17 March 2014
Harness and Short Duration Work
Roof work is inherently dangerous and incidents can result in serious injuries or a fatality. No person
may go onto a roof unless there is appropriate fall protection in place. The nature of the precautions
needed may vary from one job to another, but not providing adequate safeguards is unacceptable.
Alternatives to Working at Height
Without exception assessment of the risks associated with working at height must be evaluated. Alternatives
must be considered prior to work at height commencing including the option to remove materials from height
in order to repair at ground level where there is a risk of serious injury.
Fletcher EQR Requirements
Where work at height is to be undertaken, a Task Analysis must be submitted to Fletcher EQR for evaluation
and acceptance prior to the work commencing. This requirement includes short duration work and inspections.
In addition, the provisions of the Fletcher EQR Working on Roofs Guideline must be adhered to at all times.
Working with a Harness
The use of a harness as the only mechanism of fall protection is not recommended. All other options must be
considered first. The use of edge protection and/or scaffolding as a fall prevention mechanism in conjunction
with fall restraint options is highly recommended.
Where short duration work is to be undertaken (including inspections) appropriate harnesses may be used as
the only mechanism for fall protection strictly on the basis that:
 all other options for fall protection have been considered and discarded as practicable steps.
 it is seen as a last resort option only.
 short duration work is undertaken only. Where the job may exceed the short duration time limit, other
options must be implemented.
 all persons working under these conditions must be trained, experienced and competent to undertake
the tasks safely.
 the provisions of the Fletcher EQR Working on Roofs Guideline are adhered to at all times.
In addition:
 An appropriate emergency response plan must be in place and communicated to all on site personal.
 Where a person is working in a fall arrest or harness system, and is exposed to the risk of a free fall
resulting in the person being suspended in their harness, then the site emergency response plan shall
include plans for the rapid retrieval of personnel. It is recommended that recovery
methods be practiced as response time is critical if a person is to avoid the
effects of suspension trauma.
 A minimum of two persons must be on site at all times while work at height is
being undertaken.
 Where elevating work platforms are to be used, any persons in the bucket of a
platform on the end of a boom must wear a safety harness with a lanyard
attached to the machine. The line should be just long enough to provide free
movement within the confines of the bucket. The harness must meet the
requirements of NZS 5811:1981 or equivalent standard.
Equipment
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All equipment shall comply with relevant approved design standards and manufacturer’s specifications.
All harnesses must be appropriately anchored in accordance with design standards and
manufacturer’s instructions.
+64 3 341 9900 | healthandsafetysupport@eqr.co.nz
Harness and Short Duration Work
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All equipment shall be fit-for-purpose and undergo the required pre-use and subsequent checks. Where
testing of equipment is a requirement, testing shall be carried out in accordance with recognised
standards.
Safe working limits of equipment shall not be exceeded.
Harnesses and lanyards must be destroyed if a fall has been sustained. Personal energy absorbers that
absorb energy by permanent deformation or destructive action must be discarded if that process has
commenced.
Short Duration Work
For the purposes of working in CHRP, short-duration work means work that lasts
a maximum of 4 hours or less.
It may not be reasonably practicable to provide full edge protection for shortduration work but it still needs to be considered during assessment and should
not be automatically discounted. Short duration roof work, will be treated the
same way as any other roof access.
Appropriate fall prevention controls must be in place, even if it is only a five
minute job.
Questions and answers
Q. For the purposes of CHRP, what does short duration work mean?
A. - Work that lasts a maximum of 4 hours
Q. On what conditions is the use of a harness as the only mechanism for fall protection for short duration work only permitted
to be used?
A.
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all other options for fall protection must have been considered and discarded as practicable steps.

it is seen as a last resort option only.

short duration work is undertaken only. Where the job may exceed this time limit, other options must be
implemented.

all persons working under these conditions must be trained, experienced and competent to undertake the tasks
safely.

the provisions of the Fletcher EQR Working on Roofs Guideline must be adhered to at all times.
I have read / heard and understand the information in this Tool Box Talk, I will ask my Manager or an EQR
staff member if I have any questions.
Name
Date
+64 3 341 9900 | healthandsafetysupport@eqr.co.nz
Signature