When fall hazards at your worksite cannot be eliminated, they must be controlled. When a hazard exists that cannot be eliminated entirely, you must have a hazard assessment completed and create a written Fall Protection Plan.
What is in a Fall Protection Plan?
Fall Protection Plans include a lot of important information, which is needed to keep workers safe while on site.
- Locations and descriptions of all known fall or trip hazards.
- The type of fall protection systems to be used.
- Types of allowed anchors for each risk.
- Confirmation that the area below a fall is clear of any obstructions in case of a fall.
- Procedure list for assembly, use, and disassembly of all equipment being used.
- Rescue Procedures for a fallen worker.
- A worker sign-off list to show they have read and understood the plan.
What are the 4 methods of controlling risks?
There is a hierarchy of controls when looking at risk management. Your employer is responsible for selecting and applying the best hazard controls for each worksite and for each hazard. There are 4 types of hazard controls.
- Elimination: Eliminating a hazard is the most effective way of risk management, and can be achieved by making controls, lighting, valves or other needed locations accessible on the ground.
- Engineering Controls: These controls are some of the most common when on-site as they can be installed on-site and eliminate risks entirely. Some engineered controls are guardrails, protective covers, and other physical barriers.
- Administrative controls: Administrative controls are used alongside other types of controls to provide awareness to a hazard, and can include signs, warning tapes, and safe work plans.
- Personal Protective Equipment: PPE does not prevent you from falling, but provides you the ability to reduce the severity of a potential injury. It is a necessary part of a safety plan to outline the needed PPE, and ensure all equipment is in proper working order.
Onsite Rescue Operations
When there is a fall on-site, you need to work as quickly as possible to eliminate any further trauma. There are a few steps that should always be included in your plan like calling 911 immediately, and either removing the person from the situation or relieving pressure from the harness. There are 4 main ways you can assist a fallen person.
- Relieve pressure: a person suspended in a harness after a fall is under a lot of pressure, so having a relief strap or rope lowered for them is a good idea. The rope or strap will give them the ability to stand up while still over a ledge.
- Access a Lift: Accessing something like a scissor-lift or skyjack to retrieve a fallen worker is a good plan to eliminate any further trauma they may experience from hanging.
- Ladder Access: Having a ladder that can reach a fallen worker is a very basic method of rescuing a fallen worker, make sure to follow proper ladder safety to ensure no further accidents happen.
- Self Retracting Lanyard: These lanyards feature a ratcheting handle, which will allow someone to lower or raise the fallen worker.
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