Canadian law mandates that workers must wear fall protection when working from heights of 3 metres or more. Having the right gear on hand is not only a legal requirement, but it’s a life-saving necessity. While proper fall protection systems significantly reduce the risk of accidents, not all equipment offers the same level of protection in every situation. Choosing the right fall protection items for your specific jobsite can make the difference between a near miss and a tragedy.
Fall hazards are present wherever there is a risk of a worker falling from height, such as near an unprotected edge. Fall protection systems are designed to address these hazards and keep workers safe.
In this guide, we’ll cover the importance of selecting the right fall protection system, the dangers of ignoring free fall distances, why SRLs can be a safer option, and how leading edge protection is critical when working near edges. In addition to fall arrest systems, it is important to consider restraint systems, such as fall restraint and travel restraint systems, which are designed to prevent workers from reaching unprotected edges. Travel restraint systems and fall restraint systems physically restrict a worker’s movement to prevent access to unprotected edges, serving as proactive measures compared to fall arrest systems. Engineering controls, such as guardrails and barriers, are the preferred method for fall protection. When it is not possible to restrict access to a fall hazard using engineering controls, active fall protection systems like restraint systems or fall arrest systems must be used.
1. Inspect Your Equipment Every Time
Harnesses, lanyards, anchors, and connectors should always be checked for wear, damage, or defects at the start of each work shift. A fray, broken snap hook, or compromised stitching can be fatal. Build daily inspections into your routine and replace equipment at the first sign of damage.
2. Understand Free Fall Distances
One of the most overlooked factors in fall protection is free fall distance. If a worker falls, the time and distance before their system engages can determine whether they stop safely or hit the ground.
- Shock-absorbing lanyards typically allow up to 18.5 feet of clearance before stopping a fall. These lanyards include a shock absorber or energy absorber to reduce fall arrest forces and limit the impact on the worker.
- Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs), like those from MSA, FallTech, and Dynamic, engage in less than 2 feet of free fall, dramatically reducing the distance a worker travels.
This shorter arrest distance is often the deciding factor in preventing impact with the ground or lower levels.
Calculating fall clearance is essential to ensure the system stops a fall before the worker reaches the ground. Deceleration devices and energy absorbers play a key role in this process by minimizing fall arrest forces and reducing the risk of injury.
Connecting components, such as snap hooks, must be properly secured and rated to handle fall arrest forces to maintain the integrity and safety of the fall arrest system.
3. Choose Proper SRLs for Leading Edge Work
Not all SRLs are the same. When working near sharp edges, such as roofs or steel beams, a standard SRL may fail if the lifeline contacts the edge during a fall. When selecting anchors, it is crucial to choose the correct anchor location and anchorage point; anchor points should be positioned above the worker’s head unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer to maximize safety and compliance. SRLs and lifelines can be attached to fixed anchor points, and wire rope is commonly used for lifelines in leading edge applications to ensure strength and durability.
- Leading Edge SRLs are engineered with reinforced lifelines and specialized energy absorption to withstand edge contact. In addition to traditional horizontal lifeline systems, flexible horizontal lifeline systems and vertical rigid rails are available in various styles to suit different jobsite needs and must comply with relevant CSA standards for fall protection.
- Using non-leading edge gear in these environments can result in lifeline failure, putting workers at extreme risk.
Brands like FallTech Leading Edge SRLs and MSA V-EDGE SRLs are specifically designed to keep workers safe when working near edges.
4. Assess Fall Hazards at the Site Before Work Begins
A quick site assessment can uncover hazards such as unstable surfaces, overhead obstructions, and weak anchor points. Establishing a control zone around an unguarded edge or unprotected edge is a key safety measure. Restricting access to these areas and using barriers can help prevent falls. It is also important to protect workers from falling objects by using appropriate controls and equipment such as tool tethers, guardrails, or safety net systems. Knowing where fall hazards exist allows you to deploy the right system whether it’s a guardrail, horizontal lifeline, or personal fall arrest system.
5. Invest in Training and Proper PPE for Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Even the best equipment is only effective if workers know how to use it correctly. Regular training ensures your team understands how to inspect gear, calculate clearance distances, identify leading edge risks, and use emergency procedures.
In addition, make sure PPE, like helmets, gloves, high-vis apparel, and harnesses, meets CSA and ANSI standards for workplace safety. A body harness is a key component of fall protection systems, while a full body harness provides additional support and is essential for fall arrest applications; body belts are used for work positioning or restraint systems but must comply with approved safety standards. Personal energy absorbers are critical in both fall arrest and work positioning systems to reduce the impact of a fall and ensure compliance with standards such as CSA Z259.11‑17, ANSI/ASSE Z359.1, and CEN EN 355. Workers should also be trained in self rescue techniques and the use of personal rescue devices to safely descend in the event of a fall.
6. Plan for Rescue and Emergency Response
Having a rescue and emergency response plan is a critical part of any fall protection system. When a worker relies on a fall arrest system, such as personal fall arrest systems, self-retracting lifelines, or full body harnesses, it’s not enough to simply stop the fall. You must also be prepared to rescue a fallen worker quickly to prevent serious injury, including suspension trauma, which can occur if someone is left hanging in a harness for too long.
A comprehensive rescue plan should outline clear procedures for responding to a fall, including how to safely reach and retrieve the worker, and how to provide immediate medical attention if needed. This plan must consider the specific fall protection equipment in use, the location and strength of anchor points, and the unique hazards of the work environment, such as sharp edges or the risk of swing fall.
It’s essential to tailor your rescue plan to your site’s layout and the types of fall protection systems in place, whether you’re using horizontal lifeline systems, vertical lifelines, or self-retracting devices. Workers should be trained not only in the proper use of their personal protective equipment, but also in the steps to take during a rescue, so everyone knows their role in an emergency.
A well-designed fall protection plan, ideally developed by a professional engineer or other qualified person, should address both the prevention of falls and the procedures for rescuing a fallen worker. Regularly review and update your emergency response plan to ensure it remains effective and compliant with occupational safety and health administration requirements.
By planning ahead and practicing your rescue procedures, you help protect workers from the potentially life-threatening consequences of a fall, ensuring that your fall protection systems do more than just arrest a fall, they save lives.
Wrapping Up
Fall protection is about more than compliance—it’s about saving lives. Jobs that require fall protection include roof work, demolition operations, steel erection, tower climbing, and work platform use. Selecting the right gear, such as Dynamic harnesses, FallTech SRLs, or MSA leading edge systems, can significantly reduce risk by limiting free fall distance and providing protection in edge environments. Fall protection equipment is available for both heavy-duty and light duty applications, and fall arresters are essential for work at height. It is also important to ensure that lifelines and equipment are properly installed to prevent contact with ground level during a fall.
At Supplynow, we carry a wide selection of fall protection equipment from trusted brands like FallTech, MSA, and Dynamic. Whether you need SRLs, harnesses, anchors, or leading edge solutions, we have the products to keep your team safe and your site compliant.
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