Workplace accidents caused by falls from height are an everyday occurrence; you only have to follow the news. Every week, one, two, or several incidents happen for this reason.
What matters most to us, as a company that manufactures fall protection systems and devices, is that the user, worker, or individual working more than two meters up feels confident and safe doing the tasks of their job.
Work at height happens in different sectors, not only on a roof or when installing solar panels. The tasks of a painter on a facade, a carpenter repairing furniture at height, or elevator maintenance are also work at height, and therefore require a series of safety devices to work.
Accidents at Height in Different Sectors
As mentioned above, workplace accidents caused by falls from height occur in different fields or sectors. We can see this in the following news stories from various national media outlets.
Solar Panel Installation
The most usual thing, and what we are most used to seeing, is falls from height on roofs when installing solar panels. This is because the right fall protection systems are not used to guarantee the worker’s safety.
“Injured in a workplace accident in the Murcian district of Alquerías” by El Lorquino.
Air Conditioner Repair
Air conditioner installers and repairers are also considered to work at height, since they do their job more than two meters above the ground. In this case, the person suffered a fall while working from a seventh floor in the light well of a building.
“Man dies after falling while repairing an air conditioner in Barcelona” by El Periodico.
Elevator Maintenance
In this case, the worker was performing elevator maintenance seven meters above the ground. Because he was not wearing the necessary safety devices, he plunged down the elevator shaft.
“Worker falls about seven meters down an elevator shaft in Nambroca (Toledo)” by CMM Noticias.
Rope Access Work
When rope access work is performed, specific safety devices must be used, which we will explain later.
“39-year-old resident of Ablitas dies in a workplace accident in Tarazona” by SER.
Painters
It is very common to see painters on a ladder, whether on the street or in our homes. When working at height, regardless of the sector and how routine the task is, the risks involved must be considered. In this case, the deceased was a worker who was painting a facade.
“45-year-old man dies after a fall from height in Calera de León” by elDiario.es.
Fall Protection Devices and Systems
Workplace accidents caused by falls from height, as we have seen, are an everyday occurrence. Every one of them could have been avoided if the necessary safety measures had been taken.
There are different fall protection devices and systems that protect the user while doing their work.
- Safety nets, for fragile roofs.
- Safety guardrails, on a roof.
- Lifelines.
- PPE, such as harnesses, self-retracting lifelines, anchor points, etc.
The latter are the most suitable safety devices when we work from a ladder while painting or when doing rope access work.