The Department of Labour is currently investigating a complaint about the adequacy of permanently installed rope access and industrial fall-arrest systems (including anchorage points) on a number of Wellington buildings.
Building owners, managers and users need to have suitable systems to ensure the safe performance of this safety critical equipment. The safety of the person using these systems relies on all parties involved carrying out their work in a proper manner.
If you are the owner of a building or building manager where the above systems are installed, it is important that building management systems ensure the following areas are addressed.
Design of the systems
You should check:
• that the systems have been originally designed and/or assessed by an engineer and certified that they, including the type of anchorage being used, are suitable for the intended use.
The systems must be designed using sound engineering principles and following the relevant Standards. The design should consider environmental factors such as coastal area and high toxicity atmospheres that may affect the system.
Anchors should be designed so they can be totally inspected on a 12 monthly basis so cavities or tubing can be inspected for corrosion. Consideration should be given to the positioning of anchors to give the best access and to avoid potential hazards to users. If possible, ensure the end user of the systems is consulted.
Records should be kept of the design, design considerations, and “as installed” plans for reference by later users.
Installation of system hardware
You should check:
• that an engineer assessed and certified the type of anchorage used before and after it was installed, and
that the system passed any required testing after installation, and
• that at every permanently installed anchorage there is a permanently fixed plate identifying the installer and the load that can be applied, the anchor’s unique number and the next inspection date.
Installation is a critical part of the overall system, as the best designed system will fail if installed inadequately. In particular, anchorage must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction and/or designers criteria and the overall system design. All installations should consider the relevant building codes, as penetration of the structure could degrade building strength.
Testing and inspection
Testing and inspection must be carried out by persons who are competent and able to demonstrate adequate training and experience of anchorage systems. Testers and inspectors should be able to show that their equipment is calibrated and maintained, and to be able to demonstrate good quality assurance systems and processes to ensure a consistent approach.
You should check:
• that all anchorages have been inspected and tested, where required, at least every 12 months in accordance with the Standards or as specified by the design engineer or manufacturer of the equipment,
• that where practicable, at each permanently installed anchorage, there should be a permanently fixed plate identifying the last time the anchor was tested and labelled as safe,
• that there should be a log of all testing and verification for all permanent anchorage points,
• that the inspection work has been carried out in accordance with the Standards, and
• that the inspecting company is able to demonstrate they have the systems, competent staff and suitable equipment to carry out the work.
If you are unable to verify that the steps above have been taken then before the equipment is used it is important you get expert advice from an engineer as to what is necessary to be able to confirm that the systems are safe.
Further information is available at the Industrial Rope Access Association of New Zealand web site at www.iraanz.co.nz. An industry Code of Practice is available at the international
Industrial Rope Access Trade Association web site atwww.irata.org/publications.htm.
