Risk of falling from height

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According to the Legislative Decree 81/08 art. 107 the risk of falling is when the worker is at more than 2 m above a stable floor while working.

Risk of falling from above: how to protect yourself

risk-of-falling

The risks associated with working activities at a quota level are mainly:

  • risk of falling from a height means a serious risk which can cause permanent injury or death:
    • injuries due to the stopping force,
    • injuries caused by impact with soil or other materials or obstacles,
    • injuries or more generally effects due to prolonged suspension.
  • risk of suspension,
  • environmental risks,
  • risks related to the manual handling of loads,
  • risks related to loads,
  • competing risks

risk of falling from a height means a serious risk which can cause permanent injury or death:

  • injuries due to the stopping force,
  • injuries caused by impact with soil or other materials or obstacles,
  • injuries or more generally effects due to prolonged suspension.

Types of fall

Free fall is a fall where the distance is more than 600 mm in the vertical direction, but also in a slope without the assistance of a handrail.

Limited free fall is the fall where the distance is equal to or less than 600 mm in the vertical direction and on a slope where there is no handrail.

When a person who is giving in is restrained by the action of a suitable retaining device, this is referred to as a contained fall. This drop shall never exceed 600 mm.

Fall totally expected is that situation in which a retention system prevents the worker from reaching the area presenting the risk of falling.

Pendulum effect

Pendulum effect is that phenomenon that occurs whenever a part of the weight of the operator is not balanced by the reaction of the cover and is misaligned with respect to the retaining rope. Due to the oscillation around the worker’s stopping position, the body can undergo rotations and oscillations, with the risk of bumping against projecting elements or the ground itself, especially if you are at a reduced height.

If there is a risk of the user encountering an obstacle during the pendulum effect, it is necessary to adopt a different configuration of the anchor line or an alternative system. To prevent the pendulum effect, it is important to know how to evaluate the air rod, the minimum vertical distance necessary for the worker to stop safely in a fall stop system. The air tie is the stopping distance increased by 1 m as a safety value. The air tie is the stopping distance increased by 1 m as a safety value.

Risk of suspension

Suspension or harness syndrome is a condition that can occur when an inert person remains suspended. In this position, blood tends to accumulate in the legs and lower body, as the force of gravity hinders the venous return to the heart. This can cause cardiovascular failure and cerebral ischemia.

Even conscious suspension, particularly if prolonged and continuous, may pose risks to the health of the worker due to the compression of the vessels of the lower limbs. But in inert suspension following loss of consciousness there is a rapid deterioration of vital functions.

Environmental risks

Despite the work at height can be carried out only if the weather conditions do not endanger the safety of workers (D.Lgs. 81/08 art. 111 c. 7), there are various risks related to environmental conditions such as the fall of objects or structural parts from above, collapses, uncontrolled felling, slipping of the supports, structural failure, exposure to atmospheric lightning, fire.

Risks related to the manual handling of loads

Manual handling of loads causes damage if you lift weights by curving your back, if a fixed position is maintained for a long time, and if you are pulling or pushing.

Competing risks

Concurrent risks are those hazards that can occur simultaneously or in rapid succession, increasing the overall risk of an adverse event or accident. These risks can come from different sources, such as environmental conditions, equipment. In work at height, the main competing risks are poor shoe grip, glare, rapid cooling, reduced visibility, heat stroke, dehydration, dizziness and balance disturbances.

Types of PPE

Art. 111 of D.Lgs. 81/08 indicates first of all to give priority to collective protection measures and secondly to equipment suited to the nature of the work, foreseeable stresses and a risk-free circulation. PPE for work at height is chosen according to some fundamental criteria:

  • the operator must work and move easily,
  • assessment of the compatibility of the device with the specific work to be carried out,
  • compatibility assessment of all system components,
  • preparation of a procedure for the recovery of the worker in the event of a fall.

PPE for the retention

They prevent falls from above by limiting the operator’s displacement so that it does not reach the areas where it is possible to fall.

PPE for the positioning

They allow the operator to work tension-supported.

Systems to stop the fall

They consist of several elements: harness, energy absorber, lanyard, connector and anchor point. The lanyard can have a maximum length (including connectors) of 2 m. The function of the energy absorber is to dissipate kinetic energy during the fall; the requirements are laid down in the standards UNI 355 and UNI 364. Connectors can be automatic or manual locking.

The harness is designed to distribute tension on the body during fall and fall. It consists of the following elements: shoulder straps, front strap, belt adjustment buckle, thigh, shoulder adjustment buckles, positioning belt, back hook, thigh adjustment buckles, marking.

Restraining systems complying with EN 358 and work positioning belts shall consist of a belt positioned at waist level, with a support back and at least two attachment points to connect a positioning or restraining cord, which can be adjustable or fixed.

The leg belt, in accordance with EN 813, is used in restraint, work positioning and rope access systems, but only when activities are not at risk of falling from the top or tipping over, as it is not suitable for stopping free falls safely. It consists of a belt and padded thighs of adequate size to ensure optimal comfort to the operator and has a central attachment.

A fall arrester system with retractable devices consists of a harness and a retractable fall arrester attached to an anchorage point with self-locking reel and retractable cord. The retractable device blocks movement when exceeding the speed of 1,5 m/s and has a maximum stopping distance of 2 m.

Finally, between the PPE can not miss the helmet for the protection of the head and the shoes that can be of type SB, S1, S2 or S3.

Anchorages

The anchorages consist of three elements: support structure, anchor and element to be fixed.

The type of anchorages corresponds to the standards that meet:

  • UNI EN 795: temporary anchoring devices:
    • designed exclusively for fall-proof PPE,
    • usable by a single worker,
    • removable from the anchoring structures without damaging them.
  • EN 11578: permanent anchoring devices:
    • designed exclusively for fall-proof PPE,
    • also usable for multi-user,
    • removable from the anchoring structures without damaging them.
  • UNI EN 516 and 517: safety hooks.
  • Circular MLPS 85/78, 44/90, 132/91: anchorages for scaffolding.
  • ETAG 001: concrete anchors.
Marking of anchorages

Permanent anchorages do not fall within the scope of Legislative Decree 475/92 and are therefore not PPE and therefore should not be CE marked. On the other hand, non-permanent anchorages are considered PPE and must therefore be CE marked.

Conclusion

Preventing the risk of falling from a height at the workplace is a priority in protecting the health and safety of workers. The implementation of appropriate safety measures, in combination with the use of the most appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), is a crucial factor in ensuring a safe working environment. The implementation of appropriate safety measures, in combination with the use of the most appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), is a crucial factor in ensuring a safe working environment.