For this, there are many safety precautions that can be implemented such as roof anchor points and roof safety rails. However, if you’re trying to decide between the two, a roof safety rail could be the better option. For one thing, it rates higher on the hierarchy of control compared to some other roof safety equipment. Continue reading to find out why.

Roof safety rails – Providing unrivalled height safety and support

Roof railings are used for the same purpose as stair railings – to provide safety and support to users. It creates a physical barrier for people on the roof who may need to get close to the edge. With the help of the roof safety rail, anyone who is on the roof will feel safe while they work.

What is it made of?

Roof safety rails are typically manufactured from high-grade aluminium. The benefit of having a roof railing being made from aluminium is that it won’t corrode when exposed to rain and it’s UV resistant.

Another added benefit to a roof safety railing is you can get them custom-made. This is to give you the best in terms of safety as well as design. The railing won’t negatively affect the aesthetics of your house or building, even as a permanent fixture.

Why a permanent roof safety rail is the better option

When it comes to a permanent roof safety railing, it prevents anyone from getting too close to the edge and potentially falling off the elevated surface. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that anyone working on your rooftop won’t be at risk if they’re near the edge. The barrier from the roof railing will ensure they stay safe while working on the roof.

Of course, roof anchor points are also a piece of fall arrest equipment for fall protection that help to prevent someone from impacting after a fall has occurred. But the correct use of roof anchors determines their efficiency, meaning it’s rated differently than safety rails in terms of the hierarchy of control for working at heights. A roof safety rail is intended to prevent the fall from occurring, hence why it is rated highly in the hierarchy of control.

So, a roof anchor point may be your first thought when thinking about roof safety, but a permanent roof safety rail is more impressive when you’re using the higher hierarchy of control to guide your decisions. This makes it the best piece of height safety equipment in many instances.

Note: You’ll need to make sure that whatever safety equipment you choose is installed correctly as efficiency is not only about how it’s made but how it’s installed.

More height safety equipment to consider

You shouldn’t think of just one way to manage height safety as working at an extreme height is dangerous. Instead, you should consider as many options available to you as possible. This way the likelihood of an accident or fall happening is reduced dramatically. Here are a few other options:

• Roof walkways
• Roof platforms
• Static lines
• Roof ladders
• Roof access hatches

Having all of these options available helps you provide the best possible roof safety no matter who is going onto the rooftop. Accidents can happen at any point, so make sure you’ve covered all your bases which includes safety gear. Ensure that your crew is wearing the correct safety gear on-site and on rooftops.

Remove the danger for anyone that needs to be on the rooftop of your house or building by installing roof safety railing.

Do you need a permanent roof safety rail installed on your building? Contact Austral Height Safety today for your height safety needs!

The post Why a Permanent Roof Safety Rail is One of the Best Pieces of Height Safety Equipment appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

For example, when having roof safety equipment installed, such as roof anchor points and roof ladders, you would need the certification to show that it is a certified system that you are legally able to utilise. Receiving equipment certification from your installer is vital. Let’s go through the reasons why this must be a priority on your to-do list.

It’s the Law

When having a roof anchor point installed, not only does the installer need to be certified but you also need a certification for the equipment before you or anyone else can use it. This has been stated in the Australian AS/NZS 1891.4 2009 regulations.

This is a safety measure that has been put in place to ensure that all the right checks and tests have been done before use. If you’re having roof anchors or roof anchor points installed, you need the anchor certification from the installer so that you have all the product information and proof that the equipment was installed correctly.

Prevents Faulty Equipment

Providing all the correct checks have been completed for your equipment, little should go wrong and if something does then at least you’ve followed the right steps. Otherwise, it would be no fault but your own.

Faulty equipment is something that should be avoided at all costs, even if you think it will do the job you need it to do. If you install poor quality equipment that breaks, it can lead to injuries or death which you would then be responsible for. This is why it is essential that you choose certified installers that will provide you with certified equipment.

