Issues in the selection of fall prevention and arrest equipment

• Published in: Engineering, construction, and architectural management Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 363 - 374
• Main Authors: Cameron, Iain, Gillan, Gary, Roy Duff, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 10-07-2007
• Subjects: Construction; Construction equipment; Construction industry; Contractors; Data collection; Design; Designers; Falls; Focus groups; Health and safety; Legislation; Manufacturers; Occupational safety; Prevention; Risk assessment; Safety management; Statistical analysis; Studies; United Kingdom; United Kingdom > UK; United Kingdom; Health and safety; Construction equipment; Construction industry
• ISSN: 0969-9988; 1365-232X
• DOI: 10.1108/09699980710760676

Purpose - The research objectives are to investigate current methods of fall protection, identify issues in their selection and use, and produce guidance on best practice for designers and constructors.Design methodology approach - A steering group with both health and safety and production experience directed a variety of data collection methods: interviews with industry specialists to assist in identifying the significant issues in fall protection and selecting fall protection systems; study of published research, legislation, codes of practice, and system technical data; focus groups to investigate both generic and system-specific issues; and visits to manufacturers, suppliers, contractors' offices and sites, to observe and discuss systems in development, planning, erection and operation.Findings - This paper deals with all the general issues in equipment selection: a hierarchy of selection; legislative guidance; interaction with the structure; impact on site operations; rescue of fallers; issues specific to maintenance and refurbishment; and costs arising from equipment selection.Originality value - The paper provides a summary of the most important issues contained in the full Health & Safety Executive report of the research, the only comprehensive source of such practical guidance.