Working on the top of buildings, without collective fall prevention measures such as edge protection or guardrail, or personal fall protection systems such as a fall restraint or perhaps a fall arrest product is really dangerous for construction workers, maintenance engineers and roofers alike. Current Safety and health legislation mandates that people working at height are competent to achieve this and have the correct height safety equipment in position to prevent falls from height or minimize the consequences of falling from height. In addition, where there is a chance of an autumn from height, a rescue plan should be in position. This short article explores these provisions and their impact on the safety of the individual working at height without or with adequate training as well as an approved fall protection system.

A person working within 2 meters of a fall zone should have an autumn control measures in position. Systems vary, some are collective yet others are personal. Collective fall prevention systems include edge protection, handrails and guardrail whilst collective fall protection or fall arrest systems include safety nets and airbags. If a collective system is not viable then we must take a look at personal fall protection equipment to manage the potential risks related to falls from height. Personal fall prevention systems in many cases are referred to as restraint systems as they prevent the user from reaching an autumn hazard by restraining them by utilizing personal protective equipment such as a safety harness along with a fixed length lanyard along with an anchor point, eyebolt or lifeline system. Personal fall arrest systems allow a fall to happen, but arrest it in a controlled manner, minimizing the consequences from the fall. Where collective fall prevention measures happen to be ruled out, because of the short duration or safe of the try to be completed or because of features on-site that prevent collective fall prevention measures from being utilized personal fall prevention measures can be considered. Restraint takes preference over fall arrest. Where fall arrest is the only option it's a legal requirement under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 that the rescue plan is in position and that competent operatives are available and equipped to effect the rescue. A staff suspended inside a fall arrest harness will have to be recovered quickly as they can are afflicted by suspension trauma or suspension intolerance inside a very short period of time. Suspension trauma can result in loss of consciousness and death within only a matter of minutes. Relying on the emergency services is not a choice unless they have been advised beforehand and are on site and waiting.

fall arrest

What do these contain?
Fall restraint and fall arrest systems usually include an anchor point, a lanyard, with energy absorption block for fall arrest use, or other intermediate attachment tool and a full body safety harness.

The anchorage can be a structural anchor, fixed single point anchor such as an eyebolt or a horizontal lifeline system which will let the contractor to maneuver freely on the top but maintain in a safe working distance in the edge. All fall protection products must adhere to European standards. Although scalping strategies require a modest investment, the risk of not having fall protection system's in position can be much more costly, not just financially but also in human terms. Most falls from height without safety equipment result in a fatality!

Equipment must be approved to the following standards:

Anchor points including eyebolts, horizontal lifelines and rails and dead weight anchors - EN 795
Full Harness - EN 361
Lanyards - EN 354
Energy Absorbers - EN 355
Retractable Fall Arrestors or Fall Arrest Blocks - EN 360
Connectors including karabiners, scaffold hooks, manucroche hooks and snap hooks - EN 362

fall arrest

When combined properly with a company that specialises in designing, installing and looking after fall arrest equipment (not less than 20 years), they create an autumn Protection System which will protect the staff member from a fall and stop any accidents occurring whilst working at height.

The use of this equipment should be based on effective 'work at height training', preferably delivered with a training provider that may use his/her fall protection equipment.

Working out should be indepth as well as a an exercise nature to make sure that the individual working at height is prepared for real-life 'on the job' situations that could put her or him in danger.