Guidelines Safe Working at Height Major Hazard Standard - MIRMgate

WMC Environment, Health & Safety Management System 

Guidelines 

Safe Working at Height 

Major Hazard Standard 

MHS-08 

DocsOpen Ref: 57438, 13/07/2001 

Uncontrolled copy – check web for latest revision 

Revision Reviewed Description of Changes Date Approved 

1 A Barfield Revised 13/07/2001 P Plavina 

0 First Issue 07/06/1999 K Thomas 

© WMC Resources Ltd 

WMC has developed this document for internal use, specific to circumstances and conditions within its operations. It is 

intended to provide general information and its applicability to external parties may therefore be limited. WMC makes no 

representations as to the applicability of the information for use by any party other than WMC and should not be relied 

upon as such. WMC provides no representation or warranty as to safety or business outcomes arising from application 

of this document and its requirements by third parties.

Major Hazard Standard Related Document 

Guidelines for the Safe Working at 

Heights Standard 

1 Purpose .................................................2 

2 Planning for Work at Heights ..............2 

2.1 Work Planning Techniques ................2 

2.2 Planning Information ..........................2 

2.3 Task Assignment ...............................2 

3 Design, Development and Acquisition 

of New Facilities..................................2 

4 Inspections............................................2 

5 Use and Maintenance of Safety Belts, 

Full Body Harnesses, PFAE and 

PFRE ....................................................3 

6 Anchor Points for Fall Restraint and 

Fall Arrest ............................................3 

6.1 Personnel Anchor Points in 

Underground Workings.....................3 

6.2 Other Personnel Anchor Points..........3 

6.3 All Personnel Anchorage Points.........3 

6.4 Static Lines ........................................3 

7 Design, Construction and Use of 

Permanent Work Platforms................4 

8 Design and Construction of Stairs......4 

9 Design and Construction of Fixed 

Ladders ................................................4 

10 Portable Ladders ................................4 

10.1 Design and Construction..................4 

10.2 Use of Portable Ladders ..................4 

10.3 Disposal of Ladders .........................5 

11 Flexible Ladders................................. 5 

11.1 Design and Construction..................5 

11.2 Use of Flexible Ladders....................5 


Mobile Work Platforms....................... 5 

12.1 Mancages.........................................5 

13 Scaffolding.......................................... 6 

13.1 General ............................................6 

13.2 Prior to Mobilisation..........................6 

13.3 Arrival on Site...................................6 

13.4 Work Area ........................................6 

13.5 Scaffold Requirements.....................6 

13.6 Constructing and Dismantling ..........6 

13.7 Working from Scaffolds ....................7 

13.8 Portable Ladders for Scaffold Access7 

14 Working on Mobile Equipment.......... 7 

15 Working Around Open Holes ............ 7 

16 Rill Ropes............................................ 8 

17 Working on Roofs .............................. 8 

18 Working in Ceiling Spaces ................ 8 

19 Recording Requirements................... 8 

20 Competencies..................................... 9 

APPENDICES ......................................... 10 

A Portable Ladder Inspection.....................10 

B Checklist for Inspecting Self-Locking 

Anchorages..........................................11 

C Inspection of Belts and Harnesses 

Checklist ..............................................12 

** Uncontrolled copy. Use latest revision ** 

SAF-MHS08-R01 Rev. 1 DOCS: 57438 Issued: 13/07/00 Page 1 of 12


Guidelines for the Safe Working at Heights Standard 


1 Purpose 

This guideline is to be read in conjunction with Safe 

Working at Height Standard (SAF-MHS-08) The aim 

of this guideline is to enable sites to implement a safe 

system of working at height. 

2 Planning for Work at Heights 

2.1 Work Planning Techniques 

For all work at height, there is to be a formal risk 

assessment to establish the hazards and controls to 

ensure a safe system of work. 

Risk assessment results are to: 

• Be incorporated into a checklist 

• Ensure adequate provisions for controlling the 

hazards of working at height 

• Ensure any deviation from the original scope of 

work is re-evaluated. 

2.2 Planning Information 

Sites are to ensure that there is an up-to-date 

information set that reflects the as-built condition. 

2.3 Task Assignment 

The task assignment system is to include progress 

and hand over provision for jobs done where the 

work force may change. 

3 Design, Development and 

Acquisition of New Facilities 

Removing the risk of falls from height is best 

achieved by removing the need to work at height. 

