Page 1558 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

HSSE Bulletin No 584

07 September 2017

Fall From Canopy

Please see enclosed safety alert regarding a fall from height from ExxonMobil.

This incident is a reminder of the dangers when working at height on canopy structured or fragile roofs.
Canopy undersheets are not designed to support any material or person standing upon them. When
working inside canopies, crawl boards must be used, supported by the purlins.

The harness this person was wearing may well have saved his life, always ensure you wear your harness
and it is secured by an appropriate lanyard to a secure anchor point. Inspect the harness and lanyard
before use, do not proceed if the harness or lanyard is damaged or defective. If you are unsure contact
your line manager.

When working on canopy roofs, it is very rare to have an on-site purpose made safety harness fixing
point (or eyebolt), and when they are available there is no documentation or testing to show they are
suitable. It is therefore almost always necessary to provide your own anchor point. If you cannot
identify a suitable anchor point on site, stop the work and contact your line manager – a crane may be
needed to provide an anchor point.

Make sure you are familiar with the emergency rescue procedure (Procedure 4.1.2.4b - Rescue
Procedure - Harness) – if you were the person in the fall on this bulletin what would be your response?

We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works for
us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!