Section 1
18.2 Working at Height
18.2.1 Purposes and Objectives (Introduction)
Objective: To minimize the risk associated with exposure to gravitational energy when working at heights, ensuring the safety of all personnel involved in such activities.
Establish minimum expectations for working at heights through well-defined processes and practices, enhancing overall safety culture.
Outline implementation processes to meet minimum requirements for safety and health, ensuring internal accountability for Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) performance, particularly for projects categorized as Category 1, which generally involve higher risks.
Serve as a crucial bridging document for the CLP Group’s comprehensive Safety Standards that pertain specifically to working at heights, ensuring consistency across all project operations.
Establish a risk-based approach utilizing the 'Hierarchy of Controls' (HoC) method, which prioritizes the elimination of hazards over other measures.
Aim to proactively eliminate the need for working at heights wherever possible during the design stages and throughout the entire project life cycle, thereby reducing exposure to potential fall hazards.
18.2.2 Definitions & Acronyms
Key Terms
100% Tie-off: An operative must be secured via a fall arrest system at all times while working at heights. This practice is crucial for mitigating fall risks.
Anchorage Point: A secure connection point for a fall protection system, designed to support significant impact loads experienced during a fall, ensuring workers are safeguarded.
Billy Pugh: A specialized basket used for safely transferring personnel over bodies of water, essential in maritime operations.
Full Body Harness (FBH): A harness made of a series of straps that securely encompasses a worker; must incorporate a "D" ring for safe attachment to fall protection equipment.
Contractor Group: Refers to the company that is executing a contract with CLP Group or its subsidiaries, responsible for adhering to all stated safety protocols.
Independent Lifeline: A vertically suspended rope that provides a secure point for personnel to traverse in elevated areas safely.
Horizontal Lifeline: An anchor point allowing for secure movement across its length while providing essential protection against falls; must be anchored at both ends and designed to support substantial static loads.
Management of Change (MOC): A structured and formalized process aimed at approving any deviations from established plans and procedures, crucial for maintaining safety during project execution.
CLP Project Management Team (PMT): A multi-disciplinary team tasked with overseeing project execution, ensuring that safety procedures are adhered to throughout the process.
Elevated Rescue Kit (ERK): A specialized device designed to allow for rapid descent during rescue operations, ensuring swift and safe recovery of workers.
Suspension Trauma Relief Straps (STR): Emergency straps that enable a fallen worker suspended in a harness to relieve pressure and prevent serious injury due to suspension trauma.
Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL): A fall arrest device that connects a harness to an anchorage point, automatically retracting to reduce fall distances and enhance safety.
Site HSSE categorization: A systematic method for establishing internal accountability concerning HSSE performance by project contractors, ensuring alignment with safety standards.
Vessel Safety Management System (VSMS): A safety management system similar to HSSE but specifically tailored for operations on marine vessels, focusing on maritime safety protocols.
18.2.3. References
Document No. CLPH-GOHSE-STD-003.1.2: Comprehensive CLP Group Safety Standards that address protocols and best practices for working at heights, detailing requirements and procedures to ensure safety.
Other referenced documents which provide additional safety protocols and standards for working at heights that are essential for compliance and worker safety.
18.2.4. Application
These guidelines are applicable to all activities where there is a risk of freefall, which may lead to serious injury or fatality; thus, comprehensive adherence to these standards is imperative.
18.2.5. Pre-Requisites
Compliance with all local safety requirements and comprehensive training for workers engaged in tasks at elevated heights are mandatory to ensure readiness and safety.
It is crucial that all planned activities are meticulously organized to minimize potential fall hazards, ensuring a proactive approach to safety.
18.2.6. Roles & Responsibilities
18.2.6.1 CLP Project Management Team (PMT)
Confirm and clearly communicate a project-specific working at heights program, which includes safety measures and protocols.
Provide necessary resources, equipment, and training while establishing clear performance expectations for adherence to safety standards.
Conduct regular reviews and audits to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions accordingly, maintaining high safety standards.
18.2.6.2 Contractor Group
Develop, implement, and rigorously monitor compliance with project-specific working at height programs, ensuring all safety procedures are followed diligently.
Report performance metrics and safety incidents to the PMT to facilitate transparency and accountability in safety practices.
18.2.6.3 Engineering Teams
Engage in facility Safety in Design assessments to proactively mitigate risks associated with gravitational energy during project phases, ensuring the integration of safety in design processes.
18.2.7. Planning, Processes and Systems
18.2.7.1 Risk Management
Actively seek to eliminate or significantly reduce the necessity for working at heights via meticulous planning and by employing the hierarchy of controls to prioritize safety measures.
18.2.7.2 Design
Ensure that safety considerations are a foundational element of designs, particularly when working at heights is unavoidable; innovative fall prevention methods should be developed using prioritized approaches.
18.2.7.3 Design Requirements
All temporary work platforms must adhere to specified safety standards and regulatory requirements; the use of bamboo scaffolds is strictly prohibited due to safety risks.
18.2.8. Training
18.2.8.1 Principles
Workers must not only recognize hazards but also undergo comprehensive training tailored for work at heights, instilling a robust safety culture.
Written assessments should be employed to validate workers' comprehension of safety practices and their application in real-world scenarios.
18.2.9. Emergency Response
18.2.9.1 Principles
Organizations must establish clear, well-documented rescue plans for employees working at heights, specifically addressing potential suspension trauma and ensuring effective response mechanisms are in place.
18.2.10. Performance Measurement
18.2.10.1 Responsibilities
Assign specific roles and responsibilities for data collection, processing, and reporting, along with the implementation of corrective action plans to uphold safety standards.
18.2.11. Management of Change
Develop a robust process for managing changes to specific working at heights procedures, ensuring that safety is maintained at all times amid any modifications.