knowledge of fall protection or the
employee exhibits inadequacies in equipment use.
c) PRE-TASK BRIEFING usage is an absolute necessity to its continuing implementation and
success. Not every situation in which fall exposures can appear have been addressed here.
Thorough planning, innovative, and total dedication are required to achieve 100 percent fall
protection.

6.10 Inspection & Testing of Fall Protection Equipment

a) A competent person must inspect personal Fall Protection equipment at least every three
months.
b) Fall protection equipment must be maintained so that it remains satisfactory for use during
the construction period. All defects shall be recorded. Inspections data shall also be
recorded.
c) A competent person must examine all fall protection equipment that has been deployed in a
fall and determine If it will be repaired or destroyed, as necessary.

6.11 General

a) In the construction industry, falling from height is recognized as one of the greatest hazards.
Separate risk assessments are developed for specific portions of activities with falling from
height hazards.

6.12 Risk Evaluation and Control

6.12.1 This procedure describes the general steps taken to reduce the risks of working at height, and
also to prevent falls at walking and working areas. Field Engineers, supervisors and trade foremen
must be trained in ‘‘Working at Height’’ safety conducted by the HSE department. The training
material includes the hierarchy for fall prevention techniques to guide those undertaking risk
assessments.

6.12.2 Trade foremen must evaluate respective job steps and the locations and conduct a risk
assessment of the “fall” hazard. A copy of the risk assessment must be forwarded to the HSE
department for review and approval prior to works commencing.

6.13 Scaffold Safety

6.13.1 Scaffolds mentioned in this procedure refer to basic scaffolds; i.e., not more than 4 meter
high, and with not more than 2 bays. A person wanting to construct a scaffold with greater
dimensions or features must first obtain approval from the HSE department. Such scaffolds must be
built, modified or dismantled under the direct supervision of HSE Staff. The HSE staff and co-opted
Field Engineers form the core group of qualified scaffold supervisors, after undergoing scaffold
training conducted by a dedicated training organization.

6.13.2 The erection, modification and dismantling of all scaffolds are to be carried out by persons
who have attended scaffold training conducted by the HSE Department and in compliance with
related regulations.

6.13.3 The training material for scaffolders must include methods to minimise the risk of falls during
the erection and dismantling of scaffolds.

6.13.4 The trade foreman must inform the HSE Department whenever there is an intention to
construct a scaffold of any height, a cantilevered scaffold, or a suspended scaffold; i.e., a “gondola.”

6.13.5 Trade foremen must keep a register of the scaffolds under respective charge, and check the
scaffolds at least once every seven days, or every time it is moved or altered.

6.13.6 Appropriate scaffold tags (Red – Not fit for Use, and Green – Fit for Use) must be displayed at
the access points.

6.13.7 The physical aspect of scaffolds include:

a) A scaffold must have ladders, full decking, guardrails and toe boards.
b) Dimensions are: hand rails at minimum 950 mm high, mid-rails with vertical gap of maximum
470 mm, high toe boards with a minimum height of 150 mm and access ladders which
extend at least 1000 mm above the working platform.
c) Ladder access openings must be guarded.
d) When a scaffold is incomplete, any access ladders should be removed or boarded over and
additional signage, as described at Section 9, posted to warn that the scaffold is unfit for use.
The signages can be obtained from the HSE Department.
e) For mobile scaffolds, each wheel must have a locking device.

6.14Working at Height

6.14.1 A person who has to work at a place from which he would be liable to fall, or to fall into any
substance which is likely to cause drowning or asphyxiation, shall be provided with a secure foothold
and handhold at the place so far as is reasonably practicable for ensuring his safety.

6.14.2 Workers wearing harnesses should still be provided with secure foot holds/hand holds.
Harnesses should be a last resort where full fall protection cannot be guaranteed; this should not
affect the provision of stable and safe working conditions.

6.14.3 Only full-body safety harnesses are to be used. Singular belt-types are not allowed. The
harness must have a lanyard (not exceeding 1.8 meter) with an integrated shock absorber.

6.14.4 The user must check fall protection equipment before use. These checks are basic and include
looking for signs of damage to the webbings and the shock absorbers, and clips that are stuck in
open or close positions. Toolbox talks are useful forums for explaining the proper checking and using
of PPE.

