6 Common Problems With Fall Protection and How to Avoid Them

Intro

Today, I’m going to talk to you about six common problems my team and I see on every job site throughout the country involving fall protection and elevated work.

My name is Kevin Muldoon. I’m a Project Manager for Fall Protection at Mazzella Companies.

I’m here today to talk to you about the six common problems that are on job sites across the country that my team and I uncover daily.

The Importance of Completing a Job Safety Analysis

The first common problem my team and I see is a job site analysis, the lack of one. Basically, what it is, is how you’re going to do what you’re going to do safely.

Now, you may be thinking, “You don’t have one? Ask your boss.” Because if you’re working at height, you need one.

It’s going to identify the hazards that you’re going to come across and how you’re going to either control or eliminate those hazards.

It’s important because if you don’t start your job safe, you’re not going to end safe.

Choosing the Wrong Fall Protection System

The second most common problem with fall protection is the lack of selecting the proper equipment for the job.

Let’s talk about roofing. Roofing is really a common application. There are a lot of guys replacing roofs in the summer and even in the winter.

Basically, what they would require to be six feet from the leading edge is a guardrail system.

You may or may not know there’s a hierarchy of controls with fall protection. The first is trying to eliminate it.

The second is a passive control or a guardrail system preventing you from going to the hazard.

There’s also fall restraint, which is also a protective measure to prevent you from going to the hazard. Again, if it prevents you from going to the hazard, the hazard doesn’t exist, you eliminated it.

But if you can’t eliminate it, there’s fall arrest. Arrest means that if you fall, the system that you have is going to arrest you from actually hitting the ground or obstructing something else.

And then, if you can’t arrest the fall, there are administrative controls, which are very extensive and need a professional engineer to do.

Failure to Have Fall Protection Training

The third most common problem with fall protection is a lack of training.

In my 30 years, the biggest change has been that OSHA came down in 2017 that you have to have fall protection training. It’s mandated. It’s a must, or you will be cited.

Anyone working at height who has not been trained could be cited today.

Improper Use of Fall Protection Equipment

The fourth most common problem with fall protection is improper use of equipment.

Now, let’s just say that you’re two days on the job, and your employer hands you a harness and says, “Put it on. I need you to work 12 feet in the air.”

You have a decision to make: whether to put the harness on or give it back to him and say, “I haven’t been trained, I don’t know how to put this on, and I really am uncomfortable doing it.”

That would probably be the smartest play. But remember, your safety is your responsibility, no one else’s.

Failure to Inspect Fall Protection Equipment

The fifth most common problem with fall protection is inspections. Inspections are important because you have to do them before each use.

Why? Because you’re responsible for your own safety.

In doing that, you have to follow the manufacturer’s specifications. They will tell you specifically what to look for, whether it is a harness, a rope grab, a lanyard, a body protection device, or any device at all.

That’s what you need to look for.

Failure to Have a Proper Rescue Plan

The sixth most common problem with fall protection is a lack of rescue planning, or even thinking about a rescue at all.

So, you fall. What do you do? Does somebody get you down, or do you get yourself down?

Those are two basic means of getting down. Do you have a plan? Do you know that plan? Has somebody communicated it to you? Has it been written down?

You really need this, or you shouldn’t start work.

Closing

Hopefully, we helped you understand the six common problems with fall protection.

If you have any other questions, please visit our website at MazzellaCompanies.com.

Thank you very much.