Each site is to have a Design, Development and 

Acquisition system that addresses the risks arising 

from working at height. 

This system is to include: 

• Procedures that ensure, where possible, the need to 

work at height is eliminated 

• Consideration of all construction, operating, 

modification and maintenance activities for the 

foreseeable life of the asset 

• A team based risk assessment approach, 

incorporating end-users, capturing all relevant 

information on safe work at height. The risk 

assessment is to be used prior to construction or 

modification work, and wherever possible, utilise 

hazard checklists and include ergonomic 

considerations 

• Procedures that ensure all provisions to prevent 

falls from height are clearly identified in 

purchasing information 

• Purchasing procedures that ensure provisions to 

prevent falls are not changed without the formal 

agreement with the originator 

• Procedures that ensure persons designing, 

acquiring, constructing and modifying facilities 

have the necessary competence to assess and 

implement the requirements for safe work at 

heights. 

4 Inspections 

Each site is to have an inspection system that 

includes a record of: 

• completed inspections 

• faults found 

• repairs required and completed 

• specific equipment identification 

• specific inspection checklists 

• means of identifying the currency of the equipment 

• required inspection time frames 

• persons authorised to conduct inspections 

• persons authorised to carryout repairs. 

The inspection system is to include the following 

areas: 

• Anchor points 

• Harness and accessories 

• Lanyards and accessories 

• Static lines and accessories and static line anchor 

points to structures 

• Rope systems and accessories 

• Mobile work platforms and attachments 

• Scaffolds and access equipment 

• Work platforms and access equipment 

• Stairs 

• Portable stands 

• Ladders. 

The inspection checklists should include items such 

as: 

• Physical damage 

• Wear 

• Corrosion/erosion 

• Distortion and deformation 

• Metal fatigue 

• Deterioration 

• Identification markings 





• Storage 

• Labelling (safety instructions etc.) 

• Statutory requirements. 

• For examples of checklists see Appendices and 

refer to: 

• AS 1891 part 1,2 and 3 

• AS 2626 Industrial Safety Belts and Harnesses - 

Selection, Use and Maintenance 

• AS 4626 Industrial Fall Arrest Devices - Selection, 

Use and Maintenance 

5 Use and Maintenance of Safety 

Belts, Full Body Harnesses, PFAE 

and PFRE 

Refer to AS 2626, AS 4626 and AS 1891 for further 

information, these standards are to be read in 

conjunction with the “Safe Working at Heights” 

Standard (SAF-MHS-08). 

Where required, this equipment should be made 

readily available at the work site. 

6 Anchor Points for Fall Restraint 

and Fall Arrest 

6.1 Personnel Anchor Points in Underground 

Workings 

Anchor points into rock should: 

• Not be used for scraping/ lifting 

• Comprise two anchor pins offset and have a 

combined load carrying capacity of no less than 

20 kN 

• Be clearly identified (e.g. painted fluorescent 

orange) and inspected at regular intervals 

• Be inspected immediately prior to use to ensure the 

integrity of the anchor (shall be sound and firm) 

Any anchor pins found to be insecure shall be clearly 

identified and cut off or made unusable as soon as 

possible. 

Where these anchor points are susceptible to 

deterioration due to environmental conditions 

(e.g. type of ground, wet, salt) additional measures 

shall be taken (e.g. grout, chemical anchor, 

galvanised). 

Other anchor points that may be used are as follows: 

• Mobile equipment that: 

– weighs two tonne or more, and 

– has a closed anchorage point e.g. towing ring, 

hole in bucket but no open hooks, and 

– is isolated, tagged out and secured/parked to stop 

any movement e.g. parked into wall, bucket 

down, park brake on, wheels chocked, parked 

side on, etc. 

• Fixed plant or structures: 

– Able to withstand 15 kN breaking force 

– Shall have a closed anchorage point 

e.g. no open hooks. 

6.2 Other Personnel Anchor Points 

Where anchor points are required as part of the safe 

system of work these points should be: 

• Able to withstand 15 kN breaking force. 

• Closed e.g. no open hooks. 

• Clearly identified (e.g. painted fluorescent orange) 

and inspected at regular intervals. 

• Inspected immediately prior to use to ensure the 

integrity of the anchor (shall be sound and firm). 

