A major cause of fatalities and severe injuries in the construction industry and other fields is working at heights. Height risks are especially dangerous for construction workers.
We must guarantee that workers at height use the right PPE to reduce risks and hazards. Choose the correct PPE to avoid falls and keep workers safe in one of the most hazardous jobs.
Our site lists five necessary height-working PPE below:
Safety Harness
Safety harnesses prevent falls from heights by distributing impact force across the body. They can be part of a complete body harness or worn separately around the waist. Full-body harnesses cover both feet and legs.
Lanyards and Connecting Devices
Understanding lanyards and their operation is the first step to picking the right PPE for your profession. Lanyards around the waist and fastened to the harness prevent users from falling. After clipping the lanyard into the hook or steellock connecting device, the user may walk across space without relying on a coworker for safety. Today, lanyards come in several styles. Choose a lanyard that meets your demands before buying any equipment. High-quality webbing, hooks, carabiners, and shock absorbers are available in several lengths, weights, and sizes.
Anchor Points and Access Equipment
Anchor points, the third PPE item, should be installed by a qualified individual. Anchor points should be checked periodically and utilised per the manufacturer’s directions. Access equipment for scaffolding or platforms should be installed alongside anchor points. Qualified individuals should operate this device according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Work Restraint
Work restraints protect workers from falling if they lose their grasp or balance. These technologies prevent workers from falling more than 2 or 4 metres with a harness. Work-related falls are disturbing, and work-at-height accidents are the leading cause of deaths in construction and other industries. Most work-related falls from heights may be avoided by taking basic measures and employing protective equipment like personal fall arrest devices, making them scarier.
Height Safety Helmet
To prevent injuries to the head, one option for protection is to wear a helmet. The purpose of helmets is to cushion impact and shield the cranium from severe harm. They help mitigate or avoid eye injuries from projectiles (such as hammering tools), debris falling from heights, and direct strikes. Several considerations should be made when determining the kind of height safety equipment you require:
- Before choosing a safety helmet, it is important to determine the job that has to be completed by the employee as well as the limitations and hazards associated with the activity.
- Verify the relevant standards for helmets.
- When operating at heights, helmets without rims offer a broader field of view.
- Watch out for helmets with vents. Vents should not be utilised when doing electrical work at heights, as wires might touch the wearer through them.
- When working at heights and donning a helmet, chinstraps are a must.
- Many industries mandate the use of ear and eye protection. Full-face visors, eye shields, and detachable ear muffs are accessories for climbing helmets.
- Verify that the helmet complies with all safety requirements.
Why Make Use of PPE?
You must use the proper PPE equipment to protect yourself while working at heights. This may help guarantee that health and safety regulations are followed and reduce dangers to you and others around you.