WORKING AT HEIGHT INDUSTRY RESPONDS TO LORD YOUNG’S REVIEW OF HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION
Access Industry Forum Raises Key Issues
COMPRISING nine of the leading trade associations and federations involved in working at height, the Access Industry Forum (AIF) has responded to Lord Young’s review of health and safety legislation.
In a letter to Lord Young, the Forum makes the point that as falls from height remain the single biggest contributor to deaths and injuries in the workplace, it welcomes any serious, informed and balanced review of the issues arising from the implementation of the existing legislation.
In undertaking the review, the Forum asks Lord Young to give due regard to the following:
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The need for a clear, unambiguous definition of the word ‘competence’ as used in the Work at Height Regulations;
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The need to establish the link between training and competency by advocating the need for all users of access equipment, irrespective of type, to be professionally trained to a recognised standard (including familiarisation where necessary), based on agreed work procedures;
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The need to introduce a formal system of accreditation whereby all users of access equipment must produce formal and independent proof of training.
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The Forum goes on to say that whilst any review that speeds, simplifies and improves the effectiveness of legislation must be welcomed, it must not pamper to popular prejudices and myths and thus undermine its ability to save workers from death and injury.
Comments Neil Tomlinson, a director of the Forum: “Since the introduction of the Work at Height Regulations significant progress has been made in increasing safe working whilst at height. However, improvements can be made that reduce accidents in a more effective manner without more regulation.”
In making its submission the Forum formally acknowledges its support for the work and role of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and its significant and measurable contribution over the years to reducing deaths, injuries and ill health in the workplace.
All nine members of the Access Industry Forum are standards driven and committed to advancing safety and best practice. As such the Forum believes it is ideally placed to contribute to the review process.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
New AIF brochure promotes safe and proper use of access equipment when working at height
THE NINE member organisations of the Access Industry Forum (AIF) - the alliance for access - have joined forces to publish a 12-page brochure encouraging the safe and proper use of work at height equipment.
Containing a foreword by Geoffrey Podger, chief executive of the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE), and Brian Law, chief executive of the Association for Project Safety (APS), the brochure’s message is clear: ‘Work safely and competently at height using appropriate equipment with personnel professionally trained to industry - recognised standards’.
The brochure contains a profile of all nine organisations. These are ‘standards driven’ trade associations and federations committed to advancing safety, best practice and competency when working at height -irrespective of equipment type or safety solution employed.
“Our aim is to ensure that people not only use the correct type of access equipment but use it properly,” says Chris Ball, chairman of the Ladder Association.
With this in mind, the Forum is sponsoring the AIF Knowledge Base at this year’s Safety & Health Expo, 11 - 13 May at the NEC, Birmingham. This new and interactive feature will inform and educate visitors about a range of key issues connected with working at height. Guest organisations for 2010 include APS, BSIF, HSE and IOSH.
The Forum collaborates with other trade and professional bodies and industry stakeholders, and regularly represents the access industry at conferences, seminars and exhibitions. It also provides speakers and demonstrations for safety-related events nationwide.
A copy of the free brochure is available here or from info@accessindustryforum.org.uk
