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Working At Height Policy Statement

        Downloadable copy of policy                                                                           Last updated August 2008
        (Rev 3)                                                                                                       Last reviewed March 2010 

Aim:           To state the policy of the Arts Council with regards to the protection of volunteers and user group representatives whilst working at heights.

Policy:        The Nuneaton Arts Council supports the need for volunteers working on behalf of the venue as well as those working for user groups to work at height. The NAC expects all such users to abide by the safety guidelines as detailed in this document, and adhere to any statutory restrictions held within.

The NAC cannot accept any responsibility for any volunteer who fails to follow the guidance laid out in these recommendations.

Full guidance on the safe working at height can be found at the H & S E web site at the address below.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/

General:

At all times, users must ensure that –

• all work at height is properly planned and organised;

• those involved in work at height are competent;

• the risks from work at height are assessed and appropriate work equipment is selected and used;

• the risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and

• equipment for work at height is properly inspected

When deciding on the method to be used for working at height, users must –

• avoid work at height where they can;

• use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where they cannot avoid working at height; and

• where they cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur.

Specific Guidelines:     

No user should work at a height of more than 5 (five) feet above the level of the working floor without there being at least one other responsible person in the same work space to provide safety cover in the event of a fall.

Tools and/or equipment should not be left atop either ladders or scaffold towers.

Use of Extension Ladders –

When using extension ladders, either against a wall, or part of the roofing grid, users must first ensure that the support point at the top of the ladder is firm and immovable.

Both feet of the ladder must be seated squarely on the working floor.

The ladders must be correctly pitched in accordance with standard safety guidelines by use of the red indicator line affixed to the lower section. This means that the line should be as close to vertical as possible with the ladder properly seated and supported.

Unless the feet of the ladder can be securely wedged against an immovable object (eg side wall) there must at ALL TIMES when a person is climbing to/working at height be a responsible and attentive person at the base, properly ‘footing’ the ladder. This person must AT ALL TIMES be conscious of the work in progress and mindful of any potential for falling objects.

Extension ladders must be correctly carried/transported by persons with adequate physical strength.

Use of Step Ladders –

Step ladders MAY be used without support at the base, but it is RECOMMENDED that there be a responsible person present to assist and support if required.

Tall step ladders will need to be properly seated before each climb – all four feet must be flat on the working floor, and the front/back must be the same distance apart, forming a stable basis for the ladder.

Tall step ladders must be moved by TWO people, with full attention being paid to overhead rigging and equipment.

Fly Rail –

The fly-rail should ONLY be accessed by those with authority to do so. This can include using the platform to access temporary scenery builds, but all those who do so must demonstrate that they are aware of the general safety rules for working at height.

Use of the backcloth fly lines is ONLY to be granted on the authority of the NAC, and is on the proviso that such users are demonstrably competent in the safe working practices involved in the raising/lowering of scenic cloths, together with the correct methods of tying off to the wall cleats.

Working from Ladders–

Generic theatre tasks include scenery construction and painting, erection of temporary rigging, and the installation/adjustment/repair of theatre lighting, sound and special effects equipment.

Items too heavy to be safely carried (eg some lanterns) with one hand MUST be hoisted using adequately rated rope, either from the ladder top if feasible, or from below by one or two responsible persons as needed using a suitable pulley.

At no time should anyone working from any type of ladder extend themselves away from the ladder – their body must always remain in line with the line of the ladder. Should the worker be unable to safely reach an item safely, then the ladder must be moved or if not feasible, then an alternative method of working at height be employed.

Anyone working at height must AT ALL TIMES be aware of those who may be working at floor level beneath them. Care MUST be taken to secure tools and equipment when in use AND when not in use. If possible, tool-ties can be employed for hand tools which may arrest the inadvertent drop.

Where appropriate, safety clothing must be worn – eg safety helmets, goggles, gloves etc, depending on the task at hand. The NAC can supply these safety items on loan should users request them.

Storage of Ladders –

When not in general use, all ladders should be stored at the side of stage.

During performances and/or events, ladders kept at the side of stage must be secured by rope ties to the stage wall to prevent forward or sideways movement which may result in a fall.

Use of Scaffold Tower –

 Where appropriate, scaffold tower(s) may be employed for longer term tasks.

Towers must only be erected where there is adequate space to do so safely, and there must be at LEAST two experienced people involved.

Tower should be erected with all appropriate braces correctly positioned and upper handrails affixed.

Appropriate safety equipment should be used.

Towers must be climbed in accordance with safe working practices for the type of scaffold. This will depend on the type available – guidance can be sought from the NAC technical team.

Work from scaffold must only be carried out from safely secured planks or custom-fitted platform.

A maximum of two people are permitted to work from the tower at any one time

If wheels are fitted to the tower, these must be locked before climbing.

Towers are not to be moved whilst workers are still at any height on the scaffold.

When used at full height, outriggers/stabilizers must be used.

Towers must be moved by a minimum of two experienced users.

There must be at least three feet clearance from the wheels/base of any tower and the edge of the stage. (This limit may be breached under certain circumstances, but ONLY after full risk assessment has been considered and an experienced user has concluded that it will be safe to do so. 

Documentation:  

NAC staff will inspect all access equipment on a quarterly basis as standard, with regular visual checks carried out when deemed necessary. Those inspections will be documented on the checklist forms at the end of the downloadable document. However, it remains the responsibility of ANY user planning to work at height to carry out their own checks/risk assessments prior to doing so.

Should any user find any fault or safety hazard involving any item of equipment then the item should NOT BE USED and a member of the Arts Council advised immediately. The NAC will then inspect and assess the item and either organise repair, replacement or disposal as appropriate.

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Copyright © 2005 The Abbey Theatre & Arts Centre
Last modified: 13-Aug-2010