Falls from height can be life-threatening, which is why preventing falls from happening in the first place using fall prevention equipment is crucial for those working at height.
What Is Fall Prevention Equipment?
Fall prevention equipment refers to any PPE device or system that reduces the risk of a person falling from height. This equipment typically includes:
These devices work together to prevent workers accessing areas with a high fall risk, e.g. the edge of a raised platform or roof.
Fall prevention equipment differs from fall arrest equipment as it aims to physically restrict movement near hazardous areas to prevent falls from occurring at all, instead of catching a worker mid-fall.
Why Is Preventing Falls Better Than Arresting Falls?
It is better to prevent falls from happening in the first place (if possible) than to rely on fall arrest equipment because by preventing a fall, you eliminate the risk of fall injuries, whereas by arresting a fall, you can only minimise the impact once it has occurred.
The impact and forces involved in a fall can lead to life-changing injuries, even if fall arrest equipment has been used. This is why preventative measures like fall prevention equipment are the preferred system over reactive measures like fall arrest equipment in the height safety hierarchy of control measures.
Important Points to Consider
- Setting up your fall prevention equipment correctly is vital. If the lanyard is too long or anchorage is in the wrong position, it won’t do the job intended and may still result in injuries.
- All fall prevention equipment should be thoroughly inspected by a competent person before and after use for any wear or damage.
- Everyone involved in the task should be well informed in how fall prevention equipment works and how to use it.
At Safety Harness Direct, we stock a wide range of fall prevention equipment to keep you safe while working in a variety of different height conditions.
For more information on our fall prevention equipment, please don’t hesitate to contact us and a member of our team will be happy to advise you.
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