Fall Protection Equipment Options for the Construction Industry

Although the revised fall prevention guidelines issued by OSHA with regards to steel erection and the construction of new buildings are of course helpful, when creating a full fall protection program, the installation of netting and flooring is only part of the total effort that should be made.  There are a number of other areas where hazard mitigation can play an important role in reducing the chance that workers will suffer from a fall-related injury while at the job site.

The most comprehensive type of fall protection available is known as a fall arrest system.  Designed to use a system of harnesses and ropes or cables to limit the distance which a worker can fall before they are caught and suspended, this type of fall protection requires careful training and proper maintenance to use.

A full harness, such as the Miller Revolution or the Miller Duraflex is meant to strap around the shoulders and the upper legs of an employee, in order to spread out the forces associated with sudden deceleration that are involved in falls.  This specific harness also helps to a fall victim to maintain greater control over their orientation while hanging from a support cable, which can simplify recovery efforts.  Some harnesses also provide a large back plate which further dissipates the shock of a fall, and can protect against impacts should the victim swing into a hard surface on the way down.  Tool belts and other attachments can usually be added to these harnesses in order to give them a practical edge.

Anchoring systems are an important complement to any fall protection harness and cable strategy.  While it is possible to anchor to a raw beam, this is not recommended as sharp edges can cut into a cable or rope while the anchoring point moves along with the worker during the performance of their task.  Instead, a beam anchor like that offered by Miller offers a secure attachment point that can slide along a beam without exposing a tether to any additional wear.  This type of anchor is strong yet lightweight, which makes it easy to carry while moving from one area of the job site to another.  For sites where a beam anchor cannot be safely attached to a building’s frame, cross-arm straps can be used as a less mobile but safer alternative to direct tethering.

Lifelines themselves should be regularly inspected in order to ensure that they have not begun to fray or display any other indications of weakness or damage.  Depending upon the environment in which they are used, a standard webbing lifeline from AOSafety SafeWaze or a galvanized steel Mightylite retractable lifeline are among the best options.  The Mightylite unit offers the further protection of an automatic brake that engages to gradually slow a worker’s descent during a fall, lessening any jerking at the end of the line that could result in musculoskeletal injury.  For areas where limited movement is acceptable, 6-foot shock absorbing webbed lanyards can provide OSHA-compliant fall protection without the added expense or complexity of a retractable lifeline.