Fall prevention
Fall prevention is the most preferred means of fall protection due to its static nature and the fact that it requires no specialised personnel to operate.
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Fall prevention – protecting workers right from the start
Fall protection systems are divided into two groups; passive and active. Fall prevention is a means of passive fall protection, meaning it is designed to prevent a person falling. On the other hand, fall arrest is a means of active fall protection, meaning it is designed to safely stop or arrest a person already falling.
One of the main benefits of a passive fall prevention system is the fact that it does not require any specialised personnel to operate it and it does not require ongoing adjustments or alterations.
Regular maintenance of plant and machinery, gutter cleaning, roof repair, solar panel maintenance etc. all require working at heights and impose significant risk on those undertaking these tasks. A fall prevention system is an excellent way to ensure the safety of the personnel working at heights.
What fall prevention systems are available?
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Permanent guardrails and walkwaysprovide the highest level of safety when navigating a roof or working near a fall edge, allowing a safe protected path of access. They are the preferred method of safe access across roofs and areas close to a fall edge and require no specialist PPE, personnel or training to safely prevent a fall.
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Skylight safety protectorshelp to reinforce brittle skylights or roof surfaces without compromising light penetration. This prevents the potential for a fall by strengthening an otherwise risky area.
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Choosing a fall protection system
When choosing a fall protection system for your building, there are three main factors to consider:
What tasks will need to be carried out?
How frequently will the tasks need to be carried out?
What is the risk associated with the task?
Once these three factors have been determined, you can determine if and where you’ll need a fall prevention system, a fall arrest system, or a rope access system. Use the table below to help evaluate your requirements.
| Maintenance Category | Item | Maintenance Frequency | Example System |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Priority | Mechanical Plant and Equipment Hot water units, A/C units, refrigeration units, mechanical exhausts, ect. | Frequent | Fall Protection Passive Fall Protection (Permanent) ie. Permanent Guaradrail, Skylight Protectors |
| B Priority | Gutters, Windows and Garden Planters Eave gutters, box gutters, clerestory windows, roof lights, garden planters ect. | Periodic | Fall Protection Active Fall Protection (Permanent) ie. Fall Arrest Anchor Point, Static Line, Rigid Rail |
| C Priority | General Roof Access Parapets, flashings, roof sheeting, concrete membrane etc. | Infrequent | Fall Protection Temporary Fall Protection ie. Temporary Guardrail, Temporary Anchor Point, Elevated Work Platform |
Take the risk out of height safety designs
Our height safety system design specialists have a deep understanding of industry requirements and help you meet your obligations for fully compliant systems right from the start.
Exceed compliance
Minimise ongoing costs
Reduce rework
Protect lives
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