Page 1585 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

HSSE Bulletin No 594

16 November 2017

Use of Barriers

When we conduct site safety audits, our teams often ask why it is necessary to create a safe working
area around a MEWP, even though the site is closed.

We recently had a near-miss where an LED strip was accidently dropped from a MEWP. The work
area around the MEWP had been suitably barriered off, thereby preventing anybody from being near the
area of impact.

This is the fourth incident where materials / plant has accidently been dropped from height:

• In 2007 a drill was dropped from a tower, it landed within the safe area of the barriers
preventing any injury.

• In 2009 a screwdriver was dropped whilst removing a spreader panel, it landed within the
barriers area, but bounced out of the barriered area.

• In 2012 a sign panel was dropped, the safe working zone was not sufficient and the panel
dropped outside the barriered area.
• In 2017 an LED strip was dropped, smashing apart within the safe working area.

These incidents highlight why it is important to segregate the work area around the MEWP / tower,
even on closed sites. By creating a safe working area around the MEWP you create a safety buffer
whereby any dropped items cannot contact passers-by or other contractors on site.

If anybody attempts to move into your safe working zone, stop work and politely explain why the area
is barriered off. Ensure barriers are continuous around the work area, gaps in barriers encourage people
to ignore them.

If you are unable to suitably segregate your entire work area contact your line manager.