Report a problem, Prevent a Fatality.

This month saw the release of the latest safety poster from IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association). Here we see the emphasis on incident reporting.

Previously we have seen "Protection of anchor lines" (FM-120ENG V008 07/03/2017) and "Dropped Objects"(FM-323ENG V002 21/05/2019) safety posters.

I welcome all proactive behaviour in regards to safety at height, but like everyone I have my own opinions and thoughts.

Should we be getting to this point?

Industrial Rope Access should be carried out systematically. In this, I mean that we should follow a "fit for purpose operating procedure" of how we go about work.

Guidance is offered within the code of practice, the essential elements of a safe system of work include:

a) proper planning and management;

b) the use of trained, competent persons;

c) good supervision;

d) the careful selection of appropriate equipment;

e) proper care, maintenance and inspection of equipment;

f) proper control of working methods, including:

(i) provision for emergencies;

(ii) the protection of third parties;

(iii) the use of work equipment;

(iv) exclusion zones.

So with this in mind, there has been a failure in system if we have got to a stage where we are reporting an incident. In my opinion there should be a lot more emphasis on the planning and management stage of rope access operations, including a thorough hazard identification and risk assessment process.

Ok, ideal world scenario, You get a client contact you regarding a work scope. You arrange a site visit (chargeable ￡) and a competent company representative (again in my opinion and in an ideal world, the Rope Access Supervisor who will be supervising the scope) attends.

He carries out a job planning form. This doesn't have to be war and peace, 2 pages will suffice. As long as it covers the details. A brief description of works, Anchor selection, Rigging and Emergency planning, Hazard identification, avoidance and rope protection, Third party protection (other workers and the public)

This will then be used as a base to start the method statement and Risk Assessment. It can then be reviewed by others within the company or your team.

Once costs have been agreed and documentation has been produced specific to the site and task, a date can be booked for the completion of the works.

Site team arrive on site and carry out site familiarisation and go through the method statement, Risk assessment and carry out a POWRA (point of work risk assessment) or Dynamic Risk assessment (has anything changed from the time of the site visit).

If everything is as it should be to the paper work than you are good to proceed, If any changes to the work site or task then these will have to be documented and/or authorised by company seniors, Rope Access Supervisor and/or client.

A constant good standard of supervision should take place for the entire duration of the scope of works. Not for the Supervisor to disappear for a smoke or lay and sunbathe on the roof.

If something has been noticed whilst the scope of works is being conducted the work should cease, make work site safe and get yourself and others to safety. It is then that the process would have to return to the start and you would go through, planning, hazard identification etc etc.

A good way to think or visualise this is the PDCA cycle ( Plan, Do, Check, Act)

So that would be the ideal world, But being a realist i know that this isn't the case in some/majority of instances.

Often teams/companies will have a client contact them, book the date there and then, they turn up without any prior information with a generic set of RAMS.

Don't get me wrong there are some instances where this can't be helped, but, You must take the time conduct a job planning form or POWRA rather than just off the cuff rigging.

Report... to who?

So let's get back to the poster "Report a problem, Prevent a fatality". A strong and relevant message. But to whom should we report?

Notify the technician in danger?

Report to Company owner?

Report to Site manager or Site H&S?

Report to IRATA H&S team?

Report to Health and Safety Executive?

I personally have confronted technicians and Supervisors of poor practice and dangerous acts, I have contacted company owners of their employees ineptitude, ignorance and incompetence. More often than not its received with abuse, disagreement or taken and filed away in room 101.

Personally I think we need to intervene where needed to prevent a fatality. Confrontation isn't for everyone, but it is a necessity. I'm not saying the poster is insinuating that you just toddle off to find someone to report an unsafe act to, whilst leaving the person to carry on. But we need to make that contact with the person first.

The poster isn't a bad thing! Im not dismissing its legitimacy! It's just that I think we should be, as I've stated above, be focusing on prior aspects of the Rope Access Safe System of work.

As always I welcome comments, opinions, thoughts!

All IRATA posters, safety bulletins and releases can be found here https://irata.org/publications