Planning ahead for preventing falls is the best defense. Take the time on every project to go over with your team not only the fall hazards they may face, but making a plan for reducing those risks, providing the appropriate fall protection, and dealing with falls should they happen.
Fall Protection & Rescue Plans
A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention”. Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards, can also use this opportunity to have a conversation with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall and other job hazards they see.
Job Planning
When bidding and planning jobs, think about the potential risks so you can ensure precautions are taken BEFORE a fall. Especially take into consideration the types of anchorage points that will need to be designed. Making these plans on the front end reduce delays once the work gets started.
Encourage your employees to reassess fall risks and the appropriate actions on a daily basis. Yes, daily.
Conditions can change – maybe it rained or iced overnight, and the surfaces are slick. Maybe a truck went through the site leaving deep ruts where ladders or scaffolds need to be placed. As the roof or decking is completed, anchorage points or required lanyard lengths may change. Use the attached Fall Hazard Job Site Checklist to review the risks and the plan to deal with them.
Reassessing these changes every day help to keep the prevention of having a fall at the forefront of everyone’s mind.