So many times I am asked by safety managers, or EHS people, why do we need to do a fall protection awareness class? Our guys know all that stuff. Seems like a waste of money, time blah blah blah.
OSHA requires the employer to give fall protection awareness training, to anyone that works at elevated heights above 4’ every year. New employees, before they work at elevated heights, are required to have fall protection awareness training.
As a Fall Protection Specialist and trainer, I’m not in enforcement. I’m not here to demand anything, but I have never had anyone tell me when they finished my class that they previously knew all the class content.
There are the key items I stress to even the most experienced worker:
- Are you sure that the fall protection equipment you are wearing will keep you from contacting the ground?
- Have you done the calculations that insure the fall protection equipment you are wearing is correct?
- What’s your rescue plan?
- What’s your rescue plan?
- What’s your rescue plan?
You have 10-15 minutes to get that person down and out of the incident and out of the fall protection equipment. Suspension trauma is real. It starts to effect the worker as soon as blood is restricted in the thigh area from the harness. The worker will pass out from low blood flow and die within minutes.
Have you ever squatted down for an extended time, and quickly stood up and felt dizzy or sick? That is similar to suspension trauma, you have restricted blood flow suddenly released it to your heart.
So, again I ask, what is your rescue plan is? How quick can you get the worker down/to safety?
I always end my fall protection training with the same slide which says "The Fall Protection equipment that just saved you is killing you. What is your plan?"
Check upcoming training or contact us today for fall protection training at an SMC branch near you or at your location.
Article Written by Glenn Pilger, SMC Fall Protection Specialist and trainer