What you need to know about the new height safety rules Brenton Hampson Workplace Access & Safety
Falls, trips & slips – Fact and figures 108 people died over 7 years *1 $8.7 billion in costs (2008 – 2009) *2 26,705 compensation claims *3 *1 Compendium of workers compensation statistics Australia 2009-2010 *2 Published 2012 *3 Table 18, serious claims by mechanism of injury or dispose 26 October 2012 2
Major changes to current legislation • Who is responsible? • How high is too high? • The hierarchy of controls. • Suspension trauma and rescue. • Ladder inspection. • Australian standards • Who is responsible? • New diligence obligations • What if someone falls • When is this effective? • How to prepare 26 October 2012 3
Michael Tooma OH&S lawyer, Norton Rose
Michael Tooma What has changed?
Who is responsible? • The PCBU (Person conducting a business undertaking) • Reasonable behaviour expected • “consult, co -operate and co-ordinate activities with others who have a workplace health and safety duty to the same matter”. • Due diligence obligation (risk assess) 26 October 2012 6
Michael Tooma Who pays?
Legislative Framework WHS Act WHS Regulations WHS Code of Practice Australian Standards AS/NZS1657 AS/NZS 1891 AS/NZS 4488 AS/NZS 1892 8 26 October 2012
Michael Tooma, Norton Rose How has the legislation changed? 26 October 2012 9
How high is too high? • No longer a 2 metre rule • Applies to all”heights” 26 October 2012 10
Michael Tooma The importance of the hierarchy of controls
Hierarchy of Control Model regulations part 4.4 Undertake the work: Level 1: from the ground or on a solid construction Level 2: using a passive fall prevention device Level 3: using a work positioning system Level 4: using a fall injury prevention system If a risk remains then: Level 5: from ladders, or administrative controls 26 October 2012 12
Michael Tooma What cost is “reasonably practicable”?
Hierarchy of Control Level 1: Ground or solid construction The first level aims to eliminate the hazard altogether Option B: a solid construction, which must be: • Strong enough to support people + materials • Non-slip, trip-free surface • Readily negotiable gradient • Safe ingress and egress For example : A work platform with guardrail and ladder access 26 October 2012 14
Hierarchy of Control Level 1: Ground or solid construction Perimeter protection • Guard rails • Barriers 26 October 2012 15
Hierarchy of Control Level 2: Passive fall protection device Fall prevention equipment that does not require adjustment once installed. Temporary work platforms • Scaffolds • Cherry pickers • Work platforms Perimeter protection • Guard rails • Barriers 26 October 2012 16
Hierarchy of Control Level 3: Work positioning systems If levels 1 and 2 are “not practicable”, industrial rope access systems and travel restraint systems used to prevent workers falling over an unprotected edge 26 October 2012 17
Hierarchy of Control Level 4: Fall injury prevention systems While work positioning systems prevent the fall from occurring at all, level 4 controls merely minimise the distance of the fall. Examples: • safety nets • catch platforms • individual fall arrest systems (IFAS) 26 October 2012 18
Harness based risks 26 October 2012 19
Hierarchy of Control Level 5: ladders, administrative controls 26 October 2012 20
Preventing suspension trauma through rescue Toxic shock = suspension trauma Risk of fatality 2 nd person to rescue Training, documentation, supervision, equipment 26 October 2012 21
Preventing suspension trauma 26 October 2012 22
Ladder inspection Mandatory “regular” 26 October 2012 23
But when was the building built? 26 October 2012 24
Anchor/static line inspection “Regular” inspections for “regular” use Presently • 6 monthly in Qld, SA, Vic, ACT, WA, Tas • 12 monthly in NSW 26 October 2012 25
Cost comparison – Anchors vs guardrail Anchors Guardail Installation cost $5,320 Admin controls (permits, $1,000 rescue, induction etc) Initial training (2 @ $250 ea) $1,000 Inspections (10 @ $350 p/a) $3,500 Retraining every 2 years $5,000 Recertify/replace in year 10 $6,000 Total cost over 10 years $21,820 Cost p/a on P&L $2,182 26 October 2012 26
Cost comparison – Anchors vs guardrail Anchors Guardail Installation cost $5,320 $8,200 Admin controls (permits, $1,000 - rescue, induction etc) Initial training (2 @ $500 ea) $1,000 - Inspections (10 @ $350 p/a) $3,500 - Retraining every 2 years $5,000 - Recertify/replace in year 10 $6,000 - Total cost over 10 years $21,820 $8,200 Cost p/a on P&L $2,182 $205 10 x more 26 October 2012 27
Michael Tooma What happens in the aftermath of an incident?
How do I prepare • Due diligence obligations – audit and risk assess • All height risks, not just 2m • Apply the hierarchy of controls • Inspect your ladders, platforms • Rate the risks • Anchor/static line systems • Design review • Plan for rescue • Prioritize and plan Continue to comply with current legislation 29 26 October 2012
Fall Prevention Solutions 1300 552 984 Providing a national approach WA . QLD ． VIC ． NSW ． SA 26 October 2012 30
The fall prevention specialists Like to know more about fall prevention? Call 1300 552 984 or visit www.workplaceaccess.com.au “Workplace Access & Safety are very professional and their workmanship is As your fall good. I’d use them again without a doubt. Their product is good, they were prevention great, I couldn’t fault them. When I’ve asked for service they were prompt, consultant, professional and flexible. They met our equipment demands and needs absolutely. The whole company is good to supplier and deal with. Their PR was great and everyone was helpful. Workplace installer, Access & Safety is well worth using.” Workplace K Andrews, Project Co-ordinator, fall Access & H.J. Heinz Co. Australia Ltd. Safety makes prevention Melbourne Sydney safe work at solutions 9-11 Shearson Crescent Unit 5, 57a Rhodes Street Mentone VIC 3194 Hillsdale NSW 2036 heights a reality, Queensland South Australia 36 Matheson Street 84e Stanbel Road Make your workplace safe and painlessly. Virginia, QLD 4014 Salisbury Plains, SA 5109 compliant with specialist fall Western Australia prevention advice and solutions 2-92 Forsyth Street O’Conner, WA 6163 from Workplace Access & Safety. T 1300 552 984 F 1300 551 612 sales@workplaceaccess.com.au www.workplaceaccess.com.au
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