Why Fall Protection is avoided by employees?

Why Fall Protection is avoided by employees?

OSHA requires workers to use fall protection when working at a height of four feet or higher for the general industry. This requirement is intended to protect workers in the event of a fall, but many people will find reasons to avoid using fall protection.

Unfortunately, these reasons often seem valid at the moment, but they can have severe consequences. Here are some common reasons people don’t use fall protection, and why those reasons aren’t sufficient for the risk.

1. IT’S UNCOMFORTABLE

This reason is a simple one that people commonly identify as a legitimate excuse for choosing not to use fall protection. Uncomfortable equipment can be distracting and interfere with work, and fall protection harnesses aren’t necessarily designed for comfort. However, fall protection can save a worker’s life in the event of a fall, and it should be worn at all times, even if it isn’t perfectly comfortable. Additionally, many high-quality safety harnesses are intended to reduce discomfort as much as possible. Using good equipment can be an easy way to address comfort concerns.

2. IT GETS IN THE WAY OF THE JOB

This reason is another way workers see fall protection equipment as an inconvenience. Some workers feel that the safety harness can limit their mobility or that the SRL can interfere with their work. Often, this issue comes down to a matter of training. With proper training, workers can understand how to adjust equipment to fit correctly and keep it from getting in the way. Using the right fall protection equipment also makes it easier to minimize equipment interference.

3. IT ADDS EXTRA TIME TO THE JOB

This reason is one where workers might actually feel like they’re doing the right thing by choosing not to use fall protection. They can get started sooner, which means they can finish and move on to the next job sooner. By skipping the fall protection or safety harness, they’re saving time, which saves money, right?

The problem with this thinking is those fall injuries can actually be very costly in both time and money, and they cost US companies billions of dollars every year. Not using fall protection might save a few seconds, but it’s just not worth the risk.