REVIEWED JULY 2012

We therefore, request that you

make yourself conversant with
this guide and apply the
principles and rules when you
have to conduct work in
elevated places.
Questions pertaining to the general
fitness of the candidates.

Please answer the general fitness

questionnaire honestly and sign the
declaration at the bottom of the page.
Hand it back to the facilitator.
REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AT
HEIGHTS (1)
No person may work in any unguarded area
or place where the possibility exists that
he or she may fall 2 meter or more unless
they are protected from injury by the use of
fall protection equipment that is connected
to an approved anchor point
 REQUIREMENTS FOR
WORKING AT HEIGHTS
(cont 2.)

Such a person must :

(a) Be trained and found
competent in the correct
use of fall protection
equipment.

(b) Be authorized in writing to

use such equipment by
having a certificate of
training and authorization
(Working at Heights
License)
REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS (cont 3.)
A pre-work HIRA must always be carried out before working
at heights

This pre-work HIRA must take the following into account:

Tools and Equipment that will be required

State the measures to prevent tools & equipment from falling

from heights

Any other securing methods determined as needed for this

purpose.
REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AT
HEIGHTS (cont 4.)

A Clearance to Work Permit must always

be obtained before proceeding to work
at Heights.
REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS
(cont 5.)
The danger zone below the position at which
people are working in elevated position,
must be demarcated with yellow and black
striped barrier tape or hard barricading in
order to restrict normal access to this area.
REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS (cont 6.)

The standard Check list (Appendix 1) must

be used as a tool to identify the Hazards for
working at heights before making use of
fall protection equipment.

(Refer to next slide)

 Y N ASSOCIATED RISK CONTROL
CHECKLIST TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING HAZARD REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE WORKING AT HEIGHTS

1 Is there a possibility of tools, objects or persons falling?

2 Has the possibility of weather and/or other environmental

conditions influencing the safety of working conditions
APPENDIX 1: been considered (e.g. wind, rain, snow, dust, gasses, poor
lighting, temperature, etc.)?
CHECKLIST TO ASSIST
3 Is the equipment selected appropriate?
IN IDENTIFYING Note: If fall arrest equipment is used, no person
HAZARDS BEFORE may work alone!
4 Are the anchor and tie-off points appropriate?
WORKING AT HEIGHTS Note: If dedicated anchor points are not available, a
competent person needs to identify, asses and provide
temporary anchor points and sign off the HIRA

5 Is a temporary anchor point required? Name:.

If applicable (yes) the name and signature of the competent Signature:
person who provided the temporary anchor point must be
included.

6 Is the condition of supporting structures such as roof

sheeting and/or structural members acceptable?
i.e. have you considered that the roof sheets or structural
members may collapse?

7 Is the selection of barricading, demarcation and/or

guarding correct?

8 Did you check the fall clearances?

1.Lanyard length?
2.Shock absorber tear out distance?
3.Distance from anchoring point to ground, platform or
This Checklist must be nearest object / structure below?
attached to the Pre-Work 4.The possibility of excessive swing?
HIRA carried out by the 9 Does any person suffer from vertigo (tendency to loose Note: No such person may work at heights, if
Responsible Person/Artisan balance), fear of heights, medical conditions or epilepsy? the answer to any of the adjacent questions
Note An additional HIRA Are there any person exceeding the specified weight of a (section 9) is yes
harness with associated equipment?
must be undertaken for any
changes that may occur for 1 Has reference been made to the emergency preparedness
0 procedure in terms of being aware of the Rescue Plan and
the planned work. availability of resources and equipment in the event of a
fall?
REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AT
HEIGHTS (cont 7.)
No person may work alone where the use
of fall protection equipment is required.

In order to allow for at least one person

always being present who can call for
assistance in the event of an emergency.
REQUIREMENTS FOR
WORKING AT HEIGHTS
(cont 8)

When a person is working

at heights, he or she must
always wear a hard hat
fitted with a chin strap, in
addition to the normal PPE
and the Spider Webb
Harness.
REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AT
HEIGHTS (cont 9.)

