Jason Wible Frenchcreek Provides Insight into the Common Types of Fall Arrest Systems

Falls are among the most common causes of severe work related injuries and even fatalities. Therefore, as per Jason Wible Frenchcreek employers should invest in proper safety equipment and fall protection gear to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations and more. FrenchCreek Fall Safety is a well-established manufacturer of fall protection equipment. They sell engineered safety systems along with standard fall safety products. The full line of fall protection equipment offered by this company includes full-body harnesses, safety lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, and more.

Jason Wible Frenchcreek talks about a few common types of fall arrest systems

Fall protection equipment is important for any setting when people have to work in high places, typically six feet or more. No matter the type of activity workers might be conducting, they need to be equipped with proper gear that ensures their safety and peace of mind. Here are some of the most common types of fall arrest systems used today:

• Safety harnesses: Safety harnesses must be used when conventional protection like guard rails are not feasible. These conditions arise when falling 2 m or more from an open edge is possible. The length of the fall is simply reduced by a safety harness; therefore in some cases the worker might still get injured due to the shock load applied to them while the fall is arrested. A free fall limit of around 2 m tends to be maintained to reduce this shock loading. It would be a smarter choice to fit lanyards with shock absorbers to further reduce the effect of shock loading. A worker should additionally be attached to a secure anchorage point prior to be being moved into an unsafe position, and whenever possible, the lanyard must be attached above the worker. Only orderly trained workers should be given the responsibility to attach lanyards to anchorage points.
• Safety Nets: Safety nets are extensively used for arresting falls of not just people, but also materials and tools from a height. However, to ensure its effectiveness, competent installation of the safety net is important. It must have the right tensioning as well. Safety nets are commonly used in refurbishment and roofing projects. As they are not well suited for low–level construction where there is not sufficient clearance below the net to enable it to deflect the required distance after impact, safety nets typically have a limited application. These nets must be positioned in a manner that workers do fall more than 2 m, if they hit the ground or other obstructions
• Air Bags: Air bags can be linked together in order to form an inflated crash deck system, and can be used in situations where a safety net is not available. They comprise of a series of interlinked air mattresses positioned beneath the working area. They can easily be used when working at height inside a building where safety harnesses would not be practical.

A comprehensive fall protection or arrest system prevents injuries, saves lives and makes good business sense. Jason Wible Frenchcreek points out that in almost every industry there are areas where workers are subjected to fall hazards. Hence, employers must be proactive about investing in appropriate fall protection systems.