Issue No.
15 January 2021
100% HSE
INSIGHTS
LIFE-SAVING RULE –
WORKING AT HEIGHT
In this issue we look in greater depth at ‘Working at Height’ from our 10 Life-Saving Rules.
Hazards of falls from height can be mitigated with proper planning, training and equipment.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the 15th issue of 100% HSE Insights.
Most major incidents and fatalities today are related to working at height,
where work is conducted at height without applying the appropriate
safeguards. Working at height includes, but is not limited to, working:
• On a flat roof;
• On fragile surfaces;
• On scaffoldings;
• Using access equipment (such as, ladders, gangways,
cradle, man-basket); and
• At ground level close to holes (e.g. excavations)
edges or ledges (e.g. retaining walls).
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
WORKING AT HEIGHT
Despite the vast number
of regulations, standards,
and guidelines, incidents Protect youself against a fall when
continue to occur. working at height
Whenever work has to
• I inspect my fall protection equipment
be carried out at height
before use
(1.8 meters or higher) it is
necessary to provide the • I secure tools and work materials to
worker with a safe means prevent dropped objects
of access to the work and
during the work. • I tie off 100% to approved anchor
points while outside a protected area
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO ENSURE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE LIFE-SAVING RULE
FOR WORKING AT HEIGHT
PLAN CAREFULLY WITH THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS…
• Risk Assessment related to work activity
• Always consider and evaluate the risk of
falling objects
• Apply ‘Hierarchy of Controls’
(Avoid, Prevent, Minimize)
• Equipment Selection
(Ensure availability & usage of the most appropriate equipment
taking technological advances into account that may introduce
new means of controlling working at height)
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
• Plan the Access and Egress to ensure easy
movement and access around the work area
• Verify medical fitness and exclude others
Note: Exclude Personnel suffering from vertigo
(Condition where a person has the sensation of moving
or of surrounding objects moving when they are not.)
and acrophobia (Extreme or irrational fear or phobia of
heights), who are physically unfit to undertake climbing
activities, suffering from dizziness or having physical
shape or weight which may affect the safe operation of
working at height equipment.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
ACCORDING TO THE PLAN AND NATURE OF WORK, DIFFERENT METHODS EXIST THAT
COULD BE IDENTIFIED TO PROTECT WORKERS WORKING AT HEIGHT SUCH AS:
FIRSTLY: FALL PROTECTION MEWP
• Mobile Elevated Working Platform
(MEWP) (Scissor lift, aerial
platform, etc).
• Suspended Work Platform (SWP)
comprising overhead fixed
supports, suspension lines, and
work platforms.
SWP
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
• Guard Rail Systems consisting GUARD FALL
of top rails, mid rails, and posts, RAIL RESTRAINT
erected to prevent employees SYSTEM SYSTEM
from falling off a scaffold platform
or walkway to lower levels.
• Ladders set up on a level area
on firm footing and the base at
a distance of approximately a
quarter of the vertical height of
the ladder from the wall. LADDER
• Fall Restraint System and
Positioning Devices to prevent the
user from falling any distance.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
SECONDLY: FALL ARREST
• Safety Nets such as Personnel Nets or Material or
Debris Protection Nets.
• Lanyards to connect the person working at height
to an anchorage point.
• Full-Body Harness suitable and appropriate to
withstand the weight of person & tools.
• Anchorage Points established so that personnel
have free movement.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
FOR PARTICULAR CASES WHERE WORK TAKES PLACE OVER
WATER, THE FOLLOWING CONTROLS ARE ALSO REQUIRED:
• SOLAS approved (Auto inflation/Foam type) life jackets fitted with
light and whistle.
• Proper scaffolding, safety nets or a safety harness shall be worn.
• Supervision with a portable radio and in radio contact with control
room/standby vessel.
• A lifebuoy, line and stand by boat present in the immediate vicinity.
• No lone working or without continuous supervision.
• No work in adverse weather conditions.
• No work during hours of darkness unless approved adequate
illumination provided.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
OTHER GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS:
• Erection of physical barriers in case of any
falling hazard situation (open hatches, removed
gratings etc).
• Ensuring anti-slip tiles with the suitable anti-
nosing type are installed at stairs (rig floors etc).
• Ensuring adequate communication system and
tools along with rescue provisions are available.
• Ensuring that “Three Point Contact” is always
maintained while using ladders.
• Continuous awareness of surroundings when
working at height.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
DETAILED INFORMATION, GUIDELINES AND
REQUIREMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE
BELOW ADNOC HSE STANDARDS:
• ADNOC Work Management System (WMS) Framework
• ADNOC Permit to Work Standard
• ADNOC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard
ADNOC
• ADNOC Working at Height Standard HSE
Standards
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
HERE WE LOOK AT SOME OF ADNOC’S OWN INCIDENTS TO EXPLORE WHAT
LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED:
INJURIES TO A SCAFFOLDER DUE TO FALL FROM HEIGHT
Refinery Site, June 2020
DESCRIPTION:
A work permit was issued for an extension to a
piping layout job. Later, a scaffolding crew was
assigned to provide additional pipe support on the
other side of the platform where a metal grating
had been removed. While working near the removed
metal grating area, the scaffolder fell through the
gap (approximately 1-meter x 70 cm) at a height of
about 7 meters. He sustained multiple fractures and
was evacuated to the hospital.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
IMMEDIATE CAUSES
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was not used
(Scaffolder did not anchor his harness while working
at height).
• Unprotected height (The gap caused by the removed
metal grating on the platform was not protected by a
cover or barricaded).
• Inattention to footing and surrounding areas
(Scaffolder was aware of the gap on the working
platform but failed to pay attention during the
execution of job).
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
KEY ACTIONS &
ROOT CAUSES:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Inadequate implementation of Procedure/ • Do not issue any work
Standards/ Policy (Issuing authority did permit without inspecting
not visit the work location and issued a site conditions at the
permit from ground level without ensuring work location.
if associated hazards and controls were • Always use a fall arrester
mitigated). and full body harness
• Inadequate Work Planning (Job supervision while working at height
was inadequate due to lack of HSE and site (Harness will not be
inspectors at site impacted by COVID-19 effective unless it is
restrictions). anchored).
• Inadequate correction of worksite/job • Do not create any
hazards (Despite knowledge of open metal unprotected height hazards
grating, risks of working near the created and cover/barricade any
opening were not assessed nor controlled). such gaps/hazards.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
PERSON FELL DOWN FROM RIG FLOOR STAIRCASE
JACK-UP RIG , APRIL 2019
DESCRIPTION:
While descending from the rig floor stairs,
the injured person twisted his left foot and
slipped on steps all the way down until
reaching the staircase-landing area. He
sustained a serious knee injury.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
ROOT CAUSES:
• Improper Supervisory Example: Rig Manager did
not ensure the use of the correct safety shoes and
trailing use of hand rails.
• Inadequate Technical Design: Proper anti-slip nose
plates were not installed.
• Inadequate Audit Inspections & Monitoring: Rig
inspections were not adequate to identify the
deficiencies of the staircase.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Issue No. 15 January 2021
KEY ACTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Conduct awareness sessions for the crew to explain the
hazards of wearing the wrong size of safety boot and
re-emphasize the use of correct trailing technique while
descending stairs.
• Replace the non-suitable type of anti-slip tiles with the
suitable anti-nosing type and block the non-suitable type.
• Provide the crew with their required size of safety shoes.
• Amend the current rig inspection checklist to conclude
the approved type of anti-slip and staircase access
and conditions.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
