Those that own a
construction business or are heavily involved in the management of
construction sites know that there’s a never-ending list of
responsibilities. Maintaining efficiency of the project while
ensuring profitability are important, however there’s nothing more
important that protecting your workers from dangerous and potentially
lethal falls.
It may shock you to
know that an average of 40 workers are killed each year as a result
of falls from residential roofs alone, according to data from the
department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a result, the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently
announced new fall protection requirements for Residential
Construction.
Here what you need
to know about essential fall protection equipment for the
construction industry.
ABCD’s of Fall
Protection Safety
When it comes to
fall protection safety, you need to provide your employees with the
resources and knowledge they need to protect themselves from deadly
falls. When your construction workers are at risk of falling, make
sure they understand that ABCD’s of fall protection.
Anchorage
As the secure point
of attachment for a fall arrest system, the anchorage point secures
the worker to a firm base. All anchorage points must support adequate
loads, and require different regulations depending upon the type of
active personal fall protection system your worker is using:
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A personal fall arrest system must have an anchorage point that supports at least 5,000 lbs.
-
A personal fall restraint system must have an anchorage point that supports four times the intended load.
-
A positioning device must have an anchorage point that supports two times the intended load or 3,000 lbs., whichever is greater.
As you can see, the
type of anchorage point regulations you need to follow are dependent
upon the job being done, the structure being worked on, and they type
of industry you’re serving. The anchorage structure to which the
connector is attached must be capable of supporting a load of 5,000
pounds per person or shall be designed, installed and used as part of
a complete system that maintains a safety factor of at least two,
under the supervision of a qualified person.
Body Support
Full-body fall protection harnesses provide the needed body support via straps that
fasten around the worker, while distributing fall arrest forces over
the chest, shoulders, upper thighs and groin. A full-body harness is
the easiest way to feel protected when working at heights, supplying
a connecting point between the worker and the structure’s anchorage
point.
It’s important to
provide complete protection to your construction workers. According
to OSHA,
“There is a growing body of evidence which points to hazards
related to the use of body supports other than an appropriate fully
body harness. Studies performed in Europe and by the U.S. Air Force
indicate high risks associated with the body belt in both fall arrest
and suspension modes. Further, the possibility of falling out of a
body belt and chest-waist harness is significant and has appeared in
accident reports.”
An adequate
full-body harness should be comfortable enough for the worker to wear
all day, providing adjustable, form fitting straps. These days, many
harnesses come with ergonomical options, more padding and lighter
materials, all provided to keep the worker more comfortable for
longer hours, increasing productivity when working in dangerous
situations. Find a harness that isn’t confusing to get on and off,
or to adjust. This only decreases safety and productivity.
Connectors
Connectors are what
links the worker’s harness to the anchorage point. Whether it’s a
shock-absorbing lanyard, an adjustable positioning lanyard, or a
self-retracting lifeline, the connector will help keep your worker
from hitting the ground. When used in conjunction to a fall restraint
system, the connector must be short enough so that the user doesn’t
reach a fall hazard.
Self-retracting
lifelines give your construction workers ample space within the work
area, utilizing extendable and retractable mechanisms to let the user
move freely. If the worker falls, the lifeline will stop the fall by
sensing the sudden acceleration.
A shock-absorbing
lanyard, on the other hand, is designed to take the strain out of a
fall. Offering a flexible line, a connector at either end is used to
connect the anchorage to the body support of a harness. The lanyard
is connected via the back of a D-ring in between the workers shoulder
blades and anchored to a structure that is above the worker to
minimize fall distance.
Decent/Rescue
The descent/rescue
equipment is an essential part of fall protection for the
construction industry. Should an accident happen, descent devices are
utilized to rescue a fallen worker. Choosing the best descent and
rescue equipment, whether it’s a winch, tripod, ladder, net, or
davit arms, will depend on your construction site and the type of job
being done.
Remember, the
anchorage, body support and connectors aren’t the only elements of
an all-encompassing fall protection system. Should the worst happen
and a worker falls, you need to have a backup plan in place. This is
where a comprehensive rescue system will come in use. As an owner or
manager of a construction site, it’s your duty to supply all
workers with the best fall protection equipment available to ensure
safety throughout the project.
While it may seem
expensive to invest in fall protection equipment, it will be
detrimental to your project and possibly company should an accident
happen and you’re not following OSHA’s regulations. The fallout
from injuries or deaths sustained in falls cost construction
companies millions of dollars annually in the form of lost work,
increased insurance claims and messy liability troubles. Knowing the
ABCD’s of fall protection and investing in the best equipment,
while educating workers on proper protocol and response plans will
save both money and lives.
