Fall Protection for Working at Heights

You know your worksite better than anyone, but be sure you consider appropriate fall protection whenever the work changes. If your workers are transitioning to a new project involving working at heights, consider whether enhancements to their fall protection system or additional training may be necessary. Promote the "Take 5 for Safety" concept to allow workers to stop work for a few minutes to ensure that everyone's fall protection is properly donned and appropriate for the job.

Once you have the tools, give your workers the information they need to stay safe.

• Use different kinds of teaching methods to create unique training activities during safety presentations. It’s one thing to explain why workers should keep a clean workspace, but it’s another to create an activity where workers spot hazards to understand the necessity of a clean workspace at a height.
• Send fun safety videos to your workers after trainings to keep them thinking about specific topics like guidelines for working near safety nets.
• Place safety posters in high-traffic areas of your workplace to promote smart safety practices when you’re not on site. Be sure to rotate posters on at least a monthly basis so people don't stop seeing them.

In addition to your regular toolbox talks, consider an additional tailgate meeting before workers go up to an elevated jobsite. Taking this time gives you an additional opportunity to offer safety tips and ask for questions from workers.

With so many regulations to keep track of and so much on the line, reminders are especially important when working at heights. While many reminders take place in person, you can also send workers just-in-time safety reminder lessons if you notice someone forgetting to inspect their safety harness or cutting corners in any way. You can also double-down on common sense safety lessons:

• Teach your workers that their sense of balance is their first line of defense, even when using different kinds of fall protection. Working at a height can cause some workers to feel anxious and move more cautiously than they would on the ground, so reminding them about minding their balance can help them move and work more confidently.
• Provide hi-vis PPE so they can easily see where their teammates are at all times.
• Offer slip-resistant footwear to minimize the risk of slipping and falling.
• Advocate keeping workstations and walkways neat and clear so work areas are free from tripping hazards. Slip, trip, and fall training can be helpful in addition to training on working from a height.
• Enforce guidelines for walking within walkway limits and using railings when available.
• Have workers begin projects at ground-level so they can perform fewer tasks at a height. Let them know it's okay to speak up if they think of a better way to get the job done safely.
• Most of all, encourage workers to report any hazards they see so they can keep themselves and their coworkers safe.