OHS Act Construction Regulation 8

(a) a risk assessment of all work carried out from an elevated position which shall include the procedures and methods used to address all the risks identified per location;

(b) the processes for evaluation of the employees' physical and psychological fitness necessary to work at elevated positions and the records thereof;

(d) the procedure addressing the inspection, testing and maintenance of all fall protection equipment.

(3) A contractor shall ensure that the construction supervisor appointed in terms of regulation 6(1), is in possession of the most recently updated version of the fall protection plan.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulations (1) and (2), the contractor shall ensure that -

(a) all unprotected openings in floors, edges, slabs, hatchways and stairways are adequately guarded, fenced or barricaded or that similar means are used to safeguard any person from falling through such openings;

(b) no person works in an elevated position, unless such work is performed safely as if working from a scaffold or ladder;

(c) notices are conspicuously placed at all openings where the possibility exists that a person might fall through such openings;

(d) fall prevention and fall arrest equipment is -

(i) suitable and of sufficient strength for the purpose or purposes for which it is being used having regard to the work being carried out and the load, including any person, it is intended to bear; and

(ii) securely attached to a structure or plant and the structure or plant and the means of attachment thereto is suitable and of sufficient strength and stability for the purpose of safely supporting the equipment and any person who is liable to fall;

(e) fall arrest equipment shall only be used where it is not reasonably practicable to use fall prevention equipment; and

(f) suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that in the event of a fall by any person, the fall arrest equipment or the surrounding environment does not cause injury to the person.

(5) Where roof work is being performed on a construction site, the contractor shall ensure that in addition to the requirements set out in subregulations (2) and (4), it is furthermore indicated in the fall protection plan -

(a) that the roof work has been properly planned;

(b) that the roof erectors are competent to carry out the work;

(c) that no employees are permitted to work on roofs during inclement weather conditions or if weather conditions are a hazard to the health and safety of the employees;

(d) that prominent warning notices are to be placed where all covers to openings are not of sufficient strength to withstand any imposed loads and where fragile material exists;

(e) that the areas mentioned in paragraph (d) are to be barricaded off to prevent persons from entering;

(f) that suitable and sufficient platforms, coverings or other similar means of support have been provided to be used in such a way that the weight of any person passing across or working on or from fragile material is supported; and

(g) that there is suitable and sufficient guard-rails or barriers and toe-boards or other similar means of protection to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the fall of any person, material or equipment.

"fall protection plan" means a documented plan, of all risks relating to working from an elevated position, considering the nature of work undertaken, and setting out the procedures and methods to be applied in order to eliminate the risk;

"fall prevention equipment" means equipment used to prevent persons from falling from an elevated position, including personal equipment, body harness, body belts, lanyards, lifelines or physical equipment, guardrails, screens, barricades, anchorages or similar equipment;

"fall arrest equipment" means equipment used to arrest the person in a fall from an elevated position, including personal equipment, body harness, lanyards, deceleration devices, lifelines or similar equipment, but excludes body belts;

General Safety Regulation 6. Work in elevated positions. (Non construction).

No employer shall require or permit any person to work in an elevated position, and no person shall work in an elevated position, unless such work is performed safely from a ladder or scaffolding, or from a position where such person has been made as safe as if he were working from scaffolding.