Permanent Fall Protection: The Danger of Poor Design & Installation
Clever design of the structure can remove a lot of fall exposures, but where the inclusion of fall protection anchorages is unavoidable, specialist installers should be consulted. Who you hire is important.
A qualified installer will design the system so it is user friendly. If an anchorage system is too complex, the user is unlikely to use it correctly, if at all.
Incorrect design and improper installation can be fatal. Effective design is crucial to the performance of fall protection systems, especially in regards to horizontal lifelines. It considers the following:
- Access. This considers how a worker gets to the permanent fall protection system.
- The type of work being done on the roof. The activities being performed and their frequency will influence the best option(s) for protection.
- Work area. Areas of the roof being trafficked and populated most impact the fall protection system that is chosen, as well as its placement and effectiveness.
- Number of workers exposed. The number of individuals in a work area can impact which system to install. It is also a critical consideration for load calculations when a horizontal lifeline system is being employed.
When hiring a contractor to recommend and install permanent fall protection, make sure the company you hire has a qualified person in fall protection and horizontal lifeline design on staff and that this individual, or others employed there, have been trained by the horizontal lifeline manufacturer in both installation and inspection of the system.
For a Fall Hazard Survey or the installation of a permanent fall protection system, contact D. C. Taylor Co.
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