GB2461543A

GB2461543A - Device for preventing a worker falling from height

Info

Publication number: GB2461543A
Application number: GB0812108A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Coleman; Peter Sullivan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-02
Filing date: 2008-07-02
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Also published as: GB0812108D0

Abstract

A device for preventing a worker falling from height comprises two ground engaging footplatesA, each for placement under a wheel of a vehicle. Each footplateAhas a vertical poleBextending there from. A wireE, cable or rope is suspended between the tops of the two polesB. A worker connects himself to the wireEby means of a safety lineC. The device may be used in conjunction with a fall arresterG. Semi-vertical support wiresDmay be used to further strengthen the device.

Description

Provide a mobile means of constructing a overhead wire.

We work in the commercial automotive industry. As Managers we have a duty to provide safe working environment for our staff when carrying out repairs to front mounted fridges, roof mounted air con systems, body repairs, sign writing etc when at height above 2metres whether on or off site. We also have a need to provide cost effective repairs to our customer's vehicles. Where bringing the vehicle back to a workshop would be impractical due to increased down time and costs.

We have contacted several suppliers of overhead type equipment (also same supplier that fitted out the workshop) for a solution to this problem. They were unable to give a solution to our problem hence our invention.

Our invention would provide a structure that is secured by the vehicle weight so that we would be able to provide a line above the vehicle in the same manner as bringing the vehicle into the workshop.

The key feature of our invention is the foot plate (see fig 1 item a) these provide the means of securing the vertical poles (see fig 1 item b) onto which the various lines will be attached.

Another key feature is using the vehicles wheels and weight to mount this invention.

We have taken HSE advice as to the safety of fall arrest when not a direct fall or falling over something (edge of vehicle) The fixed length safety line many be replaced with a longer length of rope & the operative connected via a climbers type device which would allow them to lower themselves to the floor should they fall.

The poles, wires and fall arrest will all be existing technology. The dimension will be subject to a structural survey.

The basis of our invention is to use the vehicle as the anchor via footplates (fig 1 item a), the foot plates are placed in front of the vehicles wheels (there are 6 variations, left front I right front, left rear / right rear. left front / left rear, right front / right rear, left front / right rear, right front / left rear see fig 3.) The vehicle is then driven onto the plates, now the poles are assembled. the guide wires (see fig 1 d) are attached to the pole caps, the main safety wire (see fig 1 item e) is also fixed to same pole cap as the fall arrestor. The pole caps are fitted to the both poles (see fig 1 item. The pole and pole cap that has the main safety line and fall arrester attached can be mounted on the footplate. The guide wire (see fig 1 d) is now secured to the footplate.

Next is to thread the main safety wire through the second pole cap, this second pole cap will also have a guide wire already attached, fit the second pole cap to the second pole and now mount the second pole to the second foot plate, the guide wire (See fig 1 item d) is now attached to the foot plate. The main safety wire can be pulled taut (see fig I item 1).

The overhead main safety cable and our invention is now ready to use. )

See fig 2 -step 1 The operative now connects themselves to the fall arrestor & climbs the ladder.

Seefig2-step2 The operative once at the top connects the fixed length safety line (see fig one c) See fig 2 -step 3 The operative can now disconnect the fall arrestor and can now work safety on the task in hand.

It would be down to the operative to assess which configuration of poles and foot plates would get the over head wire nearest to were the work to be carried out is. Figi

A) Foot plate x 2 B) Poles all the same in construction x 6 C) Fixed length safety line (may change see text) D) Fixed length support wire x 2 E) Main safety rope F) Pole caps x 2 G) Existing fall arrest with inertia & brake 1) The main safety line will be secured at this point via a non slip fixing.

2) The connection of poles to foot plates will depend on prototype 3) The poles will be joined by either threading them, tapered & safety bolts, this will be subject to prototype 4) The connection of the fixed line to the main safety line will be via a carbine Claim

Claims

The unique elements of this invention, its design and elements for which we are applying for a patent are 1) The design of a footplate that in conjunction with the vehicle wheel and weigh will provide the anchor points to which the rest of the structure is attached.
2) The idea of providing an overhead wire (as used in a conventional workshop) in a mobile or outside environment so that existing fall arrest could be attached and used safety.