Grey Street Primary School
Falls Prevention Policy
1. PREAMBLE
Protection from falls of more than 2 metres is an issue that affects staff, students, volunteers and contractors in the school setting. Grey Street Primary School contains many different buildings; each having a unique character with different roofs having different heights, pitches, surfaces and points of access. Accessing each different type of roof in Grey Street Primary School presents particular problems and risks. Working where there is a risk of falling more than 2 metres is also involved in other tasks within the school, eg. building inspection and maintenance, stage productions, electrical maintenance and cabling, removing equipment from the roof, erecting some displays and accessing some storage areas.
Although most risks of falls more than 2 metres at this school are related to work at heights, the school will also consider falls risks in relation to any excavations, landscaping and installation of playground equipment.
The following plan identifies risks, sets out guidelines for working safely where there is a fall hazard, especially over 2 metres, and nominates design features to be included into the school.
The overriding basis of this plan is a follows:
· To prevent falls in the workplace, especially where the potential is greater than 2 metres.
· To implement procedures which will comply with the OHS (Prevention of Falls) Regulations 2003.
2. ELIMINATING OR REDUCING THE RISK OF A FALL
Primary consideration will be given to trying to eliminate or reduce the need to work where there is a fall hazard (whether more than or less than 2 metres) by:
v Eliminating the need to carry out the task. For example:
· Introducing “No Ball” recreation zones around buildings so that balls do not go on roofs.
· Reducing the height of display boards and storage shelves so that ladders are not needed.
· Eliminating loft storage areas.
v Working from ground level. For example:
· Broom or rope retrieving device to retrieve balls.
· Extension poles for paint rollers, pruning, opening and closing windows.
· Pulley systems for raising high displays.
· Remote controls or remote switches for air conditioners, VCRs, etc.
v Altering the building structure to eliminate or reduce fall hazards. For example:
· Installing permanent access platforms and stairs/ladders complying with AS1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairs and ladders.
· Placing mesh immediately under or over any skylight installed before June 1996, all translucent roofing material and all acrylic dome skylights to prevent people falling through.
· Repairing raised sections of footpaths.
v Reducing the number of times the task needs to be done. For example:
· Installing gutter guards to allow balls to roll off and reduce the frequency of access for gutter for cleaning.
· Adopt School Council policy that balls (including those owned by students) will only be removed at a stated time (eg. Friday afternoon).
Where the risk of a fall by individuals cannot be completely eliminated, the following procedure will be documented and implemented:
3. PROCEDURE WHERE THERE IS A RISK OF A FALL OF LESS THAN 2 METRES
Where people need to access heights less than 2 metres, a sturdy suitable 2 or 3 step ladder will be provided and must be used. These ladders will be made available and stored at convenient points around the school. At no time should staff use furniture (chairs or tables, etc) to access heights. Tasks that may require use of these step ladders include putting up displays or accessing storage shelves.
4. PROCEDURE WHERE THERE IS A RISK OF A FALL OF MORE THAN 2 METRES
The specific recommendations for prevention of falls will depend on the nature of the particular task and the construction and condition of the roof – if roof work is required.
4.1 Situations that have a fall potential of 2 metres or more at Grey Street Primary School
· Retrieving balls from roofs.
· Cleaning gutters.
· Servicing air conditioner units on roofs*.
· Plumbing/electrical work/roofing repairs/installing or accessing antennae or satellite dishes on roofs*.
· Building construction, maintenance or demolition works*.
· Working near translucent roofing material not protected with mesh.
· Accessing lights for stage productions.
· Changing lights or checking/installing equipment at ceiling level in Block A and the Hall*.
· Tree maintenance*.
· Using an elevated work platform*.
*These tasks are more than likely to be done by contractors.
4.2 General guidelines where there is a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres
· Only authorised people are allowed to work where there is a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres. Other people are strictly forbidden from carrying out such tasks at all times.
· Authorised people are school handyman/groundsman, contractors, nominated staff and volunteers, and other persons identified by the Principal.
