Fall Arrest - Working at Height with an Approved System for Complete Safety Focusing on the top buildings, without collective fall prevention measures for example edge protection or guardrail, or personal fall protection systems like a fall restraint or 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 do so and also have the correct height safety equipment in position to prevent falls from height or minimize the effects of falling from height. Additionally, where there is really a chance of a fall from height, a rescue plan must be in place. This article explores these provisions and their impact on the safety of the individual working at height with or without adequate training and an approved fall protection system.
An individual working within 2 meters of a fall zone must have a fall control measures in position. Systems vary, some are collective and 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 your collective product is not viable only then do we must look at personal fall protection equipment to manage the potential risks associated with falls from height. Personal fall prevention systems in many cases are known as restraint systems as they prevent the user from reaching a fall hazard by restraining them by utilizing personal protective gear like a safety harness and 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, due to the short duration or safe from the work to be completed or because of features on site that prevent collective fall prevention measures from being utilized personal fall prevention measures can be viewed as. Restraint takes preference over fall arrest. Where fall arrest is the only option it's a legal requirement underneath the Work on Height Regulations 2005 that a rescue plan is in position and that competent operatives can be found and equipped to effect the rescue. A worker suspended inside a fall arrest harness will have to be recovered quickly as they can suffer from suspension trauma or suspension intolerance within a very short time. Suspension trauma can result in loss of awareness and death within merely a couple of minutes. Counting on the emergency services is not a choice unless they have been advised beforehand and therefore are on site and waiting.
fall arrestExactly 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 any other intermediate attachment device and a complete body safety harness.
The anchorage can be a structural anchor, fixed single point anchor for example an eyebolt or perhaps a horizontal lifeline system which will enable the contractor to maneuver freely on the top but maintain in a safe working distance from the edge. All fall protection products must adhere to European standards. Although scalping strategies need a modest investment, the risk of lacking fall protection system's in place can prove much more costly, not only financially but additionally in human terms. Most falls from height without safety equipment end in a fatality!
Equipment should 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 arrestWhen combined properly with a company specialising in designing, installing and maintaining fall arrest equipment (not less than 20 years), they've created a Fall Protection System that will protect the worker from the fall and stop moving accidents occurring whilst working at height.
The use of this equipment must be based on effective 'work at height training', preferably delivered with a training provider that may use his/her fall protection equipment.
The training should be indepth as well as a a practice nature to make sure that the individual working at height is prepared for real-life 'on the job' situations that could put him or her in danger.