If you work at heights, then fall protection systems are an essential part of maintaining safety and preventing accidents. In this article, we will introduce you to the basics of fall protection so that you can better understand how these life-saving measures can help keep you safe on the job site.
Guardrails: Guardrails are erected alongside any potential fall hazard, like a wall edge, to prevent workers from falling to lower levels.
- Must be 42 inches +/- 3 inches above the walking/working level
- Must have intermediate structural members between top edge and walking level able to withstand a force of at least 200 lbs
- Top rails and mid-rails must be 1/4 inch thick to prevent cuts or lacerations
- Mesh, screens or mid-rails are acceptable
- Capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 lbs.
- Must be inspected frequently
Safety Net Systems: These won’t stop a fall, but they’ll be there to catch you if you slip up.
- Must be installed as close as practicable under the walking or working surface, never more than 30 feet below
- Potential fall area must be unobstructed
- Must be enough space underneath the net so that the worker has NO possibility of hitting the ground or structure underneath
- Must have safe openings
- Must be drop tested
- Must be inspected weekly
If an employer can demonstrate that it is unreasonable to perform a drop test, then the employer or competent person must certify that the net and installation is in compliance with this standard.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems: A system that safely stops (arrests) a worker who is falling.
- Include harnesses, lanyards, deceleration devices, lifelines or a combination of these.
- Body belts are prohibited from use as part of a fall arrest system.
- Max arresting force (force exerted on the body) is 1800 lbs when used with a harness
- Worker can neither free fall more than 6 ft nor contact lower level
- System must bring worker to a complete stop and limit max deceleration distance a worker travels to 3.5 ft
- System must withstand twice as much potential impact energy of a worker free falling from 6ft or the free fall distance permitted by system, whichever is less.
- Must be inspected prior to use.
Browse our fall protection here.
Learn more about Personal Fall Arrest Systems here.
Learn how to determine if your worksite needs fall protection here.
