3 Safety Tips for Working at Heights

By Darwin F. Johnson on October 29th, 2018 in injury prevention, Workers Compensation

Some of the riskiest work involves jobs that require working at heights. In the event of a fall, the effects can be catastrophic, often leading to severe injury or even death. Courtesy of the Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson, an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer, here a few things to be aware if you manage a crew that frequently works at significant heights.

Use a Railing

When you can, use a railing. Passive protection is the simplest way to protect your workers in order to achieve legal compliance because there is nothing they need to actually do to keep themselves safe other than stay within the rails. There are railing systems for nearly every style of rooftop, such as non-penetrating railings for flat and low-slope roofs, metal roof railing, parapet mounted railing, and more.

Choose the Proper PPE

If you plan on using Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS), you need to make sure you’re selecting the proper equipment. Any full-body harnesses that are up to the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will perform the same whatever their cost; however, that price differential is getting you something. Sometimes it’s just a recognized brand name, but other times, extra money can mean more functionality, such as fireproof material, extra D-rings, or arc-safe design. Other times, more expensive harnesses are more expensive just because they’re designed to be more comfortable. Do your research to decide what you really need.

Select the Best Means of Working at Heights

Just as a harness will not be one-size-fits-all, neither are fall protection solutions. A scaffold might be your best solution for working at heights in some instances. If so, you will probably be able to equip them with railings, making your fall protection a lot easier to address. In other circumstances, scaffolds might not be possible, making a lift a better option. Still, you might need to utilize a ladder, at which point the requirements for fall-protection become more complicated. Evaluate your situation carefully to determine the piece of equipment most suitable for the task at hand.

Are you in need of a work injury lawyer in Atlanta? Contact the Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson today at 404-521-2667.