We are following on from the CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) article with AFI (Association of Fencing Industries) on keeping up with technology to prevent falls and improve safety during fence installations. Feel free to have a read of it here (you’ll see our QAB equipment in use 😉).
So, what really are the options available?
If we look at the normal hierarchy of control for hazards, it doesn’t fit the fence installation tasks very well
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Isolation
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- PPE
The Hierarchy of control we normally apply for working at height is as follows:
AVOID – Avoid working at height where possible by finding a safer alternative or engineering out the hazard.
PREVENT – Prevent falls by having a safe working platform with a handrail or collective fall prevention system.
MINIMISE – Minimise the fall distance and the consequence of the fall by using appropriate fall protective PPE.
Fence installers of welded mesh systems cannot avoid working at height due to the nature of the job. Workers may not consider 3mtrs very far to fall, but if you land on your head or neck from 3 metres, the likelihood of death or life-changing injuries is extremely high.
Watch the following Jason Anker video to get an understanding:
Here’s the reality check
If you are working off ladders, is the ladder secured to the fence? Probably not.
Are you wearing a fall arrest harness? Probably not,
Do you have airbags or catch nets to reduce the injury if you fall off the ladder? Probably not!
The requirement to go home to your family after work, safe and uninjured is YOURS and YOUR employer’s responsibility, don’t settle for poor access planning.
What alternative access methods are available?
mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP), these can be expensive and require ground surveys to locate culverts or underground services that may be damaged or overturn the MEWP.
Scaffolds, are time-consuming to erect, costly, and not easily moved on rough terrain.
QAB Bracket System, cost-effective and quick to install.
Alternative access methods have been available for a number of years and are improving to suit the industry.
QAB Systems provides a range of such devices for attaching fall prevention equipment to keep installers safe whilst working on or installing high security 358 welded mesh.
We have brackets for stabilising ladders and the most basic of fall protection in the form of a cost-effective harness, positioning lanyard, and anchor bracket.
In line with industry best practice, we have anodized our brackets in different colours to separate lifting brackets from fall prevention brackets.
QAB Systems’ fall prevention brackets are anodised in a titanium colour while the lifting brackets are a bright red colour to identify that it is a lifting bracket.
Not only do we provide safe access and lift brackets, but we also provide a vast range of harnesses and fall prevention equipment from the industry’s top manufacturers.
Don’t settle for poor lifting and access plans, get in touch today to fund out about our safer way of working.