Fall Prevention: Safety Gear (#HSESession)

What is Safety Gear?

Safety gear is also known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is The equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illness. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. This definition is based by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

 

Standard of PPE

a. Eyes

Hazard: Chemical or metal splash, dust, projectiles, gas and vapour, radiation

Options: Safety spectacles, goggles, face screens, faceshields, visors   

 

b. Head & Neck

Hazard: Impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping, hair getting tangled in machinery, climate or temperature

Options: Industrial safety helmets, bump caps, hairnets and firefighters' helmets

 

c. Ears

Hazards: Noise

Options: Earplugs

 

d. Hands and arms

Hazards: Abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures impact, chemicals, electric shock, radiation, biological agents and prolonged immersion in water

Options: Gloves, gloves with a cuff, gauntlets and sleeving that covers part or all of the arm

 

e. Feet and legs

Hazards: Wet, hot and cold conditions, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts and punctures, falling objects, heavy loads, metal and chemical splash, vehicles

Options: Safety boots and shoes

 

f. Lungs

Hazards: Oxygen-deficient atmospheres, dusts, gases and vapours

Some respirators rely on filtering contaminants from workplace air

 

g. Whole body

Hazards: Heat, chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, contaminated dust, impact or penetration, excessive wear or entanglement of own clothing

Options: Work suit, fall protection.

ABC Aspect of Fall Protection

According to EHS, the ABC’s of fall protection include three components most often used together when utilizing a personal fall protection system. 

 

The Selection of fall prevention

According to OSHA Rules on Fall protection, the workers should wear the PPE from the following heights based on the type of workplace. Not only that, but fall protection also has a different kind! ​

a. Fall Arrest

Used any time when working at an elevated level and exposed to a fall hazard. Trigger heights (for example, 4 feet for general industry workplaces, and 6 feet for construction) are dictated by specific standards for the applicable industry.

b. Work Positioning

Used to hold a worker in place while allowing a hands-free work environment at elevated heights. The free fall must be limited to 2 feet or less.

 

c. Fall Restraint

Prevent the worker from reaching a location where a free fall hazard exists

 

d. Suspension/Personnel Riding Systems

Designed to lower and support a worker vertically while allowing a hands-free work environment

 

e. Retrieval/Rescue

Primarily used in confined space applications where workers must enter tanks, manholes, etc.

Source:

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ( PPE ) PROCEDURE - ESPERANCE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ( PPE ). (n.d.).

International Safety Equipment Association. (2015). Personal fall protection equipment – Anchor devices. Use and Selection Guide, 1, 1–28. https://safetyequipment.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Fall_UseGuide-2015.pdf

Personal Protective Equipment - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/ppe.htm

Do’s and Don’ts of fall protection PPE | Fall Protection | XSPlatforms. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://fallprotectionxs.com/blog-dos-donts-fall-protection-ppe/

Do’s and Don’ts of fall protection PPE - HSEWatch. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.hsewatch.com/dos-and-donts-of-fall-protection-ppe

Fall Prevention | Environmental Health and Safety | Iowa State University. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.ehs.iastate.edu/services/occupational/fall-prevention

Fall Protection: Fall Protection Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/general/fall-protection/fall-protection-systems.html#Fall-protection-systems

Drive, G., & Jolla, L. (n.d.). UCSD Environment , Health & Safety Fall Protection Program How to Calculate Total Fall Distance. 858, 92093.