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Here is the major change for use
of cages as extracted from the new Note PM28. (Non Integrated)
There is a free down load pdf file link at the bottom of this article.
OCCASIONAL USE
12. The Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 7(2)(b) places a
duty on employers to select the most suitable work equipment for the
task to be carried out regardless of the duration of the task.
Nevertheless, it is foreseeable but unacceptable that people will often
use unsafe methods of access to height for short duration and occasional
tasks. For example, a substantial number of serious accidents occur when
people are lifted on the forks or a bucket and on pallets or stillages
placed on the forks of fork lift trucks. To encourage safer working
practices, in these exceptional circumstances, occasional use of
non-integrated working platforms with forklift trucks is allowed in the
UK in accordance with this guidance note. This occasional use is allowed
in the UK but may not be allowed in some other EU member states. As
such, there is NO free movement of
non-integrated working platforms throughout the EU and they
MUST NOT be CE marked.
Examples of occasional use are..
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a. non-routine
maintenance tasks for which it is impractical to hire in purpose
built access equipment,
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b. the replacement
of light fittings in high rise warehouses if the task is not carried
out as part of periodic maintenance operations
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c. tasks that would
otherwise be carried out using less safe means of access such as
ladders, because it is impractical to hire in purpose designed people
lifting equipment due to the short duration and occasional nature of
the task, e.g. clearing a blocked gutter d. checking on high-level
damage to racking suspected of causing an immediate risk or checking
on the condition of damaged roof lights.
14. Routine or planned tasks particularly those
associated with production or pre-planned activities, such as periodic
maintenance or stocktaking, are not exceptional circumstances and are
thus not examples of occasional use. Generally, non-integrated work
platforms do not provide as high a level of safety as purpose built
access equipment. Consequently, forklift trucks fitted with
non-integrated working platforms are not suitable for order picking,
routine maintenance or the transfer of goods or people from one level to
another.
Training
34. People expected to work on platforms and truck operators shall be
aware of the restricted uses given in paragraphs 13 & 14. They should be
properly trained and given full instructions on safe systems of working
with platforms, including the action to be taken in the event of an
emergency and the dangers associated with leaning out of the working
platform.
Health and Safety at Work
etc Act 1974
77.The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) places duties on
employers and persons
who have control of premises to ensure the safety of their employees and
others who may be affected
by their work activities. A risk assessment of any work at height shall
be carried out under the
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The assessment
shall identify the
measures needed to comply with all relevant legislation applicable to
the intended work at height.
.No Responsibility accepted for the accuracy of this article
(8/9/05)
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Course
Time Table (This
is only a strong guide) |
|
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
½ Day |
Introduction.
to
Course |
Health and Safety
Confirmation (Note PM 28 (Second Edition)) |
Written knowledge
conformation test. |
Operating and
lifting procedures |
Practical Assessment & Course
Wind up |
|
to offer a Basic and Refresher Training courses
for companies who need to establish a
working team around the operation
of a lifting cage attached to a lift truck. With the changes going from
advisory to must both in the LOWLA and Working with Heights Code of
Practice issued by the HSE there is a strong requirement to risk asses
all jobs on the ground and if this can't be achieved then a safe
operating procedure at height needs to be put in place. If that is to
use a cage on a lift truck then there is a need then to provide training
and supervision for that operation and of course the proof that the
personnel that is using the kit are properly trained for that.