WORK AT HEIGHT

High Incidences of Accidents

while working at Height
Miscellaneous
08%

Transport vehicle
16%

Electrocution
11%

Fall of Object
Fall of Person
08% 57 %
 Falls in Construction
 Falls are the leading cause of deaths in the
construction industry.

 Most fatalities occur when employees fall from open-

sided floors and through floor openings.

 Falls from as little as 4 to 6 feet can cause serious

lost-time accidents and sometimes death.

 Unguarded open-sided floors, periphery and

platforms 6 feet or more in height led to many
accidents.
 Working at Height

We shall discuss about;

 Preventing fall of materials & person while
working in
 Ladders
 Scaffolds
 Working Platform
 Working on Roofs
 Safety Equipment & Devices
LADDERS
 LADDER
TYPES
 PORTABLE
 STOCK (SINGLE)
 EXTENSION
 STEP
 TRESTLE
 ROPE
 BUILT-UP / FIXED
 LADDERS
Construction:
The design of ladder shall confirm to
 IS 3696 (Part 2): 1991
 Metal ladder shall conform to IS 1977:1975
 Aluminium alloy shall conform to IS 617:1975

 Side rails (Stiles) of metal ladders shall be of sufficient

cross-section to prevent excessive deflection in use.
 Slip-resistant shoes shall be used to avoid danger of
slipping.
 Make shift ladders shall not be permitted.
PORTABLE LADDER
 Single / Stock Ladder
(IS 3696 – 1966)
 Single section only,
 Length not more than 10 m,
 Side rails may be parallel or
wider at bottom.
 Distance between rungs.
Not less than 250 mm.
Not more than 350 mm.
 Must support 4 times the
maximum load.
 Width between side rails;
 290 mm - up to 3 m Length

 +6 mm - for every 0.3m

Length
 Extension Ladder

 Over-all length not to exceed 18 m;

 Sliding section not to exceed two in
number.
 Step Ladder
A- shaped, Self-supporting, hinged at upper
end with a spreader arrangement
 Wide flat step at one end only & other acts
as a strut.
 Overall height not more than 6 m &
chained / Roped mid-way & bottom is ht
more than 3 m;.
 Do not use the top platform of the
stepladder unless designed.
 Min. width 30 cm at top with a spread of
25 mm for every 30 cm length.
 Trestle Ladder
Similar to step ladder, but the other side also
used for climbing and rungs circular in shape.

 Height not to exceed 6m;

 The rungs not less than 30 mm
dia;
 Rungs spaced not more than 45
cm
 15 cm per 30 cm Min. width 30
cm at top with a spread of 25 mm
for every 30 cm length.
 Built-up/Fixed Ladder
These are built and fastened to the job & not
moved

 Rung spacing 300 mm c/c max;

 When height exceeds 9m, landing
platform to be provided;.
 Cage or well, and multiple ladder
sections, each section not exceeding 50
feet;
 Distance between the inner face of the
fixed ladder:
 290 mm for 3 m & 6 mm increase
for every 0.3 m increase in length.
 Ladders
DO's
 Angle should be approximately 750 to the
horizontal (1:4) four up, one down
 Stiles to extend at least 1 m above the
step-off point
 No rung should be missing
 Laced at the level of the platform
 Firm & fitted with a non-slippery foothold
 Ladders
DO's
 Rungs shall be clear of oil/ grease etc.,
 Secure the top of the ladder, as needed.
 In aisles or where there may be the danger
of traffic, have someone hold the ladder.
Post a warning sign..
 Face the ladder when ascending or
descending.
 Hoist materials or attach them to a belt.
 Ladders
Don'ts
 Hang any tool from the rungs
 Stand any higher than the third rung from the
top of a ladder.
 Keep metal and wet wooden ladders near live
electrical circuits.
 Use ladder horizontally as a work platform.
 Stretch or reach beyond the side rails of a
ladder. You could lose your balance.
 Ladders
Don’ts
 Use make-shift ladders.
 Allow more than one person at a time.
 Face away from the ladder while ascending or
descending.
 Carry a load that will prevent both hands from
holding rung.
 Over-reach on a ladder.
 Scaffold Safety

