Page 24 - OHS, October 2023

PPE: FALL PROTECTION Photo courtesy of MSA Why Fall Protection PPE Fit Matters: OSHA’s Rule Proposal for Construction From previous attempts at fall protection to OSHA’s recent proposals, the journey of fall harnesses emphasizes the critical need for PPE that suits every worker, ensuring both safety and compliance. BY DENNIS CAPIZZI H istorically, fall harnesses were not known for their comfort or fit. For example, the best-in-class gear until the mid-20th century was a simple body belt. The problem, how- ever, was that the body belt could slip off, the worker could easily slide out or a fall could cause severe force trauma to the most vulnerable part of the body, the spine. Fast-forward a few years to when mil- itary-style harnesses became the trend. They offered quite literal full-body cov- erage. Yet, these hot and hefty harnesses could not only exhaust the wearer, they could restrict movement and limit mobil- ity in ways that could make wearing them almost as unsafe as not wearing them. Despite the vast advancements that have been made over the years to improve the comfort and wearability of fall har- nesses, the “one-size-fits-all” approach still does not necessarily apply. Workers may be reluctant to don gear that does not fit prop- erly for workers of various shapes and sizes. If workers are hesitant to wear poor- fitting PPE, not only does it risk their safety and the safety of their team, but it also im- pacts an employer’s compliance with OSHA regulations. What’s more, even if a worker does don a fall harness but it is either too large or too small, that worker’s safety can still be compromised. According to OSHA, “ill-fitting PPE may not protect an employ- ee at all, and in other cases it may present additional hazards to that employee, and to employees who work around them.”1 This issue can be particularly important for smaller construction workers, including some women, who may require a smaller fitting harness. This is especially notable, as according to recent statistics, one in ten construction workers is a woman. And the same applies for men who might not fall under standard height and weight ranges. 24 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com