Fall Protection Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:29:29 +0000 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:29:29 +0000 Safe Build Forum http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?forums/fall-protection.35/ Fri, 04 Nov 2022 06:03:40 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/top-10-guidance-tips-on-fall-protection.1564/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/top-10-guidance-tips-on-fall-protection.1564/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin South Africa’s legislation is unique: we are one of the only countries that doesn’t have exclusive regulations for activities when working at height. As a result, we rely on subject matter experts to produce information and guidelines of good practice that can be followed to remain safe.

Here are the top 10 guidance tips for working at heights and bolstering safety for companies and their workers.

1. Competence is key
The construction regulations of...

Top 10 guidance tips on fall protection]]> Mon, 11 Jul 2022 09:20:18 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/working-at-height-guideline-app.1547/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/working-at-height-guideline-app.1547/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin
Https://mobile.appco.online/mobile/ifwh

Source: IWH]]> Thu, 22 Apr 2021 15:13:08 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/anchor-points-eyenut-safety-issues-%E2%80%93-part-two.1480/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/anchor-points-eyenut-safety-issues-%E2%80%93-part-two.1480/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin











source: Saoish newsletter]]> Tue, 06 Apr 2021 11:23:05 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/anchor-points-eyenut-safety-issues-%E2%80%93-part-one.1479/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/anchor-points-eyenut-safety-issues-%E2%80%93-part-one.1479/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin












source: Saiosh newsletter]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2021 06:34:28 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/free-guidelines-for-working-at-height-safely-mobile-app.1474/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/free-guidelines-for-working-at-height-safely-mobile-app.1474/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin


source: Saisoh newsletter]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 12:06:28 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/working-at-heights-understanding-suspension-trauma.1466/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/working-at-heights-understanding-suspension-trauma.1466/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin
Those writing fall protection plans must understand the hazards of harness hang syndrome in fall protection. Working at height forms an integral part of the construction industry, and proper fall protection equipment is imperative when it comes to getting the job done efficiently and safely. The dangers of working at height do not stop once the worker’s fall-arrest equipment performs effectively to reduce the consequences of a fall from...

Working At Heights: Understanding Suspension Trauma]]> Fri, 09 Oct 2020 06:06:11 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/ppe-for-fall-restraint-vs-fall-arrest-%E2%80%93-what-is-the-difference.1457/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/ppe-for-fall-restraint-vs-fall-arrest-%E2%80%93-what-is-the-difference.1457/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin






PPE for Fall Restraint vs Fall Arrest – What is the difference?


Fall restraint is also known as fall prevention and the PPE associated with this form of protection is different to that used for fall arrest. The terms “restraint” and “prevention” describes the approach to safety with the understanding that prevention is the better option when compared to...

PPE for Fall Restraint vs Fall Arrest – What is the difference?]]> Mon, 10 Feb 2020 06:50:49 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/the-difference-between-fall-arrest-and-fall-prevention.1405/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/the-difference-between-fall-arrest-and-fall-prevention.1405/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FALL ARREST AND FALL PREVENTION

Section 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act deals with the duties of employers to their employees and sub-section 2(b) requires in particular that the employer must take “such steps as are reasonably practicable to eliminate or mitigate any hazard or potential hazard to the safety or health of employees, before resorting to personal protective equipment”

This same requirement applies to working at height. Wherever...

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FALL ARREST AND FALL PREVENTION]]> Wed, 04 Sep 2019 07:49:17 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/prepared-informed-and-equipped-for-falls.1380/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/prepared-informed-and-equipped-for-falls.1380/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin No industry is immune to falls, including employees slipping and falling on wet or uneven surfaces, or from heights. SHEQ MANAGEMENT takes a look at how companies can help prevent falls and respond to them.

An estimated 1,5 to 2,5 fatalities occur in the construction industry per week with 77 fatalities in the mining industry in South Africa. About 21 percent of the deaths in the mining industry are due to falls from heights, as well as slip and falls.

Lizette Scheepers, sales and...

Prepared, informed and equipped for falls]]> Wed, 04 Sep 2019 07:47:02 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/prepared-informed-and-equipped-for-falls.1379/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/prepared-informed-and-equipped-for-falls.1379/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin No industry is immune to falls, including employees slipping and falling on wet or uneven surfaces, or from heights. SHEQ MANAGEMENT takes a look at how companies can help prevent falls and respond to them.

An estimated 1,5 to 2,5 fatalities occur in the construction industry per week with 77 fatalities in the mining industry in South Africa. About 21 percent of the deaths in the mining industry are due to falls from heights, as well as slip and falls.

Lizette Scheepers, sales and...

Prepared, informed and equipped for falls]]> Wed, 04 Sep 2019 07:44:42 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/existing-lifelines-are-these-%E2%80%9Csafe-for-use%E2%80%9D.1378/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/existing-lifelines-are-these-%E2%80%9Csafe-for-use%E2%80%9D.1378/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Existing Lifelines - are these “safe-for-use”





Scope


The intent of this document is to create an awareness of the complexity of some of the issues and variables that play a role in the design and selection of horizontal lifelines.


Single user lifelines


Lifelines a.k.a. “Anchor device employing a horizontal flexible anchor line” called “Class C” anchors in SANS...

