Page 79 - RIIWHS204E Learner Guide

RIIWHS204E-Work safely at heights

USE RECOMMENDED METHODS TO ACCESS WORK AREA FOR PEOPLE,
TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT

After selecting the tools, equipment and materials that are needed for the job you must
ensure that they are in safe and easy to access areas so that you can get to them safely and
easily. You will need to check that access from the ground is safe before you try to get up
to the work area. You also need to make sure you can connect to any safety systems
without putting yourself in danger.

Your induction to the site should outline the access requirements for you and should
ensure that you follow all the requirements and procedures to keep you and other
workers safe at all times. This will include safe access to and from the work area.

The operator using the equipment is responsible to ensure all required safety
equipment are safe to use before working at height.

ACCESSING THE WORK AREA

The method of accessing the work area should be conducted in accordance with the
organizational or site requirements and any policies and procedures related to the
organization. It is important that all outcomes are achieved in the safest possible manner
and that no harm comes to workers, equipment, the work area or the environment.

Methods of access could include portable stairways, ladders, and elevating work
platforms. Properly constructed temporary stairways or ladder access s is needed for all
working platforms and scaffold access points. Climbing up and down the scaffold
framework is very dangerous. All working platforms require a safe and clear ladder or
stairway or an elevating platform for safe access and egress.

Arrangements are made to install access equipment once the type of scaffolding or work
platforms is determined, the type and configuration will need to be considered. The
scaffold selected must be fit -for-purpose and the required access equipment must be
specified.

Trying to carry heavy or bulky loads up to the work area can be very dangerous, and you
could lose your balance and fall or drop items down on people below. Your workplace will
have various procedures in place that you will need to follow to ensure that you do not get
injured or to ensure that if a tool is dropped from a height, it will not fall on anyone and
injure them.

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