identifying and dealing with hazards in the environment Flashcards
What must you do to control any work at heights?
Work must be planned, supervised, and carried out by competent people
what are examples of working in heights?
- working on a ladder or flat roof
- falling through fragile surface
- could fall through an opening in the floor or a hole in the ground
What is a competent person?
Someone who can demonstrate they have professional training, knowledge, actual experience, and authority to enable them to
examples of a competent person?
- being assigned duties at a level of responsibility given to them
- understanding any potential hazards related to the work (or equipment) under consideration?
- detecting any technical defects or omissions at work (or equipment), recognizing any implications for H&S by those defects or omissions
What equipment is allowed to be used at heights?
- stepladders
- ladder to reach other platforms or scaffolding
- mobile scaffolding towers
- mechanical elevating platform
What to make sure before using a stepladder?
- are you fit to work at heights
- is the ladder in good condition
What are the rules to follow when working on a ladder or stepladder?
- only stay in one position or a maximum of 30 minutes
- only attempt light work e.g. less than 10kg loads
- maintain three points of contact
- never overload or overreach
avoid carrying items when climbing
What are the main safety issues concerning ladders?
- ladders should never be painted as they might hide defects
- ladders should be placed at a 75-degree angle. This is approximately a 4:1 ratio
- ladders used to gain access to platforms should extend beyond platform 1.05m, or five lungs to allow for a hard hold
- only carry equipment or materials up a ladder if you can carry it in one hand
Before the use of towers,what must you check first?
- Carry out a proper risk assessment
- you are competent to build, dismantle, and carry out a pre-use inspection, and keep records in accordance with the regulations
What to do using a scaffold/mobile access towers
- never work on a platform without guardrails
- never work on an unprotected platform when building or dismantling
- always follow the manufacturer or supplier’s manual
- no manual means no tower
- anyone erecting a 3.5m scaffold tower, must be trained and competent when using such equipment
What are scaffolds made to?
BS2482/70
What are the traits a board must have before use?
- 4m long
- clean and straight
- free from decay and damage
- free from paint, dirt, and grease
What are the other types of mobile equipment?
- scissors lift
- cherry picker
- boom lifts
How long should a training record be maintained?
at least 4 years
What are the two main inspections when using an aerial lift device?
- equipment inspection
- work site inspection
