MID WEST PORTS AUTHORITY 2.

33 WORKING AT HEIGHTS PROCEDURE

2.33 WORKING AT HEIGHTS PROCEDURE

INDEX

1.0 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................. 1

2.0 SCOPE ...................................................................................................................... 1
3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................................. 1
4.0 LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS ............................................................................ 2
5.0 RISK ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 2
6.0 ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (EWP) ................................................................... 3
7.0 WORKING SUSPENDED OVER WATER ................................................................. 4
8.0 SUSPENSION TRAUMA ........................................................................................... 5
9.0 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................... 5
10.0 EMERGENCY RESCUE ............................................................................................ 5
11.0 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF EQUIPMENT .............................................. 6
12.0 SIGNAGE OF FIXED ANCHORAGE POINTS ........................................................... 6
13.0 LADDERS .................................................................................................................. 6
14.0 REFERENCES / RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ............................................................. 7
15.0 ADMINISTRATION .................................................................................................... 7

1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 This document outlines the minimum requirements for working at height. As a
principle, no person is to be exposed to the risk of being hit by a falling object due to
work at heights; and no person is to be at risk of a fall that is likely to cause injury.

2.0 SCOPE

2.1 The requirements of this procedure are mandatory for all work on Mid West Ports
Authority (MWPA) controlled land. The procedure does not extend to work conducted
on leaseholder sites unless that work impacts on personnel outside the lease.

3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 The Supervisor or Person in Control of the Workplace is to ensure that:

personnel have the required training or high risk licence;
Form F4.1p Working at Height Permit is to be obtained for work to be undertaken
at height;
a Job Safety Environment Analysis (JSEA) is conducted prior to personnel
conducting work at heights;
the JSEA includes procedures for the safe retrieval of a person who has fallen
(rescue plan) including the required rescue equipment;
personal fall protection systems are inspected prior to and after every use;
this Working at Heights procedure is known by workers and followed.

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3.2 MWPA Maintenance Planner (MWPA Maintenance Workshop) and MWPA

Maintenance Supervisor (BHF) are to ensure that a register of fall protection
equipment, including fixed anchor points is maintained and required maintenance
checks are scheduled and conducted in accordance with AS/NZS 1891.4 Industrial
fall-arrest systems and devices.

3.3 Workers who use a personal fall protection system must:

inspect harnesses and lanyard assemblies prior to and after every use.
ensure that the fall-arrest/travel restraint system is used properly taking into
account fall clearance, etc.
comply with this Working at Heights procedure.

4.0 LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS

4.1 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 Regulation 4.5 requires fall arrest
equipment to be provided to employees if the risk of injury from falling cannot be
eliminated. The equipment must be appropriately designed for the task and used in a
way as to reduce, so far as is practicable, the possibility of injury to the user. The
equipment must be properly maintained.

4.2 For construction work, AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices is
mandated under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations Regulation 4.22.

4.3 Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996, Part 3 Division 5 provides further
prescriptive requirements relating to prevention of falls at work.

5.0 RISK ASSESSMENT

5.1 A JSEA must be completed prior to working at heights and must consider:
the risk of falling objects;
a fall from height;
ground conditions and stability of EWP;
wind conditions;
proximity hazards such as nearby structures and electrical parts (including
contact and risk of being crushed between EWP and structure);
emergency rescue plan (consider the risk of suspension trauma);
high risk licence and height safety training.

5.2 Where personal fall protection systems are used, the lanyard should always be
adjusted to a length where it prevents a fall. Where this cannot be guaranteed and a
fall is still possible, the harness must have a suspension trauma safety strap. The
pendulum effect must be considered.

5.3 A helmet chin strap should be worn to maintain helmet security when working at
heights.

5.4 If there is a risk of an object falling on to persons working below, one or more of the
following is required:
schedule work so that tasks creating an overhead work situation do not occur at
the same time for different work groups (i.e. eliminate risk);
barricade the area below off;
a sentry or spotter to monitor work and personnel moving around the area;
a protective barrier e.g. steel mesh, structure ply, hording, etc. (gridmesh is not a
physical barrier when the size of an object, tool, equipment etc. has the potential
to fall through);
consider use of tool lanyards to prevent them falling.
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5.5 Under no circumstances is a person to work or walk under a suspended load.

5.6 Work must not be completed in a position where there is potential for an unarrested
fall from a height that is likely to cause injury.

5.7 When connecting onto a fall protection system, workers must be able to approach
and disconnect from the connection point without being exposed to a fall risk
situation.

