Stand-Down to Prevent Falls

 

Did you know this week is the official Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction?

 

Falls have been one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry for quite some time.

 

Taking some time to focus on your current fall prevention strategies does not need to be complicated. It’s all about the basics. Check out this video on five simple ways you can prevent workplace falls.

 

1. If you’re working at 6 feet or more, use fall protection.

 

It’s at 4 feet or more for general industry, but you get the drift! Everyone in your company should know fall protection is required for any work at height, even jobs that take “just a minute.”

 

2. Before starting a job, make a fall prevention plan.

 

Remember that old saying: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Using fall protection can be a very simple process if the work tasks are well thought out ahead of time. If not, it can be a scramble to get the right equipment together and train employees last minute on how to use it. Be prepared ahead of time!

 

3. Provide workers with the right equipment for the job.

 

There’s a large variety of fall protection equipment out there, and some may not even be compatible with each other. Make sure you’re using the right equipment for the job, and if you have any doubt, feel free to call TT&S for a consultation. We are always glad to help!

 

4. Train everyone to use the equipment safely.

 

Unfortunately, just putting on a harness is not a magical forcefield that keeps you from falling. It’s important to also know how to use the equipment. Ideally, this training should be done first at hiring and a quick refresher just before use if the employee doesn’t use fall protection equipment often on the job.

 

Lots can go wrong if the equipment isn’t used right. Training should cover how to don, doff, and inspect the equipment, as well as any job-specific hazards that might be in play.

 

5. Inspect your harness, lanyard, and anchorage point before each use.

 

Employees should be trained to inspect ALL fall protection equipment before using. It’s important to stress that these employees are entrusting their lives to these pieces of equipment. When in doubt, throw it out! And make sure it’s completely destroyed before tossing – otherwise someone none the wiser may pull it out of the trash for use.

 

Employees should also be familiar with any fall indicators built into the equipment – oftentimes a red piece of webbing that is only visible once the fall protection equipment has seen enough force to rip out stitching around the fall indicator. Any equipment that has been through a fall must be disposed of and replaced.

 

 

Keep these five things in mind, and you’re well on your way to keeping your employees safe from falls!