Fall protection means preventing a fall from happening in a workplace.
When a worker engages in an activity, more than 6 meters high, there is a likelihood that such a worker may fall if there are no measures to protect the worker.
Also, working close to an excavation or trench may pose a danger leading to a fall when protection is absent. A worker may trip on a hazard on the walkway and fall towards the ground.
Primary protection against a fall from height is the use of a guard rail or edge protection around the surrounding areas.
However,guardrail is a barrier erected at the exposed places of the working platform. Guardrails entail top rail, mid-rail and toeboard.
Secondary protection against such falls will be a Full body harness belt with a lanyard.
Fall protection: What are you to do to ensure adequate fall protection on site today?
- Remove all hazards that can cause falls on site. For examples, damaged ladders or improper erection of work platforms.
- Ensure you keep away from open edges, especially those edges that have inadequate guardrails in place.
- Keep away from open trenches and pits.
- Ensure that open trenches and pits are covered with appropriate materials.
- Ensure you use safety signages to indicate places where there is a risk of falls.
- Don’t engage in horseplay and other activities that may expose the worker to falling on a site.
- Avoid running on-site so that you don’t run into a pit or a trench.
- Prevent situations that will make the next worker fall on site.
- Do not enter into a barricaded or unauthorised area until you’re allowed to do so.
- Maintain good housekeeping at all times. Keep work areas free of debris. However, do not obstruct the walkway with any material so that workers.
- Ensure there is a fall prevention plan in place and all workers have to be knowledgeable about them.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
