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WORKING AT HEIGHT

04 Approved as per L/SPS/PSO/0511; Issue for Construction

03 Comments Incorporated; Issue for Approval
02 Revised as per comments, Issued for approval
01 Issue for Comments/Review
Rev. Description Prepared Checked Approved Date

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 Job N° Doc N°

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1- Introduction
2- Responsibilities
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3- Working Platforms
4- Fall Arrest Equipment
5- Movement And Working At Height

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1. Introduction

1.1 Document Purpose

Exposure of personnel to be working at heights must be avoided where there is a practicable alternative.

This Safe System of Work provides the guidelines and precautions that must be adhered to in order to
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reduce the risks involved with personnel working at heights to as low as reasonably practicable.

1.2 Document Scope

The contents of this Safe System of Work apply wherever personnel are required to work at heights of
1,80 m or above on …………….

1.3 Requirement to Work at Height

The guidelines in this document only reduce the risks involved with working at height to a point where
they are as low as reasonably practicable. They do not remove the risks entirely. For this reason,
wherever possible, every effort shall be made to minimize the need for personnel to work at elevated
positions.

In addition, all personnel have an obligation to halt any activity that they believe to be unsafe.

If work is of a short duration where it is not practical to provide a complete working platform the provision
of personal fall restraint/arrest equipment must be provided to operatives.

Personnel who are designated to work activity at height shall be fit for work and have no medical
impediment which will affect their ability to work safely at height.

Where working at height is undertaken Emergency Rescue must form part of the risk assessment for that
particular activity.

Where applicable, whilst working at heights a Primary and Secondary Lanyard to be utilized in the event
of a failure to either one.

2. Responsibilities
Project Manager is responsible for all activities on site.

2.1 TAAM Constructions Manager

The Construction Manager is responsible for:

 Ensuring the requirements of this Safe System of Work are fully implemented and followed on
the site

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 Appointing competent person(s) to inspect and certify fall arrest equipment and associated
systems, scaffolds, etc., as safe to use.

 Ensure all activities involving working at height are suitably planned with all foreseeable
hazards addressed.

2.2 Supervisors
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Supervisors of personnel working at height are responsible for following and implementing the guidelines
and precautions included in this safe System of Work. Supervision shall ensure that all personnel under
their control comply with the same systems to ensure safe working at heights.

2.3 Competent Person

The competent person shall be suitably trained, experienced and qualified to carry out the inspections and
examinations, etc., as detailed in this Safe System of Work. Competent person will be authorized by
TAAM Project Manager.

2.4 Planning of Working at Height

Planning of the work should consider the progression of work with the regard to providing Safe
Access/Egress and for undertaking the work activity. Typically consideration should be given to:-

 Site specific risks

 Access Equipment

 Ladders

 Mobile Access Equipment

 Fixed or Mobile Towers

 Access onto Vehicles

 Weather Conditions

The above considerations will form part of any Safe Method of working and associated Risk
Assessment for work activities.

2.5 Weather Conditions

As these will play the major part in any Working at Height operations daily up dated weather forecasts
must be obtained from a recognized authority i.e. Coastguard or Met Office to plan daily operations. Most
preferable would be 3-day outlook. Then after competent person to do inspections and give the go ahead
for work to begin. All workers aloft if not happy with the weather conditions are able to terminate the work
at any time if they deem it is unsafe to work. The following are also to be taken into consideration.

 Handling of types of equipment

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 Operation of equipment

 Hazards at workplace

 Lifting Operations

 Erection methods

For the termination of work, below criteria will be taken into account:
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 Harsh winds with a speed above 14 m/s,

 Heavy Rain,

 Storm,

 Lightning, etc.

2.6 Edge Protection

To prevent personnel or materials falling from heights the following to be utilized: -

Created Openings

Where an opening is created during activities, which may allow personnel and materials to fall a suitable
barrier must be provided which will include a toe board to prevent materials from falling over the edge.

Voids

Where voids are created during construction, hard scaffold barriers will be erected to prevent personnel
falling into/down the void. The use of boards to cover voids will be permitted if the boards are fixed
properly..

Working on Roofs
Working on any roof of any structure on the SAMIR UPGRADE PROJECT edge protection (Toe Boards,
Barriers ) and/or standard, proper lifeline must be provided where the potential to fall may be present.

Fragile Roofs
 Safe and adequate boarding to be supplied to prevent personnel from falling through roofs of this
nature.
Shallow Sloped Roofs:

 Guard rail systems – Toe Boards and Fixed Barriers.

 Personnel fall arrest systems

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 Combination of securing line system (Fixed wire) and guardrail system, or safety monitoring
system
Steep Sloped Roofs
Work on roofs with slopes greater than 4 in 12, with unprotected sides and edges 1,80m or more above
lower levels, shall require fall protection in the form of guard rail systems with toe boards, safety net
systems or personal fall arrest systems. Edge protection must be provided.

Flat Roofs
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Portable Barriers to be erected with built up toe board wherever deemed necessary in terms of safety
reasons.

Sloping Roofs

Personnel to wear fall arrestors secured to safe point. Additional scaffolding to be built up to roof height
and Portable Barriers to be erected wherever required. And applicable.

3. WORKING PLATFORMS

The preferred system for working at heights requires the use of permanent fixed platforms closely
boarded temporary scaffold platforms with guardrails or handrails fitted, and approved for use by a
competent person, for personnel working at raised elevations. Platforms may also include:

 Mobile Elevated Working Platforms (MEWPS) wherever required.

