Working In Confined Spaces: Fall Protection Requirements

Are you aware of the fall protection requirements for confined space work in the UK? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has specific regulations to ensure worker safety. This article outlines these requirements.

What are the Key Confined Space Regulations?

The HSE regulations for confined space work include the following:

• Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• Work at Height Regulations 2005

Specific regulations and supporting guidance deal with many other hazards, for example:

• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989;
• Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005;
• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992;
• Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002;
• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

What is Fall Protection?

Fall protection is a set of measures that prevent workers from falling while working at height. These measures include using personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineered fall protection systems, such as harnesses, fall arrest devices, davit arms and tripods.

What is a Confined Space?

As defined by the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, a “confined space” means any place, including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk.

Requirements for Confined Space Work

• Risk assessment: Before work commences, a risk assessment must be completed to identify “specified risks” and “other hazards not specific to confined spaces”
• Planning and preparation: Before work starts, a safe system of work must be prepared. This document will address the specified risks to reduce the specified risks to an acceptable level. This will include appropriate PPE and engineered systems, access and egress and rescue.
• Training and instruction: “Workers must have adequate training and experience in the particular work involved to be competent to work safely in a confined space”
• Regular inspection and maintenance: An inspection regime must be established in accordance with regulation 12 of the Work at Height Regulation 2005. For further information, a practical guidance note can be found on the WAHSA website.

Abtech Safety Tripods

Abtech Safety tripods are renowned for reliability and quality, designed to simplify access and escape for workers operating in hazardous areas. They are also ideal for rescuing workers in case of an emergency.

Abtech Safety offers two types of tripods: the T3 and the RT3. Both are designed for two persons, with a Safe Working Load (SWL) of 250kg and a 6:1 safety ratio.

Here are some key features of each tripod:

RT3 Tripod Maximum height of 2.6 meters and 2.15 meters when closed Maximum base of 2.0 meters and a minimum of 1.3 meters Weighs 21.5kg Six anchor points and three overhead pulleys Designed for two persons, with an SWL of 250kg and a 6:1 safety ratio Ideal for rescuing workers from hazardous situations Each leg can be adjusted individually. Stability lanyards can be attached to the feet and pinned to the floor Lightweight and easily transportable, with an aluminium alloy construction

To protect confined space workers fall protection is essential. The regulations outlined by the HSE can be found here.

Abtech Safety's T3 and RT3 tripods provide reliable fall protection for workers in confined spaces. Contact Abtech Safety today to learn more about their safety equipment and services.

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