Page 45 - OHS, May 2022

planned and researched fall protection plan specifific to each site or work area. Fall protection plans document safety objectives and goals, as well as protocols and procedures around:
■ Usage of fall protection equipment such as fall restraint systems.
■ Any safety hazards identified at that site by a hazard assessment.4
■ Usage of fall protection technologies such as fall detection devices.
■ Assemblage and usage of temporary fall protection measures such as guardrails. ■ Emergency response plan with
company contacts.5
When developing a fall protection
plan, make sure all impacted employees are involved in the development process. Employees, of all levels and positions, are the most attuned eyes and ears to any safety risks, and that valuable knowledge should be leveraged and taken advantage of for the benefit of their safety.
Footwear and Walking Areas
For jobs that require walking on slippery surfaces and difficult terrain, appropriate footwear will help prevent falls while working. Employees may have different walking requirements from a disability or injury. In those cases, their circumstances must be evaluated to determine if new footwear or walking aids are needed. Additionally, walking surfaces can be assessed to determine if resurfacing of a walkway may be needed or non-slipping mats during the wet winter.6 Protocols such as scattering salt or gravel on walkways and work areas during the winter can also be included in the fall protection plan as they will complement the safety objectives documented in the plan.
Fall Hazards are Everywhere
Not only do fall hazards exist on tall buildings or electrical poles, but they can also be found on steps up to the office or with someone who has mobility difficulties. Employers and managers—and employees—need to view their workplace with a different lens that sees these fall hazards, no matter how small or severe. While that may be a bit overwhelming, assess each site, one-by-one, and find the best strategies to mitigate the identified fall hazards. The good news is that there are a number of proactive safety measures that can be implemented ahead of time,
to prevent a fall from occurring at all. Once you know what types of falls your employees are facing, then you know what can be done to protect them to the best of
REFERENCES
your ability and resources.
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Coordinator Tsunami Solution Ltd.
1. https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection
2. https://www.nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/slips-trips-and-falls/slips-trips-and-falls-home 3. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/safety-training-lone-workers-should-be-your-priority 4. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/dont-slip-up-at-work-and-not-use-fall-detection
5. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/building-a-successful-emergency-response-plan
6. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/hazard-assessment-questions
The LION BullsEyeTM Digital Fire Extinguisher Training System allows you to conduct extinguisher training anywhere. Pair it with the LION R.A.C.E. StationTM to help reinforce the Rescue, Alert, Confine, Extinguisher method and better prepare your trainees to respond to an actual fire emergency.
WWW.LIONPROTECTS.COM/FIRE-SAFETY-TRAINING-TOOLS
www.ohsonline.com MAY 2022 | Occupational Health & Safety 41
Circle 13 on card.