The difference between Fall Arrest

and Fall Restraint systems

Refer to next slide

 Fall Arrest
Body Harness
Lanyard
Lifelines (Vertical & horizontal)
Anchor Points
Shock absorbers
Deceleration devices
Drop lines
It is a system to prevent injuries
by means of arresting an
inadvertent fall . (by preventing
a person from hitting the
ground at a high speed.)
Fall Restraint
Body Harness
Lanyard
Lifelines (Vertical & horizontal)
Anchor Points
It is a system preventing
injuries by means of preventing
a person who works within 2
meter from the edge of a height
from inadvertently falling off the
edge.
SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO ANCHOR
POINTS
 ANCHOR POINTS 1

Fixed Anchor Points for connecting harness lanyards for routine

work are marked as:

15 kN for single persons

21 kN where two people may connect to the same anchor
point.
APPROVED
ANCHOR POINT
SIGNAGE
Fixed anchor point
 ANCHOR POINTS 2
Arrangements when no permanent Anchor point has
been provided.
Only a qualified Rigger or other Artisan,
delegated the function by the responsible Engineer.

Must identify and approve the method by which and

the place where a temporary anchor point may be
provided for fall protection equipment.
 ANCHOR POINTS 3
Each temporary anchor point
must be capable to:
Withstanding a load of 15 kN
It may only be used by one
person
It must be removed upon
completion of the work for
which it was intended for.
 ANCHOR POINTS 4
3.2 The following may not be used as anchor
points because their design strength will
not arrest a fall.
Ladder rungs
Cable trays
Steel or plastic piping
Un tested and
un-marked Hand rails and handrail support
 ANCHOR POINTS 5

3.3 Specially designed and marked handrails

and handrail supports may be used as
anchor points.
 ANCHOR POINTS 6
Reinforced Engagement
Eyes - 8mm Dia.

Any person intending to connect

fall arrest equipment to an Anchor
Point must: DA N G E R DA N G E R
THIS DANGER TAG HAS BEEN FIXED IN
SMELTER..... ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE

Inspect the general condition of SECTION..

the anchor points before use. THIS
ISOLATION DEVICE
Should any defects be identified - Circuit Breaker - Valve Gate -
on the anchor point, the anchor - Other Locked Device-
point may not been used, tag it MUST NOT BE
with a standard DANGER tag as
Unsuitable for use. OPERATED
SEE OTHER SIDE
FOR ISOLATION, LOCK-OUT AND
CLEARANCE TO WORK ONLY THE
UNDERSIGNED MAY REMOVE THE TAG
THIS:
MUST NOT BE OPERATED
REASON
.
.
.
.
DATE:.. Phone No.:........
Name:..Signed:.......
CONFIRMATION OF WORK COMPLETED
.. ..
Artisan/Person - (RESPONSIBLE) - Operator

Report the defects with out delay

to the responsible Engineer via
your Forman/Supervisor
 ANCHOR POINTS.
(Cont 6.)
Check that the anchor
point about to be
used is located in a
position that will
minimize swing
during an inadvertent
fall.
Non Approved
Anchors
 SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO FULL BODY
HARNESS, LANYARDS, SHOCK
ABSORBERS AND CONNECTORS
 FULL BODY
HARNESS etc (i)
Persons required to use
these type of fall arrest
equipment must be
trained in the correct use
thereof.
If a trained person is
unsure of anything, he
must refer to his training
material and ask his
Foreman/Supervisor for
additional coaching in
such a case.
 FULL BODY HARNESS etc. (ii)
The fall arrest equipment must be checked before
use using the Standard checklist for this purpose.

