Falls are one of the common causes of serious work-related injuries and, in some cases, death. For this reason, the implementation of Fall Protection is of increasing importance.
What is Fall Protection?
Fall protection is any sort of planned system to prevent or minimize the risk of falls from heights. It is the employer’s responsibility to set up a safe work environment and prevent employees from falls. While fall protection is considered any sort of planned system, its rising demand in the industry has allowed many companies to develop a wide variety of fall protection products. These products include perimeter netting, harnesses, lanyards, and many other items.
OHSA’s Requirements
Because of the rising danger of falls, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general working industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry, and eight feet in longshoring operations. OSHA also requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance. Always refer to OSHA and other standards as they may apply.
Fall Protection Products
As previously mentioned, there are endless options when it comes to fall protection. Thankfully, our sales team is here to help you determine exactly what you and your crew need. A few products we offer include harnesses, retracting lifelines, y-lanyards, helmets, protective eye gear, perimeter netting and more! To offer our customers the highest quality fall protection equipment, we partner with top brands like 3M/DBI-Sala, Ultra-Safe, Safe Approach, and more. Additionally, we offer a variety of fall protection for tools. Objects dropped from height can result in severe job site injuries or damages – fall pro for tools can help prevent these damages.
Other Safety Products & Tips
Beyond fall protection, other safety products are necessary to keep riggers safe on the job site. Hi-Vis Gear is a must-have on the job site for visibility. Additionally, stretchers are a great investment and especially important on construction sites. Junkin Safety Stretchers are a great option. Finally, training is always key to safety! While the reality of the pandemic has altered our training schedule, we typically offer a fall protection seminar and demonstration.
Ultimately, it is the employer’s and employee’s responsibility to ensure their safety and understand all of the fall protection guidelines. The importance of fall protection has increased as falls have become one of the common causes of serious work-related injuries. It is more important than ever to invest in the right type of fall protection and the education on guidelines.
Warning: For additional information, please refer to OSHA, ASME, ANSI, and WSTDA standards as they may apply. It is not intended, nor should be construed, that the information contained herein takes precedence over any regulations and requirements, local, state, federal, OEM or any other ruling body. Refer to the manufacturer warnings and instructions before attempting to use any product.