Scaffold
CODE OF PRACTICE- PREVENTION OF FALLS IN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION.
SCAFFOLD AND HAND RAIL MUST BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BELOW GUIDELINES
6.9.1 Risk Controls – general
Builders and subcontractors must assess and control the fall of people undertaking roofing work.
Critical angle
One of the key risk factors to be considered when determining the type of risk control measures to put in place for roofing works is the pitch of the roof. The critical angle is the roof pitch below which it is considered that roof workers may reasonably be able to work and walk across the roof.
Builders and subcontractors should determine the critical angle as part of their risk assessment in accordance with section 3.3. In no case should the critical angle be taken as greater than the following:
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10 degrees for roofs where the presence or likelihood of surface moisture, oil or other conditions makes the roof slippery.
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23 degrees for fully glazed tiles or metal deck roofing materials
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26 degrees for concrete or semi-glazed tiles or shingles
Access/egress
Suitable access must be provided for workers to access the roof to undertake works. The access should incorporate the following as appropriate to the edge protection system being used.
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Workers should be able to access through the roof edge protection without having to climb over the top or mid-rail
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Guarding to openings should be self-closing.
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Access ladders should be secured against movement.
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Where a platform is located more than 300 mm below the roof edge, then additional means of access to the roof should be provided.
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Where a tile elevator is used it should be installed so that tiles can be received at the roof level.
Work up to 3 metres
Where roof workers are not exposed to the risk of an external fall of greater than 3 metres AND the pitch of the roof is not greater than the critical angle, then the primary risk control measure may be the establishment of a cleared area around the perimeter of the building known as a “clear zone”.
Where a clear zone is relied on as part of the fall control measures it must:
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Extend 2 metres out from the edge of the gutter line
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CONSIST OF NATURAL SOIL
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Be barricaded where there is risk of other people entering the zone
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Be kept clear of all hard surfaces, impalement hazards (including fences, set out hurdles, stumps and partial verandah structures), and building materials including brick pallets and timber, and other obstacles.
All other roof work
Where the risk of a fall or the likely injury consequences from a fall are increased, then additional control measures should be implemented. A system of physical fall protection should be provided under ANY of the following circumstances:
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Where a worker maybe exposed to the risk of a fall greater than3 metres.
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Where a 2 metre clear zone cannot be established
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Where the 2 metre clear zone is no longer being maintained.
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The pitch of the roof is greater than the critical angle.
6.9.2 Guard rail systems for roofing work
Guard rail systems should include top, mid and bottom rails or toe boards. Where toe boards are used in place of a bottom rail they must be able to withstand the likely impact loads.
The design and testing of guardrail systems should comply with: AS/NZS 4994.1 Temporary roof edge protection for housing and residential buildings, Part1 general requirements.
The installation of guard rail systems should be in accordance with:
AS/NZ 4994.2 Temporary roof edge protection for housing and residential buildings, Part 2 Installation and dismantling, and include the following:
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Toe boards or mesh infill to prevent tools, materials and debris falling from the roof. Unless a 2 metre no go zone has been established to prevent people entering the area below.
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A clear gap between rails not exceeding 450mm
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No gap between the roof edge, including the gutter, and a guardrail located outside the roof line exceeding 100mm
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A clear distance between the roof cladding and the bottom rail on not less than 150mm and not greater than 275mm
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An effective guardrail height above the roof surface of not less than 900mm or greater than 1100mm. ( for roofs over 10 degrees pith the effective height should be measured from a point 300mm inside the roof edge.)
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Non-structural infill panels where the pitch of the roof exceeds the critical angle.
CODE OF PRACTICE – (NO.29)- PREVENTION OF FALLS IN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, 31MARCH 2004
6.9.3 Working near overhead power lines
Legislation in the state of Victoria prohibits any work involving the use of a crane within 6.4m of overhead power lines, this also includes phone lines and Pay TV cables. Working too close to overhead lines creates a risk to building products and drivers, along with the potential to cause damage to a customers peoperty. Any fines or damages can come at a huge expense to the company or the customer involved.
Deliveries will not be complete if a 6.4m clearance cannot be achieved from overhead lines.
On commercial sites it may be permissible to deliver material where the crane may approach within 6.4m if the builder can provide a suitably trained and competent Spotter (Safety Observer) In order to be deemed competent the Spotter must have completed the Energy Safe Victoria approved Spotters Training Course.
All customers are being asked that when placing orders consideration be given to ensuring that there is adequate clearance from overhead lines to allow our drivers to safely and legally deliver their products. If you are unsure of the clearances applicable to your site please contact out Transport Department prior to delivery and they may be able to advise you.
6.9.4 Overhead Services
If you are working with plant 'near' an overhead service and following the No Go Zone guidance material, you may work up to:
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3000mm from an overhead electrcial
cable on a pole; and
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8000mm if the electricity
cable is on a tower line.
If the design envelope of the plant is able to encroach on this clearance in it's working position:
If you cannot comply with these No Go Zone safety procedures, then NO work should be undertaken without specific permission from the electricity company.
No Go Zone safety procedures are also being developed for specific industries such as the waste industry. These will be available from the office of the Cheif Electrical Inspector, WorkSafe Victoria or the Office of Gas Safety. (See Diagram 1 for a representation of the No Go Zone clearances around an overhead electrical cable).
Diagram 1: Clearances from
Overhead Electrical Cables
6.9.5 Underground Services
There are current legislative technical obligations, including special safety considerations, procedures and processes required of employers undertaking work near overhead or underground services.
The term 'near' is utilised as a reference point for employers undertaking this work. This term is applied when the worksite is:
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A distance of 6400mm from overhead cables at voltages
equal to or less than 66kV and 10000mm in the cae voltages
greater than 66kV; or
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A distance of 2000mm from an underground service or
3000mm from an asset registered under the pipelines
act or an underground electrical cable with a voltage
greater than 66kV.
Note: a spotter must be used for working inside these clearances for overhead electricity services unless specific industry guidance does not call this requirement up. Clearances from services must be safely determined by a competent person when completing a JSA.
RIX ROOFING ARE ABLE TO ORGANISE YOUR SCAFFOLD AND HANDRAIL REQUIREMENTS.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS DOCUMENT.
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