Fall protection systems must be in place before working at heights

Whatever height your are working at whether you are cleaning windows, pruning trees or hanging off the side of a building, having the correct safety equipment is essential. Using correctly fitted and safety approved equipment could save your lift so it really is vital that your equipment has the right BSI kitemark and that you have checked it before using it so that you will be secure when working at a height. There is a whole variety of fall arrest equipment and you should choose the type that suits the kind of work you are going to do. If you are unsure, contact us and we will help you find the right sort of equipment and can arrange for training as well.

There are several types of personal fall protection systems

and equipment. Users of these systems require high levels of

training and appropriate close supervision:

■ work restraint systems and equipment will include a

lanyard which must be adjusted, or set, to a fixed length

to prevent the user physically getting to a place where

they could fall, eg a roof edge or fragile surface;

■ work positioning systems and equipment enable the

user to work in tension or suspension to prevent or limit

a fall, eg a boatswain’s chair or linesman. A back-up

system is needed in case the main support fails;

■ rope access systems use two ropes, a working rope

and a safety rope, each secured to a reliable anchor.

The user’s harness is attached to both ropes in such a

way they can get to and from the work area and the risk

of falling is prevented or limited. This type of system

could be used to access the side of a tall building where

a cradle cannot be used;

■ fall arrest systems and equipment limit the impact force

of a fall on the user and prevent them hitting the ground.

The anchor point should be as high as possible above

the feet of the user to limit the distance of the fall.

Equipment should be regularly inspected for wear and

damage.

There are several types of personal fall protection systems and equipment. Users of these systems require high levels of training and appropriate close supervision:■ work restraint systems and equipment will include a lanyard which must be adjusted, or set, to a fixed length to prevent the user physically getting to a place where they could fall, eg a roof edge or fragile surface;■ work positioning systems and equipment enable the user to work in tension or suspension to prevent or limit a fall, eg a boatswain’s chair or linesman. A back-up system is needed in case the main support fails;■ rope access systems use two ropes, a working ropeand a safety rope, each secured to a reliable anchor.The user’s harness is attached to both ropes in such away they can get to and from the work area and the risk of falling is prevented or limited. This type of system could be used to access the side of a tall building where a cradle cannot be used;■ fall arrest systems and equipment limit the impact force of a fall on the user and prevent them hitting the ground.The anchor point should be as high as possible above the feet of the user to limit the distance of the fall.Equipment should be regularly inspected for wear and damage. Click here to continue

Fall protection systems must be in place before working at heights

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