How To Prepare Work at Height HIRA: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

How To Prepare Work at Height HIRA: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

How To Prepare Work at Height HIRA : Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) for Window Cleaning on High-Rise Buildings

Introduction: Window cleaning on high-rise buildings, particularly using suspended platforms, involves inherent risks that necessitate a thorough Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) to ensure the safety of workers. This comprehensive guide outlines the step-by-step process to identify potential hazards, assess risks, and implement effective control measures.

1. Work at Height Activity:

Window cleaning on high-rise buildings using suspended platforms.

2. Gather Information:

• Site location: Downtown commercial district.
• Building height: 20 stories.
• Weather conditions: Windy conditions expected during the cleaning period.
• Access points: External building maintenance platform.

3. Identified Hazards:

1. Fall Hazards:
   • Unprotected edges and openings on the platform.
   • Potential for slipping on wet surfaces.
2. Weather Conditions:
   • High winds leading to swaying of the platform.
   • Risk of objects being blown off the platform.
3. Equipment Failure:
   • Malfunction of the suspended platform or its controls.
4. Emergency Response:
   • Lack of effective emergency response procedures in case of a worker fall or platform failure.

4. Risk Assessment:

• Fall Hazards:
  • Likelihood: High (frequent exposure during cleaning).
  • Severity: High (potential for serious injuries or fatalities).
  • Risk Level: Critical.
• Weather Conditions:
  • Likelihood: Moderate (seasonal winds).
  • Severity: Moderate (potential for instability).
  • Risk Level: Moderate.
• Equipment Failure:
  • Likelihood: Low (regular maintenance and checks).
  • Severity: High (potential for serious injuries or fatalities).
  • Risk Level: Moderate.
• Emergency Response:
  • Likelihood: Low (with proper safety measures).
  • Severity: High (critical in the event of an incident).
  • Risk Level: Moderate.

5. Risk Ranking:

1. Fall Hazards (Critical)
2. Emergency Response (Moderate)
3. Equipment Failure (Moderate)
4. Weather Conditions (Moderate)

6. Control Measures:

• Fall Hazards:
  • Install guardrails and toe boards on the platform.
  • Provide non-slippery flooring on the platform.
• Weather Conditions:
  • Schedule work during periods of lower wind speeds.
  • Ensure workers are securely tethered to the platform.
• Equipment Failure:
  • Conduct regular maintenance checks by certified technicians.
  • Implement a system for immediate reporting and addressing malfunctions.
• Emergency Response:
  • Develop and communicate a detailed emergency response plan.
  • Conduct regular emergency drills.

7. Hierarchy of Controls:

• Prioritize engineering controls such as guardrails and non-slip flooring.
• Use administrative controls like scheduled maintenance and emergency response drills.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety harnesses.

8. Emergency Procedures:

• Establish a clear procedure for responding to a worker fall or equipment failure.
• Train all workers on emergency response protocols.
• Regularly review and update emergency procedures.

9. Training and Competency:

• Ensure all window cleaning personnel are trained in the use of the suspended platform.
• Verify that they understand and can implement emergency response procedures.

10. Regular Review:

• Conduct a monthly review of incidents, near misses, and equipment logs.
• Update the HIRA as needed based on the review findings.

11. Documentation:

• Maintain detailed records of hazard identification, risk assessments, and control measures.
• Ensure that all workers have access to this documentation.

12. Communication:

• Clearly communicate control measures and emergency procedures to all workers involved.
• Encourage open communication for reporting potential hazards.

13. Supervision and Monitoring:

• Assign a supervisor to oversee the window cleaning activities.
• Regularly monitor the implementation of control measures.

14. Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with local building and safety regulations.
• Regularly review and update procedures based on regulatory changes.

15. Review and Continuous Improvement:

• Conduct regular safety meetings to discuss improvements and lessons learned.
• Actively seek feedback from workers and incorporate it into future risk assessments.

How to Prepare Risk Assessment for Vibration

ISO 45001 Risk Assessment Matrix

ISO 45001 Hazard Identification

ISO 45001 Risk Assessment

ISO 45001 SWOT Analysis

By following this structured approach, businesses can proactively identify and address potential hazards associated with window cleaning on high-rise buildings, thereby ensuring the safety of workers involved in work at height activities.