4 Different Types of Fall Protection Systems

You have probably heard of industrial safety nets and airbags at least once in your life, especially if you are working in the construction industry. These fall protection systems are installed to reduce the safety risks and hazards associated with falls.

Falls are the leading cause of workplace deaths among construction workers. Every day, four construction workers die, sometimes as a result of a preventable accident. And according to statistics, falls from heights account for one-third of all construction fatalities.

Working at heights causes more than 40,000 accidents each year in the United Kingdom alone. Workers' compensation boards around the country have acknowledged a large number of "lost-time accidents" as a result of this. Other than major financial losses, it also takes lives and causes misery and suffering.

Aside from construction workers, painters, solar panel installers, window washers, firefighters, live-action performers, and other professionals whose jobs require them to work at heights are all at risk of falling, too. Since it is difficult to completely remove the need for employees to work at heights, some precautions and steps must be taken to keep these workers as safe as possible.

Fall Safety Systems

Too frequently, a hazard or possible safety risk is not known until an accident happens at work or until a news report of someone being seriously injured due to a workplace fall is written. Fall security is one of the most critical systems to have in place for a worker who can lose his or her balance at a height. Using one of these systems allows you to control or reduce the risk of injury and even death.

Fall protection systems such as roofing nets are devices or restraining systems that hold a worker in a position and prevent a fall. If you are in danger of falling ten feet or more, you will need a fall safety device, which the government requires.

Types of Fall Protection Equipment

The fall protection system's existence is dictated by the situation. Any of the following can be used as a fall protection system:

Guardrail System

It consists of railings that can be installed at the edge of a construction site, roof, or wherever possible to prevent a fall from occurring.

What Is a Roof Guardrail System?

A roof guardrail system is highly successful in reducing and controlling a range of occupational safety hazards. It lessens the chances of potentially fatal falls and accidents.

Construction site owners and contractors should ensure that the safety of those working there is maximised to reduce risk. Roof guardrails may be used in these construction environments, including commercial, residential, and manufacturing.

What Are the Key Benefits of Installing a Good Roof Guardrail System?

Roof guardrail systems can be built according to the designer's specifications while keeping in mind the construction site's requirements. As a result, they can be made to order. They are generally rugged and lightweight, making them very easy to use while staying sturdy.

Moreover, they need very little maintenance throughout their lifespan. Guardrail systems are simple to put together, so storing them when they are not in use would be a breeze. Plus, you can choose between free-standing and fixed guardrails, depending on your requirements.

Fall Arrest Systems

Fall arrest devices, such as full-body harnesses, are commonly used to catch staff in the middle of their fall and protect them from reaching the ground below.

Fall Restraint Systems

Fall restraint systems, such as job positioning devices, keep the staff from falling over the edge of a building or structure and are ideal when a Guardrail System isn't an option.

Fall Arrest and Fall Restraint Systems: Which Is Better?

The words "fall arrest" and "fall restriction" tend to be synonymous. Both of these definitions are discussed under the umbrella term of fall defence, but when it comes to fall protection schemes, the terms "arrest" and "restraint" have somewhat different meanings. If a device offers fall arrest, it prevents a worker who is already on the verge of failing by preventing the fall from happening. If it prevents a worker from reaching a possible threat, it is known as fall restraint.

Fall arrest, like everything else, is most useful in particular situations. It is beneficial because it helps employees to enter more places on a job site. It can also prohibit staff from conducting tasks in difficult-to-reach areas.

While accessing these places can be risky, it is often necessary for a worker to be able to get to them. If a worker enters a hazardous environment, it is all the more important for them to be protected in the event of a fall.

One of the disadvantages of a fall arrest system is that it needs preparation to use properly. Education is an integral aspect of a fall arrest method. It helps workers to develop a thorough understanding of how to use the resources offered. It also warns them about the possible dangers of a specific job site.

Staff will anticipate and be better equipped to cope with fall hazards if they have undergone fall safety training. Staff may also learn how to efficiently use the equipment they have at their disposal through training. Employees must wear their harness correctly and tie it to a suitable anchorage in a fall arrest situation for the equipment to properly protect them.

Fall arrest nets, for example, should be installed correctly to provide workers working at height with effective protection. An inflatable or airbag fall arrest system should be installed properly to provide workers operating at the first-floor joist level with passive fall protection.

When worker fail to correctly use fall arrest devices, they put themselves at risk of injury. Fall arrest systems are highly individualised, making it impossible to offer fall arrest to large groups of people. Most horizontal lifeline systems are designed to accommodate two to four staff at a time. Those who need to use the device must wear and use their harness correctly.

