Working safely should always be your primary focus, whether you work at height frequently or merely on occasion. One error can convert a normal task into a major accident or death. Every time an employee may be exposed to a fall hazard, you must be ready to protect them.

Work at Height: What is it?

Any task where there is a chance that a person could trip, fall, or suffer an injury is referred to as working at height. Working at height can include using a ladder, a roof edge, a floor opening, or even a loading dock. OSHA mandates fall protection in the general industry for height changes of 4 feet or more and professional working at heights trainingis a requirement that you must complete.

Safety Tips to Reduce Risks

Here are some safety recommendations to lessen the dangers of working at heights.

1. Employ railing

Whenever possible, employ railing. Railing is an example of passive protection; it's the simplest and best technique to ensure worker safety and compliance.

 They don't need any more training or tools because there is nothing they can do to protect themselves (other than stay within the rail).

For practically every type of rooftop, there is a railing system available, including non-penetrating roof railing, parapet mounted railing, metal roof railing, and more. Rails are the simplest fall protection solution to utilize once installed, regardless of the type you choose.

2. Pick the Right PPE

If you're going to employ Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS), make sure you select the appropriate tools. Regardless of price, all full-body harnesses that adhere to ANSI specifications will deliver the same performance.

The price difference can, however, net you an added benefit. Yes, occasionally it's simply a name, but other times you're getting or losing functionality, like more D-rings, fireproof material, or arc-safe design. A more expensive harness may occasionally cost more merely because it is designed to be more comfortable.

3. Thoroughly check your PPE

You have the tools you require to create a safe working environment. If the systems are so worn-out that they malfunction, it won't matter. An expert should inspect harnesses and lanyards once a year, if not more frequently (one with the knowledge to recognize the hazard AND the authority to correct it). However, the user should always inspect PPE before using it.

Anyone who might use the gadgets needs to be aware of what they're searching for, what is and is not appropriate, and what to do if there is a problem. Pre-use inspections need to be thorough, even if they don't require a lot of time. The outcome of this phase might determine life or death.

4. Confirm that you comprehend fall distance

All the fall protection gear in the world won't help if it doesn't activate before you collide with something.

You'd be shocked at how simple it is to get this portion wrong, despite the fact that this may seem like a "common sense" statement. It is common to see a worker at 10 to 12 feet off the ground wearing a 6' lanyard with a deceleration device when visiting a construction site or observing a maintenance staff at a facility. Although it might seem like it should work at first, there are a lot of reasons why it won't.

5. Pick an appropriate anchor point

You may have realized by now that there are numerous aspects, particularly PPE, that play a role in fall safety. We're just getting started, so to speak. What use is a properly configured harness and lanyard if the anchor point can't support the load? There is no response.

What qualifies as a proper anchor point? It's not made of PVC. It's not even a piece of steel art on the roof. A site of anchorage is only appropriate if

·       A professional engineer who has estimated the projected loads designed and approved it,

·       or it is obviously capable of supporting a load of 5,000 pounds.

Choose structural steel with an appropriate beam clamp because many structures won't be able to bear these stresses. Or, if properly installed, a made-to-order roofing cart or anchor.

Working at height safely necessitates the correct training, concentration, and safety measures to be in place. Shortcuts and complacency can result in accidents that cause severe harm or death. Contact our team of fall safety experts for a free consultation to learn more about the steps you can take to reduce your fall dangers.

Guest Contributor: Mike Parsons