Solar Lattice

Tool

Fall protection equipment

ID
tool:fall-protection
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/tool/fall-protection
Status
active
Also known as
harness, fall arrest, fall-protection system
Category
PPE
Tool kind
ppe

Fall protection equipment keeps workers from falling, or stops a fall safely, during PV work on ladders and rooftops, where falls are the leading cause of construction deaths. OSHA calls guardrail systems, safety net systems and personal fall arrest systems conventional fall protection, and it encourages systems that prevent falls in the first place, such as guardrails. Skylight domes and glazing usually cannot hold a worker's weight, so skylights must be protected with barriers or covers. A personal fall arrest system is made up of an anchorage and connectors, a full body harness, and a lanyard or deceleration device. When moving around a roof, clip a shock-absorbing lanyard to the back D-ring of the harness. Safety line anchorages must be independent of any platform anchorage and able to hold at least 5,000 pounds per worker. Fall protection must be in place before work starts. Employers must train workers to use and maintain the fall protection system, including anchorages, lifelines and harnesses. A job hazard analysis and a pre-job checklist help pick the right system for the task. Safety monitors and warning lines are the least desirable option. Where you can, do work such as panel pre-assembly at ground level instead.

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