Key Questions
The following key questions are answered in this module:
Why is fall prevention and protection training important?
Falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries and cause 300-400 deaths a year.
What are some lines of defense against falls and related injuries?
Being alert, using fall prevention, and using fall protection.
What are considered types of fall prevention?
Guardrails, rails on stairs, scaffolds, and covers on holes in the floor.
What is the goal of fall protection?
To reduce negative effects of falls that do occur.
What equipment is used for fall protection?
Harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, anchor points, and more.
What is an anchor point?
What fall protection harnesses are attached to. There are two types-temporary and permanent.
Is fall protection required when using lift equipment?
Yes. This includes scissors lifts, lift truck-mounted personnel baskets, crane-suspended personnel baskets, and aerial lifts.
What about crane-suspended baskets?
The use of these is generally prohibited. They are allowed only in special circumstances and following special crane-specific guidelines in OSHA's 29 CFR 1926.550.
What is the last line of defense when dealing with fall hazards?
Fall protection-always try other methods (alertness, fall prevention) first.
When should workers be trained about fall prevention and protection?
When a worker is first assigned duties that might lead to a fall, when a change at the workplace renders that previous training obsolete, and when there is reason to believe the employee doesn't have the necessary knowledge.