If your project involves working at heights, you can't overlook the importance of fall protection equipment. From fall protection harnesses, d-rings, and lanyards, knowing how to choose and inspect your fall protection equipment is imperative to guarantee safety for employees working at heights. Therefore, consider taking the following vital points seriously when selecting your height safety products.
Workplace Safety Requirements
When choosing height safety equipment, consider your workplace safety needs. Are you working on projects that require single anchorage points or horizontal lifeline systems? While these two are similar and help reduce the risk of falling from heights, they have different advantages. Generally, an anchor point will support a single worker, while a lifeline system will support numerous workers.
Additionally, determine whether you need passive or restraint fall protection systems. While they may have similar appearances, they function differently. Often, fall restraint systems deter users from working closer to falling risks, like rooftop edges, and fall arrest systems allow users to reach the risk areas and arrest them should they accidentally fall. Furthermore, fall arrest systems provide more unrestricted movement but carry higher risks. On the other hand, fall restraint systems help minimise the risk of completely entering a risk zone.
Understand Safety Regulations
Another primary consideration when choosing height safety equipment is compliance with applicable safety regulations. It's your legal obligation to ensure that your fall protection equipment complies with relevant safety codes in Australia. Typically, height safety equipment and working at heights projects are regulated by the WAHA (Working at Height Association), responsible for enforcing Australian Standards and Industry Codes.
Therefore, consider looking into applicable standards, including the AS/NZS 1891.1 Part 1 governing safety belts and harnesses and the AS/NZS 1891:3 Part 3 applying to fall arrest devices. Furthermore, consider other vital regulations, including the Work Health & Safety Act 2011 - (Australian Government), and the Work Health & Safety Regulations 2011(Safe Work Australia). While different manufacturers comply with these codes, always double-check your equipment before purchasing.
Consider Your Budget
When purchasing your fall protection equipment, keep your budget in mind. Often, intricate projects will demand more expensive fall protection systems. That means focusing only on the cost might be highly tempting. However, researching your options can help you understand what you're getting before purchasing.
Finally, you can take full advantage of lucrative discounts if you purchase in bulk. While it's prudent to shop around for better quotes, never make the mistake of skimping on quality. Always prioritise the safety of your workers by investing in high-quality height safety products.
If you are looking to invest in some new industrial equipment and supplies, you are in the right place. This blog is dedicated to ensuring that you have the information you need to make the right choices when it comes to buying new kit and equipment for you industrial unit. I don't work in an industrial unit but my daughter recently started in the office at a local industrial plant. She is undergoing a lot of training and I have been helping her to understand her role. I've become really interested in the process of buying equipment and supplies so I decided to do some more research before starting this blog.