Ontivity Resources

In our world of working at height one fall is too many and any fall from height can be fatal. We want to take a moment to discuss four bullet points that we should keep in mind to avoid a fall from height.  

First, Properly prepare for the day’s tasks by executing the pre-job planning process.   

Second, Inspect your PPE.

Third, Maintain continuous fall protection AT ALL TIMES.

Fourth, Utilize the buddy check system.

PROPERLY PREPARE FOR THE DAY’S TASKS BY EXECUTING THE PRE-JOB PLANNING PROCESS.

There are several different sayings that come to mind when we think of pre-job planning. The first one that comes to mind is “Plan the work, then work the plan.” The second is “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Both sayings focus on the importance of putting in the work on the front end. The easiest way to accomplish this is by completing the daily Job Hazard Assessment. By reviewing the tasks associated with that day’s scope of work, identifying the hazards, and employing the hierarchy of controls to mitigate those hazards, you greatly reduce the odds of a workplace incident from taking place. We cannot stress enough the importance of executing the pre-job planning process. It truly is the basis of which we work from.

INSPECT YOUR PPE DAILY

There are certain hazards that we simply are not able to substitute, engineer, or employ administrative controls and we have no other choice but to utilize PPE. Whether it means using safety glasses, a hard hat or a personal fall arrest system, we must inspect them daily and/or before each use. Looking for signs of excessive wear and/or damage will ensure that the PPE will perform should it be needed.

MAINTAIN CONTINUOUS FALL PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES

There are three primary means of fall protection. You have fall prevention which includes warning lines and guardrail systems which prevent access to the fall hazard, you have fall restraint which prevents a person from falling, and then you have fall arrest that stops a person from falling once it has occurred. No matter what system you use or what the circumstances are, the use of a fall protection system is required whenever an employee may be exposed to a fall greater than six feet. Employees working at-height are at a significantly higher risk to injury when transitioning from one position to another due to the increase in the number of times you connect and disconnect during the transitioning process. But you can also be exposed to fall hazards when working on rooftops or near open trenches or pier holes. By utilizing warning lines, guardrail systems, fall restraint, and/or fall arrest, you can eliminate the potential for fatal consequences. We are often faced with different challenges when working aloft so if there are any questions or concerns, Stop and Make the Call to your supervisor or Field Safety Advisor.

UTLIZE THE BUDDY CHECK SYSTEM

The wellbeing of a team is within the hands of the team. The buddy check system can help avoid complacency by providing a new look or perspective about the current task or simply pointing out a hazard that you didn’t see. Just like the old saying goes, there is safety in numbers. Two sets of eyes are better than one. Often times, a second set of eyes can be helpful when it comes to identifying or verifying anchor points. The buddy check system gives a last-minute opportunity to make sure that everything is functioning correctly and is safe to use.

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of.