The Importance of a Height Safety Device
Working at height can be a dangerous task, particularly if a worker is not using the right safety equipment. Fall protection systems are vital when workers need to access elevated areas for various projects, such as cleaning high windows or repairing roofs. However, these systems are not one-size-fits-all and need to be adapted for different work situations.
This is where height safety devices come into play, such as harnesses and lanyards. While the ideal scenario is to avoid any work at heights completely, it is often unavoidable, and these are the areas where a bespoke safety system should be employed to reduce risks.
The main aim of these is to prevent a fall from occurring, which could result in serious injury or death. Whether you are working on a construction site, or in the plant maintenance industry, falls from heights remain a major cause of workplace injuries, so it is important to take all the necessary precautions.
lone worker safety devices For those occasions where a person does need to work at height, the most important piece of equipment is the safety harness. This can be attached to an anchor point, which can be anything from a stanchion to a cable or ladder. This is then connected to a lanyard which can be used for either fall restraint or fall arrest purposes. The lanyard can be attached to the worker via a snap hook or delta link, and is available in webbing or rope options.
A lanyard is also useful for those applications where the user needs to move between different points of attachment, such as moving around the sides of steelwork or racking. This can be accomplished by using a twin legged lanyard which is designed to absorb shock to help minimise impact forces. Other height safety fittings include pole straps which can be attached to a pole or scaffolding to allow for hands free operation, and webbing or rope fall arrest blocks which are designed to stop the fall in case of an accident.
In some cases, such as when a worker is painting or washing high-level windows, a scaffold will be the preferred option. These can be easily customised with safety rails and other fall protection systems to suit the task in hand. In other cases, when scaffolding is not suitable or accessible, the use of a lift can be a more convenient solution. These can be fitted with all the appropriate safety equipment required to ensure a safe and productive working environment.
It is important that a worker is adequately protected when working at height, and that this is assessed on a regular basis. This will not only help to improve productivity and efficiency, but will also help to mitigate any potential risks. The team at Height Safety Engineers have the knowledge and expertise to design a bespoke safety system for any project, big or small, so get in touch with us today for more information. We can also provide training for those who require it, including Tetra and rescue from height courses, harness wearer and inspection training as well as scaffold erection and dismantling courses.