• Clearly identified and removed/ repaired/ replaced 

as soon as possible when found to be insecure. 

Other anchor points that may be used are as follows. 

Where no suitable fixed structures exist, mobile 

equipment may be used provided it complies with the 

following: 

• Weighs two tonne or more, and 

• Has a closed anchorage point e.g. towing ring, hole 

in bucket but no open hooks, and 

• Two anchor points are used where possible, and 

• Is isolated, tagged out and secured/parked to stop 

any movement e.g. bucket down, park brake on, 

wheels chocked, parked side on, etc. 

• 

6.3 All Personnel Anchorage Points 

• Should be installed by an appropriately competent 

person. 

• Personnel equipment should not be attached to the 

anchor point by looping through and back locking 

the rope e.g. use a shackle or sling and then the 

direct hook from the personnel equipment. 

• All extensions or components for the anchorage 

point e.g. slings, shackles, etc. should have a 

minimum rating of two tonnes. It is recommended 

that the shackles used for this purpose are the pin 

and safety clip type (bow shackles) not the screw 

pin type. 

6.4 Static Lines 

All Static Lines should comply with the requirements 

of the AS 1891 part 2 1998 and the ‘Code of Practice 

for Prevention of Falls at Work’ Worksafe Western 

Australia Commission September 1997: 





• Be suitable for the prevailing environmental 

conditions e.g. Stainless, galvanised, etc. 

• Only be installed by a competent and authorised 

person 

• Be inspected (as per AS 4626) at regular intervals 

(maximum 3 monthly) and immediately prior to 

use 

• Be removed from service and replaced immediately 

if found to be defective. 

• Landings/ rest points at 6 metre intervals and hoops 

and cages fitted above 2.2 metres from the bottom 

of the ladder 

All existing ladders should comply with the above 

requirements. 

Note: All sites should review their existing ladders 

(including escape ways) with reference to the design, 

physical condition of the ladders and ability of 

persons having to use the ladders in an emergency. 


Permanent Work Platforms 

Permanent work platforms are fixed structures that 

allow access to a work area at any time and should 

meet the following requirements: 

As a minimum, a work platform should meet the 

requirements of AS 1657 and: 

• Be designed and constructed to carry the 

anticipated loads. Handrails are to withstand a 

minimum of 0.55 kN (55 kg dead weight 

equivalent) 

• Have a firm, level surface that does not move while 

being walked upon 

• Have a bar or gate (which should be self-closing) 

fitted to openings in handrails for downward 

access. 

• 

8 Design and Construction of 

Stairs 

Stairs should be designed and constructed to 

AS1657. 

The stairs should at least have: 

• Edge protection on exposed sides 

• Returns and intermediate platforms fitted with edge 

protection. 

All steps should have non-slip nosing. 

Each site should conduct a review of their existing 

stairways for compliance with the requirements of 

the Safe Working at Heights standard. 

9 Design and Construction of 

Fixed Ladders 

All new fixed ladders should be designed and 

constructed to AS 1657. If the ladder extends more 

than 6 metres the design is to include either: 

• The provision of fall-arrest system (e.g. patented 

ladder-climb systems), or 

10 Portable Ladders 

Any ladder that is capable of being transferred from 

one location to another is considered a portable 

ladder. 

10.1 Design and Construction 

All portable ladders should comply with the 

requirements of AS 1892. 

10.2 Use of Portable Ladders 

When working from a portable ladder the following 

should be followed: 

• When personnel use a single or extension ladder, 

the ladder is to be either securely anchored at the 

top or held firmly by another person 

• Personnel using a single or extension ladder have 

either both feet and one hand or one foot and two 

hands in contact with the ladder or they are secured 

by a fall arrest device 

• Surfaces for placing ladders are to be firm and 

level 

• The distance between the ladder base and the 

supporting structure should be 1 metre for every 

4 metres of working ladder height (ratio of 4:1) 

• All access ladders shall be secured against 

movement and extend at least 1 metre above the 

work platform level 

• One person on the ladder at a time 

• When ladders are used in areas subject to either 

personnel or vehicle traffic, precautions must be 

taken to prevent inadvertent contact with the ladder 

e.g. Barricade, signage, flashing lights, etc. 

• All sites are to have an inspection system that ensures 

periodic inspection and servicing of all portable 

ladders. A log is to be kept of inspections and all 

ladders are to be marked as inspected 

• Ladders should not be used unless within current 

inspection date and in good condition. (An 

example of a Portable Ladder Inspection Checklist 

is attached in Appendix A). 





