NEWS IN BRIEF
42
| ACCESS
in
ACTION
| MAY 2013
ACCESS in ACTION
By Peter Wenn, EWPA Technical Director
Harness anchorages are sometimes fitted to scissor lifts, and in
some cases, anchorages are required by end users to be fitted to
scissor lifts. This note provides guidance on the use of anchorages in
these circumstances.
Fall arrest harness anchorages are required on boom type EWPs
and it is a requirement to wear a fall arrest harness when operating
a boom type EWP. The reason is to control the risk of ejection
(
catapult effect) or falling as a result of inversion of the work
platform in the event of a levelling system failure.
Harness anchorages are not required to be fitted to scissor
platforms and fall arrest harnesses are not required to be to be worn
on scissors as the risks are not the same as they are in boom type
work platforms. When used properly, there is no risk of falling from
a scissor lift. In a scissor platform the harness and lanyard can also be
a trip hazard and unduly restrict operator mobility.
Fall arrest vs. fall restraint
A fall arrest system (the harness lanyard and anchorage) is
designed to arrest a free fall. As such, significant shock loads are
imposed on the user and the equipment when the fall is arrested.
The user is outside the platform and requires an immediate response
in order to be recovered.
A fall restraint system is intended to prevent the user being
exposed to a situation where a fall may occur. The forces required to
restrain the user and keep them from a fall are considerably less than
those that occur during a fall arrest.
The performance requirements
Anchorages must satisfy the strength requirements specified in
AS1418.10. Hence fitting of anchorages by third parties should
be discouraged. In addition, all mobile elevating work platforms
that are fitted with fall arrest anchorages are required to remain
stable and not overturn under test when subject to a fall arrest
overturning test. Even if anchorages are fitted to scissors it should
not be assumed the anchorage is a fall arrest anchorage, and in the
absence of advice from the manufacturer, it must not be assumed
the platform will not overturn in the event of a fall arrest.
What does this mean?
Unless advice has been obtained from the manufacturer, harness
anchorage points on scissors should be treated as fall restraint only
and the users must not place themselves in a situation where a fall
may occur. The following applies irrespective of whether a harness is
worn or not:
•
Do not climb on the handrails – a harness does not give you the
licence to do so.
•
Ensure the platform gate is closed and locked – platform gates
should automatically close and latch.
•
Do not transfer from the platform at height, unless the
requirements specified in AS2550.10 are observed.
Summary
Harness anchorages on scissor lifts should be considered as fall
restraint anchorages, unless advice has been obtained from the
manufacturer.
Personnel must not rely on the fall restraint system and must
remain inside the platform with their feet only on the platform floor.
A fall arrest system does not enable the user to perform any work
on a scissor lift that cannot be performed without wearing a harness.
Failure to observe these conditions could lead to death or serious
injury.
HR
Precautions regarding the
use of harness anchorages
on scissor lifts
HIGH RISK LICENCES AND
LOADING/UNLOADING
The EWPA has some good news on the
problem of harmonisation regarding the
need to hold a High Risk Licence to load
or unload relevant plant. SA’s adoption
of the Harmonised Act on 1 January,
2013
saw this requirement removed.
The person loading the high risk plant
must still have the appropriate training
in how to load and unload but no High
Risk Licence is required. In NSW the
EWPA has been advised an exemption
is now in place, to be followed by
a regulation change, returning this
problem to the pre-WHS Act position. In
other words, truck drivers can load and
unload high risk items of plant without
a High Risk Licence.
EWPA POLICY ON
MAINTENANCE FOR OUT
OF DATE EWPS
The EWPA now has the policy for
maintenance for EWPs that are out of
test date on the EWPA webpage
(
www.ewpa.com.au
). This policy has
been developed by the EWPA
National Executive to overcome
the dilemma faced by members
when asked to repair something
on an EWP only to discover the
unit requires an Annual or Major
inspection. The policy contains a
sample letter and service personnel
are encouraged to use it. The EWPA
advises it is better to have a fault
repaired properly.
EWP SAFE USE AND
INFORMATION PACK
The Safe Use Pack is on the EWPA
webpage. Members are advised to
encourage customers and major
sites to download and use the latest
version. It is there to guide the
potential user in selecting the right
EWP, taking into account the various
hazards and risks. It also includes
sections on operator training
requirements as well as checklists for
the condition of the EWP when it is
delivered to site and the importance
of checking the compliance plate .
I
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