Protective Measures
Fall Protection Equipment
The three generally acceptable methods of protection for workers on a construction site who are exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more are guardrails, safety net systems, and personal fall arrest systems.
- Guardrails are considered prevention systems, as they stop you from having a fall in the first place.
- Safety net systems are designed to catch you and break your fall. They must be placed as close as practicable beneath your working surface, but never more than 30 feet below.
- A personal fall arrest system consists of an anchorage, connectors, and a full-body harness that work together to break your fall.
When working next to a fall prevention barrier from an elevated position, such as a step ladder next to a guardrail, the guardrail no longer serves as a fall protection device. Additional protection is needed.
In general, it is better to use fall prevention systems, such as guardrails, than fall protection systems, such as safety nets/fall arrest devices. That's because prevention systems prevent falls from occurring in the first place.
Scaffold work requires guardrails or a personal fall arrest system on any platform 10 feet or higher. Also, do not climb cross-bracing as a means of access; your employer must provide safe access. Ensure your fall protection equipment is right for the work you are doing, in good condition, and used properly. Remember, your employer needs to provide you with protection to prevent falls at your worksite.
The anchorage for a worker's personal fall arrest equipment must be independent of any anchorage used to support or suspend platforms. It must be able to support at least 5,000 lbs. per worker attached to it.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-5. Which of the following would be the preferred method to protect workers from falls?
You forgot to answer the question!