News
The latest news items from ISRT:
New Work at Height Regulations
On the 26th, June 2006, The long awaited Work at Height Regulations were signed into Irish Law. These new regulations gather together various EU Directives, which concern the minimum safety and health standards for work at height.
While the Regulations apply to all places of work, there is particular significance for construction work, especially since parts of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2001 have been revoked (see explanatory note at the rear of the regulations).
In general, the philosophy behind the regulations is that, work is not to be carried out at a height, where it is reasonably practicable to carry out the work safely, otherwise than at a height.
Where work at height is necessary, a safe method of work should be adopted with a preference for collective fall protection measures.
Some of the specific issues that will impact on some of our customers are:
- The “2 metre rule”, i.e. the requirement for handrail above 2 metres (old regulation 69(1) of the Construction Regulations), has been revoked and now at what height fall protection is required will depend on the risk assessment. The employer will be responsible for deciding if the actions required by these regulations were not taken, could an employee fall a distance liable to cause personal injury, regardless of the height.
- Work at height must be adequately planned and supervised taking into account the risk assessment.
- Collective fall protection measures are given priority – e.g. guard rails and safety decks etc.
- A mid rail is now required where there is a guardrail.
- Employers are required to protect employees from falling objects and to restrict unauthorised entry.
- Inspections are required for work equipment such as guardrails, working platforms etc. and where used for construction work and possible to fall 2 metres or mores, then must be inspected in the previous 7 days.
- The schedules at the rear of the Regulations, outline in more detail the requirements for guardrails (Schedule 2), Working Platforms (Schedule 3 Pt. 1), Scaffolding (Schedule 3, Part 2), ladders (Schedule 6).
- Guidance Documentation is expected from the Health and Safety Authority in due course.