Inspecting the work area

Your operational plan will need to have a risk control strategy addressing each of the following areas:

• the tasks to be performed
• identified site hazards (e.g. trenching, scaffolding)
• PPE requirements for EWP personnel barriers
• signage, including warning signs alerting people about the overhead work traffic controls
• lights/lighting, and public safety.

In some situations specific types of warning/hazard signs may be required. Check whether you need to display these signs, and also whether the area needs to be barricaded or fenced off.

For example, in some work situations you may need to display ‘OVERHEAD WORK IN PROGRESS’ signs. Check the requirements with the site foreman/safety officer.
ALWAYS be aware of public safety.

Note: In some states, traffic cones and barricades must be installed by a registered traffic controller.

Your hazard identification and control measures should not be confined to the EWP itself. For example, equipment and tools on the work platform are potential hazards, because they could fall during movement or impede safe access for the EWP operator, so all tools should be placed in a fixed or removable box/basket and not left lying on the floor of the EWP.

• Any personnel working above or below the work platform/basket
• Be aware of others who may be working above, below or near the basket Check with the site supervisor or relevant contractor to determine if this is happening.
• Stagger working arrangements, if possible, to avoid other overhead workers.
• If this is not possible, take whatever action is necessary to ensure there can be no contact with personnel and no materials/substances can fall into the basket of the EWP.
• Bridges
• Check whether you will need to travel or work under bridges or walkways, including pipe and cable bridges between buildings, which may be a particular hazard because of their location and vulnerability.
• Keep clear of bridges.

Overhead Service Lines

The term ‘overhead service line’ has a particular meaning in the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (QLD) and is an overhead electric line, typically between the electricity distribution system and an electricity customer’s building or pole.

Possible hazards, what you need to do to Control measures

Dangerous materials:

Check whether you and/or others may come into contact with hazardous substances on the site or have to work with this type of material.

Obtain information and follow directions from the relevant Material Safety Data Sheet(s) supplied with the chemicals.

Extreme care must be used when identifying, handling or applying hazardous materials.
For example, do not mix a cocktail of different chemicals in the basket. If you get it wrong 20 metres up, you will have nowhere to escape. Mix the chemicals on the ground and take only the required amount up in the basket, in a sealed container.

Make sure you are wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). This can be identified by reading the material safety data sheet (MSDS).

If you suspect or detect any hazardous substances, other than any you are working with, notify the site foreman/safety officer or an authorised person to have the materials removed.

Do not attempt to move the materials yourself, as you may not have the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and you could suffer permanent health damage.

Lack of Adequate Lighting

Ensure the work area will be well lit. If your work will be performed at night or under fading light, there may be a potential hazard.

If the work area is not well lit, sufficient artificial lighting must be supplied over the whole working area.

If you have any difficulty seeing, all work must stop until suitable lighting is provided.

Obstructions

On construction sites, check whether other plant and equipment or site materials might obstruct the path of the EWP. Refer to the site management plan, if one is available, and consult with the site foreman/safety officer to advise them of your work program.

Staff facilities

Check for any staff facilities in the work area, such as washrooms, toilets, lunchrooms, meeting areas, first-aid rooms, work sheds, etc.

Working may be carried out above these facilities provided there is adequate, sufficiently strong overhead protection and slewing is avoided or kept to a minimum.

Provide any necessary fencing or barricades in an area beneath the EWP’s basket and make sure an alternative access/exit is provided.
Stow tools and gear safely, and use lanyards if this is possible.

Ground conditions

Inspect ground conditions in the site area. Check whether the ground surface has been affected by excavations or trenching which has now been filled or is wet and soft.

Confirm the ground conditions with the site foreman/safety officer and/or other personnel on site. Put adequate packing under the outriggers/stabilisers to spread the load over a larger area.

If the ground level, extend the outriggers until the tyres area approximately 50mm off the ground. Otherwise, extend the outriggers fully and then lower the top side outrigger until the machine is level.

The machine must be level at all times.

When setting up an EWP close to an open trench, make certain that no part of the machine is closer to the trench than the depth of the trench (e.g. if the trench is 1m deep, set up at least 2m away).

If the ground is white sand or unstable, you may have to be much further away. If you are not sure how far away you will need to be, ask a competent person to assess the ground conditions.