Fall Protection Systems

Workers on construction sites often have to work in high places, putting them at risk for injuries due to falling. According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. It is important that your construction site has the proper fall protection systems in place to prevent injuries.

Employer’s Duty

OSHA standards state that employers have a duty to provide fall protection to employees on construction sites who will be working 6 feet or more above a lower level. Employers also must determine if the working and walking surfaces that an employee is working on have the strength to support them. It is the duty of the employer to provide fall protection systems that will protect workers from injuries due to falling.

Common Fall Protection Systems

On construction sites, fall protection systems are installed around areas that pose fall hazards to workers such as edges, holes, ramps, or roofs. There are various options for fall protection systems depending on the area to be protected and fall protection requirements.

Conventional fall protection systems include:

Guardrails A guardrail system is composed of temporary barriers that are installed along edges or openings on a construction site that prevents workers from falling.

Safety Nets Fall safety netting is designed to be able to catch workers in the event of a fall to protect them from injury. These nets are installed along leading edges for fall protection but may also catch falling debris.

Fall arrest system A personal fall arrest system is composed of a harness that is worn by a worker and connected to an anchor by a connector. This system is used to safely stop a person who is falling.

Employers must provide fall protection to employees as necessary. It is important that fall protection systems meet the requirements put forth by OSHA.

Fall Protection Plan

Fall protection systems are required when working at heights 6 feet or greater unless it creates a greater risk for employees. In these circumstances, employers can implement a fall protection plan in place of conventional fall protection systems. This plan must be prepared and approved by a qualified person and include measures that will be taken to reduce or prevent fall hazards.

TSCSE Provides Fall Protection Systems

TSC Southeast provides safety solutions for construction sites in South Florida, including fall protection systems. We design safety systems for construction sites that incorporate fall protection methods such as guardrails and safety nets. The team at TSC Southeast provides safety and environmental health solutions that will help protect workers and the general public from hazards on construction sites. To learn more about the fall protection systems offered by TSCSE, contact us today.

All Posts