Installed Systems

The Fall Protection Implementation Process

The implementation of any fall protection solution is a process that has many important aspects. The eight phases of any installed fall protection system are:

Assessment
All fall protection systems must begin with a thorough site assessment of the user's needs. What work tasks will the worker be performing while he or she is exposed to the hazard? What options are available for ingress and egress to the hazardous work site? Any system that is planned and installed without due regard for these issues is either likely to cause complaints from the users or go unused. A poorly planned system can even create hazards of its own.

Design
After the site assessment is complete, the design phase begins. All variables must be considered, including the height of the work surface, ground clearance, location of obstacles and the worker's need for mobility.

Engineering
When the basic design is done, all engineering aspects must be checked. These include strength of the supporting structure, design of connections and calculation of stresses within each component of the system. Safety factors must be calculated to assure that code requirements are met.

Personal Protective Equipment
Selection of the proper system and its components should be done by professionals experienced in fall protection design and installation. With the wide array of personal protective equipment available today, the selection of the appropriate items is essential for proper operation of the overall system.

Owner's Review
Once the installation drawings are completed, they must be submitted to the owner for his review. Only then can he be sure that the supplier has understood the requirements of the job.

Installation
Experienced installation crews must be employed. These workers must have proper training in installation techniques and the experience and knowledge to look for potential problems at the installation site.

Certification
Once the installation is complete, it is critical that appropriate inspection and testing be performed before turning the system over to the owner. A printed certificate should be prepared that testifies to the inspection process.

Training
No installation is complete until thorough training of the users in the use, care and inspection of the system has been undertaken.

The experienced engineers and project managers at Safety Systems are ready to assist you through the process of evaluating, procuring and installing your engineered fall protection system.

Types of Installed Systems

Examples of various installed systems follow below.

Horizontal Lifelines
Modern horizontal lifeline systems can allow a worker to traverse thousands of feet, if necessary, without ever having to stop and disconnect at cable support points.

This means continuous safety - 100% tie-off - without a loss in productivity.The photo at right shows a horizontal lifeline in use on a highway bridge.

Vertical Lifelines
Ladders on silos, water towers, cranes, smokestacks, and more...can benefit from the same continuous tie-off technology that is used on the horizontal systems.

This ladder has been fitted with a cable-type ladder safety system made of stainless steel.

Fixed Anchor Points
Many times installing an anchorage that allows continuous movement (like a horizontal lifeline) is not feasible or even necessary.

Safety Systems can engineer, provide and install fixed anchor points that allow maintenance workers safe access to the top of a hazardous area. If necessary, we can assist you with the engineering evaluation of your structure.

Walkways and Handrails
Many times a fall hazard can be most effectively eliminated by adding a catwalk with handrails.

Safety Systems can design, supply and install these systems for you.