Fall Protection
FALL-PROTECTION refers to the systems and methods used to prevent workers from falling or to safely arrest a fall should one occur. According to the OSHA, falls are a leading cause of death in the CONSTRUCTION-INDUSTRY. Comprehensive safety guidelines can be accessed via the OSHA Fall Protection Page. Proper FALL-PROTECTION is required whenever employees are working at heights of four feet or more in general industry or six feet in construction.
Active and Passive Systems
Safety solutions are generally categorized into passive and active systems. PASSIVE-FALL-PROTECTION includes fixed barriers such as GUARDRAILS, COVERS, and SAFETY-NETS that do not require worker interaction. Conversely, ACTIVE-FALL-PROTECTION requires the use of specialized equipment. The most common active system is the PERSONAL-FALL-ARREST-SYSTEM (PFAS), which includes an ANCHORAGE, a FULL-BODY-HARNESS, and a CONNECTOR like a SHOCK-ABSORBING-LANYARD.
Standards and Compliance
The AMERICAN-NATIONAL-STANDARDS-INSTITUTE (ANSI) provides voluntary consensus standards that often exceed federal requirements. The ANSI-Z359 series, known as the Fall Protection Code, defines the requirements for equipment performance and system design. More details on these standards are available at the ANSI Official Website. Employers must prioritize the HIERARCHY-OF-CONTROLS, attempting to eliminate hazards through ENGINEERING-CONTROLS before relying on PERSONAL-PROTECTIVE-EQUIPMENT.