subject: Guidance for the prevention of dropped tools and items when working at height [print this page] Guidance for the prevention of dropped tools and items while working at height
Fallen tools could cause harm to people, damage to machinery as well as generate costs associated with lost output time.
Some typical examples of the effects associated with dropping an object shows the likely-hood of injury or even death from falling objects, relative to the mass and height from which a fall happens
A bolt dropped from 23 metres is actually equivalent of being dropped from the 6th floor of a building. The actual velocity attained is 50mph / 80kph on impact. The bolt achieves a mass impact weight of 49.5kgs at this time, resulting in a fatal injury even though hit on the head whilst wearing a hard hat.
A screw driver dropped from 14 metres is same as getting dropped from the 4th floor of a building. The velocity attained is 38mph / 61kph on impact. The screw driver achieves a mass impact weight of 73.5kgs at this point, causing a fatal injury even though struck on the head whilst wearing a hard hat.
A claw hammer dropped from 6 metres is same as being dropped from the 2nd floor of a building. The speed attained is 24mph / 39kph on impact. The claw hammer achieves a mass impact weight of 117kgs at this time, resulting in a fatal injury even if struck on the head whilst wearing a hard hat.
A sledge hammer dropped from 3 metres is equivalent of getting dropped from the 1st floor of a building. The velocity attained is 17mph / 27kph on impact. The sledge hammer achieves a mass impact weight of 147kgs at this point, resulting in a fatal injury even when struck on the head whilst wearing a hard hat.
This is a guideline only and in fact even a light-weight item fallen from a considerable height may well turn out to be fatal.
Prior to when Work Starts
Prior to work being carried out there should be a risk assessment and a method statement which in turn details procedures, specifications for tools, equipment, systems and offers where necessary checklists.
People today need to have Know-how, Awareness, Expertise, and also Compliance
Dropped Tools
There's a serious possibility of fallen items while handling tools at height and a number of these kinds of incidents are becoming reported.
Before beginning any type of activity, take into account the chance for dropped tools and objects:
Recommendations
o Any tools used at height need to be anchored against dropping.
o Lanyards, tethers together with connectors must always always be used in between the various tools and belt or bag.
o There must be a weakened link or safety provision in between the actual tool and tethering system on the belt or bag.
o Wrist straps must only be worn if they offer protection against injury a result of de-gloving.
o When there is a need for additional tools, a tool bag / belt with structural anchorage loops should be used.
o If the method statement requires it, at all times log tools out and in in the tool register, to ensure that no tools have been left behind.
o Put in position barriers below the job area and make sure the extent of the barrier area is appropriate for the work being carried out at height.
o Make certain that any grating is safe and make full use of mats as well as short-term covers in places you have got the possibility of small items to fall through gaps.
o Wherever a scaffolding platform must be used, make certain toe-boards are fitted.
o Continue to know about other activities going on close to as well as under you
Dropped transportable equipment
A number of recorded occurrences relate to dropped radios, pagers, gas detectors as well as other mobile or portable equipment.
Recommendations
o All portable devices used at height needs to be secured against dropping.
o Carrying pouches should be used for radios and all sorts of other mobile or portable equipment without any dedicated connection point.
o The locks for the pouches will have to have a double securing mechanism to safeguard against accidental opening.
o Belt clips which enable the radio to become detached when turned 180 degrees should not be used.
The likelihood for fallen items during repair and installation
Work at height is serious and is particularly shown in a significant amount of reported incidents.
Recommendations
o All repair along with maintenance work at height needs to be risk assessed.
o All components, equipment as well as materials used at height must be anchored against dropping.
o Small components should be kept in suitable storage containers or similar.
o Once the tasks are finished, a final check needs to be completed, to make sure that no materials or equipment has been left at height.
Always keep your worksite tidy
Recommendations
o Just before work begins, visually examine the work location for loose objects and also debris.
Check the actual equipment and also structures within the work area to make certain that any type of fasteners, bolting, covers etc are properly secured.
o Tools, equipment along with components must be secured in a secure location at the end of each shift.
o Once the work is completed, one last check as well as inventory count must be completed to make sure that absolutely no tools, equipment or materials have been left behind at height.
o The actual worksite must be left in a tidy and clean condition, and all tools, equipment and materials must be returned to their designated storage place.
Additional Considerations
Even if you're current job isn't at height, think about the environment where you will carry out the task in addition to any other activities which may be taking place around you.
Low-level applications include things like preventing tools from falling in to engines as well as gearboxes, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing lines, underground shafts etc.
High-level applications can include construction sites, wind turbines, cranes, buildings, bridges, telecom masts, electric power lines, railway gantries, aircraft hangers, steel structures, buildings, Scaffolding, towers etc.
Sectors in which control of tools is critical includes
Environment, Factory, Food, Inspection at height, Marine, Nuclear, Mechanical and Electrical,
Military, Oil and Gas, Onshore and Offshore, Pharmaceutical, Plant and Machinery,
Powered Access, Process and Chemical Plant, Rail, Roof and windows, Shipping, Steel, Telecommunication, Utilities, to identify merely a few.
The Leading Edge Safety's response to these pressing needs
One of the greatest issues working with tools at height applies to conduct, work procedures and inappropriate securing of tools and equipment.
Leading Edge has produced a range of tool lanyards, tethers, bags and belts to offer satisfactory securing of tools and equipment while working at height.
We have developed professional training courses for those working at height as well as now provide a tool tethering course.
For additional guidance on dropped tool legislation and your legal responsibilites visit: http://www.toollanyardsbagsandbelts.com/legal-guidance/
Guidance for the prevention of dropped tools and items when working at height