10.3 Disposal of Ladders 

Where ladders do not comply with the inspection 

criteria the ladder is to be repaired to pass inspection 

or destroyed. 

11 Flexible Ladders 

11.1 Design and Construction 

The design and construction of a flexible ladder will 

be determined by the environment and intended use 

and only to be constructed by an appropriately 

qualified manufacturer. 

11.2 Use of Flexible Ladders 

Flexible ladders should only be used when all other 

methods of access have been considered and deemed 

inappropriate. Other requirements are: 

• PFAE should be used when using flexible ladders 

• Flexible ladders should be stored in an appropriate 

storage area to manufacturers requirements 

• All sites should have an inspection system that 

ensures periodic inspection and servicing of all 

flexible ladders 

• A log is to be kept of inspections and all ladders are 

to be marked as inspected 

• Ladders should not be used unless within current 

inspection date and in good condition 

• Where ladders do not comply with the inspection 

criteria the ladder should be repaired to pass 

inspection or destroyed. 


Mobile Work Platforms 

Sites should comply with the requirements of 

SAF-MHS-05 Underground Mobile Equipment and 

the SAF-MHS-11 Surface Mobile Equipment. 

When the work platform is attached to an item of 

mobile equipment and in the raised position, the 

operator of the mobile equipment should not leave 

the operating position. 

12.1 Mancages 

A mancage is an approved, engineered and 

constructed cage suspended from a crane for the 

purpose of lifting and lowering personnel to perform 

tasks on inaccessible plant or equipment. 

Each site where mancages are used shall have a 

written procedure that includes a risk assessment 

prior to each use. 

Mancages should be approved and registered by the 

appropriate authority and a compliance plate must be 

affixed to the mancage to indicate that it is 

registered/approved. 

Mancages should be only be used when: 

• Weather conditions are suitable 

• A licensed and authorised crane driver operates the 

crane 

• All certificates of testing for the mancage, crane 

and all associated equipment (slings etc.) are 

current 

• All personnel involved in the work are aware of the 

procedure to be followed 

• There is an effective means of communicating 

between the persons in the cage and the crane 

driver 

• The crane driver remains at the crane controls at all 

times whilst the mancage is in use 

• It is not possible for any part of the crane or load to 

be within 5 metres of any ‘live’ power lines 

• The crane is stationary 

• No other lifting is performed whilst the mancage is 

attached 

• Personnel are secured inside the mancage at all 

times whilst the mancage is in use. Fully enclosed 

and/or the use of PFAE. 

Each mancage should: 

• Be specifically designed in accordance with 

AS 1418.17 

• Be clearly marked with: 

– the tare weight, and 

– the safe working load 

• Have the lifting slings permanently attached to the 

cage by locked shackles, or similar means 

• Be regularly inspected and maintained in safe 

working condition 

• Have the access door, if fitted, open inwards and be 

able to be securely locked 

• Have a minimum of two persons at any time 

occupying the cage whilst in use. One of the 

persons in the mancage should be a licensed 

dogman 

• Be fitted with anchor points to allow both 

occupants to wear a safety harness (PFAE) 

attached to the anchor points at all times whilst the 

mancage is in use 

• Whilst in use, in addition to lifting attachments, be 

fitted with a safety sling securely anchored to the 

crane hoist rope, above the lifting hook 

• Be inspected prior to use to ensure all requirements 

are met. 





Cranes lifting a mancage should: 

• Have drive up and drive down controls on both the 

hoist and luffing motions 

• Be equipped with controls that return to the neutral 

position when released and this action causes the 

motion to stop 

• Be fitted with operational warning or limiting 

devices to prevent overwinding of the hoist drum 

• Be equipped with outriggers and have them 

extended at all times whilst the mancage is in use 

• Have all free fall devices locked out, whilst the 

mancage is in use. 

13 Scaffolding 

13.1 General 

13.2 Prior to Mobilisation 

All specific job requirements including the need for a 

JSA or other specialised requirements should be 

discussed. Where required, all JSAs are to be 

submitted prior to mobilisation. 

13.3 Arrival on Site 

The scaffolding contractor should provide evidence 

(e.g. log book) that equipment is regularly checked 

and is in a safe condition in line with AS 1576 and 

AS 1577. 

