Fall pROTECTION

A collection of safety equipment that works together to safeguard you from falls from a height together constitutes a fall protection system. You can secure a fall protection system with several pieces of equipment.

During the construction activities, you can get seriously wounded by falling over from overhead platforms, working stations at a height, structural openings, dangerous machines, etc. The fall protection system will prevent the user from falling and ensure your safety against falling.

The different fall protection components are:

• Harness: A harness is a type of personal protective equipment designed to carry the load of the full body. The straps and buckles of the harness will be wrapped around the body. When a person is about to fall, the harness will evenly distribute the body load and transfer them to the lanyard.

There are two types of harnesses. The chest harness is only wrapped around the chest. So, the user will not experience uneven load at an individual part of the body. You can use them in areas where your workers are prone to limited hazards.

The other is a full-body harness, and this is the most used harness in construction sites. The straps and buckles of the full-body harness cover thighs, chests and shoulders. So it can even carry the body load in the most efficient way.

Figure 1 – Body Harness

• Lanyard: Lanyards are the restraint systems that transfer the body load from the harness to the rigid anchoring system. You have to attach one end of the lanyard with the harness and the other with the anchor.

There are three types of lanyards, namely rope lanyards, web lanyards and cable lanyards. The rope lanyards have some elastic properties. So, they will reduce the sudden impact of falls.

The function of web lanyards are similar to rope lanyards, but they are made from polyester constructed webbing. Finally, cable lanyards are suitable for hot environments.

• Anchor: The anchors are the final components that you need to connect with a rigid and solid point to carry the body load. The lanyard is connected with the anchor to transfer the load. The anchor may have a single or multiple anchor point.

Sometimes you can add additional devices with the anchor for extra features. For example, if you install the spring deacceleration device, it will reduce the sudden impact. You can also install components to warn a worker when they have reached a required limit within the safe area.

Figure 2 – A Typical Anchor Equipment

The fall protection system will benefit you in the following ways:

• The fall protection system will protect your workers against fall hazards. So, the risk of fall hazards will be minimized in your construction sites.
• With fewer accidents, a safe working environment will be secured in your construction sites.
• The pace of a project is disrupted when your workers experience any kind of accident. The project flow will remain smooth since you can keep your workers safe with the fall protection system to reduce accidents.
• Every company’s reputation depends on how much they are successful in maintaining certain factors. In the current competitive marketplace, buyers can choose products worldwide. They look for a company with a good reputation and must ensure the safety of its workers.

Compliant to legal terms: There are local terms and regulations that you must conform to in terms of safety aspects. If you can ensure safety using the suitable fall protection system, the local regulatory committees will never stop you with unwanted harassment and questions.

The OSHA, ANSI, BS specifies standard regulations for fall protection systems. OSHA states that you have to install fall protection measures for general industry working areas if your workers are working at the height of four feet. The height range is specified at six feet for construction workers.

It has also specified direct suggestions to use safety equipment like safety harnesses and lines. So, you must install fall protection equipment for your workers if they work at a height above six feet.

Fall protection systems consist of highly sensitive and critical safety equipment. So, they are manufactured with a 100% failproof design. Moreover, reliable manufacturers ensure the highest quality control in the manufacturing process of fall protection equipment.

Additionally, manufacturers also perform routine quality monitoring and inspection tests to ensure that the fall protection equipment performs with the best efficiency for what they were designed for. So, you can rely on the fall protection systems.

The fall restraint and fall arrest systems are sub-categories of the total fall protection system. There are some differences between them. The key differences are:

• Method of fall protection: The fall restraint system protects you before falling off. It will prevent you from reaching very close to hazard areas with the sets of equipment. But the fall arrest is the ultimate step to protect you once you have already started falling. It will stop the fall and keep you safe from injuries.
• Equipment: The equipment for individual systems are similar, with minor differences. Sometimes the same equipment can act as both fall restraint and a fall arrest system.
  For example, if you attach a warning lifeline spring with the anchor and lanyards, it will warn you once you reach very close to the dangerous edge. Here the lanyard will work as fall restraint equipment. But if you accidentally fall off, the lanyard will protect you from falling to act as fall arrest equipment.

Figure 3 – Typical Fall Protection Equipments

• Training: You need to extensively train your workers to use both types of equipment.
• Risk of injury in case of failure: Fall arrests are more critical and will lead to higher forms of injury if they fail.
• Cost: The initial investment for both the fall arrest and fall restraint system is closed.
• EU directive preference: The fall restraint system is always the better option and should be the first consideration. Fall arrest should be your last option.