Critical for the life-safety of workers at height, fall protection systems must endure a broad spectrum of weather events, such as a precipitation events. Accordingly, weather and rain events can impact the integrity and functionality of fall protection systems, including both temporary and permanent anchorage systems used for fall protection personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), such as safety harnesses, lifelines, and lanyards.
Over time, rain, water and moisture can corrode the metal components of fall protection personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), and can also corrode temporary and permanent anchorage systems. Further, after high intensity rain events, wind-blown debris can block anchor points and anchor posts. Accordingly, it’s important to manually inspect, clean and dry anchor points and anchor posts immediately after precipitation events and prior to use.
As a recommended best practice for fall protection personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) in the construction industry and built environment, never use pressure washers to clean PPE, PFAS, anchor points, anchor posts, and related components, as the water pressure can cause damage to the equipment, systems, and the roofing itself. Again, take the time to manually inspect, clean and dry equipment, systems, anchors, and components prior to use.
More in the next blog series about weather controls and weather risk management for the construction industry and built environment…
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