Fall Protection
Falls remain one of the leading causes of serious workplace injuries and fatalities. To help prevent fall-related incidents and ensure a safe working environment, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) maintains a comprehensive Fall Protection Program. The program addresses common fall hazards, including leading roof edges, roof hatches, scaffolds, fixed and portable ladders, and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs).
EHS also provides instructor-led training on fall hazard recognition, fall prevention strategies, and the proper selection, use, and inspection of fall protection equipment. Available equipment includes full-body harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting and dual lifelines, temporary portable roof anchors, wrap-back anchors, standing seam anchors, I-beam anchors, and permanent cable arrest systems.
What you need to know
- The EHS Environmental & Contractor Safety Team is available to assess fall hazards and assist departments in identifying appropriate controls and fall protection solutions for specific work activities.
- Employees who are required to work at heights must complete instructor-led Fall Protection Training before performing such work. Refresher training is available upon request and is recommended whenever additional guidance is needed.
- All fall protection equipment must be visually inspected by the user prior to each use. Equipment that fails inspection or has been subjected to a fall arrest event must be immediately removed from service, tagged to prevent further use, and reported to the EHS Office.
- Certain MEWPs and aerial lifts require the use of fall protection equipment during operation. Employees must successfully complete EHS Fall Protection Training before operating equipment that requires fall protection.
- Loading dock edges present significant fall hazards. Safety gates and chains must be properly secured across dock openings whenever loading activities are not actively taking place.
- Employees are responsible for promptly reporting unsafe working conditions, potential fall hazards, incidents, and accidents to their supervisor and EHS to ensure timely corrective action.
Services
The Environmental Health and Safety Office offers the following services:
- Fall Protection Assessments
- Fall Protection Instructor-Led Training
- Fall Arrest / Restraint Equipment Inspections
- Scaffold Pre-Use Inspections
- Loading Dock Safety Assessments