PREVENT DROPPED OBJECTS
A DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO STOP OBJECTS FALLING FROM HEIGHT
DROPPED OBJECT
PREVENTION
WHAT IT IS & WHY
IT'S IMPORTANT.
One way to keep a workplace and those working on it safe, is by understanding and being informed about dropped object prevention. It is key to understand the importance of safety on worksites and companies need to be committed to providing information and implementing solutions to prevent dropped objects.
Dropped objects and items falling from height can cause serious injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. They can also damage equipment, delay projects, and incur costly repairs. Find out more about the four-fold threat dropped object incidents can cause here. That's why it's crucial to implement effective dropped object prevention measures.
There are several measures that can be added into your workplace’s safety programme to help prevent and mitigate dropped objects and the risks they pose. These include securing tools and materials to prevent them from falling from height, using proper lifting and rigging techniques, and implementing safety protocols and procedures. DROPS online has a number of resources to help companies implement the necessary practices and preventative measures to ensure a safer workplace.
AN INTRODUCTORY GUIDE TO
DROPS PREVENTION SOLUTIONS
1
TOOL TETHERING
SECURING TOOLS CAN BE DONE THROUGH THE USE OF TOOL TETHERING SYSTEMS, WHICH ALLOW WORKERS TO SAFELY AND SECURELY ATTACH THEIR TOOLS TO THEIR PERSON OR WORK AREA. THESE CAN INCLUDE WRISTBANDS, LANYARDS, AND RETRACTABLE TETHERS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT WORKERS USING THESE TETHERS ARE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURING TOOLS AT HEIGHT.
2
DROPS PREVENTION BARRIER SYSTEMS ATTACH ALONG STAIRWAYS, ELEVATED WALKWAYS AND RAISED WORKING PLATFORMS, COVERING GAPS TO PREVENT OBJECTS FROM FALLING THROUGH. A ROBUST BARRIER SYSTEM WILL ALSO PREVENT ITEMS THAT HAVE DROPPED FROM POTENTIALLY RICOCHETING FURTHER, BY ABSORBING THE FORCE OF A FALLING OBJECT.
3
DROPS PREVENTION NETS ARE KNOWN AS ‘SECONDARY RETENTION DEVICES’ AS THEY PREVENT A FALL SHOULD THE PRIMARY RETENTION FAIL. DROPS PREVENTION NETS ARE USED TO ENCLOSE AND TEHTER OBJECTS AND FIXTURES AT HEIGHT TO PREVENT THEM POSING A DROPPED OBJECT RISK. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THESE NETS FIT THE FIXTURE PERFECTLY AND HAVE AN ADEQUATE SAFE WORKING LOAD
