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Design Philosophy:
Working at Heights
Objective
The objective is to minimise the risk of falls from height by operators, service & maintenance personnel, to ALARP, including consideration in design for foreseeable human error
Outcome
The intended design outcome should include the following:
- All components requiring regular attention for service or maintenance are within safe reach of personnel standing on ground level, permanent platforms, floors or walkways
- Design hierarchy (in order of preference):
- Provision of service points at ground level;
- Provision of adequate walkway/platforms/handrails (continuous);
- Provision of fall restraint (anchor points) for work outside handrails
The intended design outcome should consider access to at least the following:
- fire extinguishers
- lights
- windows and windshields
- injectors
- fluid fill points & breathers
- oil inspection points & fluid reservoir sight glasses
- isolation points
- air conditioners and radio aerials
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Risks to be Mitigated
Risk of falls due to lack of fall protection while performing work above 1.8m (6 feet) on the equipment, eg truck engine bay
(18 resources)
Risk of materials falling off platforms that are above 1.8m (6 feet) onto persons below
(6 resources)
Examples of Industry Attempts to Mitigate Risks
Emergency access openings on handrails fitted with self closing hinged gates with latch; similar protection for handrails (no pinch points); gates that open inwards, not spring loaded and no chains
(2 resources)
Fall restraint anchor points (for work at >1.8 m above ground) provided and located so:
- the safety line can be attached before the person moves to a position of risk (e.g. elevated tray);
- installed with a minimum force capacity of 22 kN (2.2 tonnes) (Source: AS1891.4:2000);
- load tested according to AS1891.3:2000
EMESRT Information