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WAHR - Opportunity Knocks?

06 May 2005
The new Work to Height Regulations (WAHR) press home the need for the trade to consider all the potential safety aspects. Are you geared up on the legislation? A little bit of WAHR savvy could provide some real sales opportunities for THS members.

The new Work to Height Regulations (WAHR) press home the need for the trade to consider all the potential safety aspects. Are you geared up on the legislation? A little bit of WAHR savvy could provide some real sales opportunities for THS members.

We are soon to see the introduction of new legislation governing safe work at height. Although the new rules sound complicated and seem as if they refer to large construction sites, they are in fact aimed at any tradesman who works off the floor - whether it is above or below ground level.

This will naturally affect painters and decorators, electricians and general builders, most of whom find themselves up a ladder or on a platform at some stage in their working day.

The WAHR places mandatory requirements for employers, employees and self employed persons to risk assess work that is being performed at height where a fall could cause personal injury. Employers and the self employed will be responsible for:
  • Eliminating or minimising risks
  • Organising, planning and carrying our work at height by competent persons
  • Selecting suitable work equipment to perform work at height
  • Ensuring that work equipment is inspected prior to use
The first step is to decide whether the work really needs to be carried out at height.

Understandably decorators and builders are wary of any additional red tape that could add time or cost to their day to day business, but when the new rules are explained most agree that the legislation is sensible mechanism for making their lives safer, and indeed may not have any impact on their working practices if they have been carrying out their work in a safe way.

Traditionally decorators have used ladders both for access and for working at height. The new regulations do not forbid the use of ladders, but indicate that they should really be used mainly for access, rather than as a working platform. Stepladders, however, can be used as a working platform, but not as access. As a result of the regulations, there is now likely to be far more demand for various types of platforms, from low level steps to full height tower systems.

Giving your customers the right information

If regulations are to succeed, especially among small businesses, it is vital that people are given the right information and advice about which products are best for them. Decorators, electricians and builders will soon revert to their previous working practices if they do not understand what the regulations are aiming to achieve, or given incorrect advice. It is therefore vital that distributor staff understand the products they are offering and help customers to make informed choices to help improve their safety without compromising the standard, efficiency or ease of their work.

The new legislation should be seen as an opportunity to sell or hire equipment that is truly fit for purpose to their trade customers.

For more information about the WAHR visit www.hse.gov.uk/falls/

Stepladder alternatives

The Electrical Contractor's Association (ECA) has published the new guidance, "Practical Alternatives to Using Stepladders," as part of their on going ZAP (Zero Accident Potential) safety initiative. The document, in two parts, underlines that WAHR does not ban the use of stepladders outright. It covers issues such as planning the job, risk assessment; competency and training, the potential choice of access equipment and advice on the use of steps, should they still be the preferred means of access.

Visit www.eca.co.uk for a copy of the documents.