FMCC Webinar review: “Top 5 Ways to Reduce Fall Hazard Risk”

 

 Kevin Wilcox, Principal, LJB Inc.

 

Overview:
Fall protection is a complex and challenging safety issue. But, there are five primary techniques that organizations can use to reduce fall hazard risk. Based on 20 years of working in the safety industry, these five methods have had the most impact on reducing fall hazard risk. The presentation will address each of the following top five methods, with rationale and examples.
1. Applying Prevention through Design: By implementing safety during design, you can save significant money on safety solutions, while dramatically increasing safety.
2. Performing a fall hazard risk assessment the right way: When you identify all your hazards, quantify all your risks, and use that data to create an actionable abatement plan, you can systematically reduce risk and save money in the long-term.
3. Use less personal protective equipment: Harnesses and lanyards are some of the most visible aspects of fall protection. However, they should always b
e the last choice for a solution, since there are so many opportunities for personal fall arrest systems to fail.
4. Focus on certified systems, not certified equipment: Competent persons and users of the systems may talk about how their equipment meets the latest ANSI Z359 standards, but they can’t confirm that the whole system is functional. You should have documentation that the system is fit for service and that workers can use it safely.
5. Provide effective training: The goal of fall protection training is to change behavior. To truly impact a safety program, training needs to include more than just instruction on regulations and equipment use.
The session will close with an exercise to evaluate your organization related to these five critical areas. This tool will allow participants to gauge whether their organizations are world class, mature, improving or need work in the Top five areas.
Learning Objectives:
1. List five ways to reduce fall hazard risk
2. Explain the advantages of applying Prevention through Design principles.
3. Illustrate the differences between a certified and non-certified fall protection system.
4. Summarize the critical elements needed for effective fall protection training.
Presenter(s) Biography:

 Kevin Wilcox
Kevin Wilcox is a principal with LJB Inc. He is a professional structural engineer and a certified safety professional with more than 20 years of experience in fall protection consulting. He holds a bachelors and a master’s degree in civil engineering and is an experienced fall protection trainer.