Fall Protection Systems

FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

PLAN. PREVENT. PROTECT

The fall protection plan guidance you need to keep your company compliant

Falls are by far one of the most common workplace hazards tracked by federal regulatory agencies and insurance companies. That's why it's so important to have a comprehensive fall protection plan in place. A good plan will not only help protect your workers from injury or death, but it will also protect your company from fines, litigation or worse.

What is a fall protection plan?

According to OSHA, any time a worker is occupied at a height of four feet or greater, a fall hazard exists. When a hazard can be eliminated, it is the employers obligation to do so either by changing procedures, redesigning the work environment, or using passive fall protection ( e.g., guardrails, handrails, etc.). A fall protection plan is a document that clearly establishes guidelines to protect all employees engaged in indoor and outdoor activities that expose them to falls from elevation of four feet or greater. The plan should document all onsite fall hazards along with protocols for addressing each one.

Additionally, the plan should outline the steps to be taken in the event of an accident. It's important to note that your plan is dynamic, ongoing initiative and should be continuously updated as fall protection and fall arrest technologies evolve.

Why is it important?

A fall protection plan is an essential tool for ensuring the safety and health of your employees- and your company. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 alone, over 600 workers died and another 200,000 were seriously injured in fall-related incidents. The financial burden associated with fall injuries is high as well, with worker's compensation and medical costs estimated at $70 billion in 2002. When you factor in other issues such as litigation and OSHA fines, the financial toll of not having a plan can be quite literally devastating.

Who is responsible for your fall protection plan?

It is the employer's responsibility to develop, implement and maintain a compliant fall protection plan. Before you begin to outline your plan, it is important to assign a person within your organization who has the training to properly determine what constitutes a fall hazard. Additionally, OSHA identifies two types of people who should execute the steps that constitute your fall protection plan.

COMPETENT PERSON- A person who is capable of identifying hazardous or dangerous conditions in the personal fall arrest system or any component thereof, as well as in their application and use of related equipment,

QUALIFIED PERSON- A person with a recognized degree or professional certificate and extensive knowledge and experience in the subject field who is capable of design, analysis, evaluation and developing specifications in the subject work, project or product.

www.wwcannon.com

800-442-3061

www.wwcannon.com

800-442-3061

Yes, I do need a fall arrest system.

Now what?

Once you have determined a need for a fall arrest system, the first thing you should do is contact WW Cannon a recognized leader in overhead fall protection systems. Available in multiple configurations, including various track profiles and support center distances, fall protection systems can be easily customized to fit every budget and application.

The Next step is to add fall protection to your company's overall health and safety plan. A written site-specific program should be developed, including detailed work procedures to protect your employees. The fall protection portion of your plan should state what fall protection measures are to be used, how they are to be used, a rescue plan, as well as the individual responsible for overall supervision and training.

Choosing the right fall protection products

In order to provide proper fall protection for your workforce, it's important to have a clear understanding of the types of products available. Because the technology is continuously evolving, we recommend tasking a team member with the responsibility of monitoring the category to ensure you stay up to date. it's also a good idea to schedule formal audits of your fall arrest or restraint systems and procedures.

Once all of your fall hazards and the appropriate equipment have been specified, be sure it is reflected in your fall protection plan. The plan should identify all fall prevention and protection measures as stated above, as well as a rescue plan in the event of a fall.

www.wwcannon.com

800-442-3061

Developing a fall protection rescue plan

Regardless of how thorough your fall protection plan is, or how diligent your training and safety protocols may be, falls may happen at your workplace, and it's important to be prepared with a clearly defined rescue plan.

Keep in mind that rescue plans don't have to be complicated- just fast and effective, as suspension trauma and other injuries can occur in as little as 20 minutes. Even if your rescue plan involves simple equipment such as a portable ladder or manual descent device, ANSI protocols require it be written into your fall arrest plan and practiced by trained personnel.

Ongoing inspections and maintenance

The final step in the process is ongoing inspections of fall arrest equipment, OSHA requires a visual inspection for wear and damage prior to each use, mandating that any deterioration or defective components be removed from service. According to ANSI, fall protection equipment should be inspected by the user before each use and inspected at least once a year by a "competent person."

Additionally, a "competent person" is required to verify that any and all system maintenance is performed properly. Finally, an inspection and maintenance schedule document should be created and made available to your workforce.

How WW Cannon can help

We hope the information contained in this resource gives you the tools you need to begin creating your fall protection plan.

For additional help with the fall arrest portion of your fall protection plan, including requesting a free Onsite consultation, contact a WW Cannon representative at 800-442-3061.

We would like to take the time in honor of Nation Customer Appreciation day (May 20th) to thank all of our amazing customers, we are very grateful for each and every one of you! Thank you for trusting WW Cannon to be your partner in Industrial Storage Solutions.

www.wwcannon.com

800-442-3061