Fall Protection for Transportation Industry

FALL PROTECTION FOR Transportation industry

Sometimes in the transportation industry workers requires to climb on the top of the tanker trucks, flatbeds, and even open or closed trailers. It’s sometimes unknown that a lot of people die falling from 20 feet or from higher heights. Therefore fall arresters are important for them.

There are so many risky jobs for transportation professionals, but the daily work of servicing big vehicles and loading and unloading trucks can make serious and life-threatening fall hazards. The transportation industry is often overlooked in regard to fall protection, and yet many employees suffering serious damages and even death each year falling from tanker and flatbed trucks, among other types of transportation systems.

Even so, there are only some Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules that apply to fall protection for drivers and other employees climbing on the top of the trucks and trailers to strap and protect loads. For years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration didn't implement clear regulations in respect to the transportation trade.

Fall arresters are implemented for employees many times. In 2004, several regulations were implemented for the safety of employees, however, one particular regulation was too broad, as it mentioned a wide range of applications. This specific rule implemented to unprotected corners and areas (in general) and falls under OSHA 1926.501(b)(1).

It states: Each worker on a horizontal or vertical working surface with a non-protected side or corners which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail or safety systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

This rule was written and introduced to mention any working or walking surface that workers might be exposed to while conducting their job. It was most definitely introduced to include flatbed trucks and trailers, specifically because employees must use these surfaces to conduct their daily duties. But, it can make some confusion in the transportation industry in regard to fall protection.