Life Saving Commitment #5

Protect yourself against a fall when working at heights

Use fall protection equipment to keep you safe when working outside a protective environment where you can fall 6 feet or more. A protective environment includes approved scaffolds, stairs with handrails, aerial lifts or other equipment that provides a protective system.

You should:

• Have authorization and required training to work at heights outside a protective environment
• Be aware of what fall protection equipment to use and how to use it
• Be trained in the proper use of fall protection equipment and understand the total fall distance
• Check equipment before using it
• Always tie-off to an approved anchorage point when at height outside of a protective environment

If you are the Supervisor or the person in charge of the work you should: 

• Confirm that it is safe to start work at height
• Confirm that appropriate measures have been taken to prevent falls
• Review fall protection plan and communicate the plan to your employees