Fall Protection: Safety Controls and Preventative Measures for Working at Height

Working at height poses significant risks, making comprehensive safety controls and preventative measures essential to protect workers from falls. This document outlines the required safety measures, drawing from industry best practices and regulatory guidelines, to ensure worker safety when working at height.

Understanding Working at Heights

Working at heights includes situations where a person could fall and be injured, such as from a step ladder, roof, or unguarded hole. It also includes using elevated work platforms, fixed suspended work platforms, swing staging, boatswain's chairs, aerial devices, suspended equipment, or personnel carrying equipment. Occupational health and safety laws generally require action when a worker has the potential to fall about 3 meters (10 feet), but exact requirements vary by jurisdiction. [5] [1]

Hierarchy of Control

The hierarchy of control should be followed to select the safest method for fall protection. The most effective method is to eliminate the need to work at a height. [3] [3]

Elimination of Work at Heights

To eliminate working at heights:

• Design the work to eliminate the need to work at heights.
• Provide a stable platform or floor.
• Move the item to a level that is not at a height (e.g., control panels).
• Use robots, cameras, or drones for cleaning and inspection of equipment.
• Lower the object to the ground (e.g., lights that can be lowered by a rope or chain).
• Use a device that allows the material to be handled from a safe location (e.g., an extended pole to reach higher areas instead of using ladders when painting or changing light bulbs).

[3] [3] [2] [2] [2] [2]

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls are methods built into the design of a plant, equipment, materials, or the physical work environment. Examples include: [2]

• Guardrails (fixed or permanent systems)
• Covers over holes
• Fixed or suspended scaffolding
• Mobile elevating work platforms

[2] [2] [2] [2]

Administrative Controls

Administrative controls include workplace policies and rules that instruct workers in fall protection methods. Examples include: [2]

• Workplace policies and procedures to manage work at heights, including safe work practices and emergency rescue procedures.
• Warning lines - Train and supervise staff to not cross warning lines or enter unsafe zones.
• Controlled access zones
• Assembling components on the ground to minimize the time spent working at heights (e.g., assembling roof trusses on the ground before hoisting).
• Weather monitoring

[2] [2] [2] [2]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE includes methods such as:

• Travel Restraint: Restricts workers' movements in the fall hazard area, preventing them from reaching an edge.
• Fall Arrest: Designed to catch a worker in the event of a fall.
• Safety Nets: Passive fall protection system installed to prevent or catch a falling worker.

[6] [6] [6] Fall Protection Plan

A fall protection plan is a general term for the policies and procedures used to identify fall hazards and prevent injury. It must be specific to each site and include: [1] [1]

• Selecting, assembling, maintaining, inspecting, using, and dismantling equipment such as ladders, scaffolds, or platforms.
• Emergency procedures for rescuing fallen workers.
• Description of fall hazards at the work site.
• Fall protection system to be used.
• Procedures for assembling, maintaining, inspecting, using, and disassembling the fall protection system.
• Rescue procedures if a worker falls or is suspended by a fall arrest system or safety net.

[1] [1] [7] [7] [7] [7] Hazard Assessment

A hazard assessment should be conducted to identify areas where there is a risk of falling. This includes: [4]

• Areas where people may fall from a height of 3 m (10 ft) or more.
• Areas where people may fall from heights less than 3 m (10 ft) where required (e.g., increased risk of injury).
• Areas where people may fall into operating machinery, water, hazardous substances, or through openings.
• Ensuring controls are in place to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of falls.
• Verifying workers are trained to recognize and report new fall hazards.
• Confirming workers understand protective measures (e.g., guardrails, safety nets).
• Ensuring equipment is stable and in good repair.
• Maintaining clean and dry work areas.
• Verifying workers are trained on the safe use of protective equipment.
• Ensuring required PPE is available, maintained, and used as instructed.

[4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [4] Specific Safety Measures

Guardrails and Barriers

Workers at permanent work sites must be protected from falling by a guardrail or similar barrier if they could fall a vertical distance of between 1.2 m and 3 m. If using a wire rope guardrail, it must consist of a horizontal top and intermediate member made of wire rope not less than 9.5 mm in diameter, with vertical separators not less than 50 mm wide spaced at intervals not less than 2.4 m apart. The guardrail must be kept taut and arranged so workers cannot fall through the ropes. Hanging equipment on guardrails is prohibited. [7] [11] [11]

Travel Restraint Systems

If the use of a guardrail or similar barrier is not reasonably possible, a travel restraint system must be used. Temporary anchor points in a travel restraint system must have an ultimate load capacity of at least 3.5 kN per worker attached and be permanently marked for travel restraint only. Permanent anchor points must have an ultimate load capacity of at least 22.5 kN per worker. [7] [10] [10]

Safety Nets and Control Zones

If a travel restraint system is not reasonably possible, a safety net, control zone, or other equally effective safeguards must be used. Control zones should be at least 2 m wide from the unguarded edge. Workers in a control zone must use a travel restraint system or an equally effective system to prevent them from reaching the unguarded edge. Control zones must be clearly marked with a raised warning line or another effective method if a worker is working more than 2 meters from an unguarded edge. [7] [7] [10] [10]

Personal Fall Arrest Systems

If a personal fall arrest system is installed, anchor points must have an ultimate load capacity of not less than 8.75 kN per worker attached. Components of fall protection systems and their installation must conform to the manufacturer's specifications or be certified by a professional engineer. [10] [10]

Openings and Holes

Openings or holes in floors, roofs, or other work surfaces into which a worker could step or fall must be securely covered or guarded by a guardrail system. Toeboards should be provided at the edge of surfaces from which materials could fall more than 1.2 m (permanent) or 3 m (temporary). [11] [11]

Falling Object Protection

When workers are exposed to falling objects, they must wear hard hats, and one of the following measures must be implemented: erect toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling; erect a canopy structure; or barricade the area to which objects could fall. [8]

Ladders and Climbable Structures

For fixed ladders or climbable structures at a height of 3 meters or more, continuous fall protection must be provided through an integral fall protection system or an alternate fall protection system. [9]

Training and Competency

Workers must be trained in the fall protection plan and the safe use of fall protection systems before working in an area where such systems are used. Training should cover hazard recognition, use of control measures, and emergency procedures. [7]

Regular Inspections and Maintenance

All fall protection equipment, including guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems, must be regularly inspected and maintained in good condition. Any damaged or defective equipment must be removed from service immediately. [4]

Conclusion

Implementing these safety controls and preventative measures is crucial for preventing falls and ensuring worker safety when working at height. A comprehensive fall protection plan, regular hazard assessments, proper training, and consistent enforcement of safety protocols are essential components of a safe work environment.

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