The correct inspection colour code. If tag is found to

be incorrect or any other defect was identified on the
equipment. Do not use it, but tag it DANGER- UN-
SUITABLE FOR USE and take it back to the
responsible Rigger for inspection.
SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO LIFELINES
LIFE LINE
 LIFELINES 1
Persons required to make use of lifelines
must always maintain a positive connection
with the life line.
The compulsory use of dual (Y type) lanyards
allows for a positive connection to be
maintained while crossing intermediate
lifeline anchor points
Working directly above persons who are
anchored to a lifeline is not permitted
 LIFELINES 2
Vertical Lifelines
Persons required to make use of a vertical
lifeline must use a lanyard which has a
Sternal connection to the safety harness,
without a shock absorber which allows for
minimal free fall distance to be connected to
the lifelines lock and arrest device
 LIFELINES 3

BEFORE USING THE SYSTEM, IT IS

ESSENTIAL THAT YOU, HAVE BEEN
INSTRUCTED AND ASSESSED
COMPETENT IN THE CORRECT USE
OF THE LOCK AND ARREST DEVISE

An additional Certificate is required

SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO
SCAFFOLDS
 WORKING AT HEIGHT RELATED FATALITY

A TMS Scaffold team were erecting a hanging scaffold approximately

15m above ground level.

Before lunch, the team was instructed by their supervisor to clean up

the site and to return later to make changes to a scaffold beam.

The deceased decided to climb over a handrail onto process piping

and attempted to support himself on a valve spindle protection cover.

He attempted to secure his grip with his left hand by holding onto the
valve whilest holding the safety harness hooks in his right hand he
lost his grip and subsequently fell and was fatally injured.

Although he had his full body safety harness on him, he did not tie off
(hook up) to the structure 100% of the time as required.
Pipe climbed on Valve used as
by deceased support
 SCAFFOLDS 1
When persons are working with
in the safety of the guardrails of
an approved scaffold or elevated
work platform, the use of fall
arrest equipment is not required,
BUT
 SCAFFOLDS 2
BUT
If the work being carried
out requires that any
person leans through,
against, over or
beyond the safety of
the guard rails, then
such persons are
required to use fall
arrest equipment.
 SCAFFOLDS 3

A hard hat with a chin strap must

always be warn by any person on a
scaffold.
 SCAFFOLDS 4
When any work is performed from
any scaffold, persons required to
use the scaffold should know:-

Scaffold must only be used for the

purpose for which it was erected
 SCAFFOLDS 5
The safe loading of the scaffold i.e. the load
of persons, equipment and machinery will be
displayed on the Safe to Use" scaffold
notice.
 SCAFFOLDS 6

That unauthorized alterations shall not be

made to the scaffold.

The scaffold must NEVER be accessed by

climbing up on the outside of the scaffold i.e.
only the access ladder installed on the inside
of the scaffold may be used.
 SCAFFOLDS 7
Trap doors placed at platform landing
openings are safety devices that
prevent persons, tools or equipment
from falling through the opening.
Therefore any person who opens a trap
door in order to access or egress from
a platform must close the trap door
behind them.
 SCAFFOLDS 8
Working platforms need to be kept
clear from debris and obstructions,
especially at platform ladder
access and egress points
 SCAFFOLDS 9
Only a scaffold that has been declared
SAFE FOR USE by the designated
scaffold inspector may be accessed.
 SCAFFOLDS 10
Scaffold that has been declared
UNSAFE must never be accessed.

Incomplete or defective scaffold

must never be accessed.
 (FRONT)

SCAFFOLD
SCAFFOLDS 11 SAFE TO USE

SAFE TO USE and SCAFFOLD SAFE TO USE

UNSAFE SCAFFOLD DATE DECLARED SAFE BY SIGNATURE

signs are displayed HEAVY DUTY

TOTAL MAXIMUM MAXIMUM LOAD PER
kg/m

LOAD PLATFORM

adjacent to scaffold kg. kg.

access points. SCAFFOLD

(FRONT)

If the Safe to Use

UNSAFE
DO N
OT USE SE
THIS OT U
SCA DO N
FFO
LD

signs are not displayed,

THE
text SCA
SE FFOL
OT U D IS
UNS
DO N AFE

text

the scaffold may not be

THIS SCAFFOLD IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING:

accessed.