Calling the right team and business to install your roof safety needs is extremely important as they will ensure that everything is done the correct way. This helps you create a safe environment for your team, which will help them be more focused on the task at hand.

Provides the Correct Installation

There would be no point in investing in the right equipment to then have something go wrong all because it wasn’t installed the correctly. It is vital that you get expert installers that are certified to install roof safety equipment when you plan a project.

If you’re unsure whether equipment has been installed correctly or if it’s been a while since the installation, then you should call for a height safety audit. This will get you the peace of mind you need. When an audit is performed, you will have:

• Risk areas checked
• The right certification
• A site safety inspection
• Height safety assessment

With all of the above, you will know without a doubt that your building or site has height safety risks eliminated.

In all these steps, the certification from your service provider plays an important role in guaranteeing whether the work or checks adhere to relevant industry standards.

Final Thoughts

You need to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to not only protect your staff but to also protect yourself. If someone were to get injured while under your watch, you could face significant legal action.

So, for everyone’s benefit and to let your business run smoothly, get the right equipment and never forget about those certificates.

When you partner with Austral Height Safety you’re guaranteed peace of mind because we can supply you with all the necessary equipment and installation certification. Need a certified height safety audit? We do that too!

Let’s discuss your needs on 03 9462 3350.

The post 3 Reasons Why Your Height Safety Installer Needs to Provide You with Certification appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

Are you continuously putting items like a roof ladder at the bottom of your priority list? Perhaps you think you’ll upgrade your building and make it more accessible for the next scheduled maintenance. But then you never get around to it. Rather educate yourself about your options as well as the legal requirements, so you stay compliant and create a safe environment.

Remember, safe workers will work faster and more efficiently, so this is for everybody’s benefit!

Multiple Installation Options

Today, the height systems industry provides you with a range of options to use on your building to improve access. You can therefore pick what suits you in terms of functionality, but also aesthetics. For example, if you don’t want to install a feature on the outside of your building, that’s where a unit such as a roof access hatch could come in handy.

Of course, the feature must be suitable for your type of building and layout. But, with the many installations on the market, you can find a setup that suits your personal preferences and even your budget. Options include:

• Ladder systems
• Pull down ladders
• Roof access hatches

It’s not only about gaining access to the roof. Once someone is up there, he or she needs to move around comfortably as well as safely. Options such as the following are available:

• Roof walkway systems that make it safer when walking across a roof section
• Roof anchor points to which a worker can be connected to
• Safety rails as physical barriers and to hold onto; they form an extra layer of security when installed near slippery surfaces or beside a steep ladder

You can also consider height safety platforms that turn a dangerous area on the roof into a safer working environment.

What the Law Requires

Australia has strict height safety standards, and as a building owner, you carry the responsibility to ensure workers on your premises are safe. For the height safety system components mentioned above, there are clear rules of compliance they need to adhere to. Educate yourself about these laws so you can discuss them with your height safety systems installer:

• AS/NZS 1891.1 for harnesses
• AS/NZS 1891.2 for Guardrails
• AS/NZS 1891.3 for any fall arrest device
• AS/NZS 1891.4 if you use industrial fall rest and devices
• AS/NZS 1657:2018 for ladders, walkways, platforms and stairs
• AS/NZS 4488 for rope access

When you work with Austral Height Safety as your height safety partner, we can issue you with certification proving the necessary compliance.

Ongoing Responsibilities

So, you have everything in place to offer easy roof access for a maintenance worker. Just remember, your responsibility doesn’t stop there. You need to ensure those areas stay compliant, so your installations must undergo regular inspections. A company like Austral Height Safety can help with these checks and audits, giving you peace of mind that you’re doing all you can for on-site workers.

You can take this one step further and use these experts to train personnel that will do the maintenance or work on the façade. Make sure anyone using your new roof access equipment knows how to use it correctly, further minimising the risk of injury.

Yes, it’s worth going the extra mile. The time, money and effort you invest today will prevent unnecessary injury, risk and even legal cases of negligence against you.

