It should always be a priority to give workers the best available safety equipment. That extra layer of precaution can help prevent them from suffering work-related injuries or worse. When work is completed from an elevated position, even just a few feet off the ground, fall arrest systems are necessary to help prevent injuries. Let's take a closer look at why you should utilize them at your worksite.

OSHA Requires It

The higher up someone works, the more important it becomes to provide safety equipment that can help save them from a fall. In our experience, working even just 10 feet above the ground increases the potential for suffering a fatal fall injury. According to Occupational Health & Safety, personal fall arrest systems protected workers in more than 31% of falls in the workplace.

Scaffolding Isn't Foolproof

The higher up someone goes, the more likely a fall will result in a severe accident. In the best-case scenario, they'll escape unscathed, but the potential for suffering a catastrophic injury increases as people work higher in the air. Scaffolding and other safety equipment can help to prevent falls. However, it's the fall-arrest equipment that stops them from falling to the ground or floor.

Scaffolding is proven to safeguard workers doing their jobs while in elevated positions, but it's not foolproof. Scaffolding must have guardrails that are sufficiently high and secure enough to stop workers from falling. Scaffolding also has to be secure and provide sure footing, but personal safety equipment adds an extra layer of protection. Even when in great condition, loose tools, materials, or debris might cause a worker to fall.

Protect Against Liability

Employers are responsible for giving their workers and employees the safety tools needed to help them stay as safe as possible while doing their jobs. Providing them with the proper safety equipment helps to protect employees and employers against the potential harm that accompanies a workplace accident. It's important to make sure anyone who puts on a safety harness knows how to use it properly.

If you're ready to learn more about fall arrest systems to protect your workers, you're in luck! Here at Northland Safety Solutions LLC, our team of experts specialize in engineering fall protection systems. We're backed by over 50 years of experience and are OSHA-certified. Contact us today to learn more.