Selecting and Specifying Effective Fall Protection Systems

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Assess the capabilities and limitations of passive and active fall protection systems
• Evaluate fall protection strategies and select appropriate solutions based on risk, performance, and operational requirements.
• Apply relevant standards and regulatory requirements when evaluating and specifying fall protection solutions.
• Develop performance-based specifications that clearly define complete fall protection system requirements including strength, clearance, rescue, training, inspections and maintenance.

Description

Fall protection decisions carry significant legal, safety, and operational consequences. Selecting components that meet applicable regulations and standards does not automatically result in a compliant or effective fall protection system. Because fall protection equipment, workers, and real-world conditions interact in complex ways, incorrect assumptions during specification or design can leave workers inadequately protected and expose organizations to unnecessary liability.

This course will help you better understand how fall protection systems and components interact with each other, the worker, and real-world conditions. You will learn how to specify the required performance of the assembled system, identify the regulations and standards applicable to your needs, and develop performance-based specifications that can help place responsibility for system design with qualified vendors rather than the end user.

Through practical examples and industry-focused discussions, you will examine the hierarchy of fall protection solutions, compare passive and active approaches, and explore the additional elements needed to support an effective fall protection program. Topics include written procedures, training, inspections, and maintenance requirements, as well as strategies for ensuring fall protection solutions meet the operational, safety, and compliance demands of your work environment.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for:

• Engineers involved in facility, industrial, commercial, or infrastructure projects
• Architects responsible for building design and worker access considerations
• Facility owners and operators responsible for managing fall hazards
• Project managers overseeing construction, maintenance, or renovation work
• Health and safety professionals responsible for regulatory compliance
• Safety inspectors and risk management professionals
• Facility maintenance supervisors and operations leaders
• Contractors involved in the procurement, installation, or management of fall protection systems
• Professionals responsible for developing, reviewing, or approving fall protection specifications

This course is not intended for persons who intend to take responsibility for the design of fall protection systems (unless wanting an overview of specifications they may be expected to comply with, so they may assess what further knowledge may be required to competently design fall protection systems).

• Fundamentals of Fall Protection: Learn about fall protection technology, including the hierarchy of solutions, from passive to active systems.
• Clearance Requirements: Understand generally, the necessary clearances for various fall arrest systems and identify when to consult a Qualified Fall Protection Engineer if clearances may be difficult to meet.
• Standards and Regulations: Explore CSA and international standards relevant to different fall protection systems and how to cite them effectively.
• Writing Specifications: Should vendor qualifications include certifications, experience and insurances. Should a professional engineer sign off that the system meets CSA Z259.16. What other things could you specify so you or your client don’t have to develop them yourself such as use and rescue procedures and training, Should you request life-cycle cost factors (including periodic inspections and maintenance) when comparing pricing of systems.