Work at height Guidance for Cold Stores

by bfff.co.uk - 18/01/2010

"BFFF and the Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) are delighted to announce the launch of new Work At Height Guidance for the frozen food and cold storage industry. "

This new guidance supports the industry in their selection of work at height equipment and has been developed following full consultation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Most cold store and frozen food operators require access for work at height activities. Due to the harsh climatic environment within a cold store, with temperatures often below minus 20oC, there is a lack of current state of the art technology providing work at height solutions for the industry. Consequently prior to the agreement of this new guidance, many cold store operators were in breach of existing HSE guidance in this area by regularly utilising non integrated working platforms3 for planned work. This meant that companies were potentially liable to prosecution and the industry lacked practical safety guidance in this area.

BFFF and FSDF have worked for some time with HSE to deliver a solution for the industry and HSE has recognised the practical limitations for cold stores. The resulting new guidance is supplementary to existing HSE Guidance note PM284, and supports cold store operators in their selection of work at height equipment by outlining a hierarchy of the alternatives available. It also includes some examples of elements to consider in developing a safe system of work for the operation of lift truck and non-integrated working platform combinations.

BFFF and FSDF are delighted to have worked together with HSE to provide a practical guide for the industry. The industry is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all involved in the frozen food industry. This new guidance will support the industry to enhance their health and safety practices by providing relevant and practical advice for work at height solutions. Click here to view the new guidance document.

Notes

About BFFF:

BFFF is the leading Trade Association for the frozen food sector. Its mission is to promote and protect the interests of the frozen food industry. Members cover the entire cold chain including large companies to SMEs.

The Federation works to increase its influence with Government and develop alliances with outside agencies affecting the success of frozen foods. It is involved in a wide range of consultations with Government departments, covering a diverse set of issues affecting the frozen food industry. It also campaigns with its members to educate, promote and inform consumers, retailers and the foodservice sector about the value of frozen food. A range of services are offered impartially to each individual BFFF member organisation.

About the Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) www.fsdf.org.uk

The FSDF, formerly the Cold Storage and Distribution Federation was founded in 1911. It is the sole trade body which represents and supports the interests of the entire food logistics industry and has positioned itself to include ambient food and drink supply chain following an increased demand from food and drink product and service suppliers to cover the whole range of temperature regimes from frozen to ambient. With its main members from the food and drink storage and distribution industry, the FSDF also has Associate members who supply a wide range of equipment, vehicles and support services and now a growing number of major food retailers.

The purpose of the organisation is to ‘Promote excellence in food and drink logistics’ by providing support and advice on cost effectiveness, environmental impact and sustainability, good business practice and legislation, to generate new business and networking opportunities, as well as represent the industry to Government and the media.



Non-integrated working platforms are attachments for use in conjunction with forklift trucks to elevate people so they can work at height, but they have no controls in the platform that allow a person in the platform to control the lift height of the platform or move the truck; i.e. all truck and working platform movements are controlled by the truck operator.



HSE Guidance Note PM28 (3rd edition) – Working Platforms (Non-integrated) on forklift trucks outlines the restrictions on the circumstances in which non-integrated working platforms can be used.

More Details: http://www.bfff.co.uk/news-and-events/news/work-height-guidance-cold-stores