Fall protection is one of the most critical aspects of workplace safety in the construction industry.
If you employ workers, you are responsible for mitigating any dangerous slips, trips, and fall hazards, that can lead to severe injuries and death; should this happen, it will cost you financially and damage your reputation and brand.
The HSA provides specific safety regulations for safe working at height; because of this, many options are available for keeping your workers safe. From rooftop temporary edge protection systems, to safety lifeline systems and more, whatever the hazards, there is a solution; however, how do you know which is the right solution for your workers?
What is collective fall protection?
Collective fall protection is a system or solution that protects and prevents workers from falling without any action from themselves. Collective (also known as Passive) fall protection solutions would include collective fixed or freestanding rooftop guardrail systems and skylight covers.
What is active fall protection?
As the name suggests, active fall protection requires an action on the workers, incorporating personal harnesses and lanyards anchored directly to an anchor point, such as a safety lifeline system or weight anchor solution.
What is fall restraint?
Fall restraint systems are also known as fall prevention systems and are designed to eliminate the risk of falling in the first place. This is done by preventing workers from reaching any unprotected edges. Prevention systems use individual restraints that stop workers from falling and incorporate harnesses that are connected to anchors or safety lifeline systems that prevent workers from reaching a roof edge or entering into areas where hazards are located.
Fall restraint systems don’t always involve working on a rooftop. A different example of a fall restraint system could be wearing a harness and small lanyard connected to a cherry picker basket, preventing workers from leaning too far out of the basket or climbing out altogether.
When working at height can not be mitigated entirely, and no collective protection exists, a fall restraint system is the next method that should be chosen, as the hierarchy of control states that falls should be prevented before they are mitigated.
sometimes it is impossible to eliminate working at height whilst using a fall restraint system, this type of work can put workers in precarious situations, so when this happens, a fall arrest system is required.
What is a fall arrest system?
Fall arrest systems are designed to protect workers should a fall take place. These systems use a safety harness and a fall arrestor system such as a block or a Kee Line Safety Lifeline System supplied by Harcon Fall Protection & Safety Services. Kee Line features a unique progressive absorbing system that, in the event of a fall, deploys and deforms the shock absorbers, the brackets and the support posts, thus immediately reducing the load impact to below 10kn; this protects both the fallen worker and the building structure.
Choosing the right fall protection system?
Based on the circumstances of your work, you will have to decide on the viability of using fall arrest vs fall restraint. If you have a duty of care, you need to ensure appropriate measures are in place to prevent death or severe injury from falling. So you need to be educated on which system is suitable for your work environment.
- Injuries from falls can cost organisations thousands of pounds, not to mention lost productivity, reputation & human cost. Employers can avoid all of this with the correct equipment, training and supervision.
- Always make sure you have a full safety plan, including safety training and awareness. No matter what equipment is suitable for your project, with Harcon, you can be on your way to creating a safety-first culture in your workplace.
- With both systems, you are responsible for providing the equipment and training your workers in its proper use. Training teaches workers how to use the equipment and recognise the hazards and potential dangers they may encounter when working at height. You should train workers at the start of any project and provide additional training for any new restraint systems or equipment introduced.
Which fall protection system is right for me?
In the hierarchy of controls, prevention comes first. If work must be conducted on top of a roof, a full collective edge protection guardrail system, such as Kee Guard, should be the first option.
If for any reason, such as budget, aesthetics purposes, or obstructing plant or machinery prevents a collective protection solution, a restraint system should be the next option, as it still removes the fall hazard and does not require a rescue plan.
If you have to conduct work on or near potential fall hazards such as a fragile roof or surface, a narrow ledge or an unusual building or roof shape, such as a domed roof, there is a good chance of a slip or a fall. In this case, you would need a fall arrest system and appropriate PPE. You will also need to have a rescue plan in place so that you can retrieve workers should they fall.
Still not sure which solution you need? Get in touch
Contact our fall protection specialists today for friendly advice about choosing the correct system, whether it’s fall protection or personal protective equipment (PPE), site inspection, or training. We want to discuss your working at height and fall prevention requirements.