Utility Week

Operations & Assets 22 | 1ST - 7TH JULY 2016 | UTILITY WEEK Market view T he power distribution industry poses a number of inherent risks to its work- ers, a significant one being a fall from height for technicians maintaining the elec- tricity distribution system. Accidents can happen if the correct safety equipment is not provided or if equipment is misunderstood or misused. Employers and employees have a general range of duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act, but since April 2005 specific Work at Height Regulations (WAH) have been in force. A key part of the WAH regulations is the requirement to assess risks where "a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury". In its approach to risk management, the Health & Safety Executive requires all employers to follow the hierarchy of con- trol measures. In relation to working at height, this involves avoiding the need to work at height where possible, where it cannot be avoided to use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls, and ulti- mately, where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, to use work equipment or other measures that minimise the distance and consequences of a fall. Industry-specific risks For workers maintaining the electrical dis- tribution system, climbing is a basic require- ment of the job. This is a risk that cannot be eliminated, so the safety risk assessment must focus on measures to prevent falls and work equipment that minimises the distance and consequences of a fall. For equipment to be effective, it must be properly specified and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Workers who have to climb wooden poles also require unique equipment, consisting of a body harness or belt, a pole-choker system and a safety lanyard – plus the all-important spiked footwear. It is essential the spikes on footwear that dig into the pole during the climb are in good condition and that the pole-choker used for climbing is properly fit- ted and the user is fully trained in its use. For workers on pylons who need free- dom of movement, there is a requirement for restraint equipment that involves a position- ing system to hold the worker in place while leaving the hands free to work. This has to be combined with a fall-arrest system that activates only when an actual fall occurs and would typically consist of a full-body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard or retractable lifeline, an anchor point and a means of rescue. Fixed lanyards are typically 2m long, so if a fall occurs, the worker could fall up to 4m. On a structure such as a pylon, the worker may then be in danger of crashing into metalwork below. A self-retracting lanyard allows the worker greater freedom of move- ment but limits the distance of any fall. Sharp edges are also a consideration when specifying lanyards for use on metal structures. A sharp edge is one that has the potential to cut most types of lifeline and WAH regulations state "a fall-arrest system shall not be used in a manner which involves the risk of a line being cut". Dropped tools A common problem for anyone working at height is dropped tools, the consequences of which can range from a nuisance for the worker to a fatality for someone below. Even if dropped tools do make it safely to the ground, the worker is inconvenienced by having to descend to retrieve them. That, too, has the cost consequence of lost time and work efficiency. There is a wide range of products that can prevent tools from dropping. Loose items can be contained in specially designed pouches and safety buckets with a customised built- in closure system are available. Engaging the user – comfort and training Making sure the personal fall protection systems (PFPS) chosen is right for the task is only part of the equation. It is also essen- tial to ensure that it is acceptable to the per- son using it. If the user finds the equipment uncomfortable, difficult to use or feels it hinders work, there will be the temptation to avoid using it or to use it in a way that com- promises its performance. The best PFPS in the world will not keep workers safe unless they are trained to use it. WAH regulations require anyone using personal PFPS to be properly trained. Every company should identify competent persons to oversee their fall protection plan, con- duct fall protection training and ensure all employees are properly prepared. There is no substitute for donning a har- ness and having it adjusted properly, con- necting to an anchor and experiencing how it feels or seeing first-hand what needs to be inspected before use. On-site, hands-on train- ing is recommended because this ensures any theory covered in the classroom is applicable to a particular work environment. Inspection routines As with all personal protective equipment, stringent inspection and maintenance regimes for PFPS are as important to ensur- ing worker safety as choosing the right sys- tem in the first place. The process need only take a few minutes, but should include a detailed visual check of webbing, rope or any other textile element and a check on the function of items such as connectors, anchor line devices, buckles on harnesses, descend- ing and ascending devices and retractable- type fall arresters. Jim Adams, sales manager, UK Utilities and Wind Energy, Capital Safety Working safely at height Maintenance of the electricity distribution network means working at heights is unavoidable, so it is vital that employers take the right steps to ensure their workers' safety, says Jim Adams. Key points Where working at height cannot be avoided, safety risk assessments must focus on measures to prevent falls and equipment to minimise the distance and consequences of falls. Workers must be comfortable with and properly trained in the use of the safety equipment. Equipment must be regularly inspected for damage.

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