Edge protection â Guard railing failure
Alert
Edge protection – Guard railing failure This Alert highlights the need to ensure that any alterations to temporary edge protection guardrails are signed off by a competent person.
November 2010 Background There have been several recent incidents where guardrails have failed on edge protection systems when force is applied by workers or materials. Last month, a construction worker fell five meters when the guardrail on the edge protection system gave way when he leant against it. An investigation found the guardrail had been removed to load a piece of plant onto the roof. The guardrail was replaced, but was not secured appropriately.
Control measures WorkSafe expects: • any edge protection system to be erected, used and maintained according to supplier information • a thorough inspection is done by a competent person at least monthly or following an occurrence that may have affected the stability or adequacy of the edge protection system • regular visual checks are undertaken to identify defects and any unauthorised alterations of the edge protection system • any identified defects to be rectified immediately. These repairs must be assessed and signed off by a competent person.
ALE0134/02/11.10
Contact details Call on: 1800 136 089 Email: [email protected] For more information on occupational health and safety, go to WorkSafe’s website: worksafe.vic.gov.au
Further information AS 1657 – 1992 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, Construction and Installation AS/NZS 1576.1 –1995 Scaffolding – General requirements AS/NZS 4994.1 - 2009 Temporary edge protection General requirements AS/NZS 4994.2 - 2009 Temporary edge protection - Roof edge protection - Installation and dismantling
Disclaimer: This Alert contains information following WorkSafe’s inquires into the incident at the date of this report. The information contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the final outcome of WorkSafe’s action with respect to this incident. WorkSafe does not warrant the information in this report is complete or up-to-date and does not accept any liability to any person for the information in this report or as to its use.
Edge protection – Guard railing failure This Alert highlights the need to ensure that any alterations to temporary edge protection guardrails are signed off by a competent person.
November 2010 Background There have been several recent incidents where guardrails have failed on edge protection systems when force is applied by workers or materials. Last month, a construction worker fell five meters when the guardrail on the edge protection system gave way when he leant against it. An investigation found the guardrail had been removed to load a piece of plant onto the roof. The guardrail was replaced, but was not secured appropriately.
Control measures WorkSafe expects: • any edge protection system to be erected, used and maintained according to supplier information • a thorough inspection is done by a competent person at least monthly or following an occurrence that may have affected the stability or adequacy of the edge protection system • regular visual checks are undertaken to identify defects and any unauthorised alterations of the edge protection system • any identified defects to be rectified immediately. These repairs must be assessed and signed off by a competent person.
ALE0134/02/11.10
Contact details Call on: 1800 136 089 Email: [email protected] For more information on occupational health and safety, go to WorkSafe’s website: worksafe.vic.gov.au
Further information AS 1657 – 1992 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, Construction and Installation AS/NZS 1576.1 –1995 Scaffolding – General requirements AS/NZS 4994.1 - 2009 Temporary edge protection General requirements AS/NZS 4994.2 - 2009 Temporary edge protection - Roof edge protection - Installation and dismantling
Disclaimer: This Alert contains information following WorkSafe’s inquires into the incident at the date of this report. The information contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the final outcome of WorkSafe’s action with respect to this incident. WorkSafe does not warrant the information in this report is complete or up-to-date and does not accept any liability to any person for the information in this report or as to its use.
