Fall Protection

10/24/05
In the construction industry in the U.S., falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities. Each year, on average, between 150 and 200 workers is killed and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls at construction sites. Accidents involving falls are generally complex events frequently involving a variety of factors. Consequently, fall protection needs to deal with both the human and equipment related issues in protecting workers from fall hazards. OSHA has established 13 specific requirements for fall protection to address the needs of particular elevated walking/working surfaces. You are required to choose a fall protection system, or combination of systems, identified in 29 CFR 1926.501 when working on the surfaces where fall protection is required. The components of a fall protection system are the body harness, shock-absorbing lanyard, horizontal and vertical lifelines, and rope grabs. These pieces of equipment will save your life in the event of a fall. While proper use of this equipment is critical, so the proper inspection and maintenance. This equipment needs to be visually inspected daily before use. A proper inspection will uncover defects that could cause the equipment to fail. If you suspect that any of your equipment may show signs of being damaged or excessively worn, DO NOT USE IT! Turn any damaged equipment over to your supervisor. If in doubt, give it to your supervisor and obtain another one.
Matt Kuzel