Fall Protection
Topic 4 – Fall Protection
Falls are the leading cause of fatal accidents in the construction industry. The employer or contractor is responsible for ensuring that all workers use fall protection when working at heights greater than 3 meters or where there is a risk of injury from falling. Fall protection comes in four different types:
The personal fall arrest system is the most common form of fall protection used when working in a temporary working area. It consists of three components:
Equipment that is used in fall protection should be inspected regularly before each use. When not in use, they should be stored in a dry place away from the elements. Sunlight, moisture, and usage can cause wear and tear. Any equipment found to be damaged or defective should be tagged and either sent for repairs or discarded.
Guardrails and Covers
Any opening on a working surface needs to be guarded from falls by either a guardrail or cover. Covers should be able to support a load of 360 kg per square meter and have a warning sign or indication of it covering an opening. Temporary guardrails may be a more practical solution such as in stairwells and elevator shafts. It should be constructed with the top rail between 920 mm and 1070 mm, with an intermediate rail spaced halfway between the top rail and the working surface. Vertical supports should be spaced according to section 122 of OHS Regulations. Where there is a risk of materials or tools falling more than 1.2 meters, a toe board may also be required (see section 123 of OHS Regulations).
Fall Protection Plan
On any worksite where there is a risk of falls greater than 3 meters, a fall protection plan is required to be written and displayed according to section 116.1 of OHS Regulations. The fall protection plan should include the following:
Review Questions
- What are the three components of a fall arrest system?
- What should be done with defective fall protection equipment?
- Describe the requirements of a guardrail.
- A personal fall arrest system should prevent a worker from falling more than _____ without a shock absorbing lanyard and _____ with a shock absorbing lanyard.
- Where is a toe board required?