PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR SCAFFOLD

 

PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION

 EQUIPMENT FOR SCAFFOLD

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The temporary working platforms and guardrails that form the scaffold do not completely eliminate the need for personal fall arrest equipment for scaffolding activities. Therefore, it is recommended that all scaffolding employees involved with working at height should wear and use personal fall arrest equipment (harnesses etc.) at all times, in accordance with the training and work instruction communicated.

We are fully aware that there is an inherent risk of a fall in all scaffolding activities, which cannot be completely eliminated. The use of fall arrest equipment does not prevent a fall occurring and does not eliminate the risk of injury completely. However, it is important to recognize that personal fall arrest may be the most suitable, or only, option in certain conditions. Fall arrest equipment is used to arrest a fall should it occur, preventing the employee from hitting the ground (or other surface) or structure in the workplace.

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The fall arrest equipment and anchorage points must be capable of withstanding the forces involved and minimizing those forces to an acceptable level. These systems typically include equipment such as: Harnesses, Lanyards, Energy absorbers, Line systems, Inertia reels, Connectors, Anchorage points.

Active Protection 

All personal fall protection systems are classed as active protection that is only effective if used correctly (e.g. a fall arrest harness and lanyard system requires a suitably secure anchor point and a minimum clearance distance to arrest a fall), unlike passive protection (sometimes referred to as collective protection) that offers protection continuously.

Reduce the fall distance 

When a personal fall arrest system is used, consideration must be given to reducing the distance a employee is liable to fall and the consequences of the fall, particularly the ease of rescuing of a worker suspended in a harness.

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When choosing personal fall protection equipment, as part of a risk assessment to establish a safe system of work, employers must ensure that the equipment is suitable, having been designed and tested by the competent authority for the purpose that it is intended to be used.

Always refer the manufacturers instructions carefully and if in any doubt seek advice from the supplied vendor. It is important to note that some fall arrest equipment is only designed, tested and manufactured to meet the minimum country specific Standard and will only be safe to use within certain limitations.

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