Results

To reduce the risk of injury or damage a safe system of work for work at height should include planning to ensure: As much activity as possible should be carried out at ground level ...

Personnel need to regularly check the working area for anything that could present a risk to the integrity of the equipment. They should also avoid placing or storing equipment where it may be...

Prior to commencing operations, incident commanders should consider putting in place appropriate supervision and ensure that personnel are competent to work in confined...

Selection and use of suitable equipment Any equipment provided for use in a confined space must be suitable for the purpose. If there is a risk of flammable gases in a confined space,...

All personnel have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and that of any other person. This can be through identifying and communicating hazards they encounter to other...

This control measure is based on information provided by the Health and Safety Executive in relation to the hierarchy of control for working at height. Any work at height must be risk...

Because of the nature and severity of the risks faced while working in confined spaces, it is essential that fire and rescue services, taking into account their risk management plan, establish...

This control measure should be read in conjunction with Situational awareness   At incidents that involve working at height there may be instances where the incident commander...

Using rope-based systems for access and rescue gives additional flexibility in certain operational environments, but they can be vulnerable to damage or failure. This can lead to catastrophic...

Personnel need to be aware of the area and surface they may be operating near or on. Warning signs should be found at the approaches to roofs with fragile coverings. Gaining situational...

At every work at height incident, personnel will have to select the equipment required. In most cases all equipment will need to be carried manually or hauled by hand. This will mean that...

An assessment must be carried out to identify whether the space is confined. Some spaces will become confined spaces because of the work to be carried out in them or because of changes in their...

Avoiding entry into a confined space to deal with an emergency, should always be the preferred approach. The Confined Spaces Regulations and the Confined Spaces Regulations (Northern Ireland)...

Isolation from gases, liquids, and other flowing materials When operating in a confined space, the ingress of gas, liquids or flowing materials will affect the environment, which may...

To prevent collapse or further collapse of an unstable surface, trench, excavation or other natural or built environment, access to the surrounding area should be carefully...

An incident involving an unstable or collapsed opening may require: Shoring Removal of fallen or collapsed materials Isolation of machinery or vehicles Relocation of loads,...

Shoring can be described as temporary support to elements of a structure using metal or timber shoring systems and can be provided by urban search and rescue (USAR) teams. Shoring...

An incident involving above ground structures can be complex due to the size, shape, purpose and surrounding area. It may be beneficial to use joint on-site training to identify and plan for...

This control measure should be read in conjunction with Situational awareness   Incidents in below ground structures may present significant challenges in gathering information and...

This control measure should be read in conjunction with Specialist resources   Fire and rescue services may need to provide equipment and personnel to assist specialist organisations,...