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.
Choosing a fall prevention system
When choosing a fall prevention system for your building, there are four main factors to consider:
What tasks will need to be carried out?
How frequently will the tasks need to be carried out?
How competent are the personnel performing the tasks?
What are the risks associated with the tasks?
Once these three factors have been determined, 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 | Passive fall protection (permanent) ie. permanent guardrail, skylight protectors |
| B Priority | Gutters, windows and garden planters, eave gutters, box gutters, clerestory windows, roof lights, garden planters etc. | Periodic | 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 | Temporary fall protection ie. temporary guardrail, temporary anchor point, elevated work platform |
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Permanent guardrails and walkwaysProviding the highest level of safety when navigating a roof or working near a fall edge, allowing a safe protected path of access.
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Skylight safety protectorsDesigned 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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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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