 Aerial lifts (boom, scissor and snorkel types) used in accordance with manufacturers
recommendations

 Scaffolding that has been erected to meet all requirements (refer to Scaffolding Procedure

 Man lifting baskets, specifically designed and fully certified will be used in accordance with
requirements. Certification will be provided by third party inspection annually for man baskets,
while internal checks/inspections will be performed every 3 months.

Personnel using the above equipment must have received and achieved the relevant training standard
before operating the equipment.

Regular inspection, maintenance of Working Platforms to be dully logged.

Personnel working from mobile platforms must wear safety harness with lanyard attached to a suitable
and adequate restraining point.

MEWPS must only be operated on suitable and adequate level surfaces, where this equipment is to
be used on site a suitable assessment of the work area must be undertaken during the planning stage
for any preparations of work area if required.

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4. Fall Arrest Equipment

4.1 Use of Fall Arrest Equipment

Where work at height must take place without a fixed working platform, fall arrest equipment shall be used
at all times. Personnel will be attached securely at all times to adequate hook-on points.

Fall arrest equipment shall:

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 Be capable of limiting a fall to two meters or less

 Include a full body harness with double latch self-locking snap hooks at each location

 Include a shock absorber/lanyard

 The lanyard must be attached above head height.

 The lanyard must be attached by a lockable snap Karabiner.

Specific training for fall protection will be provided for the users of fall arrest equipments.

Full body harnesses and lanyards shall also be subject to color coding.

Harnesses, inertial reels, lanyards and lifelines, shall not be used for purposes other than protection of
personnel.

Lifelines shall be installed by qualified persons only and controlled by the competent person assigned by
Tekfen Project Manager. Lifeline shall comprise of anchor points fixed on a strong and stable body and
steel wire stretched through the anchor points by using come-alongs.Two clamps will be used as a
minimum to tie the wire on the end points of lifeline and wherever practicable, the distance between two
anchor points shall be maximum 5 m. Lifeline shall be checked at stretching points, at ends and at anchor
points prior to every use.

4.2 Storage and Maintenance of Fall Arrest Equipment

Storage of equipment will be placed in a designated container or storage shed with only authorized
personnel having access to.
All fall arrest equipment and systems shall be visually inspected at regular intervals, tested and color
coded in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and in accordance with Lifting Equipment
and Lifting Operations Procedure. Any equipment that is damaged or has been activated shall be
removed from service immediately for maintenance.

Any harness, lanyard or lifeline that has been subject to in service loading shall be removed from service
for maintenance.

Safety harnesses, inertial reels, lanyards and lifelines shall be inspected before each use and by a
competent person. Any damaged items shall be removed from service immediately for maintenance.

Any used fall arrest equipment must be cleaned regularly.

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5. Movement and Working at Height

5.1 Access

Use only the safe means of access provided. Do not climb bracing or frames that are not specifically
designed for climbing.

Note: All personnel are responsible, where necessary for insisting that proper and safe means
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of access are provided.

5.2 Movement

While working at height, personnel shall take care to move and climb safely. In particular, when on
ladders:

Only suitable purpose built ladders and steps will be used for access.

 Face the rungs as you climb up or down.

 Use both hands on the ladder and maintain ‘three point’ contact (keep one hand firmly on frame
or ladder at all times)

 At no point will materials be carried by personnel whilst climbing or ascending ladders.

 Ensure footing and balance before releasing hand grips

 Will not be used in heavy rain and heavy wind (more than 14 m/s)

 Personnel will not work outside any barriers or edge protection without any fall protection

Home made ladders will not be used at site.

5.3 Cladding

 Before starting and during the cladding work wind speed shall be consider.

 Each cladding sheet must be installed one by one.

 Cladding material (sheet) packet can be stored on top if enough place and in safe condition.

 Cladding material will be properly secured while on elevation.

 Lifelines will be installed by qualified persons and inspected by a qualified supervisor.

5.4 Safe Use of Ladders

Ladders may be used as a short-term alternative to scaffolding or as means of access to scaffolding,

providing the points listed in this section are considered.

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Note: Ladders are potentially dangerous. The must common type of accident occurs
through a ladder slipping.

 Always place a ladder on a firm base, set the angle near to 75

 Make sure the ladder projects well above the level at which the user stands (1.2m or more)

 Ensure sufficient overlap between stages of extension ladders

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 Do not load ladder beyond maximum intended load

 Barricade traffic areas in vicinity of ladder use, and lock, barricade, or guard doorways in which
a ladder is placed

 Keep area around the top and bottom of ladder clear

 Do not use top or top step for standing/stepping

 Do not stand on cross bracing

 Always face the ladder when ascending or descending

 Always maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder (2 feet/1 hand or 2 hands/1 foot should be in
contact with ladder at all times)

 Carry tools in pouches around waist; use a rope to raise or lower large items such as toolboxes
or materials

 Do not overextend sideways. Use the belt buckle rule: keep your belt buckle positioned
between the side rails at all times, which will maintain your center of gravity

 Never allow more than one worker on the ladder at a time

 Do not erect ladders on sloping surface leaning to one side or at to steep an angle

 Do not erect ladders for use as a plank or bridge

 Secure ladder at top and bottom.

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