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Developing and Maintaining Policing at Height CapabilitiesJez Hunter MIOSH

*Police Officers at HeightSearchingCrime scene investigationProtestor removalDynamic Intervention / EntryDeployment of Armed Firearms OfficersSuicide Intervention

*Sources of Training Best PracticeIndustry best practice IRATAPASMAAboriculture AssociationBritish StandardsBS7985:2002 Code of practice for the use of rope access methods for industrial purposesBS 8437:2005 Code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplaceNone encompass the demands of policing at height

*Reg 6 Hierarchy of ControlsAvoid Remote searchingReducing access to protestors, jumpersUsing other access points for DEPrevent using suitable and sufficient measuresUse an existing place difficult when responding to spontaneous events Use an existing means of accessSelect collective prevention measures over personal measuresMinimiseMinimise distance and consequences - Nets / Fall arrest with anchor point high Minimise consequence - Soft Landing Systems / Fall Arrest with anchor point low / ALJsProvide information, training or other measures to minimise effects of a fall

*CompetenceCombination of practical and theoretical knowledge, experience, skill and judgementTest of competenceAble to assess the risks effectivelyAble to devise and implement a safe system of workAble to identify and stop dangerous situations

*Definitions

*Work RestraintA specific form of personal fall prevention system by which a person is prevented from reaching zones where a risk of a fall existsUseful system for deployment of static AFOs

*Limitations of Restraint

*Work positioningA personal fall protection system that enables a user to work while supported in tension or suspension in such a way that a fall is prevented or restricted" Protestor removalMax fall less than 0.5m

*Roped AccessA personal fall protection system that specifically uses two static separately secured sub-systems one as a means of support and the other as a safety back up. This is used to get to and from the place of work and to undertake work positioningDynamic EntrySearch

*Fall ArrestA personal fall protection system by which a fall is arrested to prevent the collision of the user with the ground or structure" More flexible than work restraint, however must be able to rescue

Max fall less than 4m and 6kN

*Rescue System (Reg 4(2)) Personal Fall Protection System by which a person can carry out a rescue, rescue themselves, or be rescued from a height / depth by pulling, lifting or loweringReleasable systems

*Structuring TrainingSupervising working at heightBasic Hazard Awareness those officers who may occasionally work at height, for short periods and undertaking simple tasksRooftop Safety those officers requiring more complex access techniques who may don personal fall prevention PPESpecialist rope access using PPE in suspensionEquipment inspection and management

*1. Supervising Working at HeightHealth and Safety Officers / Risk Managers / Team CommandersShould understand the following:Employer and employee dutiesHazard awareness and risk assessmentStrategies to avoid working at heightDifferent collective and personal fall prevention / protection systems

*2. Height Hazard AwarenessAll police officersShould understand the following:Employer and employee dutiesSpecific hazard awareness fragile roofs, effect of weather, falling objectsApplication of a dynamic risk assessmentOptions to avoid working at heightSimple control measures to work safely

*3. Rooftop SafetySuitable for AFOs, Negotiators etcShould be competent in the following:Pre-use inspection, use, care and maintenance of equipmentAnchor selection, rigging anchor systems and knotsEstablishment of work restraint and fall arrest systemOperating on or near fragile surfacesOperational procedures re-positioning, use of firearmsEmergency drills including Suspension Trauma & rescueSafe use of access systems eg. ladders

*4. Specialist Rope Access and Work PositioningTask specific training that requires blending mechanical ascent / descent techniques with top down rescuesConsider:The access is only the startSupervisors require additional risk control, rigging and rescue trgWeather and fragile roof exemptions do these apply to trg?An industrial type rescue may not be appropriateSingle vrs twin ropeRealistic training is critical

*PPE and Lifting Equipment Competent PersonsPPE custodians must be competent to thoroughly examine equipment according to an inspection schedule. They should be aware of:Legislative requirements How and why equipment failsHow to systematically examine equipmentHow to quarantine, maintain, repair and disposeHow to record findings (Schedule 7 WAHR and Reg 10 LOLER)

System Failure

*Maintaining CapabilityThe more complex the system of work the shorter the half life of knowledge retentionIRATA advise refresher training if inactive for over six monthsTraining should be progressive, challenging and realisticPersonal log books are useful to monitor currency

*Maintaining CapabilityAnnual Specialist Training ExercisesExternal auditsSymposiums

*SummaryWAHR is not new, we just need to carry on applying best practiceAn organisation-wide solution is the most effective in order to standardise technology, methodology and competencies Techniques are constantly evolving networks are increasingly valuable

*www.rigsystems.co.uk

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