Controlling the Possible Risks of Working at Height with the Rail and Fall Arrest Systems

Abstract

Thousands of people are employed in the construction field in the countries with both, advanced and developing economies. It is characterized with: constantly changing operations at construction sites; extended chain of contracts, where the relationship between the contractors, sub-contractors and self-employed individuals is hard to ascertain; various jobs concurrently performed by various companies; majority of operations accompanied by high level of risk. Therefore, this is a priority sector for the labour inspectors across the world. Proper and relevant measures are required to prevent any possible risk to the maximum degree when work is performed at height and damage can be caused (e.g.: the use of protective rails). Personal protective equipment for working at height must meet the following demands: a) Linking equipment should be manufactured of pressed or formed steel or similar material; b) The linking equipment should have anti-corrosion ends and a smooth surface to prevent damaging the system components. Personal protective equipment for working at height must provide for arresting the falling employee at 1.8 m height above the ground surface. Body harness, other equipment and components should be used for the employee safety protection only. Their use for lifting/handling other materials is prohibited.