How many times have you seen this? Air Conditioning units within 2 meters of a height hazard. This is a very common site on roofs all over New Zealand.
When anyone works at height, they could be seriously injured or killed unless they use the right height hazard controls. Even if the job is of short duration controls must be in place.
"Doing nothing is no longer an option" (Worksafe NZ)
Always use the hierarchy of significant hazard controls when deciding which roof access
and safety controls to use. Some examples for servicing the above air conditioning unit are:
Eliminate: Can we move the unit to a safer area or the ground?
We can but this would cost efficient. Tip: When installing new units do so in an area in excess of 2 meters from a potential fall hazard.
Isolate: Can we install a physical barrier use edge protection or scaffolding?
Yes but building the scaffold would take far longer than it would for me to carry out the short annual service.
Minimise: Can we set up a total restraint system to protect us from falling?
Yes installing certified anchor points/safety system are an option however users must be trained for work at heights and have tagged/compliant equipment.
Elimination and Isolation controls are the priority. When carrying out short-duration work, personal control measures like work positioning systems (fall restraint), industrial rope access or fall arrest systems are acceptable and more cost efficient.
What type of training would be required for a Air Conditioning Technician to carry out a job like this?
(NZQA) unit standard 15757 is considered the minimum training requirement for fall arrest work.
If I have a certified anchor installed what other PPE is required?
No, once the anchor point/system has engineer sign off it has a life of 10 years. During this time our Height Safety specialists will inspect, maintain and re certify the anchor points/system.
When anyone works at height, they could be seriously injured or killed unless they use the right height hazard controls. Even if the job is of short duration controls must be in place.
"Doing nothing is no longer an option" (Worksafe NZ)
Always use the hierarchy of significant hazard controls when deciding which roof access
and safety controls to use. Some examples for servicing the above air conditioning unit are:
Eliminate: Can we move the unit to a safer area or the ground?
We can but this would cost efficient. Tip: When installing new units do so in an area in excess of 2 meters from a potential fall hazard.
Isolate: Can we install a physical barrier use edge protection or scaffolding?
Yes but building the scaffold would take far longer than it would for me to carry out the short annual service.
Minimise: Can we set up a total restraint system to protect us from falling?
Yes installing certified anchor points/safety system are an option however users must be trained for work at heights and have tagged/compliant equipment.
Elimination and Isolation controls are the priority. When carrying out short-duration work, personal control measures like work positioning systems (fall restraint), industrial rope access or fall arrest systems are acceptable and more cost efficient.
What type of training would be required for a Air Conditioning Technician to carry out a job like this?
(NZQA) unit standard 15757 is considered the minimum training requirement for fall arrest work.
If I have a certified anchor installed what other PPE is required?
- A Fall Arrest harness
- A Fall Arrest lanyard
- Helmet
- A site visit by our Height Safety Specialist to assess site and access
- Our Charted Professional Engineer (CPEng) will ensure the structure is of adequate strength and provide a Producer Statement 1 (Required is Best Practice Guidelines 2012)
- Anchor point would then be installed then inspected by our CPEng who will provide a Producer Statement 4
- Anchor point will be certified for a year and require inspection annually
No, once the anchor point/system has engineer sign off it has a life of 10 years. During this time our Height Safety specialists will inspect, maintain and re certify the anchor points/system.