.......
 MOVABLE SCAFFOLD 1

Where movable scaffolds, supported by

caster wheels are used, persons required to
use these scaffolds should know:
 MOVABLE SCAFFOLD 2
The scaffold must remain level and plumb at all
times.

The scaffold must never be accessed until all

castors are locked to prevent movements
 MOVABLE SCAFFOLD 3

The scaffold position must never be moved

while anyone is on the scaffold.

The scaffold should be kept well clear from

over head power lines, open floor edges,
floor holes and a soft base (e.g. soft soil) that
is unable to support the scaffold.
 SAFE WORK
REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO
ELEVATING WORK
PLATFORMS
 ELEVATING WORK
PLATFORMS 1

The following Equipment

fall under Elevated work
platforms, but are not
limited to these:
Scissor lifts
Hydraulic boom lifts
Cherry pickers and
Travel towers
Scissor lift
Hydraulic boom lift and man cage
 ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS 2

When using an Elevating Work

Platform, the following conditions
must be complied with:

A Pre work HIRA Must be conducted.

 ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS 3

A Clearance to work permit must be

obtained from the responsible operator.

The responsible person, authorized to

operate the Elevating Work platform
must be in attendance at all times.
 ELEVATING WORK
PLATFORMS 4
Personal Safety
Harnesses must be
attached by all persons
in the Elevating Work
Platform.
All persons in the
Elevating Work
Platform must wear a
hard hat secured with a
chin strap.
 ELEVATING WORK
PLATFORMS 5
A method by which tools
and equipment are
secured to prevent them
from falling must be in
place.
The danger zone below
must be barricaded with
Yellow and Black striped
tape or hard barricading.
 ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS 6
A General pre work inspection
must be carried out on the
Elevating Work Platform by the
authorized operator.
No person my attempt to leave the
Work Platform while being lifted.
 ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS 7

Where a mobile Elevating Platform

is used, the machine must be on
stable ground, correctly positioned
with the parking brakes engaged.
 SAFE WORK
REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO WORK
BASKETS
 WORK BASKETS 1
The following Equipment fall under Work
Baskets, but are not limited to these:
Work Box
Boatswains chair
Cradle
Cage
Any other conveyance suspended from a
crane in order to provide elevated work
access to persons
 WORK BASKETS 2
When a person has to use a
Work Basket, the following
conditions need to be
adhered to.
 WORK BASKETS 3
Conditions
A Pre work HIRA Must be conducted

A Clearance to work permit must be

obtained from the Responsible Operator
 WORK BASKETS 4
Conditions (Cont)
A rescue plan to retrieve any persons
stuck in a suspended work basket must
be in place.

The responsible Rigger /Supervisor

must be in attendance at all times.
 WORK BASKETS 5
Conditions (Cont)
The responsible Engineer or a
person delegated this function by
the Engineer must authorize any
intended use of a crane and Work
Basket.
 WORK BASKETS 6
Conditions (Cont)
Only the competent person/s
designated by the Engineer or the
foreman may give hand signals to the
crane operator and receive signals
from the operator.
 WORK BASKETS 7
Conditions (Cont)
All persons on the Work basket must
attach their personal harnesses to the
crane hook or temporary anchor
attached to the crane hook

All persons in the Work Basket must

wear a hard hat secured with a chin
strap.
 WORK BASKETS 8
Conditions (Cont)
A method by which tools and equipment are
secured must be in place to prevent them
from falling.

