There are some risky workplace settings, for example, tall buildings, construction sites or any geological site need workers & professionals to perform various tasks from a particular height. Construction workers, welders, electricians, painters, etc are the ones who are always ready to work despite knowing the dangers of working at height. Now, working from a height is risky as well as challenging. A worker needs to be very careful while doing his job. He needs to balance himself, carry his work equipment & meticulously perform the given task. All this while being cautious and alert. The fear of falling looms over his mind and one slip may result in a fall accident.
So it’s the duty of the employer to have the best fall protection system in place, to protect the workforce from fall injuries & accidents. The best way to protect employees from fall injuries is to equip them with good quality fall protection equipment. Good quality safety harness is one such safety equipment that protects the wearer from falling and reduces the risk of any fall injury. Guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, are all part of fall protection equipment.
Now, safety harnesses are a legal requirement and mandatory in many industries. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in longshoring operations.
Safety harness is mandatory in a number of industries. For example, construction, oil and gas, mining, firefighting and rescue operations. Let’s know about the industries where the use of good quality safety harness is mandatory.
Construction Industry
Construction industry tops the list of industries where the use of safety harness is mandatory. As the construction work progresses, workers and laborers move from bottom to top. Soon they find themselves operating at a height. And until the task is completed, they are required to stay there. Construction work could take months and in some cases, even years. So the best fall protection system is required to keep the workers safe and prevent fall injuries and accidents.
In 2021, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry. Just over one-third of construction deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. Of these, almost all were from falls to a lower level. The construction industry accounted for 46.2 percent of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2021.
Deaths & injuries resulting from falls are common at construction sites. So workers, laborers, painters, and those involved in tasks such as roofing, scaffolding, need a comfortable and good quality safety harness. A comfortable safety harness will keep the worker safe and prevent him from falling and getting injured. Comfort factor is particularly crucial in a safety harness, as any discomfort caused by wearing a safety harness may put the worker’s life in danger.
Oil and Gas Industry
Oil & Gas Industry operations are mainly carried out on offshore platforms. Extracting, purifying and storing oil and gas involves a number of tasks. Tasks such as drilling, maintenance, equipment installation, and facility operation. However, any oil and gas industry operation begins with equipment installation. All the machinery and equipment must be properly installed so as to make the drilling work easy.
Now, workers and professionals working on offshore platforms operate in a challenging marine environment, and are directly exposed to waves, wind, and bad weather or other workplace hazards. Some workers need to operate at a height. In such an unsafe working environment, safety is very important. Good quality safety harnesses must be provided to prevent accidents and protect workers from the risks associated with working at heights on these offshore & onshore sites.
Mining Industry
Mining engineers, geologists and other mining professionals deal with all kinds of hazards. Be it underground mining or sand mining or other types of mining activity, they get exposed to various kinds of hazards. So they need good quality safety equipment that will keep them protected from rain, dust, heat and other hazards. Some professionals work on mountains, huge rocks, cliffs and other minings sites that are located at extreme heights. So the best fall protection system should be in place for protecting fall injuries and accidents. Good quality safety harness is one such lifesaving safety equipment that will minimize the risk associated with working at heights. Mining workers wearing good quality safety harness will be protected from falling on hard surfaces and rocks.
Manufacturing and Warehousing
Manufacturing and warehousing industry is bustling with multiple activities at a time. The production, distribution and storage of goods require hundreds of workers operating in close proximity. Then there is constant movement of heavy machinery, loading and unloading of materials, stock management etc contribute to generation of loud noise and other potential dangers. In such noisy workplace settings, operating at height becomes more difficult. Workers need to exercise maximum caution when working at heights. Slip or fall or collisions may directly land them on heavy machines. So it’s best to equip employees working in the manufacturing and warehousing industry with good quality safety harnesses that’ll protect them and prevent any fall injuries and accidents.
Firefighting and Rescue Operations
Firefighters and first responders often find them in a situation where they need to climb tall buildings and navigate dangerous situations in quick time. They have a huge responsibility of saving lives. In many scenarios they will be required to jump from tall buildings alone or with someone. Thus, safety harnesses are key to protecting fall injuries and accidents. In the process, saving multiple lives. However, only proper training and good quality safety harness will propel responders to execute their tasks safely.
Wrap Up: 5 Industries Where Safety Harness Is Mandatory
Investing in high-quality safety harnesses is crucial across industries such as construction, oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, warehousing, firefighting, and rescue operations. These industries are prone to various accidents that can result in accidents and life-threatening injuries, with fall-related incidents being very common. Establishing a robust fall protection system is key in ensuring the safety of the workforce. A comprehensive fall protection system includes good quality safety equipment, notably life-saving gear like safety harnesses. Safety harnesses not only prevent falls, but they also contribute to creating a safer and more comfortable working environment at heights. Employers should prioritize acquiring good quality safety harnesses to ensure the well-being of their workers and avoid any legal or financial troubles.