Equipment can also be checked by the competent and 

authorised WMC Supervisor responsible for the job. 

WMC owned equipment should be subject to the 

same requirements and be checked prior to use. 

13.4 Work Area 

The responsible WMC Supervisor and Contractor 

should determine an agreed safe position for the 

scaffolding. 

13.5 Scaffold Requirements 

The scaffolding should conform to the requirements 

of AS 1657, AS 1576 and AS 1577 (these standards 

can be found on the WMC Intranet Site) and include 

the following: 

13.5.1 Working Platform 

• Is free from any tripping hazards 

• The planking has no gaps greater than that required 

for the lashing 

• The working surface is slip resistant, firm and level 

• Planks or working surface to be secured. 

13.5.2 Access to Platform 

The clear width of an access to the platform, 

measured between guardrails should be: 

• Not less than 675 mm for persons and material 

• Not less than 450 mm for persons and hand tools. 

13.5.3 Slope of Platform 

The working platform should be level at all times. 

13.5.4 Kick/Toe Boards 

• Planks shall extend 150 mm above the surface of 

the platform 

• Gap between the kick/toe board and the platform 

shall not exceed 10 mm 

• The kick/toe board shall be secured and extend 

around the entire work platform unless 

• Where the kick/toe board is omitted due to access 

requirements to the work, the gap between the 

working face or structure shall be less than 100 mm 

(to prevent objects or person falling). 

• 

13.5.5 Guardrails 

• Guardrails should be securely fixed and parallel to 

the platform 

• A top rail should be between 900 mm and 

1100 mm from the platform 

• A mid rail should be at 600 mm from the platform 

unless fitted with an infill panel 

• When guard rails are omitted at the working face or 

adjacent to a structure/building, the gap between 

the structure/building and platform edge, should be 

less than 100 mm. 

13.5.6 Platform Access 

• Stairs should be in straight flights and not less than 

500 mm in width 

• The minimum head room for stairs should be 

1850 mm 

• The minimum clearance above landings should be 

1850 mm 

• Every access landing should have 450 mm clear 

around the landing point 

• Opening in hand railings for downward access 

from a platform, should be fitted with a bar or gate 

and these are to be self-locking. 

13.6 Constructing and Dismantling 

• When constructing, altering or dismantling any 

scaffold, materials and equipment should not be 

thrown to persons above or below 

• When lifting and lowering equipment to and from 

upper levels an approved method should be used 





• While a scaffold is under construction and during 

dismantling, unless a safe system of work can 

ensure there is no potential for a fall PFAE should 

be worn and properly secured 

• A scaffold tagging system (which includes the 

structures load capacity) should be utilised at all 

times 

• The authorised scaffolder should display a ‘do not 

use scaffold’ tag at each access to a scaffold during 

construction, alterations and dismantling. 

• An appropriate barricade and signage should be 

erected below the work area and the scaffold 

• All scaffolding and associated equipment should be 

stored in a safe manner during construction and 

dismantling 

• All scaffolds should be inspected every 14 days 

and approved for use and have the approval tag 

updated by a licensed scaffolder 

• When the access through a structure is required the 

height of frame should be 2 m, and the width of the 

walkway not less than 500 mm. 

• When the access height is less than standard and 

access is required precautions should be in place. 

e.g. foam is fixed to tubing and ‘Caution – Low 

Head Room’ signs in place. 

• Tube extensions should extend past the coupler by 

more than 10 mm. Tube extensions should be 

protected where there is a risk of contact with 

personnel on or about the scaffold. 

13.7 Working from Scaffolds 

• Access to all scaffolds should only occur after the 

scaffold is approved for use and the appropriate 

approval tag is in place at the access point 

• All equipment, materials and tools required at the 

work area should be lifted and lowered using a 

method that has been approved by a competent and 

authorised person 

• Work to be carried out on a scaffold should be 

within the load rating of the scaffold 

• At any time a person leaves the confines of the 

scaffold platform to carry out work at height, they 

should conform to the requirements of 

SAF-MHS-08 Safe Working at Height 

• Where scaffolds are fitted with wheels the wheels 

should be locked whenever the scaffold is being 

used. 