The Right Height Safety Partner

It’s easy to stay compliant and transform your building into a more accessible, safe space, even when it comes to the roof. Simply contact Austral Height Safety about your needs on 03 9462 3350 so we can discuss your requirements. With five decades of experience behind us, we’re the experts you and your contractors need.

The post Managing Façade & Maintenance Workers for Building Owners—How to Make Your Roof More Accessible appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

Over the past few years, there have been changes to the guidelines for certain at height work scenarios. More specifically, anyone using single point anchors as roof anchor points now have to keep the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 5532 in mind. What does this mean for you and your team? This summary will guide you through the need-to-know facts.

What is AS/NZS 5532?

AS/NZS 5532 lays out various requirements for anchor devices, whether fixed or of a portable single-point type. The standards are set in place to keep workers safe when working at height and cover topics like:

• Performance requirements
• Packaging
• Marking
• Labelling
• Testing methodologies

What Compliance Issues Should You Know About?

It Should be Tested in Various Scenarios and on Different Surfaces

The guidelines acknowledge that the efficiency of a roof anchor point does also depend on the quality of the surface or structure it’s used on. This makes it important that an anchor point be tested on such a surface before you can claim it carries compliance with AS/NZS 5532.

This is also why quality suppliers like SAYFA provide clear guidelines and recommendations of how an anchor must be installed. For example, it can be done through the roof surface into the purlin to prevent anything sliding out of place.

Four Tests Required

Your roof anchor point manufacturer must have proof that four different tests are done before an anchor point is certified to be compliant. All are done with 15kN loads:

• Two static load tests: one across the roof sheet and the other in line with it.
• Two dynamic loads tests: one in line and the other across the roof sheet.

The Responsibility Lies with You

Anything happening on your premises is your responsibility. This means it’s up to you to check with your roof anchor point supplier or manufacturer whether AS/NZS 5532 compliance is in place for the components you obtain from them. Never assume that it is and ask for proof to give you and your employees peace of mind.

After Deployment Also Matters

An additional matter to discuss with a supplier is the condition of a roof anchor point after a fall arrest situation occurred. Will it still suffice as part of a rescue operation? You don’t want to exacerbate a problem by using a damaged unit that could place someone else’s life at risk.

What About Maintenance?

AS/NZS 5532 actually doesn’t cover the topic of maintenance or future inspections of an installation. However, you still carry a responsibility to maintain a safe working environment wherever someone is working at height.

Total Compliance for Peace of Mind

Are you sure your workplace is compliant? Give yourself peace of mind by partnering with a height safety systems market leader like Austral Height Safety. With leading brands like SAYFA as our suppliers, you can be sure all roof anchor points and other products adhere to the necessary guidelines, helping you stay legal on-premises and keeping your team safe.

For any questions or proof of the quality service and products we provide, talk to us on 03 9462 3350.

The post What You Should Know About Roof Anchor Point Compliance—AS/NZS 5532 appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

Falls not only cost the company time and money but are devastating to an employee’s family, their attitudes and their ability to do the work they were employed to do. The first step to providing a safe working environment is risk assessment. Identify the most common roof safety hazards and make sure all employees know and follow the safety procedures. Here are some main points to consider.

Safe Roof Access

When performing a risk assessment analysis, it’s important to start at the ground level. Construction workers will need safe access to the roof via a certified roof ladder. Roof access ladders must be properly secured and appropriate for the type of access your workers will need. Workers should be required to wear a safety harness when climbing above 2 Meters.

During construction, workers may also need to gain access via a roof access hatch. These hatches can pose a large safety risk if they are not compliant or are installed incorrectly. Installing rooftop safety railings for hatches is required to help prevent falls as per Australian Standards.

Leading edges are one of the most dangerous safety hazards on the job site because there is no barrier at the roof edge. This means there is nothing to prevent a worker from falling off the edge of the roof. Safety railings need to be installed to minimise this danger. This is a form of Elimination.

