With health and safety being an important aspect of working-at-height projects, a new Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill is expected to be tabled next year.

The Bill will enforce penalties of up to a R50 000 spot fine for every contravention, should working-at-height projects not comply with the necessary regulations set out by the Department of Employment and Labour.

“The worst-case scenario – serious injuries or fatalities – is that a fine of up to R5-million could be issued or, alternatively, jail time of up to five years. It is not worth taking a chance because if a temporary works designer makes a mistake, there could be significant legal ramifications,” says temporary works consultant Waco Engineering Services MD Otto Botha.

He explains that temporary works designers need to be competent and qualified according to local regulations that require them to have the necessary knowledge, experience and training, in addition to being appointed according to their knowledge of specific projects.

Botha adds that risk assessments need to be conducted by a registered fall-protection planner to identify potential hazards on site.

To further mitigate risks, those employed to work at height need to be cleared medically and be competent enough to execute the work.

This requires workers to be accredited by a relevant sector education and training authority or be accredited by a professional body like the Institute for Work at Height, with which Waco partners to provide training for those working at height.

Botha adds that the relevant equipment, including personal protective equipment, and safety systems used on site, need to align with the necessary legislation to ensure that all safety protocols are adhered to.

“Equipment has to be fit for purpose and well maintained according to local standards and regulations. Training also has to be provided for workers operating certain equipment.”

Moreover, relevant working-at-height projects need to be conducted according to the requirements of every project.

Botha says it is also necessary to have an emergency response team on site to attend to possible injuries.

“Our primary focus is to keep our employees safe, and we aim to provide a full range of services for the working-at-heights industry. Our company is also assisting in rewriting the SANS 1008-5, which is the South African scaffolding standard. So, we try to do more than just what we need for ourselves to add value throughout the business chain,” he concludes.