“Because People are Worth Protecting.”

There are several citations that OSHA considers their top 10 most violated citations.  These are regulations that are constantly being overlooked or not followed for a variety of reasons, perhaps employees don’t feel like it’s necessary, or maybe the regulation hasn’t been explained very well.  Regardless of the reason, these top 10 regulations are there for the employees’ safety, and they are there to keep them alive.  Over the next few weeks we are going to review the top 10.  This week is fall protection.

Fall Protection outlined by a Safety Consultant can be divided into three categories:  Plan, Provide, and Training.  These components can allow for a safer working environment when Fall Safety is a top concern. 

Plan: Planning is essential to Fall Protection Prevention.  If an employee has not planned out his or tasks then they will not be prepared when it comes to fall prevention.  For an employee to adequately plan they must fully understand the tasks that they will be doing each day and if they are at risk for falling.  Once the employee has a firm understanding of the tasks at hand they can plan which equipment they should utilize to help prevent falls.  Choosing the right equipment can eliminate unnecessary risks while performing the job and ensure the job is done in the most time effective manner.  Preventable accidents cause significant delays to the completion time, impact the workforce, and can reflect poor planning. 

Provide: Employees will utilize the equipment they are provided.  Therefore it is the responsibility of the plat or facility owner to provide adequate equipment to prevent falls.  Once adequate equipment is provided inform the employees and any crew leaders on the job that new equipment is available for use and encourage usage of the equipment.  Providing the right equipment involves utilizing the right equipment for the job the first time.  While scaffolding may take longer to setup than a ladder it gives employees a platform they need to stand on to get the job done at a much faster rate.  All employees working at a height greater than six feet is at risk for serious injury or death if they fall.  Some jobs might call for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) and harnesses for each worker to tie themselves to the anchor.  Harnesses should be inspected regularly by a Safety Consultant to ensure a proper fit and good working condition. 

Train:  It is not enough to merely help the employees plan for fall prevention, nor is it enough to provide adequate equipment to help prevent fall prevention.  Employees must also be trained on how to use the safety equipment provided to them and they must be trained on how to plan for fall prevention.  The Safety Consultant can produce literature and classes that will train employees on fall prevention and help identify proper equipment through continued visits. 

To find a Safety Consultant in your area to identify potential hazards, determine the proper equipment needed, and inspect equipment functionality, click here.