13.8 Portable Ladders for Scaffold Access 

• All access ladders should be secured against 

movement and extend at least 1 m above the work 

platform level 

• Whilst securing the ladder there should be a person 

holding the base of the ladder to prevent movement 

• Ladders should be pitched at a minimum slope of 

one horizontally to four vertically and a maximum 

of one horizontally to six vertically 

• Persons should not carry materials, equipment or 

tools when climbing a ladder, maintain three point 

contact at all times 

• The maximum height between successive landings 

serviced by a portable ladder should not exceed 

6 m. 

14 Working on Mobile Equipment 

Work should not to be undertaken on mobile 

equipment where there is the risk of falling without 

adequate fall prevention measures in place. 

Each site should conduct a review of their existing 

equipment for compliance to the requirements of the 

Safe Working at Heights standard. All operational 

and maintenance tasks required on the equipment 

should be included in the review. 

Platforms used for access to mobile equipment 

cabins, may be used for direct access from the 

ladder/stairway to the cabin only without using fall 

prevention equipment. When any work carried out on 

the platform or around the cabin could result in a fall, 

a safe system of work should be employed. 

When accessing the operators cabin, three point 

contact should be maintained at all times. Equipment, 

materials or tools should not be carried up or down a 

ladder by hand. 

All equipment, materials and tools required at the 

work area should be lifted and lowered using a safe 

method. 

15 Working Around Open Holes 

A risk assessment process shall be used to define the 

controls required when personnel are exposed to 

open holes. 

Where indicated by the risk assessment, access points 

to an open hole shall have signs identifying the risk. 

Additional access controls may include barricades 

and/or the use of PFRE. 

Where work is to be conducted around open holes, 

(in the ground or in structures), a specific Job Safety 

Analysis (JSA) should be carried out and a Standard 

Work Procedure (SWP) compiled prior to 

commencement of the work. 

Where it is necessary to have access past open holes 

to work areas, the standard work procedure should 

include either a physical barrier to prevent access to 

the open hole or, where this is not possible, a static 

line to allow a safe passage around the hole. Where a 

static line is installed, a sufficient number of fall 

restraint lanyards should be available at the job. 





16 Rill Ropes 

The minimum standard rope will be 20 mm 

non-deteriorating rope or equivalent chain for hand 

over hand or handrail assistance applications. 

Ropes to be 11 mm plus nylon or polyamide used in 

conjunction with rope grab type systems and a PFRE 

harness may also assist in some circumstances. 

Anchor points for rill ropes will be as per Section 6.1 

of this Guideline. 

Rill ropes should be inspected regularly and removed 

from service if they show signs of wear of 

deterioration. 

17 Working on Roofs 

Prior to working on or accessing any roof a risk 

assessment is to be conducted. 

Appropriate control measures determined by the risk 

assessment shall be implemented. 

The structural integrity of a roof shall be determined 

and confirmed to be sound before: 

• Moving onto it 

• Storing materials on it 

• Rigging from it. 

Note: Rigging from a roof is the installing of rigging 

equipment onto roof structures for lifting within the 

building where permanent lifting equipment does not 

exist. 

Where the integrity of the roof cladding cannot be 

determined, but the support structure is sound, access 

onto the roof shall be by boarding installed by a 

competent and authorised person. 

• Physical effects of working in the ceiling space. 

When moving around in the ceiling space, a 

temporary platform such as boarding can be used. 

19 Recording Requirements 

To satisfy the requirements of SAF-MHS-08 Safe 

Working at Height, the following recording systems 

should to be implemented: 

• Competencies 

• Equipment types, numbers of, location, purchasing 

details 

• Inspections, checklists, faults 

• Maintenance, repairs made 

• Disposal of equipment 

• Authorised persons 

• Formal risk assessments 

• SWPs and JSAs 

• Training 

• Approvals for scaffolds and access systems 

• Compliance audits 

• Rescue equipment. 

All records should be properly maintained and kept 

up-to-date. 

18 Working in Ceiling Spaces 

Prior to working in or accessing any ceiling space a 

risk assessment is to be conducted. 

Appropriate control measures determined by the risk 

assessment are to be implemented. 

Risk assessment should consider: 

• Safe access to ceiling spaces 

• Atmospheric conditions within the ceiling space 

• Supporting surface strength and condition 

• Communication 

• Electrical hazards 

• Fire risks 

• Chemicals contamination 





20 Competencies 

The following competencies are required at all sites. Sites are to determine where the levels of responsibilities are 

using this table as a guide. 

