HSC launches work at height consultation

The Health & Safety Commission (HSC) has launched a four-month consultation period for the draft of new Work at Height Regulations. During this period the HSC wants the industry's views on the proposals, before the document is put to ministers in late 2004.
The draft regulations bring together relevant parts of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, the Workplace Regulations 1992 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
The consultation also asks a number of questions such as: "Should there be a transitional period before the regulations come into force?" And: "Should competence be defined?"
HSC chairman Bill Callaghan said: "The majority of falls from height result from failures of organisation or planning, and selecting inappropriate work equipment. It is therefore essential that work at height is properly planned, and an assessment of risks is undertaken before choosing equipment."
Commenting on the proposals, International Powered Access Federation managing director Paul Adorian said: "Everyone must realise that this is a sweeping document and every industry will be affected, not just access equipment users and scaffolding contractors.
"A truck driver standing on the back of his truck unloading goods will also come under the new regulations."
Construction Confederation health and safety director Andy Sneddon said: "These regulations represent the most significant legislative change of the decade."