Health & Safety
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Temp WAH Directive summary and country legislation - This document is a little dated but useful. Page 77 lists the country-specific legislation that member states have implemented to comply with the European Council Directive 2001/45/EC concerning minimum safety and health requirements for the use of equipment for work at height (the Temporary Work at Height Directive or TWAHD). This may also be used as a guide by other countries who do not yet have or are looking to implement or adopt work at height legislation. The biography on page 70 points to some useful reference material.
Health & Safety Guidance Relevant to the Use of Working Platforms
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASWA 74)
The Act sets out the general duties of employers, self-employed and employees with regard to safety at the workplace. It provides legal requirements for work activities and provides a mechanism that allows health and safety regulations on more specific issues to be formulated under the Act.
Read more from the HSE website
UK REGULATIONS
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSR 99)
Regulations, Approved Code of Practice and guidance
[HSE reference L21 : ISBN 0 7176 2488 9]
The Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and guidance in this document cover the management of work activities. They cover management activities, such as:
- risk assessment,
- adopting principles to protect against risks,
- health and safety arrangements,
- health surveillance, health and safety assistance and arrangements for first aid,
- procedures for serious and imminent danger,
- information for employees,
- cooperation and coordination with other parties and working with others,
- capabilities and training,
- employees duties,
- temporary workers,
- arrangements for expectant mothers, and
- protection of young persons.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98)
Regulations, Approved Code of Practice and guidance
[HSE reference L22 : ISBN 978 0 7176 6619 5]
The Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and guidance in this document apply to equipment used at work, including lifting equipment. They cover aspects of use including the:
- selection and suitability of equipment,
- maintenance, inspection and keeping of records,
- information and instructions,
- training,
- conformity with community requirements.
Also covered are:
- safeguarding of dangerous parts
- protection against specific hazards, such as wind and falling objects,
- controls and control systems,
- stability in use,
- lighting,
- unauthorized start-up
Download a Simple Guide from the HSE
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 98)
Regulations, Approved Code of Practice and guidance
[HSE reference L113 : ISBN 978 0 7176 6586 0]
The Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and guidance in this document cover the specific risks associated with lifting operations and equipment. They cover aspects of use including:
- selecting equipment to have sufficient strength and stability for the work to be carried out,
- lifting equipment for lifting persons,
- positioning and installation,
- planning and organization of lifting operations,
- thorough examination and inspection,
- nature of reports of thorough examination and the keeping of records
Download a Simple Guide from the HSE
Work at height Regulations 2005 (WAHR 05)
Brief Guide
[HSE reference INDG401] [ISBN 978 0 7176 6231 9]
The Regulations require duty holders to ensure that:
- all work at height is properly planned and organised;
- all work at height takes account of weather conditions that could endanger health and safety;
- those involved in work at height are trained and competent;
- the place where work at height is done is safe;
- equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected;
- the risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and
- the risks from falling objects are properly controlled.
INDG401 gives guidance on:
- planning work at height,
- training,
- equipment, temporary structures and safety features,
- inspections
- fragile surfaces, and
- falling objects.
Download a Simple Guide from the HSE
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
(HSE Reference L153 : ISBN: 9780717666263)
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) came into force on 6 April 2015, replacing CDM 2007. This publication provides guidance on the legal requirements for CDM 2015 and is available to help anyone with duties under the Regulations. It describes:
- the law that applies to the whole construction process on all construction projects, from concept to completion
- what each dutyholder must or should do to comply with the law to ensure projects are carried out in a way that secures health and safety
The key aims of CDM 2015
Whatever your role in construction, CDM aims to improve health and safety in the industry by helping you to:
- sensibly plan the work so the risks involved are managed from start to finish
- have the right people for the right job at the right time
- cooperate and coordinate your work with others
- have the right information about the risks and how they are being managed
- communicate this information effectively to those who need to know
- consult and engage with workers about the risks and how they are being managed
See HSE summary of duties under the Regulations
See HSE information on the Regulations
STANDARDS
BS EN 280:2001 Mobile elevating work platforms : Safety by design
BS 8460 Mobile Elevating Work Platforms : Code of practice : Safe use
BS EN 1495:1998 Mast climbing work platforms : Safety by design
BS 7981 Mast climbing work platforms : Code of practice : Safe use
BS ISO 16368:2010 Mobile elevating work platforms : Design calculations, safety requirements and test methods
The above standards can be obtained from BSI Customer Services, Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001.
ISO 18878 Mobile elevating platforms : Operator (driver) training
SPECIFIC GUIDANCE
HSE GEIS6 The selection, management and use of mobile elevating work platforms
HSE GN PM28 Working platforms (non-integrated) on Fork lift trucks