Competency Manager Planner 

Direct 

Supervisor 

Equipment 

Operator 

Worker at 

Height 

Scaffolder 

Rescue 

Personnel 

Carry out risk 

assessment 

 

Wear/use PPE 

Maintain 

equipment 

 

Inspect equipment 

Conduct 

compliance audit 

 

 

Storage of equip 

Id suitable anchor 

points 

 

Use access equip 

Understand SWP/ 

Work Instruction 

 

Work at Heights 

Carry out special 

procedures 

i.e. rescue 

Understand signal 

systems 

Understand the 

SAF-MHS-08 

Standard 

 

 

 

 

Be familiar with 

Standard 

Erect scaffolding 

 

 

All competencies should be formally assessed as part of a competency-based training system. 





APPENDICES 

A Portable Ladder Inspection 

Dept: Inspector’s name: Inspector’s signature: Date: 

Identity no. 

Location 

Condition of 

rungs 

Identity 

marking 

Condition of 

steps 

Condition 

of hinges 

Non-slip 

devices 

Stability 

Extension 

locks 

Extension 

ropes 

In service 

yes/no 

Details of repairs 

Required/completed: 

To be repaired by who 

To be repaired by when 











Note: if ok, mark with a tick () when inspection carried out 

if defective, mark with a cross (x) and give details 







B Checklist for Inspecting Self-Locking Anchorages 

Component 

Rope 

(Fully extend rewind 

drum anchorage) 

Anchorage body 

Locking mechanism and 

rope guide 

Hardware 

Condition/Fault to be checked 

• Cuts 

• Abrasions or fraying 

• Stretching 

• Damage due to contact with heat, corrosives or solvents 

• Excessive dirt or grease impregnation 

• With rewind anchorage’s give a firm pull with the rope fully extended to check that the 

rope end is securely anchored to the drum. 

• Mounting ring: 

– Physical damage or wear, especially at any pivot points 

– Cracks, especially in corners 

– Mounting security 

• Anchorage body proper 

– Physical damage such as significant dents, distortion or corrosion 

– As far as possible but without dismantling, check for the entry of foreign bodies such as 

small stones 

– Loose or missing screws, nuts or similar objects (external check only) 

– Position of the clutch compression indicator button (fitted only to rewind drums with 

steel rope). 

• Check externally visible rope guides for excessive wear or ridging 

• Check that the rope-locking mechanism locks and holds securely when the rope is given 

a sharp tug 

• Ensure that the rope runs freely through the anchorage with no tendency to stick or bind 

and that on rewinding drum anchorage’s the rope rewinds completely without loss of 

tension. 

Examine the condition and locking action of any associated snap hooks or links. 





C Inspection of Belts and Harnesses Checklist 

Component 

Webbing 

Snap hooks 

D-rings 

Buckles and adjusters 

Sewing 

Ropes 

Chains 

Condition/Fault to be checked 

• Cuts or tears 

• Abrasion damage especially where there is contact with hardware 

• Excessive stretching 

• Damage due to contact with heat, corrosives or solvents 

• Deterioration due to rotting, mildew or ultraviolet exposure. 

• Distortion of hook or latch 

• Cracks or forging folds 

• Wear at swivel and latch pivot pin 

• Open rollers 

• Free movement of the latch over its full travel 

• Broken, weak or misplaced latch springs (compare if possible with a new snap hook) 

• Free from dirt or other obstructions e.g. rust. 

• Excessive vertical movement of the straight portion of the D-ring at its attachment point 

on to the belt, so that the corners between the straight and curved sections of the D 

become completely exposed 

• Cracks especially at the intersection of the straight and curved portions 

• Distortion or other physical damage of the D-ring 

• Excessive loss of cross-section due to wear. 

• Distortion or other physical damage 

• Cracks and forging laps where applicable 

• Bent tongues 

• Open rollers. 

• Broken, cut or worn threads 

• Damage or weakening of threads due to contact with heat, corrosives, solvents or 

mildew. 

• Cuts 

• Abrasion or fraying 

• Stretching 

• Damage due to contact with heat, corrosives, solvents, etc. 

• Deterioration due to ultraviolet light or mildew. 

• Physical damage 

• Security of attachments to snap hooks, rings and similar components.

Guidelines Safe Working at Height Major Hazard Standard - MIRMgate

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