According to the latest safety statistics, more than 50% of falls are from less than 3 meters high. This means that accidental falls even happen as the worker is ascending or descending from the roof or elevated area. That is why it’s imperative that the roof access features you use are up to standard and that workers make sure they are wearing a safety harness where required.

Fall Protection Plan

It’s a requirement by law to have a fall protection plan. This plan calls for a contractor to perform a risk analysis on the job. All unprotected openings, hatchways and potential falling dangers must be fenced off or barricaded.

The roof itself should be checked for wear and tear and its loadbearing capacity established. Scaffolding or mobile elevating work platforms are also a safe form of temporary roof access. If this option isn’t possible, then portable industrial ladders with a load rating of at least 125kg can be used.

Protecting from Above

When work is being carried out there is a high probability that tools or other heavy equipment could be dropped. This poses a huge risk to those working below and should be closely managed.

Protect ground level workers by isolating the area below where the roof work is taking place. Toe boards must be fixed as temporary edge protection to hold loose debris and tools that are not being used.

Only those that are carrying out the work should be allowed to enter. The area must be clearly marked as a no-go zone and closely monitored.

If work needs to be carried out on a pitched surface the pitch can’t be greater than 10 degrees. In this case, a safe access route or working platform will need to be designed.

Training is Essential

Everyone involved in the project must be trained sufficiently and know what is required of them. There must be a fall prevention strategy and all workers must be required to learn it. All workers should know what the procedure is in case of a fall.

Keep Up to Date with Current Legislations

If you are the facilities manager, you have a duty to protect the people that work for you. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the current legislation and make sure you are in adherence.

In the name of safety, prevention is always better than cure and every possible step should be taken to protect your workers from potential dangers. Complying with the laws and conducting a thorough risk analysis is paramount to being safe when anyone works on a roof.

If you require any assistance with roof access systems, don’t hesitate to contact us on 03 9462 3350 or send us an email at admin@australsafety.com.au.

The post How You Can Make Roof Access as Safe as Possible For Your Staff and Contractors appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

Anchor Points Construction: What Are Anchor Points Made of?

Working at heights is necessary for many different tasks and can take place on a variety of surfaces. It makes sense then that one type of roof anchor point won’t work for all these scenarios, so there is a variety of anchor point products and systems available on the market to suit each individual uses. Each one is designed with the work type in mind and constructed using the most suitable materials for the job. Let’s take a look at what those materials are!

Roof anchor products from top vendors, like Austral Height Safety’s supplier Sayfa, have all been constructed from reliable materials, such as:

• Profiled stainless steel: Used for components like anchor base plates and swivel eyes. The profiling process allows for great accuracy during manufacturing, so each hole and contour will be exactly what is required to ensure efficiency and durability.
• Powder coated aluminium: Popular for the pivot arms. The powder coating offers impressive abrasion resistance, so there will be less corrosion and flaking.
• High tensile extruded aluminium: Appropriate for parts like deck clamps. Despite this metal being fairly lightweight, it’s still impressively strong. Aluminium is also a good option for use in cold environments.
• 316 Stainless steel: Strong enough for concrete mount anchors and an excellent option for surfaces that get hot, since it offers heat resistance. It also doesn’t corrode easily.

You can see, apart from their strength, these materials are able to endure many weather conditions, which is particularly important as roof anchors are typically installed outdoors. Longevity is also extremely important, especially for permanent installations. You can have peace of mind that even after months or years, your roof anchor point will still perform to best of its abilities thanks to its quality construction.

The weight allowance of the anchor point will depend on the type of roof anchor point you use, but their design and materials still make them practical to use. For example, temporary anchor points can weigh around 4kg up to 8kg without their fixings. This makes them sturdy, yet manageable and portable for the installation process.

