Top Tips for Creating a Fall Protection Plan

For construction sites that have employees working at height, a fall protection plan is a critical safety plan to ensure your workers are safe and secure each day. A fall protection rescue plan can be used to share safe working practices and describe the fall protection techniques and measures that are in place. One key area of concern is PPE, which should always be worn alongside your HH clothing when working at height. Today we’re going to address some key items that should always be discussed in your fall protection plan.

Describe the Hazards in the Workplace

Your fall protection plan program should work to identify any current or future hazards on your construction site. These are any type of hazard which could pose a risk to your employees. The most common hazards include platforms, holes or gaps, and debris. These will vary from site to site, and you should always take the time to assess your individual site when starting a project.

PPE and Equipment

PPE and equipment are important to address on the plan, and you should also include potential fall protection applications. Underneath your safety equipment, Helly Hansen workwear can help keep your employees comfortable while adding full-body harnesses and lanyards over the top. When working in a dangerous environment, you want your team to be able to perform their job safely and effectively, and they should all be fully trained in the equipment they may need to use in the event of a fall. HH clothing can help to protect employees on a daily basis, and team members should know when and where they need to add more protective equipment on top.

Assembly Procedures

The procedures for assembling and breaking down equipment should always be followed as suggested by the manufacturer. Before any of your employees use safety equipment, they must thoroughly inspect the equipment, just as they would with their HH workwear. On top of that, a competent person will need to regularly inspect their equipment, as recommended by the manufacturer. Ensure your company has a plan in place for inspecting harnesses, lanyards, and any other fall protection equipment you have on your site.

Training

While you can put all of these tips for your fall protection plan into action, there’s no point in spending the time on this work without sharing it with your employees. New and existing employees need to be instructed on how to use the equipment offered to them. Even if you think your team are extremely experienced, each working site is slightly different and comes with its own challenges and risks. Before a team member steps foot onto a high platform or an area of high risk, ensure they are fully trained and understand the fall protection plan that’s in place.

A Rescue Plan

While protecting your employees from a fall is usually the number one concern, a rescue plan also needs to be put in place. An injured worker will need to be safely and quickly rescued, or they will need to understand the ways in which they can assist themselves. We all understand the risks of an injured employee not receiving medical attention in a timely manner. This can lead to further injuries and cause more trouble for the employee and your organisation in the long run.

Keep It Available For Anyone to Review

Before you all start work on a new site, the fall protection rescue plan needs to be available for everyone to read and review. We recommend that your employees sign to show that they’ve read the document and that they are aware of the procedures in place. This can act as a backup for your organisation and protect you in an emergency when the plan is not followed. The plan needs to be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure the information is kept fresh in your employees’ minds. We all have so much going on in our busy workplaces and lives that it can be easy for this information to be forgotten. Refresh your employee’s minds on this plan with regular training and updates as needed.

A fall protection plan is one of the most important considerations for construction sites today. While it may seem like more paperwork to add to your busy schedule, it’s a crucial activity that should always be completed before working at height or in an area with hazards commences. On top of this, you’ll want to provide your employees with the appropriate Helly Hansen clothing to help them perform their job to the best of their ability. Safety clothing and PPE are critical for any workplace today, and you’ll find that Helly Hansen workwear offers a full range of products that are both practical and comfortable for your employees to wear on a daily basis.