
Fall Prevention
Preventing falls in the workplace is the responsibility of all workplace parties, including the employer, supervisors, workers. There are many prevention strategies that are critical to preventing fall hazards in the workplace, including:
Hazard Assessment
A hazard is a condition, practice or behaviour (in the workplace) that has the potential to cause injury, illness or property damage. Having a process to recognize, evaluate and control these hazards is the key to a safe and healthy workplace. Controlling hazards results in fewer illnesses and injuries, reduces associated incident costs, increases productivity, improves morale and reinforces a company’s commitment to providing healthy and safe working conditions.
A job hazard analysis/job safety analysis (JHA/JSA) is just one tool to assist employers with hazard recognition, evaluation and control. A JHA takes a particular task, breaks it down into its basic steps and assesses the hazards at each step. It helps to ensure that workers understand how the work is to proceed as well as the task specific hazards and control measures necessary for their protection.
Sample Hazard Assessment Documentation
Sample Hazard Assessments
OHS Program Resources
A safety program is a plan of action designed to prevent loss (incidents, property damage and occupational disease). It is comprised of policies, procedures and rules tailored to meet the needs of the company and administered by management. The following samples are intended to provide guidance and should always be tailored to meet the specific need of the organization.
Sample Safe Work Plans/Programs & Procedures
Sample Safe Work Practices
Inspection Checklists
Training
Fall Protection training requirements are set out in WorkplaceNL Fall Protection Certification Standard. Any worker who is required to use fall protection equipment must complete a Fall Protection Awareness training program. Recertification is required every three years.
Training must be:
- Delivered by a WorkplaceNL-approved training provider.
- Taken before a worker uses fall protection equipment
Fall protection equipment would include any of the following methods of fall protection:
- Travel restraint system
- Fall restricting system
- Fall arrest system
- Fall protection safety net
- Work belt
- Safety belt
Employers should also ensure that workers are trained on the site-specific fall hazards.
Communication
All organizations must ensure that they have systems in place to communicate health and safety-related information to workers, whether that be the results of a workplace inspection or investigation report, a job hazard analysis, safe work practices and job procedures etc. Common mechanisms for communication include:
Orientations
Training
Safety Meetings
Toolbox Talks
Safety Bulletins
Posters
Copies of all health and safety communications should be kept on file at the company’s head office.
Disclaimer: The materials above are provided to assist organizations with the development of their Occupational Health and Safety Program. Companies should review and update materials to reflect their unique operations. The information presented is intended for general use and may not apply to every circumstance. It is not a definitive guide to government regulations and does not relieve persons using this information from their responsibilities under applicable legislation. The NLCSA does not guarantee the accuracy of, nor assume liability for, the information presented here.