Fall protection ensures the safety of workers in dangerous working environments. The use of fall protection is regulated by law for activities on scaffolding and stairs, at house openings, on roofs and cranes. Here is a brief overview of the regulations.
Legal regulations on fall protection
Working at heights entails specific risks, which is why employers are obliged to take measures to protect their employees. European legislation requires that all fall protection products must be certified to certain safety standards. This is ensured by compliance with the following standards:
EN 358:2018 - This standard specifies the requirements for harnesses and harness systems. They are used when workers need to stay in position during their work, such as on scaffolding or during maintenance work.
EN 361:2002 - This standard specifies the requirements for harnesses designed to safely arrest the user's free fall. Harnesses are particularly essential in the construction industry, when working on roofs and in the wind energy industry.
EN 354:2010 - This standard concerns lanyards that are an essential part of the fall protection system. Lanyards ensure that the worker remains safely connected to the anchor point.
EN 355:2002 - This standard specifies the requirements for energy absorbers that reduce the impact force when arresting a fall. This is particularly important to minimize injury to the user in the event of a fall.
Areas of application for fall protection
Fall protection systems are used in many industries and work environments, including:
- Construction industry: Construction workers are often exposed to high risks of falling, especially when working on scaffolding, roofs and construction cranes.
- Industrial maintenance: Maintenance personnel in industrial plants often have to work at heights, be it on platforms or when servicing machines and equipment.
- Wind energy: Technicians who maintain and repair wind turbines must be able to move safely at great heights.
- Telecommunications: Technicians who maintain cell towers and other high-altitude communication systems need effective fall protection solutions.
Invest in the safety of your employees and ensure that your fall protection systems comply with European standards. If you have any questions or would like more information about our products and services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Stay safe!