PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Before disconnecting, ensure all pressure is purged from system.

PPE is usually considered a ‘last-resort’ in safety, as you should remove, reduce and isolate the risk instead.

Fall protection PPE is divided into three categories, which are (in order of increasing risk):-

• Work restraint
• Work positioning
• Fall Arrest

Naturally, when planning your work you must try to use the safest practicable option, and the WAHR place specific demands on both employers and employees to select, maintain and use their fall protection PPE correctly. As with all personal safety systems, their effectiveness is an issue both of the design of the equipment and the ability of the worker to use it properly. The WAHR requires everyone using fall protection PPE to be trained, however the users may need to use different systems on occasion, and should also be familiar with the makes and models they use – so read the instruction books!

As soon as fall protection PPE (of any class) is used on a job, then some very important clauses of the WAHR apply:

• A minimum of two trained users must be on site
• All users must be trained in rescue from the PPE after an accident
• A pre-planned emergency procedure must be created
• All PPE must be inspected and maintained, with written records kept
• All anchor points must be suitable and sufficient
• Designated PPE anchors (bolts, wires, etc) need annual inspection * Work must be minimised, both in risk and in duration.