Fall restraint is typically the most preferable method of fall protection. Since methods of fall restraint prevent workers from ever reaching a specific fall hazard, fall restraint becomes the most preferred method to protect workers. In fall protection land, “passive fall protection” means that workers are protected from a fall without needing to take any steps to work in a safe environment, such as guardrails.

As an additional advantage, using passive fall safety systems ensures that none of the employees on the job site would need to be instructed on how to operate the machinery. Active fall prevention, on the other hand, means that employees must engage in some type of procedure to ensure their safety (e.g., using short-length lifelines to keep a worker from approaching a fall hazard).

Even though a fall restraint has many advantages, it does have a few disadvantages that should be considered. Guardrails and netting are often used in fall restraint to protect employees, but these materials can make it difficult for workers to reach various areas on a job site.

Since they are not wearing any fall arrest devices, employees who need to enter an unexpected position on a job site and chose to ignore the safety restraints are at greater risk of injury. If a worksite has to cover an area that is outside of those angles, fall arrest equipment must be used to stay in line with the code.

Both fall arrest and fall restraint systems have advantages in some manufacturing and building environments. When building these devices, keep in mind who will be using them, the type of work that needs to be done at that place, and how many people will be working on various jobs at elevation.

Safety Net Systems

A safety net system is a netting mechanism that can either capture or reduce the velocity of a dropping object. These fall safety systems (e.g., man-safe nets) are suitable for use in the construction of industrial framed structures.

Safety is the most critical factor in any building project, from a broad commercial site to a brand-new residential home design. Apart from being a priority, establishing site health and safety standards and ensuring the safety of your workers decrease the likelihood of increased site overheads due to work stoppages, sick leave, and staff loss.

What Are the Advantages of Installing Industrial Safety Nets?

Roofing nets aid in the prevention of falls and the reduction of incident results. They provide mutual passive protection (no emphasis on worker intervention (e.g., securing harness)) and reassurance by installing fall nets as close to working level as possible. They allow a wide range of activities to continue operating with the utmost freedom.

They also allow for greater mobility for those employed above nets. They cut down on crane wait times and prices. They expedite roof framework installation, resulting in earlier water tightness and building close-in. They can also be used in combination with standard scaffolding.

At Pro Netting Essex Limited LTD, we deliver quality netting systems to help ensure the safety of your employees. All our safety net systems, including airbags, conform with Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) regulations. By taking advantage of our knowledge and experience, you will not only get on-site consultations, but you will also receive outstanding netting service.

Things to Know After Putting Fall Protection Systems in Place

Any work at heights must be carefully monitored, prepared, and not performed in inclement weather. It can be dangerous if a proper fall protection system is not used or implemented properly. Workers may feel unsafe, suffer injury, or, in the worst-case scenario, die as a result of not having a properly installed, maintained, and enforced fall protection system.

You must not only install a fall safety system but also ensure that it is maintained properly by inspections. Despite rising sales of fall safety devices, the number of accidents caused by falls continues to increase. This is because, like anything else, a fall safety system deteriorates with usage and exposure over time. To keep staff at heights safe, fall safety equipment must be tested for wear and damage regularly.

Furthermore, if the workers are not adequately trained in how to use their fall prevention equipment, they may be unable to reap all of the advantages of the system, and in many situations, if they are unsure of how to use it properly, they will be just as vulnerable to injury as if it were not present at all.

Fall Protection Safety Tips

A fall safety system might as well not exist if it is not properly used and inspected regularly, which is why you should keep these working at heights tips in mind: To detect, monitor, or remove any fall hazards, a knowledgeable individual should determine the risks associated with any job mission.

A safety net system is one of the best solutions for removing a fall hazard since employees are still covered. Employers must ensure that employees who use fall protection systems have undergone sufficient training.

If an airbag or an industrial safety net is used, a rescue plan should be in effect. Regarding the inspection schedule, repair, storage, and documentation, always obey the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations.

An elevated work platform should only be operated on a strong, stable, horizontal surface. Always ensure that workers are alert to any dangers while working at heights. Document all fall protection efforts and ensure that you conduct regular training sessions with your employees on how to properly use the equipment.

Key Takeaways

Only a solid, secure, horizontal surface should be used to operate an elevated work platform. See to it that the employees are aware of any potential hazards when operating at heights. All fall safety efforts should be registered, and the employees should be educated on how to use the equipment properly regularly.

There is no job so critical that it cannot be done safely. If you are an employer of workers at heights or a worker at heights and have any questions about fall protection, feel free to reach out to our friendly staff. We can offer you information on first-class safety service and materials. Take note that safety should always come first.

If you need industrial safety nets, roofing nets, as well as airbags, Pro Netting Essex Limited LTD will cater to your needs. We will help you provide your employees with peace of mind and save their lives.