According to statistics published by the Health & Safety Executive, approximately 26% of UK workplace fatalities in 2018 came as a result of falling from height.

That sobering statistic highlights just how dangerous working at height can be and, moreover, just how important it is to take the correct precautions before engaging in such activities.

If working at height is a big part of your job, keep yourself and others protected by being mindful of the risks involved.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most important things to consider when working at height.

Take Note of Legislation

Laws are implemented for a reason, so it’s important to take note of the relevant legislation. When it comes to working at height, this point is extremely important.

Make sure that you fully understand what applies to you and take the appropriate actions to adhere to these rulings at all times.

For workers, knowing and following these guidelines can help ensure that the working conditions are safe and risks are kept to a minimum.

Meanwhile, for employers, it can also help ensure all actions are done by the book, protecting the workers while also protecting the company from liability claims in the event of an accident.

Assess the Risks

Like any potentially dangerous situation, a comprehensive risk assessment is vital in preparing for the task at hand and can help highlight any areas of concern.

Conducting a thorough risk assessment can not only allow you to minimise the dangers but also potentially allow you to eliminate them altogether.

Should the risks be unavoidable, the identification of these dangers allows for preventative measures to be put in place, such as a fall arrest or fall restraint system.

Knowledge is Power

It’s the employer’s responsibility to provide the worker with the relevant training for the task at hand. This point is included in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and is naturally extremely important to take into consideration.

Suitable training can prepare workers for the proposed job and allow them to carry them out safely. Only those that have the relevant level of experience and training should be authorised to carry out the corresponding task.

Prepare for the Worst

While every step should be taken to avoid a devastating accident, failure to prepare for the worst is not only foolish and short-sighted but also potentially very dangerous.

Be sure to formulate and implement an appropriate rescue plan to keep all parties covered in the event of an unfortunate mishap. This includes supplying the appropriate emergency rescue equipment.

Which leads us nicely to our next point…

Come Equipped

In order to ensure you are completely protected in the event of a fall, it’s vital that the correct equipment is used at all times. Often referred to as PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), this is the last resort standing between you and the ground in the event of a worst-case scenario.

It’s important to remember that not all fall protection equipment is universal and some protection measures will be more appropriate for a specific job than others. For more information on the different kinds of safety restraints, check out our blog on overhead and horizontal safety lines.

In addition to supplying equipment for working at height, we also provide inspection and certification of such equipment. For advice and guidance on what equipment may be best for you, get in touch today to speak with one of your specialist advisors.

For more information on precautions for working at height and general safety measures for height work, why not drop us a line today?

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Ronan Keating once said, “the touch of your hand says you’ll catch me wherever I fall”. The bright sparks at AirDeck took that line to heart and have since successfully applied it to the construction industry.

While we can’t promise the gentle hand touching of Mr Keating – nor would our legal department recommend such actions – we can promise the catching part, with the awesome power of the AirDeck Fall Arrest Landing Bag.

AirDeck Fall Arrest Bags

Available for purchase, the AirDeck landing bag is the inflatable safety deck the world has been waiting for. Quick deployment, simple transportation and easily compactible, the AirDeck is the perfect safety deck for anyone that works at height.

The bags rise to approximately 75cm in height once fully inflated and are capable of withstanding falls from as high 3.25 metres above floor level (over 10.5 feet).

Durable and Portable

Each AirDeck bag is made up of an inflatable inner lining and an outer polypropylene bag. Better still, the double-layered upper face is extremely hard-wearing and resistant against accidental damage, with durability a key feature.

One of the best things about AirDeck fall arrest bags is their portability. When deflated, up to 50 bags will fit on just one pallet, making them ideal for easy transportation and storage. Meanwhile, once they are completely inflated and ready for use, 50 bags will cover a surface area of up to 80 square metres.

When used in conjunction with the Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower, inflation can be completed extremely quickly, with a single bag fully inflated in less than 40 seconds. In times of emergency, inflation speed can be of critical importance, making the AirDeck’s rapid expansion an invaluable feature.

