Anticipation is the key to fall protection

To protect against falling from height the starting point in the risk formalisation process is the creation of a Single Risk Assessment Document.

Anticipating the potential causes of falls can greatly reduce their occurrence.

As part of a prevention plan, it is important to ask the following:

• Can the employee work from the ground rather than from a height?
• Can I set up permanent collective protection?
• Can I use mobile equipment?
• If not, can I use PPE?

Looking at the construction sector, many jobs require working from height. Work situations, including movement and working at height, can be diverse. It is important to consider elements such as air draught (the free distance between the user’s feet and the first obstacle in the event of a fall) or fall factor (at what level will my anchor point be).

Sliding fall arresters will allow progression when moving on a roof. They are used on flexible anchor lines and their advantage is their very short fall arrest distance.

There are many factors that contribute to falls at ground level. If it is not possible to eliminate the risk, several actions can be considered including surfacing, lighting and suitable PPE.

Several elements must be considered when choosing a shoe and its sole. In construction, it is necessary to have the best level of slip resistance.