The danger zone below must be barricaded

with Yellow and Black striped tape or hard
barricading.
 WORK BASKETS 9
Conditions (Cont)
A general pre-work inspection
must be carried out on the crane
by the crane operator and on the
work basked by the Responsible
Rigger.
 WORK BASKETS 10
Conditions (Cont)
No person may attempt to leave the
Work Basket while in an elevated
position.
The crane must be on stable ground
with parking brakes engaged and out
riggers correctly deployed.
 WORK BASKETS 11

Appendix 5 Authorization to operate and

designation of a mobile crane for the
purpose of lifting persons in a Work
Basked ??
 SAFE WORK
REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO STAIRS
AND FIXED LADDERS
STAIRS AND FIXED
LADDERS 1
STAIR CLIMBING
It is a fact that only
two point contact
is possible when
we walk normal
taking normal
steps.
 STAIRS AND FIXED LADDERS 2
STAIR CLIMBING
Just think about it! When you are climbing up
or down stairs and not using the hand rails,
every time you lift a foot to take the next step
you only have one point contact. Now think
again how vulnerable you are being in a
hurry, running down stairs with your hands
filled with what ever you have in them.
 STAIRS AND FIXED LADDERS 3
STAIR CLIMBING

AS FAR AS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE

MAINTAIN AT LEAST A THREE
POINT CONTACT
when climbing up or down any
stairs.
 STAIRS AND FIXED
LADDERS 4
Fixed Ladders
Any person intending to
use a fixed ladder must
as far as reasonably
practicable:
Visually check the condition
of the ladder prior to use
(climbing) and continuously
during use.
 STAIRS AND FIXED LADDERS 5
Fixed Ladders
Maintain three point contact at all times
Carrying tools in an approved and safe
manner that does not interfere with you
maintaining a three point contact while
using the ladder.
 STAIRS AND FIXED LADDERS 6
Fixed Ladders

Ensure that a safe and approved

method is used for the raising and
lowering of equipment and /or heavy
tools from one landing to the following
where work is carried out on an
elevated platform that is accessed by
means of a fixed ladder.
 SAFE WORK
REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO FLOOR
OPENINGS
 FLOOR OPENINGS 1
Where guardrails or floor opening covers are
temporarily removed, the area into which
persons could fall must be:

Demarcated with Yellow and Black striped

barrier tape.

As far as is reasonably practicable a person

must be on guard to prevent persons from
entering this hazardous area.
 FLOOR OPENINGS 2
All temporary floor openings
that are required to be open for
more than 24 hours must be
guarded by:

Hard barricading with

appropriate signage or,

By means of Yellow and Black

striped barrier tape with a
person in attendance to prevent
inadvertent entry into the
danger zone.
 FLOOR OPENINGS
If you are unsure
what hard
barricading or
signage to use,
ask your Foreman
or Supervisor to
inform and assist
you
SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO PORTABLE
LADDERS
PORTABLE LADDERS
1
PORTABLE LADDERS
REFER TO
Straight ladders
Extension and
Single
Step or A frame
ladders
Trestle Ladders
Stage ladder or
platform ladders
 PORTABLE LADDERS 2
Standard Pre Conditions for using any portable
ladder.
Conduct a Pre-Work HIRA

Before you use any portable ladder first

inspect it visually if you find any defects, DO
NOT USE that ladder. Report the results as
part of your Pre Work HIRA
 PORTABLE LADDERS 3
Pre Conditions (cont)
No Metal ladder my be used in the
Anglo Platinum Smelters.
No Person may be alone when working
on a ladder
 PORTABLE LADDERS 4
Pre Conditions (cont)
Before using any ladder check the
soles of your safety boots / shoes and
ensure that it is not slippery due to
excessive wear or contaminated with
oil, grease, liquid detergent, mud, etc
 PORTABLE LADDERS 5
Importance of maintaining awareness while
working on a ladder.
Three point contact should always be
maintained while climbing up or down a
ladder
Maintain a safe footing and posture at all
times, especially in the case of side reaching
Over reaching must be avoided by ensuring that
side reaching never places any portion of your body
frame excluding your arms but including your shoulders
outside the vertical planes of the ladder stiles
 ?
PORTABLE LADDERS 6
Importance of maintaining awareness while
working on a ladder. (Cont)
A person standing on a ladder
should never exert a force against
or from another fixed object,
sufficient to create a counter
force that could destabilize his
ladder. Causing it to fall.
This is particularly important
when exerting a side force such
as pushing or pulling against a
spanner situated outside of the
vertical plane of the ladders
stiles.
 PORTABLE LADDERS 7
Importance of maintaining awareness while working on a ladder.
(Cont)

