Falls are among the leading causes of severe injuries and deaths among workers in the United States. These incidents are PREVENTABLE with proper gear and practices. For the 12th year in a row, fall protection remained at the top of the list of OSHA's Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards. It is more important than ever to spread fall protection education and awareness.
Before you begin any work: plan ahead and assess the hazards and risks of the job, provide any necessary equipment, and train your employees on how to properly use the equipment safely.
Crucial Tips When Wearing a Full Body Harness
Only wear a full-body harness that a competent person has deemed correct for your body size.
Every single time that you put on your harness, take the time to adjust and confirm that each buckle is correctly adjusted and fully engaged.
Any loose ends of straps should be tucked into retainers when provided.
Remember: Even one buckle loose or unbuckled could cause the harness to fail.
If properly adjusted, only two fingers of your flat hand should be able to fit between your body and the straps of your harness.
Do NOT remove or loosen any part of your harness until you are ready to fully remove the harness
If any part of your harness is loosened or disconnected, even for a short period, you may forget to make the necessary adjustments or reattachments needed to resume work.
OSHA requires that fall protection is provided at elevations of:
4 feet in general industry workplaces
5 feet in shipyards
6 feet in the construction industry
8 feet in long-shoring operations
At TekSolv, we require fall protection to be in place and used when working at elevations of four feet or greater.
How can you ensure that your worksite and employees are safe when working at height? Following the guidelines below is a great place to start.
All workplaces must prevent the potential for falls by:
Guarding every floor opening with a standard railing or a floor hole covering
Installing standard railings and toe-boards around every elevated open-sided stair, platform, floor, or runway
Utilizing approved Personal Fall Arrest Systems required on jobs that include a full-body harness, lanyards, and anchor points
OSHA requires employers to:
Provide working conditions that are free of known dangers
Keep all floors in work areas clean, and, if possible, in a dry condition
Select and provide the required PPE and train employees on PPE use
Train workers for on-the-job hazards in an understandable language
Annual National Safety Stand-Down
2024 marks the 11th annual National Safety Stand-Down. From May 6th - 10th, you can participate by holding discussions, conducting safety activities, or setting time aside to inspect your equipment.
For more information on fall protection and OSHA’s policies, visit OSHA.com.