Fall protection is designed to protect an employee from falling or being pulled through an opening by a rope. It’s important to understand that fall protection systems are designed to stop an employee from falling, but they do not necessarily prevent the employee from being injured by impact forces and arrest equipment.
Fall protection equipment can include:
Fall arrest systems (also known as personal fall arrest systems) – These devices are used for fall arrest during construction, maintenance, and repair operations. Fall arrest systems may be anchored to the structure, or workers may wear self-retracting lanyards, connecting them to the structure. These fall protection systems are designed to catch workers who fall while suspended above ground level.
They comprise an anchorage point that attaches to something solid, like a building column or beam. The body harness and an energy absorber, such as rope or webbing, slow your descent after falling through the air for a distance greater than your harness length.
Guardrails, toe boards, and work platforms – These provide physical barriers that prevent workers from falling through holes in the floor or being able to step off the side of a raised platform. Guardrails should be installed on all open sides of elevated platforms and stairways, but not where they interfere with normal operation or create hazards for other workers, such as blocking access.
Safety harnesses– Safety harnesses are the most basic type of fall protection equipment and are also one of the most common. A safety harness is a piece of equipment that you wear around your waist or legs to keep you safe during work at height. They’re often used in combination with a lanyard, which attaches to your harness and keeps you connected to something stable at all times.
Safety harnesses are available in various styles and sizes, so finding one that fits you comfortably and safely is important. Some harnesses come with pockets for carrying tools or other items around with you at all times, while others have attachments for lanyards or other equipment.
Why Are Fall Protection Systems Important?
Improve safety-In addition to helping prevent injuries like broken bones and concussions, fall protection systems also help prevent fatalities. Basically, nearly 3,000 workers died due to falls from heights in the United States alone. These fatalities could have been prevented if employers had provided adequate fall protection measures, such as guardrails and other barriers around dangerous areas in their buildings or worksites.
Increases productivity-It’s no secret that employees get less work done when they are worried about their safety. When you don’t have fall protection in place, it can be difficult for workers to concentrate on their tasks because they’re constantly worried about falling or injuring themselves on the job site. Fall protection gives them a sense of security and lets them focus on getting the job done instead of worrying about their safety.
Key Takeaway
A fall protection system is any device that prevents a worker from falling from an elevated surface. This includes guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), and other devices that prevent falls.
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