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You should also have "working at height" ticket, and check your insurance covers you for working over a certain height, some policies cover up to 15m as standard but some dont.
And be careful you don't accidentally operate the controls with the engine from the hedgetrimmer like I've done.
What's a "working at height" ticket?
Brian www.mibservices.co.uk said:
A "working at height" ticket, exactly what it says Geoff. Your trained and qualified to work at height. Its part of the manual or motorized elevated platform training course, including access and regress, ladders, platforms etc etc, and required by your insurance when working at height to have it, at least I do for commercial works. Wouldnt bet against an insurance company renageing on a claim if the worst happened and if the HSE got involved, youve had it if its an employee hurt. Didn't your previous council employers put any staff who worked at height through the appropriate training ?.
Also where applicable, fall arrest harness and lanyard tickets can be needed, again, mostly aimed at commercial works.
No..... there was no working at height training when I was on the council but I expect things might have changed now. The only thing the council did was to check the ladders once in a blue moon and that just comprised of climbing to the top and jumping up and down!! The days before health and safety were great..... well they were, providing you had a bit of commonsense lol.
Brian www.mibservices.co.uk said:
To reinforce when Working at Height is applicable, the HSE is quite clear;
What is 'work at height'?
Work at height means work in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. You are working at height if you:
- work above ground/floor level
- could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface or
- could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or a hole in the ground
Work at height does not include a slip or a trip on the level, as a fall from height has to involve a fall from one level to a lower level, nor does it include walking up and down a permanent staircase in a building
When is a ladder right for the job?
The law says that ladders can be used for work at height when a risk assessment has shown that using equipment offering a higher level of fall protection is not justified because of the low risk and short duration of use; or there are existing workplace features which cannot be altered.
Short duration is not the deciding factor in establishing whether an activity is acceptable or not – you should have first considered the risk. As a guide, if your task would require staying up a leaning ladder or stepladder for more than 30 minutes at a time, it is recommended that you consider alternative equipment.
You should only use ladders in situations where they can be used safely, eg where the ladder will be level and stable, and where its reasonably practicable to do so, the ladder can be secured.
All this is covered under a basic ROLO H&S course, which is specifically designed for "Landscapers".
It satisfies most Insurance requirements, accreditations and becomes a pre-req for many commercial works.
"ROLO Course Information > Health and Safety
The health and safety module allows operatives to gain the required level of competence to enter the Register of Landscape Operatives, and if required to go on to gain the LISS/CSCS card.
OBJECTIVES
Increase operatives awareness of health and safety issues in the landscaping industry.
Provide the core Knowledge required to enter the Register.
Enable operatives to identify and resolve a range of health and safety issues.
The module programme contains a number of core subjects which all operatives will find of use and relevance on a day to day basis together with a range of site safety issues which may be covered to the extent dictated by their importance to the employers activities.
CONTENT
Accident prevention.
Health and Safety at Work Legislation.
Risk Assessment.
Personal Protective equipment.
Site hazards.
The issues covered will include:-
Access - safe use of access equipment, including ladders and mobile elevating work platforms. The requirements for fall protection when working at height; of emergency provision, including the implications for lone working.
Work equipment - the safe use of equipment such as power tools, abrasive wheels, and lifting equipment, site plant etc. To include the safe use of vehicles on site.
Noise and vibration - the harmful effects of noise and vibration and how they may be controlled.
Electricity on site - safe use of site electrical equipment and electrical distribution on site. Safety in dealing with buried and overhead electrical services.
Gases - the requirements for safe working with pressure systems and gas cylinders. The potential harmful effects of industrial gases.
Hazardous substances - the effects of harmful substances and the requirements for control under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. Including the requirements for adequate hygiene facilities.
Use of pesticides - correct control and use of pesticides at site, including the need for personal protective equipment during use.
Manual handling - a discussion of the harm done to people by incorrect handling and the ways in which the risks can be controlled.
Excavations and confined spaces - safety in excavations and when entering and working in confined spaces.
Emergency procedures - to briefly review the need for fire, first aid and other forms
Environmental issues
End test
The module will end with a short test to validate the learning and ensure the operatives reach the relevant level of understanding.
The test takes the form of a mainly multi-choice question paper with a small number of short answer questions. The pass mark required for ROLO accreditation is 75%."
If anyone wants to know more or where to get suitable training for their LANTRA Skills card, PM me.
...or, if you didn't get injured....I believe Working at Height has been law for ~10 years or so ?
Geoff Norfolk said:
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