In 2005/06, falls from height accounted for 46 fatal accidents at work and around 3350 major injuries. Falls remain the main cause of work place death and injury.
What is 'working at height'?
Its height if a person could be injured when falling from it. You could even be underground.
The government rules apply to everyone on a site or at a work place whether working or not.
- All work must be carefully planned
- All operatives must be fully trained
- Ladders must not be used for long periods
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT
The management of High Vac Gutter Cleaners recognise the statutory duties on employers, employees and customers under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
To enable these statutory duties to be carried out it is the policy of this company, so far as reasonably practicable, to prevent personal injury and damage to property.
To ensure that responsibilities for health, safety and welfare are properly assigned and fulfilled at all levels.
It is therefore the intention of this company, so far as reasonably practicable, to ensure that:
1. The provision and maintenance of equipment and systems of work are safe and without risk to health.
2. Arrangements for use, handling, and transport of equipment are safe.
3. Adequate information and training are available detailing the conditions and precautions necessary to secure the health, safety and welfare of all staff and customers.
4. All necessary safety devices and protective equipment are available and used according to manufacturers or suppliers instructions.
5. All employees are responsible for ensuring that this policy is effectively implemented by making daily checks on all equipment and dealing with problems as they arise.
6. All staff at work will take necessary steps to protect health, safety and welfare of themselves and all other persons who may be affected by his actions and omissions.
7. The working environment of all staff is safe and without risks to health which include adequate provision for welfare and first aid.
High Vac will ensure this health and safety policy is appraised and updated as necessary.
This version was updated April 2007.
METHOD STATEMENT FOR GUTTER CLEANING USING POLES
WORKING ENVIROMENT
All high level vacuuming on house’s, blocks of flats and office buildings will be carried out using our pole vacuum system. We will have cables trailing from the van and we will have warning signs displayed and these will be placed about 5 metres apart. We will endeavor to keep cables on public pavements to a minimum.
There will also be warning signs inside the doorways when we are cleaning above them on Blocks of Flats and Office buildings.
When using the pole we will always endeavor to extend it with it laying on the ground and the place the Butt end into the wall and walk up the brush end until in position. When moving from building to building or when there are large gaps between windows then we will lower each section on the pole down to the closed position then move it to the next section or building to be cleaned.
When finishing a section or building after the pole has been lowered and placed in the ground we will the move or roll up hose’s that are no longer needed or need moving. This is to limit the trip hazard to the public and ourselves.
Poles are not used if the wind speed is high and we can not control the pole safely.
When working in a high traffic area we will wear high visibility jackets.