What is fall protection?
Fall protection system is the use of multiple, approved safety equipment components such as body harnesses, deceleration devices, shock absorbing lanyards, vertical lifelines, and anchorages, interconnected in order to stop a free fall.
Each facility or factory must implement procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of a fall or being struck by a falling object which must cover, as a minimum, the following:
- Full body harness is required for any unprotected height of 1.8 meters (6 feet) or greater.
- Fall protection equipment must be inspected before and after each use.
- Monthly fall protection equipment inspection.
- Proper maintenance, cleaning and storage of fall protection equipment.
- Proper use of fall protection systems.
- Proper handling, storage and securing of tools and material.
- Restricted access to areas where there is a risk of fall or falling material.
- Documented emergency procedures for removal of injured worker.
- Ladder safety must include (Inventory, Safe in use and Inspection requirement)
- All fixed ladders greater than 2.1 m (7 ft) must have a cage built around them at a height of 2.1m (7ft).
- Safe use, maintenance, and inspection of access equipment (i.e., man, scissor and aerial lifts, scaffolding, etc.)
- Floor and Wall Openings:
- If any place where people can fall a distance of greater than 1.2 m (4 ft) must be guarded by a standard railing and toe board (standard railing consists of top rail, mid rail and posts) on all open sides except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway or fixed ladder.
- Where there is a potential hazard of material or equipment falling through a wall or floor opening, the opening must be protected with a toe guard or enclosing screen.
