Personal Fall Arrest Protection (PFAS) Planning
Aron Csont, Safety Council Board  11-2019

When it comes to fall protection, there are many things to consider. Depending on the situation, this could take some time to plan out, but taking the time to plan your work will ensure your employees are working safely and that you are using the correct personal fall arrest equipment for your elevated work activities. Here are three simple steps to take when it comes to planning for fall protection.

Plan Ahead: A great way to get workers involved is to use a Pre-Task to inform workers on an upcoming task and to discuss the work plan and associated hazards. Planning will also help you discern the necessary fall protection equipment.

Provide the Right Equipment: Make sure you have the right safety equipment readily available. A harness and a lanyard may not provide adequate protection for the activity. Evaluate the work, understand the fall hazard and utilize your Pre-Task Plan to help identify the proper equipment that will protect your workers from the specific fall hazard they are facing.

Train: There are four levels of fall protection training; Awareness, Authorized User, Competent Person and Qualified Person. Know and understand what level of training needs to be provided to your employees. Training helps all employees recognize their exposure to fall hazards and the correct methods to protect themselves and others. Lastly, what will you do in the event of a fall? Train on emergency procedures, so if there is a fall rescue can be executed immediately.

By following these three steps you can save time and money, but more importantly you can save a life!