Australasian Mining Review
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/37922
24 The Safer way up: Lifts vs Stairs Which one is really more cost effective? stairs. Yet a recent report has found that stairways can be dangerous with injuries related to stairways outnumbering injuries related to fi re by a factor of 35. Fall-related injuries have also outnumbered injuries related to motor vehicle accidents in the US for quite some time. Around 75 % of accidents on stairs occur during descent, so the potential outcome can be signifi cant. Despite this, there has been minimal regulatory agreement on the design and construction of stairs. This lead to the 2008 report by the Monash University Accident Research Centre which was commissioned by the Australian Building Codes Board. His report led to tighter regulations on stair construction for all future buildings. W Possibly a bigger issue is the possible long term damage to knees by continually having to use stairs in a workplace. While no studies are available to confi rm or deny this, there is mounting anecdotal evidence that this may be the case. Comments from some sites contacted are that it is common to have workers off, or on light duties, while waiting for, or recovering from, knee surgery. This is backed up by the 2010 Safety Performance data from Queensland Mines and Quarries which shows that knees are the third most likely body parts injured behind hand/fi nger/ thumb and leading the list is the back. However the percentage of knee injuries has increased year on year since 2007 while the other classifi cations have stayed even. 2010 Western Australian data refl ects a similar message where leg injuries accounted for the largest proportion of serious injuries for surface activities and were second in Underground activities. NSW data has knees third behind fi ngers and hands and the back in Notifi able Injuries. This is exacerbated by the aging workforce were these longer term injuries are more likely to occur. Evidence from a major coal miner was that the average age was 45 on one site and 48 on another site. So this aging workforce exacerbates these issues, however more experienced operators are becoming prized by sites as the mining industry expands. A further problem comes with the need to get tools and materials up to heights where they are needed. The requirement on many sites for three points of contact means only light tools or parts should be by Peter Thompson www.alimakhek.com.au [Access Heights Safely and Easily] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ hile a great deal of emphasis is put on falls from heights when using equipment to access up to 2.0 metres in height, little emphasis is placed on carried in a bag or satchel. If carried in the hand, then the three points of contact becomes impossible. The use of a crane to lift parts becomes time consuming and potentially frustrating for small items. The fi nal problem comes with the potential need to evacuate injured workers from height. Trying to carry a person on a stretcher down a set of stairs and around landings safely becomes more complex the more you review it. So is there a better way? Lifts have a long history in providing safe and simple vertical access in offi ces, hotels and apartments to the point where they are expected. So a lift with a proven history of safe and reliable access in any Industrial environment is the ideal solution. In summary a lift will provide a; • Reduced climbing up and down stairs with a signifi cant reduction in stress on knees and ankles. • Reduction in the time for workers to access heights for maintenance and inspections. • Reduced cost of cranes to lift tools and equipment, reduced waiting time and operable in higher winds. • Signifi cant improvement in emergency procedures and evacuation. • Less stressful working environment for older workers. This can all be shown on our ALIMAKHEK Verticalc simulator. Call us to discuss your site and we can use Verticalc to advise on the exact cost savings possible.