The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Work at Height) Regulations 2010

Regulation 13(2)

SCHEDULE 1 REQUIREMENTS FOR LADDERS

1.  A ladder shall be positioned so as to ensure its stability during use.

2.—(1) A suspended ladder shall be attached in a manner that —

(a) is secure;

(b) ensures it cannot be displaced; and

(c) prevents it swinging.

(2) Paragraphs (b) and (c) of sub-paragraph (1) do not apply to a rope ladder.

3.—(1) A portable ladder shall rest on footing that is stable, firm, of sufficient strength and of suitable size and composition safely to support the ladder so that its rungs or steps remain horizontal.

(2) Where, owing to the movement of a ship, it is not reasonably practicable to ensure that the rungs or steps of a portable ladder remain horizontal, all appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure the stability of the portable ladder.

4.  The feet of a portable ladder shall be prevented from slipping during use by—

(a) securing the stiles at or near their upper or lower ends;

(b) any anti-slip device; or

(c) any other arrangement of equivalent effectiveness.

5.  A ladder used for access shall be long enough to protrude sufficiently above the place of landing to which it provides access, unless other measures have been taken to ensure a firm handhold.

6.  No interlocking or extension ladder shall be used unless its sections are prevented from moving relative to each other while in use.

7.  A mobile ladder shall be prevented from moving before it is stepped on.

8.  A ladder shall be used in such a way that—

(a) a secure handhold and secure support are always available to the user; and

(b) the user can maintain a safe handhold when carrying a load by hand.

Regulation 14

SCHEDULE 2 REQUIREMENTS FOR SCAFFOLDING

1.  Strength and stability calculations for scaffolding shall be carried out unless—

(a) a note of the calculations, covering the structural arrangements contemplated, is available; or

(b) the scaffolding is assembled in conformity with a generally recognised standard configuration.

2.  Depending on the complexity of the scaffolding chosen, an assembly, use and dismantling plan shall be drawn up by a competent person. This may be in the form of a standard plan, supplemented by items relating to specific details of the scaffolding in question.

3.  A copy of the plan, including any instructions it may contain, shall be made available for the use of the person supervising and the workers concerned in, the assembly, use, dismantling or alteration of the scaffolding.

4.  The bearing components of the scaffolding shall be prevented from slipping by—

(a) attachment to the bearing surface;

(b) provision of an anti-slip device; or

(c) any other arrangement of equivalent effectiveness.

5.  The load-bearing surface of the scaffolding shall be of sufficient capacity.

6.  The scaffolding shall be assembled and positioned to ensure its stability.

7.  Wheeled scaffolding shall be prevented by appropriate devices from moving accidentally during work at height.

8.  The dimensions, form and layout of scaffolding decks shall—

(a) be appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed;

(b) be suitable for the loads to be carried; and

(c) permit work and passage in safety.

9.  Scaffolding decks shall be assembled in such a way that their components are prevented from moving inadvertently during work at height.

10.  There shall be no dangerous gaps between the scaffolding deck components and the vertical collective safeguards to prevent falls.

11.  When any part of a scaffold is not available for use, including during the assembly, dismantling or alteration of scaffolding, it shall be—

(a) marked with general warning signs in accordance with the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 2001(1); and

(b) suitably delineated by physical means preventing access to the danger zone.

12.  Scaffolding shall be assembled, dismantled or significantly altered only under the supervision of a competent person and by workers who have received appropriate and specific training in the operations envisaged in accordance with regulation 12 of the General Duties Regulations and regulation 11 of the Work Equipment Regulations, which shall include training about—

(a) understanding the plan for the assembly, dismantling or alteration of the scaffolding;

(b) safety during the assembly, dismantling or alteration of the scaffolding;

(c) measures to prevent the risk of persons or objects falling;

(d) safety measures in the event of changing weather conditions which could adversely affect the safety of the scaffolding;

(e) permissible loads;

(f) any other risks which the assembly, dismantling or alteration of the scaffolding may entail.

13.  For the purposes of any provision of this Schedule, “competent person” means the person possessing the knowledge or experience necessary for the performance of the duties imposed on that person by that provision.

14.  For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Schedule, the keeping of a copy of a plan includes keeping the plan in a form—

(a) in which it is capable of being reproduced as a printed copy when required; and

(b) which is secure from loss or unauthorised interference.

Regulation 15(1)(b)

SCHEDULE 3 REQUIREMENTS FOR ROPE ACCESS AND POSITIONING TECHNIQUES

1.  A rope access or positioning technique shall be used only if—

(a) subject to paragraph 2, it involves a system comprising at least two separately anchored ropes, of which one (“the working rope”) is used as a means of access, egress and support and the other is the safety rope;

(b) the worker is provided with and uses a suitable harness and is connected by it to the working rope and the safety rope;

(c) the working rope is equipped with safe means of ascent and descent and has a self-locking system to prevent the worker falling should the worker lose control of his or her movements;

(d) the safety rope is equipped with a mobile fall prevention system which is connected to and travels with the worker;

(e) the tools and other accessories to be used by the worker are secured to the worker’s harness or seat or by some other suitable means; and

(f) appropriate training in accordance with regulation 9, 10 or 11 of the Work Equipment Regulations, including training in rescue procedures, has been provided to the worker or workers concerned.

2.  A rope access or positioning technique may involve a system comprising a single rope where—

(a) the risk assessment has demonstrated that the use of a second line would entail higher risk to persons; and

(b) appropriate measures have been taken to ensure safety.

(1)

S.I. 2001/3444.