A Note on Accessories

Not only does the 3sixty and explora 141 surface anchor point itself that determine its safety and efficiency, but it must also be held in place securely. Here we are referring to the anchor fixings. The type of surface an anchor is mounted to will determine this, such as self-drilling Tek screws for fixing the anchor on a metal surface or a type 14 Tek screw for timber fixing.

4 Features that Show Your Anchor Point can be Trusted

It’s clear only the best materials are used in anchor points from trusted brands like Sayfa. It’s also important to look at the following when you’re comparing different anchor products:

• Warranty: A warranty is proof of a vendor’s trust in its own product. So, even if you only plan on using a roof anchor point for a short while you need a long-term warranty on the gear. Quality components such as the ones from Sayfa have cover for up to 10 years, as long as proper maintenance is completed. This will require annual inspections and frequent checks, depending on the usage.
• Labels: Control is vital in an industry where the work and gear can mean life or death to workers. According to Australian and New Zealand standards, an anchor point must have details on display, such as when it was installed, who the installer was and also information about inspections. You’ll find this written on labels and tags on the unit.
• Compliance: Sourcing from quality manufacturers means your anchor points are made to be compliant with the country’s OHS codes.
• Load limits: Each anchor point, based on design, certification and its testing, will have a working load limit. This shows you how to ensure safe usage by simply not overloading it.

Final Thoughts

There are so many safety precautions that you should put into place before stepping foot on a rooftop. Accidents can happen quickly, but many injuries can be avoided. Knowing the ins and outs of your safety equipment is a wise first step. Call a height safety expert such as Austral to assist you.

Have any more questions? Our experts are happy to answer and assist with your project and decision making. Contact Austral Height Safety: admin@australsafety.com.au or 03 9462 3350.

The post What Are Anchor Points Made of? appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

What You Need to Know About Australian Standard Roof Anchor Points.

What Are Roof Anchor Points?

Roof Anchor points are equipment typically installed on roofs or other places where work is conducted at heights. These roof anchor points are an anchoring system for workers to connect height safety equipment (such as lanyards or lifelines) and aid in fall restraint and fall arrest. Anchor Points are made of the highest quality materials. Stainless steel is used as it is a superior material for Anchor Point Systems.

Why do you need roof anchor points when working at heights?

Roof anchor points are required when working at heights to protect workers from a fall or height-related injuries. Without this equipment (and other types of height safety equipment) workers would be faced with a high risk of injury or even death, which is not a prospect anyone should be faced with when they turn up to work. Companies also have a responsibility to protect their employees, and there are laws in place that stipulate the duties and obligations that an organisation must abide by to ensure a safe work environment.

Negligence is punishable by Australian law. See the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s New Workplace Manslaughter Laws.

When are roof anchors required?

The requirement of a roof anchor will depend on the type of height work being conducted. Jobs entailing roof access for maintenance or repair such as servicing air conditioners, gutter cleaning, facade access or roof maintenance are examples of the types of height-related work that may require roof anchor points. Not all forms of height related work require a roof anchor, but others will. Ensuring you have the correct height safety equipment for the job is essential, and the team at Austral Height Safety can assist you with this.

Types of Roof Anchors

There is a range of roof anchor types and each one is designed with specific types of jobs, configurations and installation methods in mind:

• Surface mounted
• Purlin mounted
• Steel Structure fix
• Concrete Fix
• Friction Fix

There are two anchor point system configurations:

• Fall arrest anchor points: In the case that a worker slips and free falls, a fall-arrest system would “arrest” the person falling in mid-air saving them from severe injury or death. An anchor point forms part of this fall-arrest system.
• Rope access anchor points: Designed for workers to safely ascend, descend and traverse ropes while suspended with ease. Rope access anchor point systems allow workers to access external areas of a building to conduct work, e.g. façade maintenance, window repair and window cleaning to name a few.

What Are Roof Anchor Points Made Off?

Roof anchor points are typically manufactured using high-strength stainless steel. This is the preferred material for manufacturing thanks to its high-strength properties and resilience to Australia’s harsh external environment.

