Page 52 - RIIWHS204E Learner Guide

RIIWHS204E-Work safely at heights

INSPECT/ INSTALL FALL PROTECTION AND PERIMETER
PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

All fall protection equipment and safety system must be installed and regularly
inspected by a competent person. In some cases, the equipment will need to be installed
and checked by a qualified person that holds a scaffolding or rigging license.

FALL PROTECTION DEVICES

Wherever possible the need to perform work at heights should be avoided completely. If,
however, this is not reasonably practicable, fall prevention devices provide the best
protection against falls by working to minimize the chance of a fall ever occurring.

Fall protection devices include:

 Temporary work platforms

 Edge or perimeter protection systems

 Fall protection covers and safety mesh

TEMPORARY WORK PLATFORMS

A work platform should be fixed to a structure for stability and installed with edge
protection. It should be fitted so that it can be accessed and exited safely.

The surface should be non-slip, large and strong enough to safely support all the tools,
materials and people placed upon it. It should not be fixed at a steep angle.

Work platforms include:

 Scaffolding (e.g., mobile, tower, suspended) - When using scaffolding make
sure that:

o Any scaffold from which a person could fall more than 4m is prepared and
erected by a licensed scaffold

o It complies with Australian Standards AS/ NZS 1576 and AS/ NZS 1577
 It is equipped with guardrails and kickboards (toe boards)

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