5.8 The risk of falls should be controlled using the hierarchy of controls in the following
order of preference - a combination of control measures may be appropriate:

1. Elimination - eliminate the need to access the fall risk area where possible eg.
install air-conditioning units in the centre of the roof.
2. Substitution substituting access arrangements, for example providing an
alternative means of access such as a safe walkway so the risks of falls are
avoided or using an elevating work platform rather than a ladder.
3. Isolation isolating or separating the hazard eg. barricading or enclosing the fall
risk area with edge protection, installing handrails and covering floor penetrations.
4. Engineering control fall injury prevention system designed to restrain or arrest
a persons fall from one level to another and minimise the risk of injury or harm to
a person if they fall.
5. Administrative control procedures, instruction, training and warning signs are
in place to warn and protect persons exposed to falls. This could also include
limiting the amount of time a person is exposed to a particular hazard. These
controls should be used in conjunction with physical controls and appropriate
supervision.
6. Personal Protective Equipment to be utilised following a risk assessment has
identified that with the use of PPE existing hazards may be mitigated to a
tolerable level. Training must be given to staff using PPE to ensure it is being
used correctly.

6.0 ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (EWP)

6.1 EWPs must be maintained, inspected and operated In accordance with the
manufacturer written instructions. A pre-start check is to be made and a logbook
must be maintained on each EWP.

6.2 Stability of the EWP is a critical factor. Rock walls and embankments can be prone to
undermining from sea-state, tidal movements and damage from stormwater runoff. A
minimum 3 metres must be maintained from the edge. If for practical reasons this
cannot be achieved, approval from MWPAs Engineering Manager must be obtained
and additional control measures may be imposed. Documented justification and
additional technical data may need to be supplied.
6.3 EWP access to the maintenance access track to the east of the Berth 5 Amenities is
by MWPA permission only. In this location EWPs are to stay behind the barriers
provided and operate on steel plates at all times.

6.4 Tyre deflation and uneven ground surface can significantly affect the stability of an
EWP. Always check ground conditions and for the presence of underground services
and include in the JSEA. If surfaces are soft, consider the use of mats, steel plates or
timber sleepers to distribute the operational load.

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6.5 Geraldton frequently has strong wind conditions. The JSEA must assess the likely
wind conditions and ensure the wind loading does not exceed the manufacturers
instructions.

6.6 A minimum of two personnel are required for any job using an EWP. A licensed
operator is required on the ground when using an EWP in an area where traffic
movement is expected or where the JSEA requires.

6.7 A High Risk Licence EWP licence must be held by the operator and the spotter
(where used) as the spotter may be required to operate the equipment if an
emergency situation arises.

6.8 If using an EWP, the person conducting the work and the spotter must have
completed a nationally recognised height safety training course.

6.9 The area around an EWP must always be cordoned off when in use. Where there is
a likely risk the EWP could be hit by a vehicle or plant due to proximity, a physical
barrier should be used.

6.10 A traffic management plan is required where EWPs are used on a roadway or road
shoulder where interference with traffic is likely. If an EWP encroaches on a laneway,
the lane must be diverted around the EWP if sufficient room. If the laneway must be
closed down to one lane, traffic controllers would generally be required.

6.11 Where an EWP is being used near power lines it is imperative that exclusion zone
distances are maintained and a spotter is assigned (the spotter must have no other
tasks). Additional controls such as isolation and use of protection such as tiger tails
must be considered.

6.12 Access and egress from an EWP when in the elevated position is prohibited unless all
of the conditions outlined in AS2550.10 Cranes, hoists and winches Safe use Part
10: mobile elevating work platforms are met.

7.0 WORKING SUSPENDED OVER WATER

7.1 An exemption from wearing a harness when working over water in an EWP has been
issued to MWPA by Worksafe for maintenance of wharves (Exemption No. 11/2012,
dated 26 June 2012). Harnesses used for working over water should have a built in
personal flotation device (PFD) - the alternative is to wear a separate harness and
PFD. The harness must be attached until over water at which time it can be
unclipped. The harness must be reattached before moving over land or any hard
surface.

7.2 When working over water and not attached to the EWP basket by a harness, a chin
strap must be worn to secure helmet in case of a fall.

7.3 A rescue flotation device (e.g. life ring) must be readily available when working over
water in addition to PFDs. Ensure workers know where rescue ladders are located
on the wharf edge.

7.4 When working in an EWP or work box over water a spotter must be present at all
times to guide the operator, monitor work and use the life ring for rescue if required.

7.5 Similarly to the EWP harness exemption, MWPA has been exempted by Worksafe
from the requirement to wear a harness (Synergy Record No. 1011776 dated 8 March
2010) subject to the following conditions:

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a spotter/dogger must be present at all times to guide the crane operator and
monitor persons working over water;
an appropriate flotation device must be readily available for use.

This exemption relates to MWPA maintenance workers who are required to operate
in a workbox that is suspended over water to conduct maintenance tasks on the
wharf face, wharf structure and on berth fenders. Other uses of a workbox outside
these specific circumstances require full protection.

8.0 SUSPENSION TRAUMA

8.1 Suspension trauma is caused by the blood pooling in the limbs of a person
suspended relatively motionless in a harness. If a person is unconscious and
therefore not moving, their condition can deteriorate very quickly and potentially lead
to death.

