Active and passive fall protection is divided into two groups. Passive controls are the safest option since they do not need worker involvement. Passive controls are quite uncommon in buildings.
Knowing the differences between fall protection types and the related regulations may help you build safer working conditions. It may lower the likelihood of being sued or held accountable in the case of an accident.
In the construction sector, employers are responsible for preventing accidents. The easiest method to do this is to maintain fall protection in construction. This involves providing adequate fall prevention information, personal protective equipment (PPE), training, and evaluating all processes. It is critical to tell all employees that PPE is not required just because an activity takes less than a minute.
Safety from fall
Construction fall protection is divided into four categories: positioning, suspension, retrieval, and fall arrest. Each of these categories is covered by OSHA guidelines. Each set has a link and an explanation.
Fall Protection Devices
When employees are in danger of falling risks, fall arrest systems are required. A fall hazard is a six-foot drop from a walking or working surface to a lower level or grade. Some exceptions exist. Ladders, scaffolding, and steelwork are examples of these. An anchor point, a body harness, and a connection are examples of common fall arrest equipment.
Your first line of defense will be a full-body safety harness. The sort of harness you need will be determined by your job. It must be capable of sustaining a person weighing 1,800 pounds or less with a combined tool weight of 310 pounds. You may also use our buyers’ guide to help you choose the best harness.
The last component is the anchor point. Anchor points must hold 5000 lbs, or double the weight of a human who falls from a height of 6′. Only trained employees are permitted to install anchor points. If your harness and lanyard break, you won’t be able to catch yourself.
Positioning: These solutions let employees wear their harness while still conducting manual labor. It comes in handy if you need to work from a ladder. This sort of protection is not meant for use as a fall arrest device and should be used in combination with one, such as body belts or harnesses.
Retrieval: This is also known as a rescue plan. It is critical in the creation of a fall prevention strategy. This system explains how to recover a fallen worker. OSHA does not offer guidelines on how to accomplish it, but it does need a plan.
Suspension: Suspension equipment systems may lower the worker and offer support, allowing for hands-free work. Window washers and painters may both utilize this approach. It must, however, be supplemented with a fall arrest system.
If your fall risk exceeds the boundaries of the aforementioned categories, you may be permitted to utilize further devices to safeguard workers from falls. Technology enables safer methods of doing the same tasks. Let’s take a look at all of the choices accessible to us in order to ensure your safety at work.
