There are significant risks and hazards when it comes to working at heights. This is something that occurs in maintenance, construction and other tasks that are carried out in elevated locations. And having the right equipment is critical for the safety of the workers.
There is working at height training for those that are interested in venturing into this career. This training will include learning about essential equipment that will keep you safe. Personal fall protection equipment is very important when it comes to preventing falls and it will also minimise the risk of sustaining serious injuries in the event of a fall. One of the components included here is the safety harness. A full body safety harness can distribute the impact of a fall across your entire body so that injuries can be prevented. You need to make sure that the harness is fitted properly. These should be inspected regularly for wear and tear. If these are found to be damaged, it has to be replaced immediately. A lanyard is the strap that will connect the safety harness to an anchor point. This has to be adjustable so that it can provide sufficient slack for movement while preventing excessive free fall were you to actually fall while wearing it.
The anchor point is a secure attachment point
And it will support your weight and distribute the forces that are generated during a fall arrest. This has to be very stable and strong. It should be able to withstand unexpected loads. An SRL or a self-retracting lifeline is a device that will retract automatically and adjust the length of the lifeline based on your movement. This is something that will provide continuous protection and minimise the risk coming from excessive slack. It will also prevent tripping hazards. There has to be passive fall protection in the workplace as well and this includes guardrails and toeboards. The guardrails will be installed along the edges of walkways, elevated platforms etc. so that a physical barrier can be created. This will prevent a worker from accidently stepping off the platform. Toeboards will prevent tools, equipment and materials from falling off the edge of the platform. This is installed at the base of the guardrails and this will prevent falling items from injuring the workers below the elevated platform.
Another form of passive fall protection is safety nets
And you can install this below the elevated work areas so that falling objects or workers can be caught. The impact of a falling worker can be absorbed by the safety net and they will be prevented from hitting the ground and sustaining serious injuries. You can reduce fall clearance requirements by installing safety nets so that workers are able to carry out tasks at lower heights without having to deal with additional equipment for fall protection. There are aerial work platforms as well that can be used to access elevated work areas safely. This way, the workers will not need to use scaffolding or ladders which can reduce the risk of falls significantly.
