Regular equipment inspections are a must to ensure your personal safety and maintain peak performance.
The construction industry is rife with hazardous conditions, so it’s hard to overstate the importance of keeping workers safe.
One of the most effective ways to do this is through the use of personal protection solutions, such as mansafe systems.
Here’s an informative guide that will help you keep mansafe systems or other protection systems you may use, in optimal condition – so you can be sure everything is working as it should!
What is a Mansafe system?
Mansafe systems are a popular safety solution as they provide a safe and reliable way for their workers to access areas that may otherwise be difficult or hazardous to reach.
Mansafe systems are an engineering control measure in which workers wearing harnesses are attached to a secured anchor point of a structure or building, safely tethering them and actively preventing falls from heights.
Examples of mansafe systems include:
- Vertical lifeline systems,
- Rope access systems
- Powered suspended access equipment such as hoists or lift platforms.
These systems allow individuals to manoeuvre in elevated positions with the help of a harness and other PPE components which are anchored securely in place.
Mansafe system technology is continually advancing and new safety measures are always being added to current designs to ensure the highest level of safety for those working at heights.
This type of protection saves lives every day, preserving worker safety while operating in dangerous environments, mitigating injury and potentially fatal falls.
Ultimately, mansafe systems provide invaluable peace of mind for all involved, creating a safer site atmosphere while satisfying industry regulations and improving commercial construction productivity along the way.
Prepare Personal Protection
Before any inspection on all types of Mansafe Systems, it is imperative to prepare the correct safety gear. Necessary items such as a tested harness, helmet, lanyard and protective gloves should be gathered before beginning your work – but don’t forget an approved fall arrest system too!
Preparation can mean the difference between success and injury during any workspace inspection – so make sure you have what’s needed before getting started.
Check at Ground Level
During a comprehensive inspection of any fall arrest system, it’s important to survey the system from the ground when possible.
Close observation should be made for signs of damage or wear that may render your mansafe system unsafe, such as frayed cables, weakened anchor points or rusting components – all potential foreboding issues which must be addressed immediately before use, to ensure safe operations, free from fatal accidents caused by inadequate maintenance.
Review Damage
Before relying on a fall arrest system, inspecting the structure from all angles is also critical.
To ensure your Mansafe System is functioning optimally, start with a comprehensive visual check and move on to the tightness test of important parts. Any noticeable damage or signs of wear should be reported as soon as possible so they can quickly get replaced.
This inspection should include:
1. Inspect fall arrest and fall restraint devices, including rails, cables, and pulleys.
2. Ensure all U-bolts and clevis bolts are tightened correctly and that each rail system is securely fixed.
3. Look for signs of wear or fatigue on components.
4. Replace any damaged elements to maintain safety.
In addition, check each component is correctly installed and connected properly to ensure fall protection from any height.
Report faults
Perform an authoritative tightness test on essential components – identify any abnormalities or discrepancies that might point towards damages or deterioration for fast repairs to be made accordingly.
A comprehensive evaluation of fall arrest systems is essential to safeguard workers and ensure a safe workplace. After an extensive inspection, craft a professional report detailing any issues observed using relevant notes and photographs that illustrate areas in need of attention.
Additional Fall Protection Inspections
In addition to personal protection equipment, your Mansafe system inspection should always include a review of any additional fall protection or safe access systems, when combined as part of a rooftop safety solution. This could include reviewing to following:
- Edge protection – Kee Guard railings
- Stepover platforms – Kee Step
- Safety Gates – such as Kee Gate
- Rooftop Walkway system – Kee Walk
Fall arrest equipment such as lifelines, harnesses and anchors should also be implemented where required.
Ultimately, when choosing a mansafe system, employers should pick a solution based on how effectively it can reduce risk according to the hierarchy of control.
Choosing any fall protection system isn’t a simple decision, especially when given so many options with varying solutions, this is why The Hierarchy of Control is imperative. The Hierarchy of Control allows engineers to assess the client’s workplace risks and determine their needs, allowing them to offer the most effective form of protection for their workers.
Kee Walk with a Mansafe System
Roofs can pose serious safety risks to technical certification and retest teams – fragmented panels, unexpected level changes and slippery surfaces are just a few of the hazards. To protect maintenance crews and prevent damage to rooftops, pathways must remain well-marked and easy to navigate; this is made easier with a mansafe system with walkway.
Often, walkways systems such as Kee Walk, are installed alongside safety lifeline systems, providing a clear, tethered and demarcated path across a rooftop, offering an anti-slip walkway from the roof entry point, to the desired location such as plant equipment, solar panels, antenna equipment and of course, fall protection and mansafe systems.
