Given the fact that OSHA has had Fall Protection on its
Top Ten list of violations for the last 5 years, you would think that employers
understand the big picture on the importance of having fall protection
equipment for their employees when it is required. Whether an employee is
working above 4’ or not, if they are working over dangerous equipment and
machinery, fall protection should be used.
Looking at the chart below, the number of citations has
decreased from 2014, however, it is still significant since employers are
responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace. If a Fall Prevention
Program is not in place, implementing one will show employees that you are
serious about their well-being on the job.
Implementing
a Fall Prevention Program
It is better to implement a program to address workplace
hazards than to stick your head in the sand and hope that no one gets injured
on the job. Following are some pro-active steps to improve safety on the job.
- Get
a Free On-Site Consultation from OSHA
OSHA offers free on-site consultations for small and medium-size businesses to help you identify workplace hazards. This does not count as enforcement and will not result in penalties or citations. The consultant will assess your specific needs and review their findings after a complete walk-through.| - Download
Free Documentation
OSHA’s Plan.Provide.Train program provides free educational materials and resources for workers and employers on Fall Protection and other work hazards. - Purchase
Fall Protection Equipment
OSHA’s Fall Protection Information states:
All fall protection products fit into four functional categories. 1. Fall Arrest; 2. Positioning; 3. Suspension; 4. Retrieval.
Fall Arrest
A fall arrest system is required if any risk exists that a worker may fall from an elevated position, as a general rule, the fall arrest system should be used anytime a working height of six feet or more is reached. Working height is the distance from the walking/working surface to a grade or lower level. A fall arrest system will only come into service should a fall occur. A full-body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard or a retractable lifeline is the only product recommended. A full-body harness distributes the forces throughout the body, and the shock-absorbing lanyard decreases the total fall arresting forces.
Positioning
This system holds the worker in place while keeping his/her hands free to work. Whenever the worker leans back, the system is activated. However, the personal positioning system is not specifically designed for fall arrest purposes.
Suspension
This equipment lowers and supports the worker while allowing a hands-free work environment, and is widely used in window washing and painting industries. This suspension system components are not designed to arrest a free fall, a backup fall arrest system should be used in conjunction with the suspension system.
Retrieval
Preplanning for retrieval in the event of a fall should be taken into consideration when developing a proactive fall management program.
In addition to employees wearing fall protection, there
are a variety of other ways employees can be protected such as guardrails,
safety nets and appropriate training. Don’t become another OSHA
statistic…recognize and evaluate fall protection hazards in your workplace
before it’s too late.
If you would like information on Fall Protection
Equipment for your company, please call our WiscoLift Sales Representative at
800-242-3477. Remember, “Working Safe is Working Smart.”
#fallprevention #safetyfirst #wiscolift
#fallprevention #safetyfirst #wiscolift