At Austral Height Safety, we source our equipment from reputable suppliers such as Sayfa Systems and 3M, who manufacture and test their anchor points in compliance with AS/NZS 5532.

How To Install A Permanent Roof Anchor?

Anchor point installation is best left to the professionals, such as the qualified and experienced team at Austral. Qualified roof anchor installers are trained to review a working environment’s proposed use and analyse a roof’s condition, allowing them to determine the most suitable height safety equipment for installation and develop an appropriate roof anchor system for your particular project. Anchor Points must be installed by Certified Installers, please don’t risk it. We have seen some disastrous results of Cowboy installers which luckily did not lead to injuries or death.

In addition to using high-quality roof anchors and getting them professionally installed, anchor point testing and safety inspections must be carried out every 12 months. This is mandatory to the Australian Standards which ensures that your roof anchors and height safety equipment continue to meet the mandatory Australian safety standards and workplace requirements. Austral’s experts can perform height safety audits and inspections at your request.

Why Choose Austral Height Safety?

It’s essential that your roof anchor points are industry compliant, sturdy and reliable so that they protect workers and allow them to work efficiently. By bringing in the experts, you can rest assured that your anchor point installations are safe and meet the necessary industry and Australian Standards. Call our experienced team of height safety Melbourne installers today on (03) 9462 3350 or send us an email at admin@australsafety.com.au.

The post Essential Guide to Roof Anchor Points appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

Having guidelines and the experience to identify your safety options which could help you approach Working at Heights in an organised manner. This is where the hierarchy of control comes in handy. Below you’ll see how it applies to working at height specifically.

What is the Hierarchy of Control?

The hierarchy of control was originally developed by the research agency, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). It’s an effective system to use when you need to control risks in a working environment.

There are different ways of interpreting the system, with some users grouping certain levels together. Generally, you can use the following levels, with the highest protection levels offering the most efficient risk control in the top tiers:

• Elimination: Can you entirely remove the source of the hazard?
• Substitution: Is there an alternative to the equipment or activity you’re considering, that carries less risk?
• Isolation: Will it be possible to isolate workers from the hazard?
• Engineer controls: Can you re-engineer, make physical changes to equipment or adjust work systems?
• Administrative controls: How can you change job rotations, how people work or use signage to control the risk?
• PPE: Will protective equipment offer protection for workers? This lower-level option is the least reliable and least efficient in most cases.

The goal is to create a situation with as little risk as possible. You need to consider all your options and implement what will give you as much of the following as possible:

• Lowering risk, up to the point of nullifying a hazard
• Maximising the control, you have in the situation

The Hierarchy and its Role when Working at Heights

This hierarchy is a general guideline for all work environments, but it’s ideal if you have a team working at heights. Here are practical examples to try for each level mentioned above:

• Elimination: Look for ways to avoid working at heights. Perhaps there are tasks you can complete while workers are on the ground, rather than performing it up in the air. Even try to avoid working at height if the surface isn’t sturdy enough to carry workers’ weight.
• Substitution: If you do need to work at a height, can you identify the safest place? Maybe use an EWP or Crane with Manbox…
• Isolation: You can at least isolate workers from some risks by installing height safety systems such as barriers. This prevents them from reaching hazardous areas such as the edge of a roof.
• Engineer controls: It’s always important to improve safety measures by installing and maintaining equipment and checking that it’s stable. Installing static lines, roof anchor points and fall arrest equipment will give you the engineering controls required to get the job done. Our experts can perform height safety audits to ensure your systems are all compliant.
• Administrative controls: Signs that remind workers of safety guidelines can help prevent certain accidents. Anyone who will work high up also needs to undergo relevant training.
• PPE: Protective clothing and gear like Harnesses and Lanyards will prevent certain injuries if a fall does take place.

Important Guidelines When Using the Hierarchy of Control

Scanning through the hierarchy and understanding which tasks relate to each level does come with an unfortunate risk. You may notice a task or guideline that’s easy to implement in a particular situation and be tempted to implement that and only that. But this approach doesn’t mean you’re optimising safety on site.

