FallArrest Blocks Part of a Larger Safety Scheme
Intoday's working world of heavy equipment, specialized technology, anda limited workspace, it is more important than ever for employers andtheir employees to practice high standards of safety. Failure to besafe results in the thousands of injuries annually and unfortunately,some deaths too. In a confined a space environment safety is of theutmost importance due to the fact that mobility is limited. Withlimited mobility also come limited options for reaction in the caseof an accident.
Oneof the more common tools used in confined space to work is the fallarrest block, to protect both workers and loads. The fall arrestblock is part of an overall safety scheme which makes lowering andraising in a confined space much more safe. But it's only one part ofan overall scheme.
FourLevels of Safety Management
Interms of a working procedures there are for general levels of safety.The first level is to limit the possibility of falling by a workingat ground level. This is typically practised in the window washingbusiness which now utilises long-handled equipment to perform as muchwork from the ground as possible. In a confined a space arrangementthis is not always a possibility, nor is there necessarily a risk inn doing the work itself. Sometimes in confined space scenarios themost dangerous part of the operation is lowering or raisingindividuals.
Thesecond level of safety is to complete work in an environment whereyou cannot fall; for example, working from a scaffold surrounded by acage which prevents you from falling off.
Thethird level of safety is where fall arrest blocks come in. Fallarrest blocks and inertia reels will not prevent you from falling,but they will stop your fall once it is in motion. Typically the fallarrest block or inertia reel is used to make sure any eventual fallsdo not result in serious injury or death.
Thefourth level of safety involves the use of bucket trucks or hydraulicplatforms to raise individuals to their work. Both solutions are usedin conjunction with fall arrest blocks and user harnesses. That way,if the bucket or platform fails a worker is still protected from aserious fall.
Installationand Use
Partof a comprehensive safety program is to ensure that any and allequipment you use is installed by professionals. According to UK lawsuch safety systems must be installed in a very specific way. Failingto do so could cause you unnecessary risk.
Equallynecessary to professional installation is the proper use of allsafety equipment. If workers do not use safety equipment in the wayintended by the manufacture they are potentially setting themselvesup for great harm. Unfortunately, there are those workers who try tocircumvent some of the inconvenience of safety, only to their owndetriment later on. Whenever safety equipment is deployed, make sureis being deployed correctly.