Working at Heights Hazard
You are considered to be "working at height" if you are working in any place above another level where a person could fall causing injury. This includes working on a ladder, scaffolding, flat or sloped roofs, near an edge or an opening in a floor or wall and many, many more.
You are working at height if you are:
- Above ground/another level
- Could fall from an edge
- Near an opening or fragile surface
Download a working at height protection and rescue plan (PDF, 1.29 MB)
What are the Key Challenges of Working at Heights?
There are key challenges of working at heights: leading edge – sharp edges, fall clearance, and dropped objects. Whether conducting a hazard assessment or developing a comprehensive fall protection plan, thinking about the key challenges before the work begins will help to prevent falls.
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Leading Edge/Sharp EdgesIt’s critically important to understand leading and sharp edges and the unique hazards they present. Having the right equipment for the job can make all the difference.
Read our Blog: The Difference Between Leading and Sharp Edges
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Fall ClearanceShould a fall occur, there must be sufficient clearance below the user to arrest the fall before the striking the ground or any other object.
Download a fall clearance calculation chart (PDF, 248.84 KB)
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Dropped ObjectsObjects dropped from height can result in personal injury to workers and others at a worksite. It also can cause equipment damage and tool loss. Solve for this key challenge with fall protection for tools.
Read our Blog: ANSI Approves New ISEA 121 Standard for Fall Protection for Tools
Want to get trained?
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Training can help ensure those who work at heights are aware of hazards they may face and understand how to carry out their job safely. 3M Safety Training offers a variety of fall protection classes, training and services to fit your needs: Instructor-led training in facilities across the US, On-site training at your job site, eLearning courses, and virtual reality apps.
Working at Heights Hazard Products
We strive to deliver comfortable, well-designed personal protective equipment (PPE) that offers your workers the most effective protection available. You can buy 3M Safety PPE, confident in the knowledge that 3M is working hard to provide products that your employees will feel good about wearing. View all PPE products.
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Fall ProtectionElevate your employees’ safety and comfort to new heights with 3M Fall Protection equipment, and our trusted 3M™ DBI-SALA® and Protecta® fall protection brands. We’re dedicated to bringing every worker at height home safely.
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Fall Protection for Tools3M™ DBI-SALA® Fall Protection for Tools makes work environments safer and more productive by drastically reducing the hazard of falling object incidents that can result in personal injury, equipment damage, and tool loss.
Working At Heights Hazard Resources
- Self Retracting Devices Inspection and Servicing Guidelines (PDF, 595.91 KB)
- Inspection and Cleaning of 3M Personal Fall Protection Products Guidelines for Products Exposed to Flooding and Other Extreme Weather Conditions (PDF, 653 KB)
- Separate Back-Up /Independent Lifeline Requirements (PDF, 532.19 KB)
- 3M Pre-Engineered Horizontal Lifeline Systems and the Qualified Person Involvement (PDF, 564.51 KB)
- Compatibility of Fall Protection Components Anchorage Strength Requirements (PDF, 579.76 KB)
- Anchorage Strength Requirements (PDF, 576.54 KB)
- Fall/Impact Indicators in Full Body Harnesses (PDF, 515.63 KB)
- Cleaning of Web in Personal Fall Protection Products (PDF, 607.8 KB)
- Marking and Identifying Web Products (PDF, 139.99 KB)
Finding and using Fall Protection Products
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Choosing the right protection for the job
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How to use 3M Fall Protection products