One method used on its own may offer some control but provides far less protection than is possible if you harness all your resources. Apart from it being your legal responsibility to create a safe working environment, your workers working at heights deserve optimal protection.

In many cases, your height safety systems can efficiently help you manage risk and eliminate hazards on various levels of the list shown above. When you use a trusted partner in height safety systems, you can have peace of mind that your workers will be as safe as possible, which is why we invite you to talk to Austral Height Safety.

From audits to installing height safety products, we can assist, helping you cover all possible levels in the hierarchy of control. Take back control and manage your risks when working at heights. Talk to us about a quote on 03 9462 3350.

The post The Hierarchy of Control & Working at Heights appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

The Importance of Understanding All Safety Options

While working on a roof or doing construction, do you always have anchor points on roof surfaces in place? Have you asked yourself if roof safety Guardrails or a working platform will be necessary?

When people’s lives are at risk, you need to consider more than what is needed in case someone falls. What if you could have prevented that person from ever getting into the situation of being so close to the edge and losing their balance?

When you understand the difference between fall restraint and fall arrest solutions, it becomes clear how many opportunities you have to safeguard people’s lives. If someone should fall, there are different stages leading up to that event. You can often implement safety equipment at each of those stages, minimising the risk of someone falling. And that’s why you need to understand both fall restraint and arrest methods.

Two Important Steps in Safety Management

There is actually a third option apart from fall restraint and fall arrest, namely fall protection. This will be anything that affects how hurt someone will be after falling. For example, wearing PPE will result in fewer injuries compared to wearing only general clothing.

When you talk about fall restraint measures or equipment, it’s anything put in place to prevent an individual from reaching a hazardous position. There are many resources you can use to keep workers away from the edge of a roof, even if they’re concentrating on work instead of being careful about where they’re stepping.

In contrast, fall arrest resources will be what stops—arrests—you mid-fall. Of course, it’s ideal that no one ever gets into the situation of falling, but accidents do happen and in some situations you may not be able to put fall restraint measures in place. Then you need to know something will prevent the individual from falling all the way onto the lower surface and getting hurt (or worse).

Both of these categories are necessary, and neither is necessarily better than the other. However, if a fall restraint system will hamper your work, fall arrest is the more practical option. Or perhaps it’s impossible to keep the worker away from the drop, such as when working on a roof ladder. You need to assess the situation, know your different resources and implement them to create the safest working environment you can.

Practical Examples

You can customise your work setup to suit your needs, thanks to various fall restraint and arrest options.

For fall restraint you have options such as:

• A lanyard with a fixed-length connecting the worker to a roof anchor point. It must be short enough that when it’s stretched out, the individual can still not reach the edge of the roof.
• A lanyard can connect you to an EWP basket so you can’t be thrown out in the case of an accident.
• When you install roof safety rails, there’s a safe barrier between workers and the building’s edge.

For fall arrest equipment you’ll usually use a Fall Arrest harness and a Lanyard, This must be measured so not to let the individual hit the ground or other surface below. This is critical and great care should be taken to ensure that the user’s Lanyard is correctly measured.

You can see how important it is to ensure proper safety guidelines and monitor aspects like anchor point certification. If any part of a fall restraint or fall arrest system is of low quality, worn out or can’t handle the weight of a person, it could cost someone their life.

Only the Best for Your Team

When you’re setting up your fall arrest or fall restraint systems, you need to work with the best. The quality of the equipment such as the roof anchor points, as well as the workmanship during installation, determine how safe your working environment will be. We can also perform height safety audits and inspections help you protect your staff and contractors. You can count on Austral Height Safety to help you get it right.

Our team has five decades of experience and saving lives is our mission – We are the height safety Melbourne experts you can rely on. You can trust us with your safety concerns so call us on 03 9462 3350 to discuss your needs and get a quote.

