Fall arrest systems are essential in many industries and positions that often present a high, falling hazard for the employee. They are usually used in areas that include working in elevated positions and therefore pose a high falling risk to the employee. Anyone working in an area that is commonly known for being in contact with elevated platforms should use them. Working below ground level represents the space between the working or walking surface and the lowest level. It is important for employees to know how to use fall arrest systems to safely stay in the safety zone and protect their personal health.
Falls are often unavoidable in certain tasks. A fall in this environment can have devastating consequences if it occurs while on the job. The use of fall arrest systems in the work place has been shown to drastically reduce the number of workers seriously injured or even killed. If the worker is not properly trained on how to use the equipment, the chance of serious injury becomes even greater. The equipment has been specifically designed to keep the worker in the safety zone and reduce the potential of falling from a considerable height.
Safety guidelines for fall arrest systems state that it should be worn by all employees when operating various work platforms. The fall protection equipment is equipped with a harness that should be attached to the wearer’s waist or hips. This provides the needed support as the user is being lowered to the platform. Hands free technology provides workers with another option that is less intrusive than having to wear a fall arrest system. However, it does not eliminate the need for the harness and makes using the equipment more comfortable for some workers.
Many fall arrest systems are made with advanced technology to ensure the maximum protection. The harnesses are constructed so that they will cover the largest part of the body and should be able to withstand the most severe impact. They can be secured by fastening them to the worker’s waist or by attaching them to the harnesses that fasten to the person’s hands or to a safe point on the platform. This will ensure that there are no dangerous chances of losing balance and slipping from the chair as well as reducing the chance of being trapped beneath the platform.
The fall arrest systems will protect the worker from falling at the same time reducing the likelihood of serious injury. The fall hazard extends far beyond the actual platform as the fall hazard extends over a distance of three feet, regardless of how high the platform may be. In addition to preventing serious injury and preventing workers from being entrapped underneath a platform, the fall arrest systems also protect those workers that may be working close to the platform. For example, those working near or on the platform might fall and be unable to get back to the platform until the harness straps are removed and the fall is cushioned by the safety railing.
Using a personal fall protection system means that in addition to the steps or rails that are built into the structure, the apparatus has steps or rails at specific intervals that help keep workers safe. Each of these steps and rails must have a maximum and minimum distance from the worker and must meet a certain thickness. This will ensure that workers do not fall onto the platform and that their positions do not exceed the prescribed distances. The personal fall protection system means that if you are working close to a platform and a fall occurs, the fall arrest system will restrain the fall and prevent serious injury. It will stop the individual from being propelled forward and enable him to be brought to safety with support.
There are a number of reasons why the personal fall arrest system begins as soon as the machinery is switched on. If the machinery is not installed correctly then the chances of it coming on are higher. If workers are working close to the machinery then they are at greater risk of falling from their platforms. If the machinery is not positioned at the correct height or with the required precision then it could fall on top of them.
Safety standards for this equipment are set out by the government and these are rigorously followed. For example the height of some supports may be specified to ensure that the platform can come on at the correct height. Safety railing systems are installed so that people can work close to or on to the structure without their falling down. For example railings can be installed to a certain height above any surrounding structures. These fall arrest protection equipment systems need to meet certain regulations set out by the government and it is important that they do.