A personal fall arrest system is a personal fall protection system which prevents the user from colliding with the ground, structure, or any other obstacle during a free fall and limits the impact force on the body of the user during fall arrest. It consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector. The means of connection may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination of these.
After analyzing the incidents in the new database, researchers concluded that, 54 percent of the workers killed had no access to a personal fall arrest system (PFAS), and 23 percent had access to a PFAS but did not use it. Interestingly enough most of the workers with no access to PFAS worked for residential building contractors and contractors in the roofing, siding and sheet metal sectors. Meanwhile, around 7 out of 10 caught-in/between fatalities involved workers being crushed in collapsing materials.
OSHA says that more than 10 million construction workers have participated in the stand-down since the campaign began in 2014, with events taking place in all 50 states and internationally. Workers suffer serious and fatal injuries from falls could have a devastating impact on families and businesses. OSHA encourages the use of the hashtag #StandDown4Safety to promote the event on social media. NYC Shanty urges employers and other stake holders to proactively address fall related hazards and improve their safety and health programs. And to provide workers with sufficient protection, such as personal fall arrest systems.