8.2 It is imperative that an emergency rescue plan is thought out prior to the work to
ensure a person can be rescued quickly. This should be documented in or attached
to the JSEA.

8.3 All fall arrest harnesses must include a suspension trauma strap unless other suitable
measure is implemented.

9.0 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

9.1 If using a personal fall protection system, the person conducting the work, the spotter
and any person who will be responsible for an emergency rescue, must have
completed a nationally recognised height safety training course.

10.0 EMERGENCY RESCUE

10.1 A rescue plan is required to be documented in or attached to the JSEA whenever fall
arrest systems are in use. Consider the following:
the person may be unconscious or injured;
the body-holding device;
all harnesses must have a suspension trauma strap;
the steps the rescue team will take and ensuring their safety;
communication methods;
whether the injured person can be winched down;
emergency contact information;
rescue equipment on hand.

10.2 If a fall injury prevention system has been used to arrest a fall, it must be withdrawn
from service immediately and inspected by a competent person.

10.3 When working suspended over water, in the event of a person falling into the water:
Make sure that the person is conscious and that their PFD has inflated.
If conscious assist the person to the nearest ladder and/or throw them a life buoy.
Raise the alarm verbally, by radio or port emergency number as necessary. If a
vessel is moving, alert marine pilot/tugs/pilot boat crew to avoid injury (a radio
should be on site if this is the communication method).
If unconscious consider having someone enter the water to provide assistance
(ensure the rescuer has a PFD on and is a capable swimmer).
Consider deploying dinghy or similar to assist.
Provide first aid assistance and if necessary call for ambulance on 000.
Report the incident to the Harbour Master and enter into STEMS.

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11.0 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF EQUIPMENT

The relevant supervisor or person in charge must ensure a competent person inspects fall
protection equipment at least six monthly.

11.1 A register of all personal fall protection equipment must be kept as per AS/NZS
1891.4 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices Part 4: Selection, use and
maintenance.

11.2 Equipment must be visually inspected prior to, and after, every use to ensure
integrity. Permanently fixed anchorages must be inspected by a competent person at
not less than six month intervals, or if not in regular use before each use.

11.3 Equipment must be stored in an appropriate, designated storage area containing

instructions on care, fitting and maintenance of equipment.

11.4 If equipment or anchorages require maintenance or are unserviceable they must be

appropriately tagged and removed from use.

12.0 SIGNAGE OF FIXED ANCHORAGE POINTS

12.1 Permanent or long term fixed anchorage points must be signed with the following
information as required by AS/NZS 1891.4:
Name of installer and installation date, or if an existing structure has been
certified, the name of the certifier and the certification date.
The highest purpose category for which the anchorage is suitable (see AS/NZS
1891.4 Table 3.1).
The ultimate strength rating if less than 15 kN. In this case words to the effect
that the anchorage is not to be used for fall-arrest must be added to the sign.
The maximum number of people (not more than two) who are permitted to be
connected to the anchorage point at any one time.

13.0 LADDERS

13.1 Portable Ladders

13.1.1 The distance between the ladder base and the supporting structure (e.g. wall)
should be approximately 1 metre for every 4 metres of working ladder height
(1 out, 4 up). Ladders should be tied off where possible to prevent movement
during use.

13.1.2 When used for access or egress, the ladder should extend at least 900mm
above the stepping off point. Extension or single ladders are a means of
access to or egress from a work area, not a work platform

13.1.3 Inspect ladders before each use. If damaged, tag out as unserviceable and
either repair or destroy. Store ladders to avoid damage and deterioration.

13.1.4 Aluminium or conductive portable ladders must not be used for electrical work.

13.1.5 The minimum recommended safe practices and requirements for selection,
safe use and care of portable ladders are set out in AS1892. Ladders that do
not comply with AS1892 are not to be used on site.

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13.2 Fixed Ladders

13.2.1 In areas where fixed ladders are installed, they should be in accordance with
AS1657 Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways and Ladders Design,
Construction and Installation.

13.2.2 The angle or slope should not be less that 70 to the horizontal and not
greater that 75 to the horizontal. Under no circumstances should the ladder
overhang the person climbing the ladder. If the angle is more than 75, a safe
system of work to prevent falls should be provided such as a permanent fall-
arrest system or a double lanyard harness.

13.2.3 All fixed ladders should be visibly checked prior to use.

14.0 REFERENCES / RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984

Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995
Worksafe WA Code of Practice Prevention of Falls in the Workplace
AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders Design, construction and
installation
AS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
AS 1892 Portable ladders
AS 2550.10 Cranes, hoists and winches Safe use Part 10: mobile elevating work
platforms

15.0 ADMINISTRATION

Custodian: HSEQ Manager

Approved: Peter Klein

Chief Executive Officer
3 April 2017

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