HHSRS VERSION 2

HHSRS VERSION 2

SEPTEMBER 2004

FALLS BETWEEN LEVELS

Vulnerable group

Persons aged under 5 years

Related hazards

Entrapment and collision

Elevation

A) Landing ballustrade

B) Rear bedroom window

No

No

Multiple locations

Yes

Secondary hazards

Yes

A) Secondary hazard

B) Concrete patio below

DESCRIPTION OF HAZARDS

Dwelling:

1970s detached, two bedroomed house

A) The Landing Balustrade: This is some 900 mm high and comprises 3 horizontal planks spanning

between the top newel post and end post and has continuous horizontal gaps over 200 mm high

between. From the landing there is a maximum free fall of some 2 metres to the bottom treads.

B) Front and rear first floor windows: Both the front and rear bedrooms windows have a large top-

hung opening light, with no safety catch. Both have sills some 850 mm high with radiators below and

are some 3.6 m above the ground, which comprises respectively a path and patio of concrete slabs.

LIST OF RELEVANT MATTERS

LIKELIHOOD

A

B

1

Type of opening light

3

a

Ease of window operation

-

-

b

Safety catches

-

3

c

Opening limiters

-

3

d

Sill heights

-

1

e

Disrepair of window

-

-

f

Ease of cleaning

-

3

g

Height of guarding

-

-

h

Easily climbed guarding

3

-

i

Openings in guarding

3

-

Key

j

Constn./repair of guarding

-

-

OUTCOMES

a

Height above ground/ level

b

Nature of ground/ surface #

c

Non-safety glass

# Secondary hazards

i

Stair and balustrade

A

3

ii

3

1

Concrete steps

-

Seriously defective

2 Defective

Not satisfactory

-

Satisfactory/NA

A

B

1

2

3

3

-

1

B

2

2

27

Score

Average likelihood, outcomes and HHSRS score for falls between levels by persons aged

under 5 years in and around 1946-79 houses, 1997-99.

HHSRS VERSION 2

SEPTEMBER 2004

HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SYSTEM SCORES

1946-79 House

1 in

100

LIKELIHOOD

Low

High

Average: 1259

Example

100

< 4200 2400 1300 750 420 240 130

75

42

24

13

7.5

4

2.5

1.5 >

Justification

OUTCOMES

Class I

Class II

Class III

Class IV

Justification

RATING

The likelihood of a fall from the first floor windows is significantly greater than average

due to the position of the catch and manner of opening and presence of this hazard in

both bedrooms. There is a greater chance of a small child falling between or over the

horizontal balustrates when playing on the landing.

The form of the landing balustrate

makes it easy and tempting to climb. (Note - the balustrading to stairs is not included

under this hazard, but would be taken into account under Falls on Stairs.)

%

Average: 0.2

Example

2.2

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 3.1

21.5

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 10.3

31.6

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 86.4

44.7

H

2.2

21.5

31.6

44.7

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

The harm outcome of an indoor fall may be reduced by the fact that the stairs and floors

are designed to be carpeted, but the stair and balustrade constitutes serious secondary

hazards for a fall from the landing. Although much less likely, a fall from the front or rear

bedroom window will result in a higher % of fatal and severe outcomes, due to the longer

drop and concrete paving below, thereby further worsening the overall spread.

Average: 8

I

J

Example

A B C D- E F G H

534

Score

RATING SCORES AFTER IMPROVEMENT

IMPROVE

Justification

NEW RATING

Av: Nos

Likelihood to

1 in

1,000

Outcomes to

1.0 10.0 21.5 67.5 %

Fixing further planks to the landing ballustrade to fill the gaps and make climbing difficult

and fitting safety catches on the first floor front and rear windows, would reduce the

overall risk of a fall substantially. Removing the concrete slabs immediately below the

window and planting bushes would improve the overall spread of harms but less so.

Improved

Av: 8

A B C D E F G

I

J