Is a Safe Platform and Harness Required for 2-Meter Brick Wall Construction?

Dear Sir,

I would like to know if brick wall making, with a height of about 2 meters, is currently in progress and if a proper working platform has been provided to the workers. Also, I am curious to know whether it is mandatory for the workers to use safety harnesses on the platform during masonry work.

Thank you.

When one is working at a height (especially in construction), a fall from 2 meters can result in dislocating a joint in the body, if not causing death. A proper working platform at a height can also lead to injury in the event of a fall.

Therefore, it is always necessary to mandate that workers wear safety harnesses while working at heights to prevent falls and injuries.

Regards,
Ashutosh Thakre

Factories Act Provisions

The Factories Act includes the following provisions:

32. Floors, Stairs, and Means of Access:
- In every factory:
- All floors, steps, stairs, passages, and gangways shall be of sound construction and properly maintained, and shall be kept free from obstructions and substances likely to cause persons to slip. Where necessary to ensure safety, steps, stairs, passages, and gangways shall be provided with substantial handrails.
- There shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, be provided and maintained safe means of access to every place where any person is required to work.
- When any person has to work at a height from which they are likely to fall, provision shall be made, as far as is reasonably practicable, by fencing or otherwise, to ensure the safety of the person working.

So, I think this will cover your case. While a lifeline is not specified as such, it's a good idea to provide it. More importantly, it is crucial to know where the lifeline is to be attached. It is meaningless if the worker is not attaching it to a secure place that can bear their weight and prevent a fall from height.

Regards

Hi,

Do you really need to refer to a "law" in order to decide when you have a doubt whether to use a harness or not? Why not choose the safe option and adopt it anyway?

Best Regards,
Amod Bobade.

Thanks for your comment, sir. We definitely use a safety harness for work at a height of 2 meters. My doubt is regarding the length of the standard lanyard, which is 1.8 meters, and we assume the height of a worker is 6 feet. The total length will be approximately 4 meters. We assume that he anchors his safety belt on a handrail, which is approximately 1 meter in height, and he stands on a platform that is 2 meters in height from ground level. If a person falls from a 2-meter platform, then he will fall on the ground. We need at least a +4 meter clearance from ground level for the use of a harness on the platform to save the worker.

Regards,
Mandola

I understand your question now. You cannot use a standard-length lanyard here. You have to opt for shorter lanyards. Additionally, you should not use shock/energy absorbers at this short height.

I also don't think a temporarily erected 'Handrail' can be considered truly safe or a proper anchoring point. For smaller platform heights, you need to position anchorage points at higher locations than handrails to reduce freefall height.

Please review the following thread to see if it provides you with any further information: https://www.citehr.com/253007-use-sa...-download.html

Best Regards,
Amod Bobade.