This blog is brought to you by FallProof Systems to educate our clients and colleagues on the fall risks associated with different workplaces and jobs.
43% of workplace fall fatalities were in the construction industry. Injuries and illnesses from falls are considered preventable incidents that can be minimized or reduced with proper fall protection. Are you in compliance? Read more.
A simple question we get every day is….” Can you just give me some simple tips when my crew is working at heights?”
Well, yes, we can. First of all, falls are deadly! You must be prepared to protect your employees when working at heights. Working at heights refers to any work that is above ground in which a person could injure themselves if no precaution is taken. Fall protection is required when there is a fall greater than 6 feet within a 6 foot leading unprotected edge. Now that we have the simple prerequisites determined, here’s what to do: Read more.
How many times have you gotten the question “When do I need to replace my harness”? The first thing you would do is look to ANSI Standards or OSHA Regulations for an answer. Coincidentally, they leave it up to the manufacturer to determine how long a harness or lanyard should be left in service. Read more.
This blog will be a two-part discussion on Inspections of Fall Protection Systems. This month we will cover the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards and how to stay in compliance according to revised Walking-Working Surface Standard which OSHA made effective by January 17, 2017. The revised OSHA Walking-Working Surface Standard along with the ANSI standard define the responsibility of the employer and employee for inspecting Fall Protection Systems in the Construction Industry and General Industry. Read more.
In this blog we will discuss leading edges and the new self-retracting lifeline issued for leading edges. What constitutes a leading edge, how the fall protection system and equipment is used as well as understanding OSHA and ANSI standards for leading edges can be difficult and confusing for employers and employees. Part of the confusion stems from the different definitions OSHA and ANSI have for leading edges as well as the PFAS used by the worker to protect them from the leading edge. Read more.
Working at heights can be challenging and difficult. The best way for workers to protect themselves is to remember the basics of fall protection systems. The basics consist of an understanding of the ABC’s of fall protection. The ABC’s of Fall Protection consist of (A) anchorage; (B)body wear, and (C) connectors and can be also known as a PFAS- personal fall arrest system. Although the basics can be boring and simplistic an understanding of them can save your life! Read more.
In this blog, we will discuss the 4th and last option on the hierarchy of fall protection. Fall Arrest Systems are last on the hierarchy of Fall Protection because the system and equipment are designed to arrest a fall. Basically, if a fall occurs the system will prevent/arrest the worker from falling to his death or a serious injury. Fall Arrest Systems are also known as Personal Fall Arrest Systems because each employee is equipped with the proper PPE-personal protective equipment combined with a system or anchorage designed to arrest a fall with an acceptable force and clearance margins. Read more.
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 3rd 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.
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.
A common item found throughout many workplaces is the fixed ladder and it can be easily overlooked until the time comes when it is needed. We may pass by them each day without much thought, but when the time comes and the ladder is needed, we want to be sure we are protected. OSHA put out new safety guidelines in January of 2017 for all fixed ladder systems in the new Walking -Working Surfaces Standard to help provide more protection for you, the workers of America. All general industries are affected by the changes and revisions to the guidelines for fall protection systems and other safety features. Read more.
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