WAHA - News Blog

ANCHOR POINT STANDARD UPDATE

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:25:00 GMT

As advised in the last E-News, WAHA is funding the development of a new Australian Standard for single point anchors. It is pleasing to advise that the standards development committee has now concluded its first two day meeting and made significant progress on finalising the draft document prepared by the WAHA technical committee. The committee readily acknowledged the need for this standard to fill the gap in the existing suite of standards.

The new standard will not be referenced under the existing AS/NZS 1891 suite of standards and is likely to bear the reference AS/NZS5532. The next meeting of the development committee is in late April and the target for the issue of a draft for public comment is late June.

This standard will cover the design, manufacture and testing of single point anchors – which include tripods and davits – and consideration is being given on how to best cover the later installation and on site testing of those anchors. It is hoped that the implementation of this standard will eliminate the continued use of anchor points that are incapable of withstanding the forces generated in arresting a fall.

SAFETY SHOWS - MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:24:00 GMT

Australian Exhibitions and Conferences are organising the Safety Show in Melbourne from 17th to 19th April and the Safety Show in Sydney from 25th to 27th October. Both these events will feature exhibition stands and seminars offering advice on issues related to working at height. Visitors should look for stands displaying the WAHA logo at these events to ensure they are getting the best possible advice from companies that have been acknowledged as experts by their peers in their industry.

WAHA members and representatives will be attending both shows to facilitate discussions with potential new members. The Association will also be arranging member category meetings to coincide with the Sydney Show in October to maximise the value to members in attending.

For any immediate membership enquiries visit the WAHA website at www.waha.org.au or E-mail secretary@waha.org.au.
For exhibition details visit www.thesafetyshow.com.au

WAHA MEMBERSHIP REVIEW

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 04:26:00 GMT

The Directors of WAHA have been reviewing the priorities for attracting and servicing the needs of new members of the Association in the months ahead. While there has been considerable demand from the end user category it is felt that the “service” side of the industry needs to examine and take some steps to address the supply side of industry issues first.

The current focus is towards the recruitment of suitably qualified companies in the distributor, installer and training categories. As these groups form, category meetings will be held – initially by telephone conference – to tease out industry issues within those categories for discussion and the development of industry based solutions.

The first Installer category meeting is currently being planned and should be held by the end of March. This format will set the agenda for the Association in its management of industry issues aimed at improving the level of service to end users and the improved safety for those working at height. Open industry communication in those areas will then allow expansion to end users to establish their issues and again form appropriate strategies to address them. The Association is determined to offer real and practical value to all members and to address their issues on an industry wide and country wide basis.

HEIGHT SAFETY INDUSTRY TO BECOME CO-ORDINATED

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:46:00 GMT

We are excited to announce the expansion of the Fall Prevention Manufacturers Association to include other industry segments- including end users - involved in managing safe working at height. With a mission to become the peak industry body on height, WAHA has grown to represent the interests of manufacturers, installers, distributers, training companies, as well as end users, which is an expansion of the FPMA's previous scope.

The Fall Protection Manufacturers Association (FPMA), which was formed in 2006, is currently expanding its sphere of influence to cover all businesses involved with the requirements of managing safe working at height. It is planned that the new Working at Height Association (WAHA) will become

the peak industry body and will represent the interests of manufacturers and installers, through to distributors and training companies as well as end users and related industry associations. The Association has three classes of membership – Full, Associate and Affiliate – based on the level of involvement and contribution of the member within their industry segment.

All Members will be required to comply with the highest technical and ethical standards within their industry segment and to work with the Association on the continual improvement of the levels of safety of those required to work at height.

The Association will provide a number of forums for members to discuss, research and take action on industry issues and will actively lobby on behalf of the industry with the appropriate government agencies, other authorities and related associations

The Association already has a proposal with Standards Australia to fund the development of a new Australian Standard on single point anchors – a standard currently conspicuous by its absence

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TO DRIVE NEW AUSTRALIAN STANDARD

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:45:00 GMT

WAHA constantly strives to develop and set high standards of safety and currently has a proposal with Standards Australia to fund the development of a new Australian Standard on single point anchors.

WAHA recommends that where personal fall protection equipment is required, there are three key elements employed:

Full body fall arrest rated harness.
A fall arrest rated anchor system.
A connector to join the full body harness to the anchor system (usually a shock absorbing lanyard).

Over the last 10 years, Australia has developed what is recognised as the world's most comprehensive suite of standards covering personal fall protection equipment known as the AN/NZS1891 suite of standards.

The first of 3 parts of the standard covers harnesses and ancillary equipment (lanyards, pole straps, etc.); the second (which is in two sections) covers horizontal lifeline and rail systems while the third is directed at fall arrest devices (rope grabs etc.) Part 4 is directed at the users of the equipment and focuses on the selection, use and maintenance of equipment.

However, this suite of standards – while covering movable horizontal and vertical

lifeline and rail systems – fails to cover the widely used single point anchor – one of the critical items in a wide variety of personal fall arrest systems. This gap in the standards leaves a huge potential risk for those working at height.

Over the last 15 months, the Technical Committee of the Fall Protection Manufactures Association - now WAHA - has worked to develop a draft standard for single point anchors.

The Association currently has a proposal with Standards Australia to fund the finalisation of this Standard. The Standards Australia committee and public comment processes has a timeline of some 25 weeks and, if running to plan, the Standard should be published 35 weeks after commencement. As our tag line states, WAHA is constantly 'reaching new levels of safety' and all of the WAHA team are excited to get this standard implemented as soon as possible.

HELLO WAHA NEWS

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:44:00 GMT

The Working at Height Association (WAHA) is launching an E-Newsletter to better communicate with members and with the Height Safety market in general. The Association intends to keep the market appraised of its activities to improve the safety of those required to work at height.

WAHA E-News has been designed to regularly update members - and the market in general - on activities that are underway or planned to help promote the safety of people working at height. The Association will be preparing its own briefs based on its market representation activities but it also requests input from members and other interested parties on local and national issues or events that can

assist in promoting an increased awareness on height safety related matters.

E-News will be delivered electronically to all WAHA members and other registered recipients. The newsletter itself will be limited to a short version of the topic with a link provided to the full article which

can also be downloaded from the WAHA website.

If you have any events or issues you wish to raise with WAHA please use the "Contact Us" page on the website.

This first version of E-News covers the launch of both the establishment of Working at Height Association from the Fall Protection Manufacturers Association and the E-News communication media as well as the current status on the Association's activity on the development of a new Australian Standard on single Point Anchors.

Welcome to E-News!!