Demystifying fall protection...learning your ABC^'s!

Countless hours have been spent in convincing employers to provide safety footwear to prevent the risk of toes being lost, on ear muffs to prevent hearing damage and gloves to prevent cut fingers. Having said that, the Safety industry has always emphasised the importance of using fall protection equipment to protect workers operating at height. However, they have also shrouded the principles of height safety in mystery, and this has not helped the industry grasp a basic understanding of the principles involved in equipment that saves lives.

The principles of height safety.

While fall protection is a complicated issue and details of your local laws and regulations, codes of practice and standards all need to be considered and understood, there are basic rules and principles that need to be followed to increase the safety of people working at height.

• 1. Any person working at a height (i.e. leaving the ground) must be protected.
• 2. The hierarchy of control, implemented following a risk assessment, demands that the first step is to try and “engineer out” the need to work at height.
• 3. If this is not possible, the next step is to prevent access to the height safety risk area by the provision of lock out systems, guard rails etc.
• 4. Only when these alternatives prove impossible and access to the risk area is required should the last option of the provision of protective equipment be used.

There are two common systems of fall protection. The first is called Restraint, where the fall protection system prevents the employee from reaching the position where a fall may be possible. The second is Fall Arrest, where the fall protection system must assume that a fall is possible. Even when using a Restraint system, all equipment must be Fall Arrest rated.

The ABC’s of fall protection.

Choosing the right equipment to use when working at height can be a difficult job, however, there are six key components that should be considered to protect yourself, and those around you, when working at height: Anchorages; Body Support; Connectors; Descent/Rescue, Education and Fall Protection for Tools.

The A, B, C, D, E & F of fall protection cover the fundamental requirements of every personal fall protection system and serves to remind you of the key elements required when working at height.

Dedicated to bringing every worker at height home safely.

Finally, and most importantly, never use fall protection equipment without first receiving competency based training in working at heights and with fall protection equipment. There are many other aspects of fall prevention that must be considered prior to working at height, as incorrect use may lead to severe injury or even death in the most severe circumstances.

Our fall protection products deliver the highest standards of protection for workers in the deepest of mines through to the top of the tallest towers. However, on any given shift, workers may potentially put themselves in harm’s way - the importance of selecting the correct equipment, its regular inspection and maintenance and user training are all critical issues requiring further understanding and possibly specialist advice. This article is a general guide, reach out to a 3M Fall Protection Specialist if you’re unsure of any aspect of fall protection or fall protection equipment.

View the range of height safety solutions on offer from 3M Fall Protection.