Factors to Address in a Fall Protection Plan

When you work in the climbing industry, fall protection plans are crucial to keep you and your team safe on the job site. These plans are specific to each particular site and cover a variety of elements that can affect the safety of everyone involved. These are the key factors to address in an effective fall protection plan.

All Fall Hazards in a Work Area

Before employers can plan out how to prevent workplace accidents, they need to take note of all the fall hazards present on the designated job site. These hazards could be anything from the slope of the platforms to power line proximity—and no two job sites are exactly alike. Due to this, inspectors need to be on the lookout for unique hazards as well as common ones such as holes, debris, or sharp edges.

Protection Requirements of Job Site

Once an inspector properly identifies the hazards, the planning process can officially begin. This factor requires the planners to have a clear idea of the work they need to complete to determine the extent of protection required. If professionals will perform most of the work above ground level, this will require them to acquire additional fall protection equipment to reduce the risk.

Equipment Needed to Work Safely

The next step is to ensure that each worker has the proper equipment to keep them safe on the job site. Some of the items professionals recommend you provide include first aid kits, guardrails, full-body harnesses, and other tower climbing safety gear.

Use Procedures for Fall Protection Equipment

Though most of the workers will already have training in using fall protection equipment, there must be proper guidelines in place for appropriate use. You want to ensure each individual receives proper training about how to use the equipment. This will significantly cut down on the risk of injury. Further, establish procedures and expectations to help increase the efficiency of the job by streamlining the process.

Rescue Protocol for Injured Workers

Another crucial part of a fall protection plan is to ensure there’s a procedure in place for assisting in emergencies. No matter how many precautions you take on a job site, there’s always a possibility that an accident will occur. As such, create and prepare a rescue protocol—this is key to helping save the lives of employees and contractors.