· Prior to authorisation, personnel (school staff and volunteers) will be given appropriate instruction, training and information. Authorised people (school staff and volunteers) will be given written procedures which they will be expected to follow for the use of equipment (eg. ladder safe work practice, applicable risk assessment) where there is a fall risk of more than 2 metres. School contractors will, as a minimum, comply with school safe work practices.
· Authorised people will be provided with a copy of this procedure covering prevention of falls of more than 2 metres at Grey Street Primary School.
· Should a staff member identify that there may be a risk of falling more than 2 metres they must inform the Principal. A full risk assessment of the task must be conducted. Where the same task is done repetitively a generic risk assessment of the task will be done. If the task is to be done in a different way, a new risk assessment must be completed.
· Risk control solutions will be based on the hierarchy of control below:
1. Eliminate the task if possible.
2. Work on the ground.
3. Work from a “solid construction” (defined as surface strong enough to support workers and equipment + edge protection + non-slippery surface + access and egress via stairway or tied off ladder). A platform step ladder may also be used.
4. Use a passive fall prevention device* (eg. scaffold, cherry picker, scissor lift, railing).
5. Use a work positioning system* (eg. travel restraint system).
6. Use a fall injury prevention system* (eg. catch platform, safety harness).
7. Use a ladder.
8. Use administrative controls.
*Specialised contractors only will use this equipment.
· No staff member or volunteer will be expected to work at heights if they feel uncomfortable doing so.
· Staff members or volunteers may only use a ladder, platform step ladder or a pre-fabricated mobile scaffold and must be authorised by the Principal and have received appropriate information, instruction and training for the equipment. The Principal shall ensure that authorised users understand ladder safety requirements. Records will be kept of people who are authorised and the date that they received information, instruction and training. If equipment is used in contravention of the safe work practice, authorisation will be withdrawn.
· School staff and volunteers will not be authorised to use specialised equipment such as cherry pickers, scissor lifts, scaffolding (with the exception of pre-fabricated mobile scaffolding), harnesses, fall arrest devices and vertical rope access systems. Authorised and experienced contractors will undertake work of this nature.
· Slip resistant footwear will be used when accessing heights.
· Ladders shall be used in accordance with Grey Street Primary School’s Ladder Safe Work Practice (Attachment 1).
· Ladders and other equipment for use above 2 metres will be stored and secured in such a way as to limit access of unauthorised staff to this equipment. Signage will be attached to the equipment, or the locked are in which it is stored, indicating that it is only to be used by authorised persons. This does not include step ladders intended for accessing less than 2 metres that will be available for all staff.
· Ladders and other equipment for use above 2 metres will be logged on the PRMS21 maintenance system for regular maintenance. Maintenance and inspections will occur as per manufacturer’s recommendations or every 12 months, whichever is more stringent. Where applicable, Australian Standards maintenance guidelines will be followed (eg. AS1892.5 for ladders).
· The school will discourage access to roofs (eg. by placing “no unauthorised access” signs in appropriate locations).
4.3 Roof access points for extension ladders
· The locations of school roof access points are:
o Outside the P.E. Storeroom, between the Hall and Block F (accesses the roofs of both buildings).
o The western end of the Hall portico (access to portico only).
o South side of the Art Room near western end of Art Room porch (access to roof of Block E).
o South-west corner of Mod-5 Portable Classrooms (access to portable classroom roof only).
o South-west corner of Quadrangle (access to verandah roof around inner area of Block A).
o Western end of Block B (access to valley between roofs of Block B).
Access to these roofs must occur only at these points.
· The roof access points have been chosen using the following criteria:
o Closest to most balls most of the time.
o Allows convenient access to equipment that requires maintenance such as air conditioners, antennae and satellite dishes. Contractors will be consulted as appropriate.
o Solid and flat ground.
· For roof access points, extension ladder fixing devices will be installed just below the top ladder support point (eg. eyelets in the walls with chains, proprietary ladder devices). Devices may also be installed to secure the foot of the extension ladder.
