Participants of the online conference “Compliance with Occupational Safety Requirements for Work at Height” – Svetlana Shevchenko, PhD in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Vice President of the All-Russian Intersectoral Association of Employers “Safety and Quality Association”, Rector of the TechnoProgress Institute of Further Training; Igor Tsirin, PhD in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Adviser to the Director General of the All-Russia Research Institute of Labour under the Russian Ministry of Labour; Vladimir Chumakov, teacher and expert in teaching methodology of the highest qualification grade specializing in Alpinism, Mountain Climbing, and Rescue Works, the Honorary Worker of Education of the Russian Federation – held the discussion in a Q&A format:

How come that the risk of falling starts from a height of 1.8 metres?

Igor Tsirin: “The definition of works at height contains a mark of 1.8 m. There’s no unified approach to risk calculation, since a person can fall on a plane surface and sustain fatal injuries. Rules No.155n of March 28, 2014 include two points dedicated to this issue – No. 3 and No. 3a, and p. No. 3 states which works belong to works at height, while p. No. 3a divides works into groups. Before we used to have a figure of 1.3 m, while in Europe it was 6 feet – 1.8 m, which was explained in many ways: 1.8 is an average height of a worker, and technically, 1.8 m means the restrictive length of a tie-back, etc. However, essentially, if there are any problems in case of a fall, the height is not an issue to discuss. Before carrying out any works at height three questions arise: how to move and work at height safely, how to evacuate safely in case of a problem, and how to get to the height safely. I’d like to note that ascending and descending can’t be excluded, and it’s possible to fall from a human height as well. Only one certain method of risk calculation may not be advised, since in fact there are over 70 methods to estimate all risks.”

In terms of rules, can works on scaffolds or in a travelling cradle with a barrier of 1.1 metre be considered works at height?

Igor Tsirin: “Yes, works in a travelling cradle or on scaffolds are works on height with means of access used. The first measure is to exclude works at height. If works on height can’t be excluded, other measures come into view: personal protection equipment, barriers. If the enclosure is not solid, there still remains a risk to fall over, while travelling cradles are less hazardous. Though it definitely doesn’t solve the entire problem.”

What are requirements for engineering system ladders? Why vertical ladders with back hoops are commonly used?

Vladimir Chumakov: “There are many ladders of this type on engineering systems. Hoop barriers can be called arched guards. These arches need to be linked with vertical elements to be safe. In this case one can, for example, lean against the arch. In case of an incidence a hoop will definitely not help, it’s not a safety means. At the present time these elements are not mandatory, in my opinion. Vertical anchor lines are better be in place, since they work great.”

Igor Tsirin: “Choosing between an accommodation ladder and a fixed one, between a caged ladder and one without any barriers, the anchor line creates comfort to ascend and descend. When such means are used, work is done in a much more efficient way.”

Why is it advised to get a primary training for carrying works at height in a specialized, licensed organization?

Svetlana Shevchenko: “There are three concepts: qualification, teaching of skills at height and knowledge assessment. Qualification is about a profession. You can create a training centre under your organization, get a license and be included in the Registry of the Ministry of Labour. And when it comes to teaching how to work at height, practical knowledge is absolutely critical to imitate real life situations.”

Is a period of probation required after training?

Igor Tsirin: “Probation means consolidation of knowledge received in the course of training and development of skills at the workplace. It’s required not for line personnel only, but for decision makers as well. In the rules expected to be adopted in 2021, for some categories the responsibility for this issue is shifted to the employer, so that they could adjust all their specificities, solve problems related to means of access, ganging and correct establishment of a work permit list. The problem is that groups do not split up, the 2nd and the 3rd groups started experiencing administrative pressure. Groups 1 and 2 include members of the gang that carry out works as such, and the 3-rd group prepares these works, analyses, etc. In the draft of rules of January 1, 2021, this aspect is neatly and thoroughly edited, so many legal acts on labour safety are crushed by the guillotine.”

Can knowledge assessment in the organization be replaced in a training centre?

Igor Tsirin: “Knowledge assessment is held in the commission of the organization or in a corporate division. The knowledge assessment procedure and presentation of the results are held under procedure established in the organization. The combination is possible. Eventually, the responsibility is always taken by the employer.”

How do fixed workstations differ from non-stationary works at height?

Vladimir Chumakov: “Fixed workstations have a permanent location (take a travelling crane driver as an example). There are more fixed factors than variable ones. Work at height with a rope access system is an illustrative example of a non-stationary workplace with the use of mobile equipment. Itinerant nature of work is another attribute.”

Igor Tsirin: “Since January 1, 2021, such terminology will become a thing of the past. As per the current understanding, a non-stationary workplace is a workplace that changes in the process of work.”

How can compliance with occupational safety and health rules be ensured in ditches or trenches of more than 2 metres?

Igor Tsirin: “The most hazardous thing of work at height is a fall of someone or something. The same applies to deep confined space work. There can be such problems as descending/ascending, flooding, sloughing, gas contamination, fall of ground. Everything should be decided when developing a work implementation plan: an angle of slope is defined beyond which the fall will not be possible. In this case it’s necessary either to reinforce walls from the fall with framings, or to work without framing and shape an angle of slope to eliminate the slope at all. It’s necessary to choose what suits a certain site. Sure, it all depends on the depth of excavation. There should always be two routes of evacuation, a barrier; all stones need to be removed, and lighting should be provided at night.”

How can works be carried out safely if they are on the roof and there’s nothing to attach a safety cable to and no anchor line, and nothing to attach it to at all?

Igor Tsirin: “There should always be safety means in place. If there’s a risk to fall, there are no other options. Given today’s human progress and a level of development, stationary safety lines should replace their predecessors. Unfortunately, the only thing that prevents it is their cost. Broadly defined, it’s difficult to do, since there’s a vandalism factor. The operation regulations for residential properties should be observed. If an organization can’t ensure safety, it should not take up the work.”

Organizers of the event: TechnoProgress Institute of Further Training, ExpoForum International, the All-Russian Intersectoral Association of Employers “Safety and Quality Association”.

The Partner of the event: Gazprombank (Joint Stock Company).