Tallescope Risk Assessments!

[Sebastian Barnes]

At our last meeting it was suggested we post risk assessments. Here
is one done for mac. Please comment and add any you know of;

The Tallescope at mac provides single person access to a working
height of 5.5 metres.
mac staff regularly use this to access lighting equipment rigged
overhead, particularly to focus and alter colours.
The Tallescope is usually used indoors and when two or more people are
present in the space.
A visual inspection must be made before each use (and records held on
site). Annual recorded inspections also take place.
Outriggers are used where there is space to extend them. Brakes are
applied before ascending.
The Tallescope is not to be used to lift equipment. Small items,
tools, etc, can be lifted by the operator using suitable cord or sash
line. All tools and loose equipment should be kept in a bag fastened
to the working basket.
Moving the Tallescope when an operator is in the basket is only done
in the following conditions;
- Two people are stationed at the bottom, one at either end.
- It is only moved in line with the main frame, the longest wheel
dimension.
- Outriggers are only lifted a minimum amount.
- The operator verbally controls the movement.
- This movement is only undertaken for short distances where
descending and ascending would introduce unreasonable operator fatigue
and the movement take considerably less time than descending and
ascending.
- This movement is only practiced indoors, on a flat surface with no
ramps or obstructions, and in adequate lighting conditions.
- Visual checks for low hanging overhead obstructions are performed by
operator before movement.

[Chris Athey]

Hi Sebastian, good start at a safe system of work. is the tallescope a scissor lift type or access is by climbing up it? otherwise the inspection period would be 6 months.

Will get back to you with more information

Chris Athey

This e-mail and its contents are confidential to the intended recipient.
If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by replying to this e-mail and then delete it from your system.
The National Exhibition Centre Limited (NEC Ltd) has scanned this e-mail for viruses but does not accept any responsibility for viruses once this e-mail has been transmitted.
You should scan attachments (if any) for viruses.
Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of NEC Ltd unless explicitly stated otherwise.
NEC Ltd may monitor the contents of e-mails sent and received via its network for the purposes of ensuring compliance with its policies and procedures.
No contract may be concluded on behalf of NEC Ltd, nor service of process accepted, by e-mail.
The National Exhibition Centre Limited is a company influenced by Birmingham City Council within the meaning of Part V of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Registered in England No. 979395.
Registered Office: The National Exhibition Centre Birmingham B40 1NT

[Sebastian Barnes]

Tallescopes are climb up, mechanical access. No motors or hydraulics involved.

Check this link for pictures and info. http://www.tallescope.co.uk/home.html

Sebastian.

Chris Athey

mac
Cannon Hill Park
Birmingham B12 9QH
Administration: 0121 440 4221

http://www.macarts.co.uk
Registered Company no 718349
Registered Charity no 528979
VAT no 818 2851 16

mac's mission is to promote innovative, creative arts activities, in ways which help to establish them as an important part of peoples lives.

The contents of this email are confidential and are intended solely for the addressee and for use solely for the purpose for which they have been supplied. If you receive this email in error please inform the sender immediately or call the number above.

mac hereby excludes any warranty as to the quality or accuracy of any information contained in this message and any liability of any kind for the information contained in it and for its transmission, reception, storage or use in any way whatsoever.

All emails sent to or from this address will be transmitted through mac's corporate email system and are subject to virus scanning, and may be reviewed by persons other than the recipient.

[Chris Athey]

Thanks
Sebastian, always best to check, good practice would be a more frequent inspection although 12 months is only required. It would also to be advisable under Work at Height Regulations to have specific records of inspection under normal times: weekly/monthly? etc.

All of this instruction added into the risk assessment

regards
Chris