Fall protection training is an important part of your business. All employees need to know how to safely operate fall arrest systems in order to have a safe work site. In British Columbia, 20% of all lost time injuries are because of falls. While accidents can and do happen, having fall protection systems in place can drastically reduce the number of accidents in the workplace.
Why fall protection training is important
Falls are a common cause of serious work-related injuries and even deaths. Fall protection training and planning can eliminate the risks and hazards that come with working near openings or at heights.
Fall hazards can pose a serious risk to workers
WorkSafeBC stats show that 17% of all claims are due to falls, and 25% of serious injuries are due to falls. Falls pose a huge risk to both employees and employers.
What are fall hazards
Fall hazards are anything at a worksite that could cause someone to lose their balance, or lose bodily support, resulting in a fall.
Safety training prevents preventable accidents
Employees need to understand the correct fall protection systems and procedures, and employers need to have a fall protection system that meets Provincial and Federal regulations in place.
Who needs fall protection training
WorkSafeBC requires that all workers working at 10 feet and above require fall protection. Fall protection systems are also required when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, no matter the fall distance. Whether employees are on ladders or working on apartment buildings, it is important that employees understand what fall protection systems are in place.
What is needed for fall protection planning
Employers can help keep their workplace a safe space by ensuring they have an up-to-date fall protection plan in place, providing employees with a fall protection training program that covers how to use, maintain, and inspect fall protection equipment, and have a written fall protection plan in place.
Fall protection plans are required in BC
According to the BC Government, the employer must have a written fall protection plan for a workplace if work is being done where workers are not protected by permanent guardrails, and a fall of 7.5 m (25 feet) or more may happen. Fall protection plans must be available at the workplace before the work begins.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
In addition to regular PPE such as steel-toed boots, appropriate headwear, and safety glasses, fall hazards, fall restraints, or fall arrest systems can be used to keep a worker from a fall hazard or to stop their fall before they hit the ground.
Fall protection equipment
When using a personal fall protection system for fall arrest, workers must wear a safety belt and a body harness. Fall protection equipment must be sufficient to support the fall restrain, and materials must meet safety standards.
Types of fall protection systems
There are many types of safety equipment found in the workplace. It is important for all workers to know and understand how to operate safety equipment. Safety and training programs are just as important as machine training programs.
Fall protection systems include:
- Fall-arrest systems
- Travel-restraint systems
- Fall-restricted systems
Fall-arrest systems
Full body harnesses and anchor points are needed for personal fall protection systems. These kinds of systems stop a person from making contact with the ground after they fall.
Travel restraint systems
These kinds of systems prevent falls by stopping the wearer from getting close to an unprotected edge.
Fall restricting systems
A combination of work positioning systems and fall restricting systems, these systems are designed to limit a worker’s free fall distance.
What is required for workers and employers in British Columbia Canada
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, B.C. Reg.296/97 Part 11, Fall Protection, Section 11.2
“Employers must make sure the worker is instructed in the fall protection system and the procedures to follow before entering an area where there is a risk of falling. “
Upon successful training completion
Trainees will learn in a classroom setting for theory and will have time to do hands-on exercises, allowing for familiarity with the systems and equipment they will be working with. During the course trainees will learn how to conduct equipment inspections, how to solve fall protection-based scenarios, including rescue planning and rescue procedures.
Fall protection training with Clockwork
Clockwork training’s fall protection course ensures that employees and employers understand the various kinds of fall protection systems, and plans. Our courses include hands-on training at your worksite, allowing for training with the equipment your workers will be using daily. Trainees who pass the course will get wallet-sized print certificates of fall protection certification showing they have completed the course.