· For tasks such as cleaning gutters where the ladder needs to move, the top of the ladder should be firmly and evenly supported (eg. by use of a removable ladder fixing device).
4.4 Volunteers
· Volunteers must comply with all requirements of the policy on Falls Prevention and its procedures.
· The Principal or a person nominated by the Principal will be made responsible for coordinating tasks where there is a risk of volunteers falling more than 2 metres. Risk assessments shall be carried out for such tasks.
4.5 Contractors
· Contractors must comply with all requirements of the policy on Falls Prevention and its procedures.
· Any contractor carrying out work where there is a potential to fall more than 2 metres must first complete a risk assessment for the task and demonstrate to the Principal or nominated representative that the work is being done in accordance with the OHS (Prevention of Falls) Regulations.
· The contractor must have emergency procedures and must communicate these to the school as part of the risk assessment process.
4.6 Emergency Procedures
Emergency procedures will be developed to ensure that people working where there is the risk of a fall of more than 2 metres can be rescued. For example, if a contractor was using an individual fall arrest system they would need to prepare emergency procedures for the rescue of a person suspended over the side of a building as outlined in the Code of Practice for Prevention of Falls.
Working alone or in an isolated location should be avoided. As a minimum, there must be an emergency procedure to ensure a person can receive assistance. This could consist of a sign in/out system plus a means of communication such as a mobile phone.
5. REVIEW
If an incident occurs involving a fall of greater than 2 metres this procedure will be reviewed. As a minimum this policy and related procedures will be reviewed every 12 months.
Grey Street Primary School is committed to ensuring this procedure is publicised and implemented and will regularly monitor and review its effectiveness.
Signature……………………………………. Signature……………………………………..
(Principal) (School Council President
Date……………………….. Date……………………….
ATTACHMENT 1 – Ladder Safe Work Practices
General guidelines for the safe use of ladders
· Do not use a ladder where you could fall more than 2 metres unless you have authorisation.
· All ladders must be rated “industrial” with a load rating of at least 120kg. Ladders should comply with Australian Standard AS1892.
· Check ladders for defects before use.
· Consider whether you need a second person to assist you or to hold the ladder. A second person may also be needed if you are working in an isolated area.
· Always have two hands free to ascend and descend.
· Ladders should be used on firm, level, non-slip surfaces.
· Work facing the ladder.
· Work within arm’s reach to avoid falling sideways.
· Do not work above something that could further injure you if you fall on to it.
· Never “walk” the ladder while standing on it.
· Do not work above another person.
· Do not use in the arc of an opening door or access area without sealing them off.
· Do not leave ladders which are in use unattended.
· Store ladders horizontally on hooks at waist height. Provide sufficient hooks to prevent sagging.
· Home made ladders and kitchen step stools must not be used in schools.
· Only insulated ladders should be used for electrical work.
Specific requirements for “A” frame step ladders
· Use only in the fully opened position with the spreader fully engaged.
· Ladders complying with AS1892 will usually have the highest rung that you can stand on labelled. If the rung is not labelled, your feet should be no higher than the third tread from the top plate (small 2-3 step ladders are excluded from this requirement as are platform step ladders).
· “A” frame step ladders must not be used to access a roof.
Specific requirements for extension ladders
· The ladder must extend 1 metre above the top support.
· The ladder must be set at an angle of 4:1 (ie. up 4 m, out 1m).
· The ladder must be firmly and evenly supported at the top (eg. lashed, ladder support device).
· The foot of the ladder must be held in place by a second person or be secured in place using some other appropriate means.
Step ladders with 2-3 steps used when persons can fall less than 2 metres
Use ladders with 2-3 steps whenever you are required to work off the floor for the purpose of, for example, putting up displays or removing/replacing items on shelves. You must use a suitable ladder and never a table, chair or crate. Use of eyelets/pulleys to lower and raise non-sag nylon clothes line is an even safer alternative to using a ladder to hang up students’ work.
Appropriate ladders are stored in the following locations:
· The Photocopy Room.
· The Art Room.
· The Library.
· The office in Block B.