Pole/ Post/Standard

Runner/
Ledger

Bearer
Sole Plate
Base Plate Cross Bracing
Longitudinal Bracing
Independent Scaffold

Pole/Post/Standard

Bearer

Runner / Ledger

Cross Bracing

Sole Plate

Base Plate
 Scaffolding
 A temporary structure that supports one
or more platforms;
 Support workmen, plant and materials
during:
 Construction
 Maintenance
 Repairs &
 Demolition
 Types of Scaffold

3 basic types:
 Supported scaffolds:
Platforms supported by rigid, load
bearing members, such as
Standards, legs, frames, &
outriggers etc.,
 Suspended scaffolds: Platforms
suspended by ropes or other non-
rigid, overhead support
 Aerial Lifts -- such as “Boom
trucks”
 Scaffold Specification
(OSHA)

Medium Heavy
Light Duty Duty Duty

25 psf 50 psf 75 psf

Uniformly Distributed Load
122kg/m2 244kg/m2 366kg/m2

Transverse distance between Posts

1.8m 1.8m 1.8m

Longitudinal Distance between Posts

3.m 2.4m 1.98m

Vertical distance between Runners

(Ledgers) 1.8m 1.8m 1.8m
 Cross or Transverse Bracing
 Cross bracing shall be
installed across the width
of the scaffold at every
third set of Poles and Pole/Post/
every forth Runner Standard
Bearer
vertically. Runner/
Ledger
 Such bracing shall extend
Cross
diagonally from the inner Bracing
and outer runners upward Sole Plate
to the next outer and
inner Runners
Base plate
 Longitudinal Bracing
Longitudinal diagonal bracing on the
inner and outer rows of poles shall be
installed at approximately a 450 angle Pole/Pos
from near the base of the first outer post Standard
Bearer
upward to the extreme top of the
Runner/
scaffold. Where the longitudinal length of Ledger
the scaffold permits such bracing shall Cross
Bracing
be duplicated beginning at every Fifth
Sole Plat
Post.
In a similar manner longitudinal
Base plate
diagonal bracing shall also be installed
from the last post extending back and
upward toward first post.
 Tying to Structure
(OSHA)

Tied Post

Tied Post

The entire scaffold shall be tied securely against the building at

intervals not exceed 30 feet horizontally and 26 feet vertically.
 Plan Bracing
(IS 3696 (Part 1) 1987)

In places, where tying to structure is not possible Plan Bracing can be provided
as shown
 Tying to Structure

Tie through Opening Scaffold fixed to Form ties

Cross or Transverse Bracing

Tie around a Column

 Tubular Frame Scaffold
(OSHA)

 Designed to support 4 times the maximum rated

load.
 Braced by cross bracing or diagonal braces or both.
 Set on adjustable bases or plain bases.
 If load bearing capacity of soil less base to be set on
sole plate.
 Each such joint to have a coupler two stacking pins
 Secured to the structure at Intervals not to exceed
9m (30 feet) horizontally and 8m (26 feet) vertically.
 Scaffolds above 38m (125 feet) height shall be
designed by a Professional Engineer
Mobile Scaffold
 Mobile Scaffold
 When free-standing height not exceed four times
the minimum base dimension.
 To support four times the maximum intended
load.
 All wheels shall be provided with a positive
locking device
 To be braced by cross bracing or diagonal braces
or both
 Platforms shall be tightly decked secured against
displacement.
 Platforms shall be provided with guard rail
 Mobile Scaffold
 The force to move the scaffold to be applied as
close to the base as practicable
 To be moved only on level floors free from
obstructions and openings.
 The wheels to be provided with rubber or similar
resilient tires
 Workmen not to be allowed to ride on mobile
scaffold.
 All materials to be removed before mobile scaffold
is moved.
 Wheels to be locked while scaffold in use.
L&T System Scaffolding
L&T System Scaffolding
L&T System Scaffolding