The post The Difference between Fall Restraint and Fall Arrest appeared first on Austral Height Safety.

To keep your workers safe, you must use the correct fall protection systems such as a compliant roof access hatch, compliant roof ladders, fall arrest systems and guardrails. Along with the right equipment, there are a few tips you must keep in mind to ensure fall hazards are kept to a minimum or eliminated completely. Let’s discuss both aspects.

1.     Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Using correct PPE is the first step towards protecting employees who are working on roofs. Soldiers never go to battle without the appropriate armour. Why should your workers climb on roofs without protective gear? Always ensure that your workers are wearing the right gear for the task such as the following:

• Harnesses: Now isn’t the time to compromise on your workers’ safety by picking poor quality harnesses. Purchase quality full-body harnesses for employees that are comfortable, easy to adjust and designed to function as intended.
• Lanyards: Pick the correct lanyard in relation to the task. opt for a retractable lanyard if your workers are working from a higher platform.

Always inspect the PPE to ensure that it’s working optimally at all times. It could be the difference between life and death. Th user must be trained to use the equipment he or she is using

2.    Use the Correct Equipment

Use the correct fall protection system for the task. Consider if the job is once-off or if you need permanent equipment for regular maintenance. Below are a few options:

• Roof hatch: A roof access hatch provides safe access for workers to a roof. When buying a roof access hatch Melbourne construction companies must opt for a robust and durable system that’s extremely secure. Cheaper isn’t always good enough!
• Ladder systems: Using a ladder for roof access isn’t uncommon among many construction companies. But simply because ladders seem somewhat straightforward to use, doesn’t mean they are. Ladders can be very dangerous if not used properly. Consider the length of the ladder in relation to the roof height, whether the user has three points of contact at all times and if it’s sturdy & stable. Its strongly recommended that you must not use a ladder over 4.5m
• Roof anchor points: Use roof anchor points that are designed and installed by professional engineers. They should be designed according to the recommended safety standards.
• Static Line Systems: Static line systems allow the user to remain hooked on continuously when working at heights. They are a great form of fall protection and are widely used when working at heights.

3.    Encourage the Buddy System

We strongly advise that you take advantage of the buddy system each time your workers are working on roofs. Going on the roof alone isn’t advisable in case something happens. Also, it’s always wise to have a second set of eyes in case certain safety precautions are overlooked by one team member.

4.    Communication is Key

It may not be realistic for two workers to go on a roof, especially when working on small scale projects. In this case, at least make sure the worker on the roof has a means of communicating with someone below. A radio or phone can suffice in this regard. Encourage your workers to check in at least every 15 minutes to confirm their safety.

5.    Enforce Access Rules

Accessing the roof should never be done in a random manner. Make sure that there are procedures in place that must be followed by all workers planning to work at height. Roof access rules should require workers to:

• Inform the supervisor when going on the roof.
• Stipulate specific times employees are allowed on roofs.
• Outline procedures to be followed when accessing a roof.
• Safety checklist to ensure that all necessary precautions are undertaken.
• Have a sign on register with roof permit system.

6.    Abide by the 2m Rule

Make sure that your workers abide by the 2m rule. At no point should employees work 2m from the edge of the roof. That’s unless there’s a roof safety rail system in place. Tip: clearly mark the area which is out of bounds.

No matter which fall protection system you decide to you use, train your workers before use. There’s no room for error, confusion or uncertainty regarding how to use fall protection equipment. Training should be conducted properly and thoroughly. It’s your legal obligation, but also a responsibility as a caring employer.

Here at Austral Height Safety, we prioritise your workers’ safety. We offer quality fall protection systems designed to keep your workers safe and secure. And all our products are made to comply with the strictest safety standards.

Austral Height Safety is a market leader when it comes to height safety solutions.

Want to update your height safety equipment? Not sure if you are compliant? Give the height safety Melbourne experts a call on (03) 9462 3350 or send us an email at admin@australsafety.com.au.

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