SAFETY - Know Your Limitations
Picture the scene:
The team [a level 3, 2 and 1]are having a meeting with the client, trying to discuss how a
job is going to be carried out. The job is to remove some fireproof panels on the roof of a
large building.
The usual checklist is looked at, dropped objects, barrier areas, panel removal etc..
Near the end of the meeting it is mentioned that asbestos is present in part of the work site.
What do you do? What are your options? Do you know what the dangers are?
The correct course of action would be to find out what hazards existed with the presence
of such a substance.
If no local knowledge can be supplied the job must wait until relevant information is at
hand. In the case of asbestos removal, specialised training must be given.
A similar event occurred recently with a team, this time it involved non-ionising radiation
[microwave transmitters]. The team leader [name withheld!] seemed to think that
because he'd worked on such an item a while ago and "somebody" told him it was safe
then it was acceptable to carry on.
He was quite prepared to work in very close proximity to a device that was emitting
untold amounts of non-ionising radiation. He did not know what the maximum dose
rates were, he did not know how much radiation was being emitted, he did not know
the effects non-ionising radiation had on cell structure, he did not know what direction
the beam was angled at.
There is so much information he did not know, yet he was STILL prepared to
work in that location - possibly submitting himself and more importantly his team to
untold dangers.
"Did the work get carried out?" I hear you say...Yes, but only after the two other
team members insisted that the above details were found out. The whole
microwave array was powered down then isolated resulting in zero exposure.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, as a level 1, 2 or 3 make sure you know
what the potential hazards are. Know your limitations, no one knows everything,
if you don't know or aren't sure of something, find out who
does and pick their brains - it could save you a lot of heartache.
Article written byTom at
www.rigg-access.comThe worlds BUSIEST Rope Access website
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