40
| ACCESS
in
ACTION | MAY 2013
ACCESS in ACTION
By Phil Middleton
EWPA Training Director
The issue of whether a fall-arrest harness
is advisable or required, in scissor lifts has
been popular in industry in recent times.
From time to time this topic emerges;
should I be wearing a harness in a scissor
lift. The scissor lift I’m operating has
harness anchorage points. Does that mean
I must wear a harness? Or, the site I’m
working at requires I wear harnesses in
scissor lifts, is this a legal requirement?
The reason this issue continues to raise
its head is because many scissor lifts
feature anchorage points for the
attachment of a lanyard to a harness.
Site managers, or WHS officers on site,
see these anchor points and believe they
require a harness. This reasoning is given
weight by these same managers
understanding the need for fall arrest
harnesses in boom type EWPs and in
certain cases it is recommended in the
operator manual.
Harnesses are required to be worn
in a boom type EWP to control the
hazard of being ejected or catapulted
out of the boom type EWP.
Australian Standard AS2550.10 states:
“3.2
FALL ARREST SYSTEM OR RESTRAINT
DEVICE - For boom type MEWPs, the type
of fall arrest system or restraint device shall
be appropriate for the work being carried
out (see Clause 5.15).
“5.15
USE OF FALL ARREST SYSTEM OR
RESTRAINT DEVICE - Fall arrest systems
or restraint devices, complying with
the appropriate parts of AS/NZS 1891
and selected in accordance with AS/NZS
1891.4,
shall be worn and attached to the
anchorage point(s) by everyone in a boom
type MEWP unless it can be demonstrated
Wearing harnesses in scissor lifts
the risk of them being ejected from the
platform through a component failure or
other eventuality, example: catapult effect,
is eliminated. Means of demonstration
shall include a documented test. Unless
otherwise specified by the manufacturer
or determined by a competent person
each anchor point shall only be considered
suitable as an attachment for a single
system/device.”
In a scissor lift, there is no hazard of
being ejected because there is no catapult
effect from a scissor. A scissor has a
platform that is attached directly to the
lifting device. If an EWP of any type tips
over, there is no harness that will save you.
Hence, when being requested or
considering whether or not a harness is to
be worn in a scissor lift, one must identify
what hazard the wearing of a fall arrest
harness is controlling.
To add to the confusion, and depending
upon the manufacturer, some operator’s
manuals recommend the wearing of a
harness. However it does not state the type
of system example: fall arrest or restraint.
With this in mind, because EWP boom
types were designed to be operated while
wearing a harness, AS1418.10 requires the
EWP undergoes a fall arrest overturning
test. The overturning test is part of design
testing and compliance with AS1418.10
and determines if the boom type EWP will
overturn or not, in the event of the
occupants being ejected from the basket
and swinging freely from the harness
attached to the EWP anchorage via the
lanyard, outside the basket.
Operators of scissor type EWPs are not
required to wear a fall arrest harness,
because there is no identified risk of
catapult. Hence there is no
requirement for the manufacturers
to submit their scissor lifts to tip
over testing. Based upon the above
reasoning the EWPA DOES NOT
support or recommend the wearing
of a fall arrest harness when operating
a scissor type EWP unless there is a risk
identified that operator may be catapulted
or ejected from the platform.
For the immediate future, the EWPA
will be contacting Australian suppliers
of scissor lifts requesting they clarify any
statements made in their operator manuals
when referring to the use of fall arrest
harnesses in scissor lifts. Manufacturers will
be asked to clarify the fact scissor lifts have
not undergone a fall arrest, overturning
test as per AS1414.10-3.6.2.
For more information contact the EWPA
on 02 9998 2222 or:
www.ewpa.com.au
HR
Alimak Hek has introduced the latest
addition to its vertical access range: the
HEK TPL 300 and 500 light materials hoist.
Combining strength, flexibility and
simplicity in the one affordable transport
solution, the company said its TPL
materials hoist is suitable for all vertical
access needs, including building and
scaffolding access, for new construction
or existing refurbishment work.
Hot dipped galvanising, and a structure
composed of folded and perforated
A new kind of materials hoist
plates, ensures the rigid anti-slip walking
surface of the TPL hoist remains the same
over time, avoiding the need for surface
maintenance.
The erection platform allows for smooth
operation during mast erection and
dismantling, while mast sections fixed with
eyebolts ensure a safe and swift assembly.
Mounted on a tandem frame, the TPL’s
drive unit distributes pressure evenly to
minimise mast wear and allow for
smoother travel.
Installed in the heart of this drive unit,
the Hek safety device and overload
protection system ensures the safety of
operators at all times.
Available in a 300kg or 500kg capacity,
the new light range of TPL materials
hoists have a maximum lifting speed of
24
m/m and are designed to offer the
most cost effective vertical transport
solution on site.
For more contact: 03 8795 6789 or visit:
www.alimakhek.com.au
HR
In a scissor lift, there is no hazard of
being ejected because there is no
catapult effect from a scissor....
Phil Middleton