The counter forces of a heavy sledge hammer swung onto a

solid object could destabilize the safe posture or footing of a
worker on a ladder. Only use a light tool hammer when
working from a ladder.

Every person using a portable ladder must avoid fatigue and

loss of awareness of the importance of maintaining a safe
footing and work posture by taking short breaks.

If the work was planed to take longer than 30 minutes

continuously on the ladder. An alternative work platform must
be used e.g.. Scaffold, Ladder stage, etc.
 PORTABLE LADDERS 8
Importance of maintaining awareness while working on a ladder. (Cont)

If found that alternative methods for providing access at the required

height are not practicable or possible, the following arrangement will
then apply:

The person on the ladder should time him self so that a short break is
taken every 30 minutes for approximately five minutes.

He or she should not spend more than 30 minutes working from a

ladder for any continuous period.

It is important to avoid being overcome by fatigue by maintaining an

adequate intake of liquids. During the 5 minute breaks. Drink between
100ml to 300ml of water during hot and humid weather conditions.
 PORTABLE LADDERS 9
The use of portable ladders must be restricted to
providing work access where:
If it was found that alternative methods for providing
access at the require height are not practicable or possible.

A pre work HIRA has been carried out to identify the

hazards and control the risks associated with the work to
be done from the ladder. The pre work HIRA must always
consider the support /loading requirements of the
equipment being worked on, the duration of the required
work and alternative to using a ladder. ( Including trestle
ladders) where practicable.
PORTABLE LADDERS 10
 PORTABLE LADDERS 11
Extension or single (straight) ladders should
as far as reasonably practicable, only be
used as a means of access or egress from a
work area
Each portable extension or single (straight)
ladder must be examined before use by the
person who intends using it. If any damage
or other defects are found, DO NOT USE IT
 Portable Ladders 12
Extension or single (straight) ladders
Any portable extension or single (straight)
ladder must be set up on a surface that is
solid and stable in a manner that will prevent
the ladder from slipping
 Portable Ladders 13
Extension or single (straight) ladders

Slipping of portable extension or single (straight) ladders can

be prevented by:

Placing the straight ladders at a slope op 4 to 1

Ensuring that the ladder is secured at the top and feet.

Never placing or resting upper section of the ladder

against glass or any other surface that can give way
?
 ?
Portable Ladders 14
Step or A-frame step ladders
Step ladders may only be used in
the fully open position and a
person may not carry out work,
climb step or stand in a position
higher than the third rung from
the top of the ladder.
Only light work may be carried
out while standing on a step
ladder.
 Portable Ladders 15
Step or A-frame step ladders
Each step ladder must be
examined before use by the
person intending to use it. The
ladder MAY NOT be used if any
damage or other defects were
found.
Each step ladder must be set up
on a surface that is solid and
stable in a manner that will
eliminate any instability of the
step ladder while in use.
 Portable Ladders 15
Trestle Ladders
Work may not be performed from the work
platform of a trestle ladder unless the trestle
ladder has edge protection, regardless of the
height.
Trestle ladders may only be used in their
fully open position.
 Portable Ladders 16
Trestle Ladders
Each trestle ladder must be examined before
use by the person intending to use it. The
ladder MAY NOT be used if any damage or
other defects were identified.
Each trestle ladder must be set up on a
surface that is solid and stable in a manner
that will eliminate any instability of the trestle
ladder while in use.