10 Checks Before Using Fall Protection Equipment

Before relying on fall protection equipment, these ten checks highlight what must be considered — from suitability and anchorage to compatibility, clearance and rescue planning.

Fall protection equipment is only effective when it is suitable for the task, correctly configured and ready for use.

A harness may appear undamaged. A lanyard may be within its recommended lifespan. Every component may carry the appropriate markings. However, none of these facts, considered separately, confirms that the complete system is safe and suitable for the work being undertaken.

Before a worker relies on personal fall protection equipment (PFPE), there are ten important questions to answer.

Start with the work-at-height hierarchy

PFPE should not automatically be the first solution considered.

The work-at-height hierarchy requires organisations to:

1. 1. Avoid

   Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable.

2. 2. Prevent

   Where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls by using an existing safe place of work or suitable work equipment.

3. 3. Minimise

   Where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.

At each stage: measures that protect everyone at risk — known as collective protection — should be considered before measures that protect only the individual.

Collective protection can include permanent or temporary guardrails, scaffolding and mobile elevating work platforms. Where collective measures are not reasonably practicable, an appropriate personal fall protection system may be required.

The following checks are intended to support that process. They do not replace training, manufacturer instructions, a risk assessment or the required equipment inspection regime.

Planning the work Checks 1–4

01Is the Personal Fall Protection Equipment suitable?

Begin with the task, not the equipment.

Consider where the work will take place, how the user will move, the duration of the task and the hazards they may encounter. These could include sharp edges, heat, chemicals, contaminated environments, restricted access or adverse weather.

It is also important to establish which type of personal fall protection system is appropriate. Equipment intended for work restraint, for example, performs a different function from a fall arrest system.

Ask:

• Has the work been risk assessed?
• Is the equipment designed for this application?
• Is it suitable for the working environment?
• Can the user complete the task without defeating or disconnecting the system?
• Have the manufacturer’s instructions and limitations been considered?

A product can conform to the relevant standards and still be unsuitable for a particular task.

02Are appropriate anchor points available?

An effective personal fall protection system depends on appropriate anchorage.

The anchorage must be appropriate for the system, foreseeable loading and intended direction of use. Its location can also affect fall distance, clearance requirements and the risk of a swing or pendulum fall.

The requirements may differ according to whether the system is being used for restraint, work positioning, fall arrest or rescue. The anchorage and supporting structure should therefore always be considered as part of the complete planned system.

Where the suitability of an anchorage has not been established, it should not be assumed. When in doubt, users should always seek advice.

03Is there enough fall clearance?

Fall arrest equipment needs sufficient unobstructed space in which to operate.

The required clearance can include the free-fall distance, deployment or deceleration of the system, movement within the harness, the user’s height and an additional safety margin. The calculation will depend on the equipment, configuration and anchor position.

Potential obstructions must also be considered. Arresting a fall does not provide an acceptable outcome if the user could strike a platform, structure, machinery or the ground before the system fully deploys.

Always use the clearance information supplied by the equipment manufacturer. Do not rely on a visual estimate or a generic distance taken from another product.

04Do you have a workable rescue plan in place?

A rescue plan should be developed alongside the work method — not after the equipment has been selected.

The plan must be appropriate to the location, equipment and people involved.

The necessary rescue equipment and competent rescue personnel must be available while the work is taking place. The plan may include equipment and training to enable self-rescue.

A plan that depends solely on calling the emergency services is not an adequate work-at-height rescue arrangement. The plan should be communicated and practised so that everyone understands their role.

Explore rescue and evacuation equipment from Abtech Safety.

Checking the equipment Checks 5–8

05Is the PFPE in a safe condition?

Fall protection equipment should receive an appropriate pre-use check before each use.

The exact checks will depend on the product and its manufacturer’s instructions. The user should know what to examine, how the equipment should function and which findings require it to be withdrawn from use.

Equipment should also be checked after anything happens that could affect its safety, such as arresting a fall, sustaining an impact, exposure to a harmful substance or incorrect storage.

If damage is found, or there is any doubt about the equipment’s condition, withdraw it from use. Prevent it from being returned to service until it has been assessed through the appropriate process by a competent person.

