Page 41 - RIIWHS204E Learner Guide

RIIWHS204E-Work safely at heights

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS

Administrative controls may be used to support other control measures and may
include 'no go' areas, permit systems, the sequencing of work and safe work procedures.

In some cases, a combination of control measures may be necessary (e.g. using a safety
harness while working on an elevated work platform).

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

Breaking the task down into a series of basic steps will enable a systematic analysis of
each part of the activity for hazards and potential accidents. The description of the
process should include any activity with the potential to cause accidents and provide a
proper identification of the hazards, without very fine detail.

The SWMS must be written in a way that everyone can read, and be understood by those
who need to know what has been planned to manage the risks, implement the control
measures and ensure the work is being carried out in accordance with the SWMS.

Limiting free fall distance

 Harness-based fall arrest systems should be installed so that the maximum
distance a person would

 Free fall before the fall arrest system takes effect is 2 metres, although a
lesser free fall distance is

 Preferable. There should be sufficient distance between the work surface and
any surface below to

 Enable the system, including the action of any shock absorber, to fully deploy
(see Figure).

 To work out whether there is enough distance available you should take into
account:

 The worker’s height

 The height and position of the anchorage point

 The length of the lanyard

 Any slack in the horizontal lifeline

 Any stretching of the lanyard or horizontal lifeline when extended by a fall

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