Existing Lifelines - are these “safe-for-use”]]> Wed, 21 Aug 2019 10:11:35 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/slip-and-fall-prevention-%E2%80%93-need-to-know.1375/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/slip-and-fall-prevention-%E2%80%93-need-to-know.1375/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of accidents in the workplace and could lead to serious injury, or even death. WANITA WALLACE finds out more

According to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom, 37 percent of all reported injuries and 28 percent of all deaths in the workplace are as a result of a slips, trips or falls. On average, approximately 50 people die each year from a slip, a trip or a fall and many more are seriously...

Slip and fall prevention – need to know]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2019 06:48:54 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/lifelines-tested-certified-or-just-a-false-sense-of-security.1349/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/lifelines-tested-certified-or-just-a-false-sense-of-security.1349/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Lifelines

Tested & certified or just a false sense of security?

The design of lifelines is normally beyond the scope of competence of a professionally designated Rope Access Supervisor or a Fall Protection Supervisor / Planner. All the available literature on this subject states that the design of lifelines falls within the scope of competence of “a qualified engineer” See SANS50795:1996

The intent of this document is to create an awareness for the complexity of some of the...

Lifelines: Tested & certified or just a false sense of security?]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2019 07:09:29 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/anchor-points-it-looks-nice-but-is-it-safe-the-basic-issues.1345/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/anchor-points-it-looks-nice-but-is-it-safe-the-basic-issues.1345/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Anchor Points: It looks nice but is it safe?
The basic issues


Anchors must comply with SANS 50795:1996


Persons that select, install and test anchors classified as “basic anchors” must be competent to perform that work. {Basic anchors are limited to class “A1” anchors as defined in SANS50795:1996 set into not less than C20/25 quality concrete}

Rope Access level 3 technicians are not competent if their qualification is only that of a level 3 technician.

The person...

Anchor Points: It looks nice but is it safe? The basic issues]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2018 08:21:27 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/prepared-informed-and-equipped-for-falls.1309/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/prepared-informed-and-equipped-for-falls.1309/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin No industry is immune to falls, including employees slipping and falling on wet or uneven surfaces, or from heights. SHEQ MANAGEMENT takes a look at how companies can help prevent falls and respond to them.

An estimated 1,5 to 2,5 fatalities occur in the construction industry per week with 77 fatalities in the mining industry in South Africa. About 21 percent of the deaths in the mining industry are due to falls from heights, as well as slip and falls.

Lizette Scheepers, sales and...

Prepared, informed and equipped for falls]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2018 06:11:46 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/the-shocking-truth-about-shock-absorbing-lanyards.1123/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/the-shocking-truth-about-shock-absorbing-lanyards.1123/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin The Shocking Truth About Shock Absorbing Lanyards

Shock absorbing lanyards (also known as energy absorbers, fall arrestors, scaff hooks and a range of other terms) have become the go-to fall protection equipment. It’s the single most used fall protection equipment in South Africa – and possibly the world.


Scaffolders, painters, maintenance and construction crews all use...

The Shocking Truth About Shock Absorbing Lanyards]]> 2 Tue, 08 Sep 2015 23:35:28 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/fall-arrest-restraint-systems-non-engineered-anchor-points-kn-rating.1059/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/fall-arrest-restraint-systems-non-engineered-anchor-points-kn-rating.1059/ invalid@example.com (Brian) Brian To all my learned colleagues and peers please provide your opinions and comments here.

Especially to all those who are competent height safety technicians have the safety of themselves and their personnel as their highest priority, enforced through sound skills and the application of controls.

Those who have paid R 4 165.00 for the Working at Heights: Fall Protection Plan Development and HIRA Certification and have acquired the competencies in this standard.

Now being persons...

Fall Arrest \ Restraint Systems - Non Engineered Anchor Points kN Rating]]> 1 Tue, 26 May 2015 04:04:13 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/construction-sites-working-at-height-edge-protection.903/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/construction-sites-working-at-height-edge-protection.903/ invalid@example.com (Brian) Brian Relative to all South African conditions, standards, terms, rules, laws and regulations. OHS and Building regulations.

(I am interested only in South African building sites nationally and buildings currently under construction only,not completed and permanent balustrades,railings,hand rails or edge protection.)

Mostly I want to discuss the use of Edge Protection as put in place on multi story building construction sites by all South African companies role players....

Construction Sites - Working at Height - Edge Protection.]]> 6 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:00:42 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/fall-protection-fail.944/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/fall-protection-fail.944/ invalid@example.com (Change Agent) Change Agent View attachment 134
Another example where the new construction regulations are toothless.
This employee is installing an RF dish on a cellular antenna pole on top of a four storey building.
Note: NO HARDHAT, NO PPE, NO Fall arrest, No sign of a ladder to access the antenna pole.
NO CONTRAVENTION OF CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS 2014.

This company is not performing "construction work" and hence does not have to comply with the fall protection regulations according to the new improved...

Fall protection fail]]> 4 Sat, 08 Mar 2014 19:13:00 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/night-work-in-an-elevated-position.940/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/night-work-in-an-elevated-position.940/ invalid@example.com (Change Agent) Change Agent View attachment 131
This is a construction site the DOL should not visit during the day.]]> 4