I don't know if anyone can help me but I have a query about the use of fall arrest on Lighting Gantries. My Theatre has a lighting gantry system that runs the whole way round the auditorium & stage area with no real way to fall off it unless doing something completely stupid. Should we be using Fall arrest kit on it? I have been told by the install company that it isn't necessary but wanted to double check.
Cheers
Full Version: Fall Arrest
A lot depends on the height of your handrail. The figure escapes me, but I seem to recall it was something like 105cm. Of course that also depends on if there's a knee height railing as well. I have to wear a harness at the top of our radar tower because the handrail is 2cm too low for us to work up there without.
Fall arrest equipment opens up a bit of a can of worms when it comes to inspection, certification and training. I am trained to use fall arrest equipment when climbing masts at work and our equipment is all suitably checked and up to date.
However for a recent spell of followspotting at the top of a scaff tower at my amateur theatre I was presented with a very tatty looking builders harness. It wasn't inspected, they didn't ask if I was trained and there was no rescue plan in force. The only suitable mounting point was also on the scaffolding itself rather than fixed into the wall. I'm afraid I told them where to stick it. The railings around the tower and the climb into it were perfectly safe and compliant without the need for a harness anyway.
The point I'm making is, whilst a harness will probably prevent a serious injury if a fall does occur. As soon as you go down that route you have to be prepared to go down the route 100%. Suitable mounting points, equipment inspection, staff training, rescue plans. A lot to consider!
Whilst I wouldn't make a final call unless I saw the walkway myself, I'd be inclined to say if the handrails are there and adequate, there's very little need. Most accidents in my view, happen on the way to the work site (the ladders) rather than the platform itself.
What it may be worth looking at in risk assesment is how you'd deal with an accident of a different type (heart attack let's say) whilst somebody was up there and how do you get them down. This applies to all working platforms, whether safe for use without PPE or not.
Fall arrest equipment opens up a bit of a can of worms when it comes to inspection, certification and training. I am trained to use fall arrest equipment when climbing masts at work and our equipment is all suitably checked and up to date.
However for a recent spell of followspotting at the top of a scaff tower at my amateur theatre I was presented with a very tatty looking builders harness. It wasn't inspected, they didn't ask if I was trained and there was no rescue plan in force. The only suitable mounting point was also on the scaffolding itself rather than fixed into the wall. I'm afraid I told them where to stick it. The railings around the tower and the climb into it were perfectly safe and compliant without the need for a harness anyway.
The point I'm making is, whilst a harness will probably prevent a serious injury if a fall does occur. As soon as you go down that route you have to be prepared to go down the route 100%. Suitable mounting points, equipment inspection, staff training, rescue plans. A lot to consider!
Whilst I wouldn't make a final call unless I saw the walkway myself, I'd be inclined to say if the handrails are there and adequate, there's very little need. Most accidents in my view, happen on the way to the work site (the ladders) rather than the platform itself.
What it may be worth looking at in risk assesment is how you'd deal with an accident of a different type (heart attack let's say) whilst somebody was up there and how do you get them down. This applies to all working platforms, whether safe for use without PPE or not.
Cedd made a very valid point here - rescue plan.
Too often that part is overlooked when people start using fall arrest systems but what are you going to do if someone fell and was dangling 20ft up in the air?
Several reports and tests show that you have about 10-15 minutes to rescue a person before 'suspension trauma' sets in which is very likely to kill you. And if you think you can hoist a person back up onto the gantry without adequate mechanical aids, you are kidding yourself.
Another thing to consider is the difference between 'fall arrest' and 'fall prevention'. I would suggest that for a gantry a fall prevention system would be much more appropriate. Effectively a fall prevention system is based on a harness with a short lanyard that stops you from falling off in the first place.
BTW, a fall prevention lanyard is what people should wear when operating a boomlift, it should be short enough to stop you from falling out of the basket. Too often I see people wearing fall arrest lanyards in boomlifts.
Evacuation from the gantry is an other valid point, have a look and see if you could get a stretcher on and off the gantry. If not, have a chat to your local Emergency Services and see what they would suggest be appropriate. At the end of the day, should anything happen, it is their job to get a person down from the gantry and anything that assists in that is a worthwhile investment.
Too often that part is overlooked when people start using fall arrest systems but what are you going to do if someone fell and was dangling 20ft up in the air?
Several reports and tests show that you have about 10-15 minutes to rescue a person before 'suspension trauma' sets in which is very likely to kill you. And if you think you can hoist a person back up onto the gantry without adequate mechanical aids, you are kidding yourself.
Another thing to consider is the difference between 'fall arrest' and 'fall prevention'. I would suggest that for a gantry a fall prevention system would be much more appropriate. Effectively a fall prevention system is based on a harness with a short lanyard that stops you from falling off in the first place.
BTW, a fall prevention lanyard is what people should wear when operating a boomlift, it should be short enough to stop you from falling out of the basket. Too often I see people wearing fall arrest lanyards in boomlifts.
Evacuation from the gantry is an other valid point, have a look and see if you could get a stretcher on and off the gantry. If not, have a chat to your local Emergency Services and see what they would suggest be appropriate. At the end of the day, should anything happen, it is their job to get a person down from the gantry and anything that assists in that is a worthwhile investment.
This website has a lot of information about suspension trauma. Well worth reading.
Mods : Would this thread be better off moved to the safety forum?
Mods : Would this thread be better off moved to the safety forum?
QUOTE (Wingy @ 29 Nov 2007, 12:15 PM) 
... no real way to fall off it unless doing something completely stupid. ... I have been told by the install company that it isn't necessary but wanted to double check.
Sounds to me like they're probably right, I suggest you just avoid doing anything completely stupid. (Which includes implementing cumbersome systems of fall arrest/work restraint, increasing fatigue and generally making your life uneccesarily complicated for no good reason.)
Or - if you really don't think you can be adequately certain of not just randomly diving off a platform in spite of handrails etc., you should probably also modify your lifestyle outside of work to avoid bridges, stairs, balconies and pretty much all forms of public transport.
Sean
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