Personal Protective Equipment can be classified in 3 Risk Categories :
Category 1. Low Risk
Category 2. Immediate Risk
Category 3. Serious and Irreversible Risk
Fall Protection is classified under Category 3 and is a serious business. There is no margin for error as your life can depend on a single thread. Each year thousands of injuries and deaths are attributed to work - related falls which result in loss of revenue due to claims, production losses and compensatory claims. It is therefore the employer's responsibility to develop a
Fall Protection Programme by working closely with the concerned employees and manufacturers to identify fall hazards and jointly develop a safety programme.
Fall Protection System can be Active or Passive.
Active Systems rely on the worker personally taking responsibility for his Height Safety. Products like Harnesses ,Kinetic Energy Absorbers, Retractable Life Lines, Rope Grabbing Devices, etc.,can be worn and adjusted to provide protection.
Passive Systems are the use of Safety Nets, Barricades etc., which are an alternative method of preventing a fall and provides protection which does not require any action from the workers and if properly installed , will provide the protection.
WORKERS TRAINING
Training programmes for awareness, knowledge and skills necessary to ensure safety at the job site.
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Once the hazard is identified either eliminate OR provide the protection against it.
A plan specifying the fall protection measure to be used , the method of use , and who is responsible for the training to be provided to finally see that it is implemented.
SELECTION OF PRODUCTS
Certified products most suitable for the Hazard at the workplace to provide maximum protection for each job need to be selected.
MAINTENANCE & INSPECTION OF THE EQUIPMENTS
All fall protection gears have to be periodically checked for damaged fibers or cuts, metal components for cracks or sharp edges, ropes for the damage of the strands, tell tale indicator for deployment. Proper storage and maintenance after use is to be ensured.