It is the role of the designer to minimise the risk of exposure to a fall hazard. In order to consider what type of fall protection is needed, it is necessary to start with the hierarchy of fall protection.
Minimising the Risk and the Hierarchy of Safety
Eliminate the risk
- Avoid work at height were possible.
- Locate plant and equipment in safe locations where there is no risk of fall.
- Clean windows from the ground with a ''high Reach'' type system.
Guard the hazard
- When working at height is essential, ensure that workers are not exposed to unnecessary risks.
- Consider installing a parapet or guardrail to eliminate the fall hazard.
Protect the worker
- Where it is not possible to eliminate the risk of falling, use a suitable fall protection system to minimise the consequences of a fall.
- This can be achieved with a fall arrest or fall restraint system.
