Falls from Heights - lessons learned

On the 10th of December 2015 Safework NSW published a media release with preliminary findings about why a window cleaner’s cradle with 2 people aboard fell 10 storeys from a Sydney CBD building and landed on the building awning. A similar, but fatal incident occurred in 2009.

Your workplace may not be in a tall building, or engage employees or contractors to abseil down your building. However, there are matters of interest for all workplaces in the incidents covered in this article.

Incident One

Incident One is the incident referred to in SafeWork NSW’s preliminary findings in the 10 December 2015 media article. Two critical bolts in the cradle were weakened by significant fatigue cracking. While the cradle was being used the bolts suddenly broke without warning and the cradle fell 10 storeys. The two window cleaners were not killed but suffered serious injuries.

Incident Two

SafeWork NSW tells us that in 2009 undetected metal fatigue cracks in a suspended scaffold caused it to break up during use and fall. One worker was killed and another worker suffered serious injuries.

Incident Three

Three window cleaners were working on a George St building using abseiling equipment in August 2015. One of them fell 3 storeys and landed on the bus shelter below. He survived but suffered serious injuries.

Incident Four

In December 2015 a window cleaner was cleaning windows using rope style equipment on a hotel in the Rocks. He fell 4 storeys onto a balcony and suffered serious injuries.

Conclusion

These incidents are a clear reminder that

1. Any PCBU and its officers needs to take all appropriate steps to keep its building maintenance units, anchors and static lines used as harness attachment points fixed guard rails, and fixed access ladders safe for use by employees and all contractors.

2. Contractors need to take all appropriate steps to ensure their own equipment is always safe to use and that the workplace where they are working is a safe place to work.

3. Any PCBU using plant and equipment needs to regularly inspect and test plant and equipment and repair or replace any that are damaged or worn.

Note:

A useful website on the issues raised in this article is that of the Working at Heights Association Australia (WAHA)

For further information, or for help with your WHS management system, please feel free to contact us at train@courtenell.com.au or phone us on 02 9552 2066.

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