Second only to motor vehicle accidents falls while working at heights are the second-biggest cause of workplace injury and death. For this reason, fall protection safety must be taken into serious consideration any time the work performed at your facility must be done off the ground. To that end, here are the best ways to keep workers safe while working at heights.
Tip #1: Choose the Appropriate Equipment
When choosing Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS), care must be taken to choose the right equipment for the job. Although there may be no difference in performance between expensive and inexpensive full-body harnesses, the important fact is that it meets American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications. The fact is that a more expensive harness may cost more because it is more comfortable.
Tip #2: Ensure the Security of Your Personal Protective Equipment
A qualified individual should inspect harnesses and lanyards regularly. However, the wearer of PPE should inspect it before each use. Pre-use checks must not be time-consuming, but they must be thorough. This step could be the difference between life and death, so no shortcuts should be taken.
Tip #3: Work at Heights Using Proper Safety Equipment
Fall protection solutions are not one-size-fits-all.
Scaffolds are sometimes the safest way to work at heights. This safety equipment might be useful while painting or window washing. Guardrails are the best way to ensure adequate fall protection. When scaffolds are not possible due to uneven ground or hard-to-reach places, you can utilize a lift. Some lifts do require workers to wear a harness and lanyard to be properly protected.
Tip #4: Consider Using Railings
Use safety railings whenever possible. A railing is a form of passive protection, which is the simplest and most effective way to ensure worker safety and compliance. Additional training and/or tools are not required because staying safely within the rails is all that is necessary to be safe.
Tip #5: Provide Adequate Training
If you want your employees to be able to work at heights safely, you must ensure that they have received adequate training. A high likelihood of error and misunderstanding is possible while working at heights without adequate training and preparation.
Injury and even death from a fall while working at heights is a far too common fate for workers in many sectors of industry. To ensure the safety of your employees, give them the proper equipment and the information they need to stay safe at work. There is nothing more important for the success of your business than maintaining a safe work environment for your employees.
When it comes to safety in the workplace, trust SafeRack. We’re here to make it easy.