6.14.5 Fall protection equipment is also checked by HSE staff on a monthly basis, and with records
kept.

5.15 Preventing Falls

6.15.1 All trenches, excavations, the open sides of all floors, floor openings, stair wells, roofs,
platforms and walkways from which a person can fall any distance shall be barricaded. As an
example, in some high traffic areas an excavation of only 300 mm deep would require a warning
barricade. Barricades shall meet the requirements set out in related regulation.

6.15.2 Where a person could fall into an excavation or become impaled, the barricade must provide
a substantial physical barrier such as a fence, guard rail or earth bunds.

6.15.3 A staircase must have a handrail.

6.16 Floor and Wall Openings

6.16.1 The trade foreman responsible for the construction of a floor opening shall barricade the floor
opening, or install properly labeled and substantial covers able to withstand at least twice the
anticipated load.

6.16.2 All floor-opening covers shall be stenciled or painted with this statement: ‘‘DANGER. OPEN
HOLE COVER. DO NOT REMOVE.’’

6.16.3 The trade foreman shall ensure that anyone working inside a barricaded area around
uncovered or unguarded floor openings or wall openings is required to use a safety harness.

6.16.4 If a floor opening or a wall cover needs to be removed for a short period of time, the foreman
shall ensure that an employee is assigned to guard the area involved to keep personnel away from it.
If a cover has to be removed for an extended period of time, a substantial guardrail must be erected
around the opening.

6.17 Rebar Safety

6.17.1 Trade foremen must ensure that vertical impaling objects such as rebars have the ends
capped with articles which adequately cover the impaling ends of the objects. This must be done
regardless of the height of fall.

6.17.2 Similarly, for hazards that protrude at about a horizontal level, the hazard must be defeated
by capping or other suitable means.

6.18 Portable Ladders

Ladders are frequently used for working at height. A portable ladder generally does not provide a
proper foothold or handhold, especially when the worker has to stand on a rung for more than a
momentary length of time.

6.18.1 Risk Evaluation

Whenever a worker needs to use a portable ladder to work, the trade foreman should consider:

a) Is it necessary to work at height?

b) Can some parts of the work be done at ground level?
c) Are there alternative processes that can be used that do not have the risk of falling?

6.18.2 Ladders

Ladders are meant mainly for access to and egress from workplaces. A ladder should not be used as
a work platform especially if:
 a) The work is more than short duration. The international best practice for durations will be
reviewed and implemented. As an example, the UK government Health and Safety Executive
at this website; ‘http://www.EHS.gov.uk/falls/ladders.htm,’ states that, quote, “Short
duration is taken to be between 15 and 30 minutes depending upon the task.”
b) Forceful action is required.
c) Both hands are needed to do the work; e.g., to use a tool.
d) The worker has to lean away from the ladder.
e) The transfer of loads cannot be easily handled with one hand.
f) Debris can fall onto the worker.
g) Dust or fumes can get into the face of the worker.

6.18.3 Physical Characteristics

a) ‘Self-made’ ladders are not to be used, and must be promptly dismantled and removed from
the site.
b) Convertible ladders (e.g., handyman ladders, step/straight ladders, etc.) shall not be used on
site.
c) Ladders must be of the industrial type with non-skid safety feet. d) Ladders are not to be
painted.

6.18.4 Operational Safety

a) An identification method (e.g., company name, serial number, and inspection status) must
be used to distinguish the ladders.
b) Ladders must be checked before use, and also on a quarterly basis by the trade foreman
who keeps a register of ladders under his charge. The HSE staff assigned to a work area
trains the foreman on using the ladder register/checklist, of which a sample is in CHEC-HNS-
05-01.
c) Unsafe ladders; e.g., broken or damaged rungs or side rails, must be removed from site, or
rendered into such a condition that they cannot be again used as ladders.
d) The following safe usage rules apply:
 Legs must be on level and firm footings.
 Where practicable, the ladder should be clear of walkways, doorways and traffic routes.
If this is unavoidable, safety cones should be placed to guide traffic away from the
ladder.
 A portable ladder should be placed at an angle with the approximate ratio of 4:1
(vertical to horizontal).
 A straight ladder must be long enough for the job. It should reach at least 1 metre past
the point to be accessed.
 A person should hold a straight ladder until it is tied-off.
 There should be no standing on the top 2 rungs.
 There should be no sitting on ladders.
 On completion of the activity the ladder is to be taken down.