Erection Sequence
 After compacting & leveling
the ground, mark the longer
& shorter span dimension of
2.250 m & 1.525 m using
measuring tape.
 Place the foot plate at
marked position
Erection Sequence
 Assemble the tower spindle with foot
plate using spring locked pin

 Place the tower spindle with foot

plate using spring locked pin at all the
four legs of tower
 Erection Sequence

 Erect the basic frame  Erect the basic frame 1.80

1.80 at other end
Erection sequence

 Place the bracing H-225

between the Basic frame

 Place the Diagonal bracing

D-18.225 at the same
direction
Erection Sequence
 Place the horizontal
bracing H-225 between
the basic frame at upper
level

 Follow the Same

Sequence of Placing of
the Bracings at other end
Erection Sequence

 Place the plan bracing

D-12.225 to check the
diagonal of tower at top
level

 Check the level of Tower

using water level
Erection Sequence

 Align the tower using line

thread

 Place 3 no’s of Scaffold

board top of tower
Erection Sequence

 Tie the safety belt at top

of the basic frame

 Insert the HD coupler

top of the basic frame
using spring locked pin
Erection Sequence

 Insert the HD coupler top of the

basic frame using spring locked
pin all the four legs

 Erect the second unit of basic

frame 1.20
Erection Sequence

 Erect the basic frame 1.20 at

other end and insert the
spring locked pin at 4 legs

 Place the diagonal bracing

D-12.225 and Horizontal
bracing H-225 between the
basic frame 1.20
Erection Sequence

 Repeat the said

procedures.
View of the tower after
Erection
 Foundation Formwork

 Care to be taken while

lowering the components into
the excavated pit

 Formwork components to be
stacked at a Safe distance to
prevent falling of the
components and sand slide
into the excavated pit
 Wall / Column formwork
• Good Rigging Practices to be
followed while lifting the formwork
assembly
• Strength and Location of lifting
hooks on the formwork to be
checked
• Panels to be pre-checked for
defects or damages before lifting
• No loose materials to be kept on the
formwork panels or platforms while
lifting the panel
 Flex System

 All the main props to be fitted

with Tripod
 All the intermediate props to
be fitted with supporting head
 In ground level work, proper
earth compaction and
necessary bearing below the
prop shall be given
 Heavy Duty Tower

• Every 6m interval (vertically)

bracing to be fixed with
permanent structure or from
one tower to the other.
• Ground level earth to be
compacted well for better
loading
 Stair Tower

 Ground level earth to be

compacted well
 Every 6m interval (vertically)
bracing to be fixed with
permanent structure
 Coir rope / binding wire not to be
used in place of M10 bolt
 Bracings & lock pins not to be
omitted under any circumstance
 Access Scaffold
 Ground level earth to be
compacted.
 The system to be braced at
every 6m-height level with the
permanent structure.
 Old / damaged components not
to be used.
 Coir rope / binding wire not to be
used in place of Platform hanger
 Bracings not to be omitted under
any circumstance.
 Lift Shaft Formwork

 Proper Slinging and Rigging Practices to be

followed while lifting the formwork assembly
 Strength and Location of lifting hooks on the
formwork to be checked
 No loose materials to be kept on the formwork
panels or platforms.
 Panels to be pre-checked for defects/damages
before lifting
 Adequate space (gap) to be ensured before lifting
the inner panel platform
 Slipform
 Provision for Earthing and
RCCBs of 30mA sensitivity
for electric power supply
 Lightning arrester
 Aviation Light
 Communication
arrangement
 Safety aspects in Hoist
and Winch
 Bracing of access tower at
every 6m height
 Handrail and toe board in
the platform
 Safety nets to trap the
falling materials
 Adequate illumination
 Fire Extinguishers
 Workmen entry register
 Stacking of Materials