06Can the equipment history be traced?

Appearance alone cannot tell you everything about a piece of safety equipment.

Traceability helps establish where the equipment came from, how it has been used and whether it has received the required examinations and inspections. The item should be identifiable, and the relevant records should correspond to that specific piece of equipment.

Missing identification or incomplete records should be treated seriously. This is particularly important for equipment moving between users, sites, hire fleets or customer locations.

Clear documentation also makes it easier for resellers and hire businesses to support customers throughout the equipment’s working life.

07Is it within its permitted service life?

Textile and other safety products may have a manufacturer-defined maximum lifespan or service-life conditions. These can be affected by storage, frequency of use, environmental exposure and maintenance.

An item being “in date” does not necessarily mean that it is fit for use. Equipment may need to be withdrawn earlier because of damage, contamination, deterioration, an arrested fall or a failed inspection.

Equally, lifespan rules can differ between manufacturers and product types. Always refer to the instructions for the specific item rather than applying a single age limit to every product.

08Does the PFPE fit the user correctly?

Personal fall protection equipment must be appropriate for the person wearing it.

A harness that is too large, too small or incorrectly adjusted may not hold the user correctly during a fall. Poor adjustment can also restrict movement, encourage misuse and increase discomfort. The user should be able to fit and adjust the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Clothing and other PPE should also be considered where they could affect the fit or operation of the harness.

The permitted user mass must also be checked. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions concerning the combined mass of the user, clothing, tools and other carried equipment.

Connecting the system Checks 9–10

09Are all the components compatible?

Individually compliant products do not necessarily create a compatible system.

Connectors, anchor devices, harnesses, lanyards, fall arresters and rescue equipment can interact in ways that affect performance. Differences in shape, dimensions, gate mechanisms or operating method may create a risk of incorrect loading, interference or accidental release.

It should not be assumed that components are compatible simply because they can be physically connected. Compatibility should be confirmed using the manufacturers’ instructions and relevant technical information.

If compatibility cannot be confirmed, do not improvise. Ask a competent person or equipment specialist to review the proposed system.

10Is everything secure?

The final check is to confirm that the user and every component are properly connected.

Harness buckles, connectors, gates, locking mechanisms, brackets and other attachments should be correctly fastened and configured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The check should also consider whether movement during the task could cause a connector to rotate, become incorrectly loaded or come into contact with part of the structure in a way that affects its security.

This should be a deliberate final confirmation before the user becomes reliant on the system.

If any of the ten checks fails, stop!

Do not use the equipment if:

1. Suitability: it has not been confirmed as suitable for the task and environment;
2. Anchorage: the suitability, position or required performance of the anchorage has not been verified;
3. Clearance: the required fall clearance has not been calculated or the fall path contains an obstruction;
4. Rescue: a workable, site-specific rescue plan, trained personnel or the necessary rescue equipment is not in place;
5. Condition: damage, deterioration or contamination is found;
6. Traceability: its identity, history or required inspection records cannot be confirmed;
7. Age: its service-life status cannot be established or it has exceeded the manufacturer’s stated limit;
8. Fit and adjustment: the equipment does not fit the user correctly or its permitted user mass may be exceeded;
9. Compatibility: the components have not been confirmed as suitable for use together;
10. Security: buckles, connectors or other attachments cannot be correctly fastened and secured.

If there is any uncertainty, stop the work. Withdraw or quarantine suspect equipment where appropriate, and seek advice from a competent person.

These checks do not replace suitable information, instruction, training or supervision. Nobody should use fall protection equipment unless they are competent to do so or are receiving appropriate supervised training under suitable supervision.

Support throughout the PFPE lifecycle

Abtech Safety manufactures and supplies certified fall protection, access, confined space and rescue equipment. We also support resellers, hire businesses and equipment users with product documentation, technical guidance, inspection resources and equipment inspection services.

You can also access Abtech Safety’s product inspection resources and checklists.

Whether you are selecting a new system, checking product compatibility or managing equipment already in service, our team can help you identify the appropriate next step.

Need help selecting or inspecting fall protection equipment? Contact the Abtech Safety team.