Multiple Uses

While the AirDeck fall arrest is most commonly used in the UK construction industry, it’s not solely restricted to construction use. In fact, it’s not even restricted to the UK and has already been successfully used internationally as well as domestically, with customers as far wide as North America, Australia and the Far East.

In addition to its primary usage within construction environments, the AirDeck fall arrest system has also been used in a variety of unusual scenarios, including vessels at sea and by air force maintenance staff.

Lifesaving Equipment

For outside the box usage of the AirDeck, look no further than the Los Angeles Country Sheriff’s Department. The local correctional facility is one of the world’s largest jail complexes, housing 3500 inmates with mental illnesses.

As a result of the large-scale environment and the mentally volatile inhabitants, suicide attempts aren’t uncommon. Thankfully, the AirDeck’s rapid deployment provides the perfect solution to these potentially fatal scenarios and has already proved successful on multiple occasions.

For more information on the AirDeck fall arrest system and its many uses, why not give us a call today on 0117 9381 600. Alternatively, feel free to drop us a line using the button below.

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What is the leading cause of deaths in the workplace? Short Answer: falls from height count for more than a quarter of workplace fatalities in Great Britain, making falls the biggest cause of workplace deaths.

Workplace Deaths in the UK

According to the latest statistics from the Health & Safety Executive, approximately 26% of fatal workplace injuries in Great Britain are the result of a fall from height. Between 2013 and 2018, more workers died from a fall than died from:

• Being struck by a moving vehicle (18%)
• Being trapped under a collapsed/overturned object (9%)
• Coming into contact with moving machinery (9%)

Falls from height also accounted for around 8% of non-lethal accidents in British workplaces during the same period.

How can I protect workers from falls?

The above statistics have prompted calls for more stringent safety laws, but it's worth noting that The Work at Height Regulations 2005 already require work at height to be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner by competent personnel only.

Read More: What Height Safety Equipment is Legally Required?

Perhaps the real problem is that too many employers don't take the existing regulations seriously until an accident has already happened. If you and/or your employees work at potentially dangerous heights, you may require one or more of the following systems to keep them safe:

• Safety Harnesses
• Lanyards
• Fall Arrest Blocks
• Portable Man Anchors
• Deadweight Anchor Systems

Here at SafetyLiftinGear.com, we specialise in high-quality height safety equipment that protects workers from potentially deadly falls. Contact us today to get a quote for your fall protection needs, or use the links below to browse our full range of height safety products.

Height Safety Equipment >   Fall Protection Hire >

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Fall arrest blocks are an essential piece of equipment for safety when working at height or below ground, designed to help minimise the risk of injury or sometimes fatal accidents. Working in these conditions without appropriate safety measures in place such as a fall arrest system not only puts your own safety at danger but others' too.  

Fall arrest blocks are made up of a retractable lifeline, made from either a synthetic rope or steel cable, which retracts up onto a reel stored within a protected housing. This housing is often manufactured from an anti-corrosive metal but in some cases, they can be made from plastic, like some of our G-Force Arrest Blocks, meaning that they are more lightweight and easier to carry. With portability being a real positive with plastic arrest blocks, one of the potential issues that may occur over time is damage as a result of the conditions that they're exposed to. This may propose a new element of risk as you should never use faulty or damaged safety equipment for obvious reasons. 

One way you can combat this potential problem, however, is with a Weather Cover! These handy accessories are designed to protect your fall arrest block against extreme weather conditions and prolong the life of the retractable line. Perfect if you find yourself working outside in an area or country (like the UK) that always seems to be subject to abject weather. Take a look below to see some of the Weather Covers available for our G-Force Arrest Blocks!

