In this blog we will continue to discuss the hierarchy of fall protection and another way for employers to protect their workers. As previously noted, each fall risk situation should be analyzed on a case by case basis so it is important to understand the work being performed, access to the work area, and the frequency of the work. Here, we will discuss the 3^rd solution on the hierarchy of fall protection pyramid- Fall Restraint Systems also known as Travel Restraint Systems.  Sometimes, Passive Fall Protection Systems- like guardrail- which was discussed in last month’s blog- is not an option and is why an employer moves to the next option on the hierarchy- a Fall Restraint System. Read more.

As discussed in last month’s blog understanding the hierarchy of fall protection will help an employer and employees who are working at heights make their work environment as safe as possible. In this blog we will talk a little more about Fall Prevention Systems which is second on the hierarchy of fall protection. Fall Prevention Systems are second on the hierarchy because the first solution– Elimination- preventing access or removing the hazards is always the safest and best first solution. For instance, removing an air handler from the roof to the ground or replacing a ladder with a stairway are ways to eliminate the fall hazard. Ideally, the safest option to ensure worker safety is to completely eliminate the fall hazard. However, if this not possible a Fall Prevention System can be installed to create a barrier which is another way of eliminating the hazard. Read more.

Understanding the hierarchy of fall protection is important because it allows companies to make the best possible choice in protecting their workers who are working at heights. FallProof Systems can help your company in understating this hierarchy; identify fall risks and hazards and then offer solutions. Read more.

Annual Inspections are a vital part of a fall protection plan for the work place. The fall protection plan is designed to protect both the worker and the employer. Without proper maintenance, any piece of equipment can become unreliable over time. Workers who use systems on a daily basis may not notice gradual deterioration, as there can be virtually no change from one day to the next. Read more.

Skylight railings and screens save lives. If your workers are required to work on a roof and are exposed to an unprotected skylight without a guardrail around it or a screen over it, it is, according to OSHA, the equivalent of exposing them to a hole in the roof. OSHA has recorded 47 fatalities from skylight fall-throughs since 2010, with the most recent occurring last month in California. OSHA noted that over the past six years, the fall-throughs arose from a variety of worker behaviors while on, over and around skylights, such as: Read more.

FallProof Systems is excited to announce that it started 2016 by further expanding its website with the addition of a new section dedicated solely to everyday users of fall protection equipment, and existing customers and their workers. This includes an “ask the experts” form and dedicated question and answer pages organized by industry, known as “Frequently Asked Questions” on many websites. Read more.

Fall arrest systems are designed as a safety backup mechanism when a worker must be exposed to a fall hazard in order to accomplish assigned tasks. When the worker needs to be able to move along either a horizontal or vertical plane, lifelines are used to protect the worker. The lifelines can be constructed using either cable or fixed-track. Read more.

While a comprehensive or strategic fall prevention or protection plan is certainly admirable, advantageous and the right long-term solution, it’s not always practical to implement all at once. The implementation of a complete solution is often a costly and time-consuming undertaking.

Do you have to implement a comprehensive solution all at once, or piecemeal the installation? Read more.

Fall prevention encompasses every kind of equipment and application that is specifically set up to keep a person from falling in the first place. The purpose of prevention equipment is to eliminate or control the possibility of a person moving into a dangerous area. Fall arrest protection, on the other hand, is the backup system for someone who must enter a dangerous area and could lose their balance while working at height. The purpose of protection equipment is to eliminate or minimize injury potential.

Coach Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you fall down. It’s whether you get back up.” We agree with Coach Lombardi that, in life, getting back up is important. However, in the case of elevated work situations, whether you fall in the first place is equally, if not more, important. There are different mitigation techniques, depending on the hazard.

Read more.