Collect & stack required components &

tools nearby work place
 Scaffolding
Hazards / Risks

 Failure to secure the scaffold to the

building;
 Inadequate bracing;
 Failure to brace it adequately;
 Inadequately supported scaffold board;
 Erected on uneven ground;
 Use of unsuitable or faulty materials;
 Absence of suitable number of couplers;
 Inadequate access or unsecured ladder;
 Hazards / Risks
 Inadequate or irregular platform width;
 Overloading of platform and scaffold;
 Use of makeshift materials;
 Gang ways obstructed.
 Absence of toe boards and guard rails where
necessary;
 Absence of good drainage system near the standards
to prevent erosion.
 Precautions to Be Taken

 Surface - firm, level and compacted;

 Sole plates below the base plates;
 Sole plate shall rest on at least two vertical pipes
and should extend 600 mm beyond the vertical
pipes;
 Staging braced at every height of 6 m;
 Sufficient diagonal bracing.
 Scaffolding
Erection
 Scaffolding
Erection

 By skilled workmen with the supervision of a

competent Supervisor.
 Cordoning the area.
 Lifting of frame and other parts by the use of
Derrick & Pulley arrangement
 Ladder shall be used for climbing up and down.
 Red Tag shall be provided to caution that the
scaffold is under erection
 Scaffolding
Erection

At the end of the day, if a scaffold is going to be left

half-erected, it is essential to lower all the loose
scaffold materials down and ensure that the scaffold
is braced adequately to the building/structure.

Double Lanyard Safety Harness shall be used by all

workmen engaged in scaffold erection works.
 Dismantling of Scaffolding

 Dismantling only by Skilled Workmen

 Cordoning of the area
 Red Tag to be displayed
 Lowering of the materials by the use of Derrick and
Pulley arrangement
 Each tier shall be completely dismantled and the
material lowered to the ground before beginning to
dismantle the next tier
 Materials not to be dropped
 Dismantling of Scaffolding
Double lanyard safety harness to be anchored to a
strong structure or lifeline before attempting to
loosen stuck or jammed parts

At the end of the day, if a scaffold is going to be left

half-dismantled, it is essential to lower all the loose
scaffold materials down and ensure that the
scaffold is braced adequately to the
building/structure

All the dismantled materials shall be stacked in the

appropriate manner at the designated place
 Scaffold Tag System


Date of Inspection:

Signature of Competent Person


Date of Inspection :

Signature of Competent Person

 Scaffold Tag System
Red Tag
This tag indicates that the scaffold is under
erection or dismantling or has not been
inspected or is not safe for use (by anyone
other than scaffold gang).

Green Scaffold Tag

This tag indicates that the scaffold is
complete & it has been inspected by
competent person and is safe for use.
GREEN scaffold tag is valid for one week
from the date of last inspection.
WORKING PLATFORM
Work-Platform
 Working Platform
 Designed to support the weight of the personnel and
equipment to be used.
 Fully decked with scaffold boards.
 Scaffold boards to be secured against
displacement.
 Erected on stable scaffold.
 Provided with a ladder or any other safe means of
access.
 Provided with guardrail:
 Height of the top rail between 900 mm to 1200
mm.
 Toe guard to be of minimum 100mm height.
 Working Platform
 Midrail to be provided halfway between the
platform and the top rail
 Toe guard shall be of minimum 100mm height
 Posts and rails shall be capable of withstanding a
force of at least 900N applied at any point, or
withstanding any load likely to be applied
 Barriers to be provided on open edges, holes and
openings in the platform.
 The minimum width of Working Platform shall be
as follows,
 Only Workmen: 600 mm
 Men, tools & materials: 900 mm
 Men, tools, material & wheel barrows: 1200 mm
Scaffold Board
Few Don’ts
Crane Suspended Platform
 Crane Suspended Platform
 Man-cage to be limited unless there is no safer means of
access to an elevated work area.
 Use of Crane Suspended Platform for carrying out welding
works shall be avoided, as this may lead to damage of
crane hoist rope.
 Not to be loaded above 50% of the lifting capacity
 Have a minimum safety factor of ten for the load line (wire
rope) of the crane.
 Crane Suspended Platform
To be designed by a Structural Design Engineer. The man
cage shall be designed so as to:

