Page 52 - Occupational Health & Safety, July 2018

FALL PROTECTION
The Importance of Testing and Meeting Fall Protection Standards
Although ANSI standards are voluntary, they represent the consensus of indus- try experts and frequently provide more detailed product performance guidelines. BY ANNE OSBOURN
50 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY 2018
www.ohsonline.com
Make no mistake, working at heights is dangerous—falls remain the most com- mon cause of work-related injuries and death. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis-
tics reports around 750 fall-related fatalities a year and another 300,000 non-fatal falls requiring at least one day away from work. Other risks include damage to buildings, a negative impact on reputation, and an adverse effect on productivity and profitability when people miss work because of injury.
For those working in the health and safety indus- try, it’s a constant challenge to source the best fall pro- tection equipment. Products must comply with the latest standards and ultimately keep people working
at heights safe.
It has never been more important for employers to
ensure their fall protection systems meet the highest standards. Comprehensive fall protection planning often starts with equipment selection, so before you put a fall protection program in place, make sure you specify fully compliant fall protection products. When you choose equipment tested to meet the applicable standards, you prioritize the safety of your workers.
I speak with many people every day, from health and safety professionals to facilities managers. They all ask the same question: Which products and systems will really get the job done? My answer is always the same—choose the products that have been thorough-
MSA