Choosing the best fall arrest system involves checking government guidelines and examining the area. For roofs, a warning line or sliding guard can be used. Flat surfaces can have railings. Harnesses and nets can catch falling people.
The best fall arrest system depends on a number of factors. In many countries, there are guidelines that must be followed when people are working in areas where they could fall. Checking the requirements through organizations such as the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) in the United States is the first step in choosing a fall arrest system. In addition to considering requirements set by government organizations, examine the area people might fall from and choose a device that works well for that area.
For a roof, the height and strength requirements for a fall arrest system depend on the slope of the roof. A warning line is often used on a roof to alert people who are approaching the edge. However, these lines are not strong enough to catch a falling person, although they do offer some slight resistance if the worker steps on one. They are colour-coded, providing a visual reminder to the worker that the edge is close. A sliding guard, which is a physical block that comes off the roof at an upward angle, can also be used as a fall arrest system on a roof.
Flat surfaces can be fitted with a railing system to prevent people from falling over the edge. They are constructed of wood, metal or wire rope and are strong enough to stop a person from falling. For the most part, the regulations state that guardrails must have three rails at specific distances from each other and at a specific distance from the surface people are walking on. These can be used on flat roofs, buildings under construction and around holes and trenches.
There are also fall arrest systems that catch a person who has already fallen. Harnesses are commonly worn by workers or athletes to catch them in the event of a fall. These devices only work when there is something solid to attach the harness to. Full body harnesses offer much more protection than partial body harnesses.
Nets can also be used to catch people who fall off surfaces. These devices work well on building edges, especially as a secondary fall arrest system when a guard rail or warning line does not prevent a fall. Nets can prevent serious injuries, although people who fall into them can still be injured by the fall.
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