Health And Safety Guidance

Where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid entering a confined space to undertake work, the employer or self-employed person is responsible for ensuring that a safe system of work is used. This recently updated guidance outlines the hazards associated with Confined Space Entry. 7 pages

This document gives scaffolding companies and clients guidance on The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR 2005) relating to safe means of access to and from scaffolding working platforms. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) outline that clients, principal designers, principal contractors, designers and contractors should consider what form of access may be needed at the planning stage. This should include any emergency escape routes that have been identified by the risk assessment, the preferred option for access / egress and the required number of access points. On larger projects powered passenger / goods hoists may be a safer option if available. Where passenger hoists are used, an additional means of access will be required for emergency purposes (e.g. in the event of a fire or mechanical failure). This update is significant in that key changes are ‘Ladder Safety’ and ‘Security’ of access onto scaffolds that differs to the earlier SG25:14. 16 pages

Initially there is no structure in place against which the scaffold can be tied. The scaffold may surround a structure, but it is still vital that measures to ensure stability are incorporated. Accordingly the initial stability of the scaffold structure must be achieved by means other than ties. Design input is still critical. 8 pages