In industry, employees are often required to work at heights. This introduces the hazard of potentially falling and may result in injury or death. In order to reduce the risk of injury, it may be necessary for personnel to use fall protection.
Associated hazards
- Falling and striking your head and body against the structure.
- Falling out of a poorly adjusted harness.
- The sudden stop of the harness and line may cause shock injuries.
- Poorly maintained and damaged harnesses will not protect you.
- Not fixing lanyard to structure or safety line.
- Lanyard fixed to an unsuitable anchor point.
Duties
- You have a legal obligation to use the safety equipment provided to you.
- You employer has a duty to train you in the use, maintenance, and storage of safety equipment.
Control measures
- You must ensure you are trained on how to check, wear, adjust and connect the harness to a line or structure.
- A shock absorber fitted to the harness can reduce the risk of injury from shock loads.
- Always attach yourself from a safe position; attach yourself before you require the protection of the harness.
- Attach the lanyard above yourself, where possible
- Only qualified personnel are to install equipment to which harnesses are attached.
- Ensure that harnesses are adjusted properly; to ensure that you stay in it.
- In a full harness, free- fall should not exceed 2 metres, in other types; free fall should not exceed 0.6 metres.
- Ensure that a rescue procedure for is in place before you use the harness, don’t ask what it is when you need it!
Before use checks
- Before use, check your harness for damage and frayed stitching.
- Store it safely, not in the back of the van or on the floor!
- Ensure any damaged equipment is replaced immediately.
Remember: Harnesses will not prevent a fall, but can reduce the risk of injury if used properly!
