Information To Include In The Fall Protection Plan

According to OSHA fall protection guidelines and also those of Department of Labor and Industries it is mandatory to include comprehensive safety standards to all worksites for addressing fall hazards and you should also develop a written fall protection plan to be maintained at the jobsite. The plan you develop requires describing how your organization plans to protect employees working at height of 4 feet or more above the ground or other work surfaces. A fall protection plan also requires identifying all possibilities of fall hazards within a specific area and includes description of recommended fall restraint and arrest methods. An outline of the correct procedures of assembling, maintenance, inspection and dissembling of the fall protection systems to be used should also be there. An OSHA accepted plan must also explain the methods of providing overhead protection along with prompt and safe removal of injured workers.

For developing a fall protection plan that will be the best for your worksite, you are also required to mention the following information as the first item in your plan:

• Identifying all possible fall hazards in a specific work area
• The method of fall arrest or fall restraint that you will provide for each job. If there is a safety monitoring system in place ensure that it is in compliance with OSHA fall protection regulations.
• Mention the procedures for assembling, maintenance, inspection and dissembling of the fall protection system that you will be using
• Also describe the procedures for right handling, proper storage and security of the

fall protection products and tools

• Mention how you will provide overhead protection to employees who will frequently pass through areas below the worksite.
• Method of prompt and safe removal of injured workers in case there is an accident in spite of all precautions being taken
• You are required to mention an alternative address where a copy of the fall protection plan is available
• Mention of how you will train all your employees in all the above mentioned items along with a record of employee training.

Whether you should opt for a fall arrest system or a fall restraint system should depend upon the exact conditions and requirements of the worksite. For your convenience it is better to understand the basic difference between the two systems. A fall arrest system protects a worker from hitting a lower surface or object in case of a fall and these systems include equipments like lanyards and full-body harnesses for properly securing to the anchorage points, safety nets, lifelines or catch platforms. On the other hand a fall restraint system is designed to keep a worker from reaching a fall-point and thus preventing fall. Fall restraint systems include equipments like standard guard rails. Warning line and monitor systems along with lanyards and approved safety belts are attached to secure anchorage points. If you are looking for more information on how to develop a fall protection plan or which fall protection systems and tools should be the best for your requirements, you can visit Caisafety.com.

About The Author

Brent Owens is a safety expert who works hand in hand with many construction companies across the country to ensure that employees are always protected while at work. He recommends Caisafety.com as the best name to trust for high quality fall protection systems.