You may or may not have noticed, but here at Medsafe, we believe that Safety is Easy. At least, it should be. That includes everything. Whatever object, practice, or philosophy you are currently employing to keep your personal parts free from unsolicited alteration should be simple, and easy to institute.
Most PPE is easy to understand – wearing a hat, safety glasses, boots or gloves is second nature to those of us who have survived the natural selection cut long enough to reach working age. Fall Protection, on the other hand, can be a little vexing. There are so many variables to manage and so many product options that it can be an intimidating topic; even to those with years of experience.
The good news: Fall Protection doesn’t have to be a complicated issue, and there are simple things that can be done that will greatly improve the potential for a decidedly positive outcome should a fall actually occur.
Simply put: Fall Protection is the diametric opposite of Pinball - You lose points for everything you hit on the way down...
*Not an acceptable substitute for fall protection
Winning is Easy
If a fall hazard can’t be eliminated, we have to resort to utilizing fall arrest systems. The first move should always be to select an Anchorage point of sufficient strength and height. Remember these points :
- The elevation of the Anchorage point is one of its most critical attributes, because:
- The higher the Anchorage point, the shorter the overall fall distance. And...
- A shorter fall distance greatly reduces the risk of striking a lower level or an object in the fall path.
- A shorter fall distance also reduces the arresting force placed on the body, protecting not only the worker, but also the integrity of the Anchorage itself.
When choosing to utilize an Anchorage point below the level of the back D-ring (or at foot-level) we are setting ourselves up to lose – it’s like throwing away that pair of aces because you KNOW, that THIS time you are ABSOLUTELY going to draw something better (You’re not. Ever.). The ideal Anchorage point is rated at at least 5,000 lbs. AND is seven to eight feet above the walking working surface AND has very close lateral proximity to the working location, thereby reducing the pendulum effect. That’s a Royal Flush in the game of Fall Arrest (or 'Uno', in Uno).
"I see the ideal spot for locating a 5,000 lb anchorage point that's 7 to 8 feet above the walking/working surface with close lateral proximity to the walking working location".
"I see a pig wearing a hat".
Gravity Plays to Win.
Gravity is one of the four fundamental forces that controls the universe in which we exist (not counting the IRS). The best way to beat gravity is to not play the game at all, and keep our feet planted firmly on the ground. Short of that, limiting our exposure to the power of gravity is our next best bet.
There’s an old saying, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall”. Likewise, the farther they fall, the harder they hit. Take it easy on your workers who are at risk for falling, and elevate those Anchorages whenever it is possible to do so.
At Medsafe, we ARE Fall Protection experts. We've devoted a significant portion of our online presence to educating you on Fall Protection hazards and solutions. In case you missed it, here are a few previously published articles on the topic:
You should also check out our Fall Protection FAQ. It's a comprehensive database filled with the most commonly addressed topics in the Fall Protection arena. If you can't find the answer there - contact us! We'd be glad to help you find a solution.
Medsafe's primary objective is, and has always been to save lives and to keep people safe. We do that not only by offering the best safety equipment available, but by supporting you - our customer - with the training, education, and support you need to get your job done in a safe and productive manner. Of all the things we do well, taking care of our customer's needs is our number one job. Thanks for stopping by!
We've created a whole series of images designed to remind you - and everyone else - that Medsafe is here to help when safety isn't easy. They're sized to fit most popular mobile phones, tablets, and desktops, and are available individually or as a package. These aren't your father's safety reminders, and we encourage you to take a look. Let's face it - it's way past time to replace that boring landscape anyway...
Click the image below for a closer look at all of our 'Safety is Easy...' reminders
