THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF WORKING AT HEIGHT
REMINDER: Personal protection should only be used when collective protection cannot be installed on a site or for a temporary action limited in time.
Personal protection against falls from height consists of three inseparable components:
- A body holding system;
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Fall prevention linkage;
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An anchorage system.
Depending on the overhead work configurations, several working methods, and hence types of equipment, may be used.
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WORK STATION PREVENTION: The purpose of this working method is to prevent the worker from reaching an area where there is a risk of fall from a height. Basic equipment to be used: Work station holding harness or belt + Lanyard + Anchorage Standards concerned: EN361 ; EN358 ; EN354 ; EN795 ; EN362
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WORK STATION HOLDING: The purpose of this working method is to allow a worker to move about freely in safety and to hold him/her in position while leaving his/her hands free to do the work (e.g.: on a pylon) In this working situation, it is important to distinguish whether or not there is a risk of falling. If there is, the basic work station holding equipment should be used with a fall prevention protection system. Basic equipment to be used: Work station holding harness with belt or work station holding belt + work station holding lanyard + Anchorage Standards concerned: EN361 ; EN358 ; EN795 ; EN362…
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FALL PREVENTION: The purpose of this working method is to hold the worker during a fall and to hold him/her suspended in the best conditions while awaiting help. Basic equipment to be used: Fall prevention harness + fall prevention device + anchorage point. Standards concerned: EN361 ; EN353-1, EN 353-2 ; EN355 ; EN360 ; EN795 ; EN362 |
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WORK IN CONFINED SPACES: This working method allows a worker to enter tanks, sewers, silos, etc, and be lifted out at any time from above. Consequently it is necessary for another person to remain available for this operation. Basic equipment to be used: Fall prevention harness + connecting system + lifting system (winch, etc) + anchorage point (tripod, gallows, etc) Standards concerned: EN361 ; EN360+EN1496 ; EN795 ; EN362 |
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RESCUE: As this technique is used in an emergency, it is naturally the most sensitive. This intervention can be performed by the user himself/herself, if he/she is conscious Basic equipment to be used: Complete fall prevention harness + fall prevention system + rescue system + anchorage point. Standards concerned: EN361; EN1496; EN1498; EN341; EN1865; EN795; EN362… |
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ROPE ACCESS: This technique of movement on a rope should only be used when traditional access systems cannot be installed. The basic rope access equipment should be used with a fall prevention system. Basic equipment to be used: Complete fall prevention harness + progression system + anchorage point. Standards concerned: EN361 ; EN358 ; EN 813 ; EN341 ; EN567 ; EN12841 ; EN12278; EN795 ; EN362… |

Whichever working technique is used, and to guarantee the maximum safety for the user, it is necessary to be trained, to practice, to keep up to date with new developments in these techniques and to be aware of the regulations in force.