Training on fall protection as part of occupational health and safety. (Photo: © THOR Industriemontagen GmbH & Co. KG)
September 2024
Work on lifts is frequently carried out at heights above one metre. From a height of more than 100 cm, there is a risk of severe injuries in the event of a fall. What must an employer take into account?
By Udo Niggemeier
When it comes to risks of falling, the employer has to take Section 5 of the Occupational Safety Act and Section 3 of the German Social Accident Insurance Regulation 2 into account. As part of its risk evaluation, it must lay down suitable measures to protect its employees. It should apply the STOP principle in selecting the measures. S-T-O-P stands for Substitution, Technical, Organisational, Personal protective measures.
What does this mean for example for the car roof workplace? The “S” stands Substitution. According to the principle, hazardous materials should if possible be replaced by other materials before other protective measures are taken. An S-measure would be if care was already taken during design to avoid any gaps greater than 30 x 50 cm. This would rule out the risk of falling and further measures would not be needed.
A T-measure would be presence of a railing to prevent falling. In general, only railings with a height of 100 cm or 110 cm provide adequate protection in the case of large clearances, tripartite design and adequate stability. In the EN standard series, railings with a height of 70 cm are in part also permitted. However, this involves a breastwork and not genuine fall protection.
As long as you stay in the area of the breastwork and no external forces act on your body, the risk of fallings is reduced to an acceptable level. However, as soon as you bend over the breastwork or machinery with recoil forces (electric screwdriver, power drill) is used, the risk increases markedly and further protective measures must be taken.
An O-measure is not directly possible. But employers should ensure in advance that employees are capable in mind and body of fulfilling the tasks assigned to them. For example, those with a pronounced fear of heights, dizziness, etc. are certainly not suited to work involving the risk of falling or special protective measures must be taken.
P-measures are the last measures for work involving the risk of falling but often involve great risks themselves. In the case of personal fall protection equipment (PFPE), the fall is only safely absorbed from a fall height of about 500 cm. After this, the rescue of the victim must be guaranteed to avoid a severe risk of hanging trauma. This means that working alone is not possible.
PFPE is advantageous as a retention system since it can prevent falling and thus facilitate working alone. In general, employees must undergo regular training in handling PFPE. The PPE Use Regulation specifies theoretical and practical instruction here. In addition, PFPE must be checked at least once a year by an expert.
All PPE has something in common: it requires a secure attachment point. Some lift companies have marked attachment points on the car roof, which is undoubtedly a good solution for maintenance and care.
Suitable attachment points can usually be found in existing lifts. However, in the case of new buildings or larger modernisations, the attachment points have to be created before installation. The so-called life line system has proven its value here. This is a rope that is anchored in the shaft head ceiling and runs through the shaft. You can securely suspend yourself with your own PPE using approved attachment equipment.
Conclusion: There is a risk of falling in many kinds of work in lift construction! Its removal in advance through sensible design measures is essential. If this is not possible (for example, in the case of old lifts), additional protective measure are needed. Employees must be instructed regarding the risks, the employer must provide suitable PPE – if necessary – and the employees must be instructed on its proper use.
The author is the managing director of ASIB-Niggemeier and first chairman of the Board of Management of the Association of SME Lift Companies (VmA).
Working on ladders: Ladders are frequently used when working on lifts. There is always a risk of falling here in particular. The legislature has made clear specifications in TRBS 2121 Part 2. Although the technical regulation was published in December 2018, there still seems to be a big backlog in the implementation in lift construction.
Ladders with steps may only be used as a means of access (e.g. to enter the shaft pit). Working on ladders is only permissible if you have a tread depth of at least 80 mm for the working area and given a stand height of 200-500 cm may not exceed two hours per work shift.
If you diverge from the regulations, documenting this as part of the hazard evaluation is urgently recommended. Moreover, occupational safety measures must be specified that reduce the risk to an acceptable degree.
Digitalpaper
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