It's hard to believe, but employees still often carry out work at height without using fall protection. The price they pay is high.
More than 20% of work-related accidents are the result of a fall. These accidents are often fatal. Working safely on roofs is essential.
Everything starts with a risk analysis. The analysis helps you identify all potential risks, identify all dangers and look for solutions.
- At organisational level: eliminate as many activities at height as possible.
- At workplace level: collective protective equipment (CPE) for working at height.
- On an individual level: if collective protective equipment does not offer sufficient protection, you must use personal protective equipment.
Even after a fall, you need to get the victim back onto ground level as quickly as possible. So you should develop a detailed rescue plan.
How can you ensure that your employees work safely at height? Be inspired by one of our six fixed fall protection ideas.
Guardrails
Whether you're working on a flat or pitched roof, you always need fall protection. A handrail or guardrail is the best collective solution, and we're seeing these being increasingly implemented by our customers. Your employees don't need to be trained, and they don't require fall protection.
Handrails can be installed quickly, and are made from different types of materials:
- Fibreglass
- Aluminium
- Galvanized steel
- Stainless steel
You can install the handrail at the roof edge, and also around technical installations, alongside evacuation routes, or at the entrance to a confined space. If you are unable to attach the handrail to or against the edge, you can always opt for a self-supporting system with heavy counterweights. These systems can also function as temporary fall protection.
Horizontal and vertical lifelines
Where it's not possible to install handrails or guardrails, you will have to use lifelines. A lifeline is a cable (steel, stainless steel or plastic) that is securely fastened along the roof or at strategically determined locations with two or more suspension points. The objective is always to limit the hazardous working area. From this point, employees also need fall protection that connects them to the lifeline.
- A fall arrest harness
- A connection between harness and lifeline: lifeline with shock absorber or fall arrest block suitable for horizontal use.
A lifeline is flexible in several ways. It can be used by several people at the same time, and you don't always need to disconnect around corners. So in complex situations, you are always protected.
Fall protection with a lifeline is ideal when the roof needs to be cleaned or when large windows need to be washed.
A vertical lifeline is just like a horizontal lifeline, but is used for vertical applications.
The idea is simple: when you climb up, you hook onto a vertical cable with a clamp and your fall equipment. If you fall backwards or downwards, the clamp ensures that your fall is arrested.
Vertical lifelines are mainly used on ladders of tall masts, and also when entering confined spaces via a cage ladder.
Horizontal and vertical rail systems
A rail system is a fixed, strong rail that is mounted on a roof or against a façade. In vertical applications, the rail is attached to the cage/ladder.
The clamp on the rail allows you to move freely in different directions. The distance between the suspension points of a rail system is smaller than in systems with a cable (for example, one suspension point at every metre for a rail for two persons).
Why choose a rail system instead of a lifeline?
The difference lies in the height of the fall. After or during a fall, a lifeline will be flexible and bend. This means that you have to take the fall distance into account. A rail system is sufficiently strong and rigid not to bend.
Applications for rail systems are the same as for lifelines, but where there is less fall distance, or when you have to position yourself vertically.
Fixed anchor points
If your employees often have to work at heights, you can opt for anchor points. This allows them to work in a radius around the anchor point, where only one person is allowed to be attached to an anchor point. These anchor points are fixed on flat, vertical or inclined surfaces. You can fix them into wood, concrete or metal constructions. Most anchors can be attached to all types of roofs, but some are more suitable for concrete or metal roofs.
Fixed fall protection on your site
Would you like to know more about working safely at height with permanent fall protection solutions? Then be sure to download our white paper.
Would you like to purchase fall protection or make sure that everything concerning anchor points and fall protection is in order in your company? Then make a quick appointment with our experts in fall protection. During a site visit, we will look for a targeted solution that fully meets your needs.
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