 Support self weight and at least 5 times the maximum

intended load.
 Keep tools, materials, and equipment from falling by
having a standard guardrail system that is enclosed
from the toe board to the mid-rail.
 Have rotation-resistant rope with a minimum safety
factor of ten.
 Keep the platform free from sharp edges, which may
cause laceration to the occupants
 Adequate headroom for workmen
 Crane Suspended Platform
Hitch:
 Provided with four leg bridle hitch connected
to a master link or shackle so that the load is
evenly positioned among the bridle legs
 Hooks must provided with Hook Latch.
“Mousing” is prohibited.
 The designated slings not to be used for any
other purpose than hoisting personnel.
 Crane Suspended Platform

Use:
 Training to those, who will travel
 Safety belt hooked to the crane hook
 Tagline to control the movement
 Unguarded Edge

Unprotected sides and edges must have guardrails or

equivalent
 Sides & Edges - Improper protection

This 1/4" nylon rope alone is not a proper way

to guard this open floor
 Floor Openings

This opening could be made safe by using a

guardrail, or strong cover
 Improperly covered Floor Openings

• Cover completely and securely

• If no cover, can guard with a guardrail
Few Don’ts
Few Don’ts
Few Don’ts
Few Do’s
Few Do’s
Fall Protection
 Safety Belt
Lanyard Anchorage
Point

Full Body harness / Max Free

Waist Safety Belt Fall Allowed
1.8 m

For more than 2.0 m height

 Lanyard to be anchored to a fixed

point
2 m or
 Free-fall not to exceed 1.20 m more
 Lanyard not more than 2 m.
Ground Level or Level
of adjacent surface
Full Body Safety Harness
(IS 3521 :1999)
Working near floor Edge & Opening
 Rope Grab Fall Arrester
Ladder

Rope
Grab Fall
Arrestor
Full Body
Harness
Vertical
Class -L Life Line

 Rope grab fall arrestors used during vertical

movement such as ascending or
descending Scaffold towers, vertical ladders
etc.
 Rope Grab Fall Arrester

 Rope grab fall arrestors used to protect fall

of workers during vertical movement such
as ascending or descending Scaffold
towers, vertical ladders etc.
 Life Line
 20mm diameter polypropylene rope or 8 mm wire
rope
 Anchorage capable of supporting at least 2264 kgf
 Anchored to strong points
 The sag of the life line shall not be more than 15
degree Life Line
Anchorage
Point

Lanyard Support

Full Body harness /

Waist Safety Belt

Usage of lifeline
Retractable Type Fall Arrester
 Retractable Fall Arrester

Retractable fall arrestors shall be

used in places where high risk of fall
of workmen persists.

This fall arrestor can be directly

anchored to the anchorage or can be
used in conjunction with a lifeline
 Safety Net
Safety net protects

 Person from falling

 Protect person working below
 Safety net distance should not exceed 7.5 m
 Net shall extend
 up to 1.5 m 2.40 m
 1.5 to 3.0 m 3.00 m
 > 3.0 m 4.00 m
 Person from falling
 Tie cord at every 1 m
 Border rope to withstand 5000 lbs (2268kg)
 Drop test - 180 kg from 1 m above the working
area
 Boatswain Chair
Suspension Anchorage

Suspension rope
Fall Arrest
Anchorage Point

Rope Grab Fall

Arrestor with
vertical lifeline

Full body harness with

Suspension seating
arrangement
 Boatswain Chair
Suspension Anchorage
It must be capable of supporting at least twice the
potential impact load of a worker's fall

Suspension seating arrangement

Seating arrangement with strap & front suspension
O-ring
 Boatswain Chair
Suspension Rope
 Rope with a locking snap-hook.
 Not less than 36 mm polypropylene rope or
 Any synthetic rope of equivalent strength
 For hot works steel wire rope of minimum
10mm diameter shall be used

Fall Arrest Anchorage Point

 Anchorage capable of supporting at least
2264 kgf
 Boatswain Chair
Testing

 Tested at least once a fortnight by a

competent person

 Testing to be done by raising the working

platform 300 mm above the ground
loading it with at least 3 times the
maximum weight intended load