HSE Reports

The Work at Height Safety Association: “Reference information for work at height”

 
RR521 First evaluation of the impact of the work at height regulations. First evaluation of the removal of the 'two metre rule' 

HSE Research on Falls from Height

Height Aware Campaign evaluation
Research question: How effective was the Height Aware campaign in delivering its aims and objectives?

Method: The report details the methodology, which includes both qualitative and quantitative evidence and interviews with representatives from the target audience, stakeholders, partners and those involved in campaign activity from HSE.

Potential benefits: The results of the evaluation will be fed into HSE Falls from Height results and inform future work. It will also be used in planning other HSE campaigns.

RR572 - HSE 'Height Aware' campaign evaluation


Mounting or dismounting from the top of a leaning ladder
Research question : How does mounting or dismounting from the top of a leaning ladder affect its stability? This report evaluates reasonable ladder use and quantifies the demands placed on the ladder system when used to access platforms and surfaces.

This research builds on the findings of RR205 - Evaluating the performance and effectiveness of ladder stability devices.

Method: The report details the methodology, which is based on the way in which instability occurs in the ladder when it is being used for access to/ egress from a platform or surface.

Potential benefits: In combination with RR205, this work aims to provide a reliable means for determining safe equipment for use in the field as well as assisting in the development of new and improved access devices.

RR478 - An evaluation of the stability requirements of mounting and dismounting from the top of leaning ladders


Revision of body size criteria in standards protecting people who work at height
Research question: Do we need to revise body size criteria in the standards used to test personal protective equipment (PPE) safety?

Method: Collecting anthropometric data of the working at height population

Potential benefits:

• Improved safety measures for workers at height who use PPE
• We find out more about this population.

RR342 - Revision of body size criteria in standards - Protecting people who work at height


'Trojan Horse' Construction Site Safety Messages
Research question: How can we deliver safety information directly to site operatives?

Method: Attaching key messages to construction components.

RR336 - Trojan horse construction site safety messages


Developing a prototype decision aid for determining risk of work systems at height when using temporary access systems

Method: One method of supporting safe practices when working at height is the provision of prescriptive guidelines in a readily accessible format for workers at all levels involved with the work. Decision aids are one means of presenting information. The research described in this report aimed to develop and test appropriate decision aids for people involved in temporary access to height.

Potential benefits: the provision of decision aids will enable people to plan and organise work at height more effectively.

RR268 - Developing a prototype decision aid for determining the risk of work systems at height when using temporary access systems


A review of the criteria concerning design, selection, installation, maintenance and training aspects of temporarily installed horizontal lifelines

Research question: what criteria affect the selection of temporarily installed horizontal lifelines for work at height?

Method: gathers together and reviews technical information in order to provide a greater understanding into how these FAS are designed, how they work, and how they are controlled.

Potential benefits: the results include information on key factors regarding selection, installation, use and maintenance; recommendations for those organisations that fabricate and install their own designs; recommendations for training; and information that could be put into HSE guidance.

RR258 - Preliminary investigation into the fall-arresting effectiveness of ladder safety hoops


Evaluating the performance and effectiveness of ladder stability devices

Research question: how do ladder stability devices perform in a range of tests? The report details the background, methodology and findings of an extensive investigation into the performance of leaning ladder stability and manual ladder footing.

Method: The report details the methodology, which is based on the way in which instability occurs in the ladder.

Potential benefits: The key recommendations are: there is a need for a technical standard, devices could be certified for use, and extensive user education is required.

RR205 - Evaluating the performance and effectiveness of ladder stability devices


Recidivist risk takers who work at height

Research question: why do individuals take risks when working at height and are some people more likely to have multiple falls from height accidents?

Method: detailed interviews with a mixture of those who had suffered injury as a result from falling from height, those who work at height but have not suffered a fall, and those who supervise the work.

Potential benefits: The research identifies a range of interventions aimed at reducing risk-taking behaviour and the obstacles to implementing these techniques.

RR201 - Recidivist risk takers who work at height


Falls from height - Prevention and risk control effectiveness

Method: This report describes an industry-wide study into the underlying influences on, and control of, falls from height. The falls accidents reported via RIDDOR have been analysed for the last five years.

Potential benefits: Aids understanding of what types of falls are happening, in which sectors, etc. This in turn helps with Programme targeting for interventions.

RR116 - Falls from height - Prevention and risk control effectiveness


Evaluation of the use of “Expert Systems”

Research question: Do computer based “expert” systems exist that support the health and safety strategies of duty holders and provide regulatory, hazard identification, decision support and monitoring or diagnostic support for an organisation?

Method: The report details the methodology, which is based on a review of international health and safety literature and a series of consultations.

Potential benefits: If “Expert Systems” can be identified or developed successfully and adopted by a large number of organisations a more robust management of health and safety is possible. This could also impact on the way health and safety management is monitored and regulated.

Overview of findings: No Expert Systems were identified during the research that would deliver the potential benefits.

RR508 - Evaluation into the success of occupational health and safety regulators and organisation use of expert systems