6.18.5 Awareness

The trade foremen should post notices relating to the safe use of ladders at notice boards at rest
areas and offices.

6.18.6 Communications to Sub-Contractors

 a) When a sub-contractor is at site, his work place is inspected by one of the assigned site HSE
staff. This person as part of normal duties, informs the sub-contractor Supervisor of the need
to check and make sure that ladders are safe for use, amongst other safe work practices for
this type of apparatus.
b) In addition, portable ladder safety requirements are stated in the HSE (Health, Safety and
Environment) Specifications for Subcontractors document, which forms part of the overall
Instructions to Subcontractors pre-construction package.
a) 5.19Mobile Elevated Work Platforms
a) Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP) include cherry pickers, boom lifts, scissor lifts, and
articulated arms. These platforms can be vehicle-mounted, self-propelled, or trailer-drawn.
b) For work at height, such machinery has the advantages of speedy installation and removal
after the work has been completed.

6.19.1 Hazards

The presence of overhead power lines at the site that could cause problems to the usage of MEWP
should be checked. Other significant hazards associated with MEWP operations include collapsing;
overturning, persons falling out, dropped objects, “being struck by,” hitting other objects, and
trapping by scissor mechanisms and other injuries to individuals who get too close to the MEWP.
These are mainly caused by:

• Incompetency or errors made by the operator; e.g., operating the equipment without a
proper lookout.
• Mechanical defects.
• Overloading, or over-extension or overreaching of the boom.
• Unsuitable ground conditions or unsuitable MEWPs to the conditions (e.g., not designed to
work in rough terrain).
• Passing or maneuvering vehicles.
• Poor housekeeping or placement of material in the platform.
• Straying into the work area.

6.19.2 Safe Working Practices (SWP)

1. Equipment

a) The inspection, testing and maintenance records of the MEWP must accompany the
machine.
b) The SWL must be prominently displayed. It must not to be exceeded.
c) All outriggers, if installed, are to be fully extended.

2. In the Platform

a) Operators must be certified by recognized agencies.

b) Persons shall only stand on the platform floor. Standing on the railings is prohibited.
c) A person inside the platform must wear and attach a safety harness. When working next to
water, a harness must not be worn due to the risk of drowning if the MEWP falls into the
water. Instead, life jackets must be worn.
d) Place material keeping in mind the hazard of falling objects.

3. Field Conditions
 a) The ground conditions at ingress and egress routes, and the maneuvering places must be
identified and checked before moving the MEWP into the work area. Overhead obstructions
must also be considered. In addition, the equipment should not be moved with the platform
in the raised position unless the equipment is especially designed to allow this to be done
safely (identified within the risk assessment).
b) The machine must not be used on a slope.
c) The work area must be cordoned off at all times to prevent vehicle collisions or unauthorized
personnel access.
d) The weather, e.g., wind condition, must not be adverse to MEWP operations. As a general
rule, a MEWP should not be used if the wind speed is more than 45 kph (i.e., 28 mph, or 24
knots, or 12.5 m/s). The manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. It is important to
note that some types of MEWP are not rated for outdoor work.

6. Others

a) There must be a fire extinguisher in the MEWP.

b) At the end of the shift, or at appropriate times, housekeeping must be done to keep the
platform free from clutter.

6.19.3 Risk Assessment

Before a MEWP is brought to the workplace, the Field Engineer, in conjunction with the HSE
Department, must conduct a risk assessment while referring to the hazards and the SWP stated in
Items 3 and 4, and with a determination of the type and capacity of the MEWP, in addition to an
evaluation of the work and the ground conditions and the surroundings. A copy of the risk
assessment must be placed in the cabin of the MEWP.

6.19.4 Training and Competency

• Operators must be certified by recognized agencies.

• A copy of the license/certificate must be given to the HSE Department.
• Operators must be informed about the contents of the risk assessment before the start of
work.