Fall Arrest Weather Covers

Weather Cover for G-Force Fall Arrest Blocks

Product Features:

. Clear transparent design allows Block to always been seen

. Dimensions - 500 x 335mm

. Suitable for the following G-Force Arrest Blocks: AH210/AH220/WR025/CR30/WR100/CR200/CR250

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Weather Cover for G-Force CR300 Fall Arrest Block

Product Details:

. Clear transparent design allows Block to always been seen

. Dimensions - 500 x 390mm

. Suitable for the G-Force CR300 20mtr, 25mtr & 28mtr Fall Arrest Blocks

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**Please note that Fall Arrest Blocks are sold separately** Click below to view our full range of Fall Arrest Blocks.

Browse Fall Arrest Blocks >

For more information on our collection of Weather Covers, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our customer services team today by calling 0117 9381 600 or emailing us at sales@safetyliftingear.com - we'd be happy to help!

Have you identified a height safety hazard at work?

If you or your employees are working at a height liable to cause personal injury if they a fall, it is important that proper safety procedures and equipment are implemented. When you have identified hazard associated with working at height, the next step is to choose the correct fall protection equipment and ensure employees are trained on how to use it accordingly.

Should You Wear a Safety Harness?

If you are working at height there is a good chance you should be wearing a safety harness to reduce the risk of a fall. After all, most workplace falls are easily preventable with proper planning and the use of PPE.

Choosing the right safety harness to suit your circumstances is crucial. At SafetyLiftinGear, we offer a comprehensive range of fall protection safety harnesses and safety harness kits that are ideal for a range of conditions.

P11 2-Point Harness Restraint Kit

This harness restraint kit is a perfect choice if you are looking for a cost-effective way of buying several components required to ensure fall protection safety in one place. This kit includes our P11 2-point Full Safety Harness, two screw lock karabiners, one LB100 2 metre Adjustable Restraint Lanyard and a drawstring bag for easy storage. Find out more about this kit by clicking the button below.

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G-Force p70 Multi-Purpose / Rope Access Quick Release Harness

This fall protection safety harness is incredibly versatile. It features quick release buckles, is adjustable at the legs, chest and upper body, and is suitably padded to ensure comfort all day long. It is also available in a range of colours! Find out more below:

Click Here >

These are just a few examples of the fall protection safety harnesses we have on offer at SafetyLiftingGear. To view our full range of fall protection equipment, follow this link. Or to look specifically at our range of safety harnesses, follow this link.

There are some important differences between the terms fall restraint and fall arrest, and it's extremely important to understand these differences (and use the correct safety equipment) when working at height.

According to current height safety regulations, you must:

• Avoid working at height where it's reasonably practicable to do so.
  
  
• Where work at height cannot be avoided, make the working area as safe as possible and take appropriate fall prevention measures (such as installing edge protection barriers).
  
  
• Use a fall restraint system to stop the worker from reaching a fall hazard (like an unprotected roof edge or an open manhole).
  
  
• Use a fall arrest system to limit the distance and consequences of a fall. This option should always be the last resort and must also include adequate means of rescue.

All fall protection systems - including fall restraints AND fall arrests - consist of three essential pieces of equipment: anchors, lanyards and harnesses.

Anchors   Lanyards   Harnesses

Let's take a closer look at the two different types of fall protection system...

Fall Restraint

What are fall restraints?

Fall restraints prevent the worker from being able to reach fall hazards in the first place. Fall restraint systems normally includes a fixed-length lanyard connected to a suitable anchorage point at one end and the worker's safety harness at the other. The length of the lanyard is adjusted to prevent the worker from being able to reach a fall hazard. Fall restraint systems are also referred to as work restraint or simply restraint systems.

When to use fall restraint equipment

A fall restraint system should always be considered before a fall arrest system (in accordance with the current working at height regulations) since fall restraints prevent falls from happening at all. A fall restraint system might also be considered where limited ground clearance is available below the work area. Restraint equipment typically requires less intervention from the worker as they're able to work continuously at a fixed distance from the anchorage point.

Fall restraints are also typically more cost-effective than fall arrest systems due to the fact that shock absorbers are not necessary, and you're not required to have a rescue plan in place for the duration of the work as there should be zero chance of the worker falling or being suspended in their harness.

Fall Arrest

What does 'fall arrest' mean?

