The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has detailed strict guidelines for how to prevent injury and death when faced with the possibility of falling from a high area. OSHA breaks up fall protection into four distinct categories. This includes positioning, retrieval, suspension, and fall arrest. When working with rigging supplies and crane wire rope, it is common for individuals to need equipment to stay safe from potential falls.
When looking at different fall safety equipment, it is important to know that products are rated in different class types. Knowing the distinction between types can help to save the lives of you and your colleagues. Class 1 equipment is a body belt, and they are designed to keep a worker in place while in a hazardous position. A chest harness is considered class 2 equipment, and it should only be used for limited falls (not vertical free falls). Class 3 is a full body harness, and class 4 is a suspension belt.
Regardless of class or type, it is important to inspect and maintain your fall protection equipment. You should check:
- D-ring for distortions, breaks, or cracks
- Broken webbing
- Buckle distortions
- Broken and/or frayed strands
- Broken rivets
Wire Rope
If any problems are found, whether they are big or small, it is important to not use that piece of fall protection equipment. Staying safe is the only way to get the job done.
Working in the rigging supply and crane wire rope business means that fall risks are present almost every day. Follow OSHA's guidelines and stay safe on the job.
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