Falling from height is one of the leading causes of work-related injuries and death. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics documents nearly 750 fall-related fatalities a year and 300,000 nonfatal falls requiring at least a day’s leave from the job.
While the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) mandates safety protocols to reduce incidences, employers can take action to help reduce hazards that lead to fall-related events.
- Make a thorough assessment of fall hazards, including sides and edges, hoist areas and skylights.
- Create a list of hazards, and schedule at least an annual review.
- Document and implement protective measures, including procedures, protocols, equipment and worker training.
- Incorporate a specialized fall protection program, along with personal protective equipment labeled to the latest standard: ANSI/ASSE Z359.16-2016.
Although considered voluntary, ANSI/ ASEE Z359.16-2016 is a new standard that establishes the requirements for using climbing ladder fall-arrest systems (CLFAS). It also addresses hazard surveys, hazard elimination and control, education, training and reactive accident investigation.
CLFAS: The bedrock of at-height personal safety
CLFAS products, including energy-absorbing components, full-body harnesses and connectors designed, manufactured and compliant with ANSI/ASSE Z359.16 can help ensure worker safety on a wide range of buildings, towers, bridges and structures throughout a variety of industrial sectors.
CLFAS can help protect workers from falls when climbing or descending ladders or vertical structures up to 300 feet in height.
In addition, CLFAS are widely thought to provide better protection than ladder cages, ladder wells or self-retracting lifelines (SRL) when the length of the climb is greater than 24 feet.
While OSHA is no longer actively encouraging the use of cages and new ones are not being installed, there is no mandate to replace them on existing ladders at this time. However, OSHA is requiring employers to ensure the following for fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level:
- Each existing fixed ladder installed before Nov. 19, 2018 must be equipped with a personal fall-arrest system, ladder safety system, cage or well.
- Each new fixed ladder installed on and after Nov. 19, 2018 must be equipped with a personal fall-arrest system or a ladder safety system.
- Replacement fixed ladders, cages or wells (or any portion or section) require installation of a personal fall-arrest system or ladder safety system in — at a minimum — that section of the fixed ladder, cage or well where the replacement is located.
- On and after Nov. 18, 2036, all fixed ladders must be equipped with a personal fall- arrest system or a ladder safety system.
Visit the American Society of Safety Engineers’ website at www.asse.org for the full ANSI/ASSE Z359.16-2016 fall protection code. •