A fall arrest system provides maximum freedom of movement for the worker - however, in doing so, it also enables the worker to reach a position where an accidental fall could occur. In the event of a fall, the fall arrest system ensures the worker will be caught before descending. Fall arrest equipment must be selected and positioned to limit the distance and consequences of the fall.

When using a fall arrest system, you will need to utilise a fall arrest harness and an appropriate lanyard. Fall arrest harnesses decelerate the momentum of a fall by absorbing the kinetic energy. Fall arrest harnesses are ergonomically designed to provide utmost comfort, both while working at height and in the event of a fall.

When using fall arrest systems, it's essential that you always use the correct equipment. Click the links below to browse the wide range of fall arrest anchors and fall arrest blocks available from SafetyLiftinGear.

Fall Arrest Anchors   Fall Arrest Blocks

IMPORTANT: When choosing a fall arrest harness, you must ensure that it is fit for purpose. A fall protection harness that's designed to restrain the worker may not be able to safely halt a worker who has fallen from height. Choose a harness that's specifically designed to be used as part of a fall arrest system.

When to use a fall arrest system

A fall arrest system should be used where it is not possible to restrict the worker from reaching a fall hazard. Fall arrest systems would typically be used when work needs to be completed on fragile surfaces, or when the worker is required to work over the leading edge of a fall hazard. If a worker is able to reach a fall hazard, fall arrest equipment (e.g. a fall arrest harness) must be used. Following a fall, consideration must be given to the rescue of the worker - leaving the worker suspended in the air for an extended period of time can result in suspension trauma.

Rescue Equipment

The law states that, when planning work at height, consideration must be given to a full and comprehensive rescue plan. The rescue plan is intended to reduce the risks associated with the worker being suspended after a fall has occurred, and must ensure that the rescue is completed in a prompt and safe manner.

There are several methods of rescue available that are specific to the work environment and location of a fall. Here at SafetyLiftinGear, we offer variety of emergency rescue systems to allow the fast and efficient rescue of a suspended worker.

Click the button below to explore our full range of fall arrest and fall restraint equipment...

Fall Protection Equipment

...and if you have any questions about our fall protection systems, don't hesitate to contact SafetyLiftinGear today.

Some new additions have recently been added to our Fall Protection Beam Anchor Clamps and Trolleys G-force range!

We work to provide the best quality equipment here at SafetyLiftinGear and our new Beam Anchor Clamps and Trolleys do not fall short of this standard. Here's a quick look at the new additions and their benefits. 

Fall Protection Adjustable Beam Anchor 63-304mm

This lightweight adjustable Fall Protection Beam Anchor is fully adjustable and portable. This allows for hands-free horizontal mobility and is ideal for overhead use. Some further benefits include:

• Lightweight but durable
• Easily installed
• Complete with safety lock pins fitted with securing lanyard
• Integrated dual ratcheting adjustment system 

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Fall Protection Fixed Beam Anchor 63-304mm

Similar to our new adjustable beam anchor, this Fall Protection Fixed Beam Anchor is both portable and adjustable to suit your needs. Ideal for use as an anchor on steel beams but also can be attached to vertical l-beams due to the built-in locking mechanism that holds the device securely in place.

• Durable but still lightweight and easily portable
• Allows access to all orientations
• Includes safety lock pins and securing lanyard
• Easily installed

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Fall Protection Fixed Beam Trolley 63-304mm

Our high-quality Fall Protection Adjustable Beam Trolley is the final new addition to our G-force range. This fall protection trolley is both portable and adjustable and moves along horizontal beams as a secure anchor point for your fall arrest equipment. 

• Made of stainless steel and durable aluminium construction
• Easy installation
• Unique design to stop snaphook connecting with edge of beam
• Safety lock pins and securing lanyard included

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All of these items are available to either buy or hire depending on your needs. To hire this equipment, simply click 'hire me' when on the product page and 'enquire' once you reach the checkout. If you'd like to get in touch about any of the products mentioned today, you can do so here.