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Looking for Fall Protection Expertise in the USA? Want to inspect your buildings for violations? You can do this by working with Ellis Fall Safety Solutions services.

No one wants to think about that feeling. You’re on a stable surface until, suddenly, you’re not. The world is whipping by and gravity is having its way with humans. The construction industry has the highest risk of actual falls, but the truth is, falls are a serious hazard in any industry and building anchor points are often part of the problem. Falls are also expensive—they cost the U.S. economy approximately $70 billion each year in disability claims, medical expenses, and lost productivity. But fall safety isn’t just an economic cost. It’s a responsibility to your workers and contractors and that is why you need to be paying attention to it and what you can do to protect your people.

Unfortunately, falls are among the most common causes of serious work-related injuries. Fall injuries aren’t inevitable. Quite the opposite; they can be prevented quite easily—if you plan ahead, if you plan to get the job done safely, if you prioritize worker protection. Keep in mind that a fall injury doesn’t just affect the victim. It affects your entire workforce. They’re less likely to feel safe if they know a friend and colleague was hurt, and they’re less likely to trust you if they know such an accident could have been prevented.

We encourages the adoption of the Anchor Point process as it is described to be no less than a protocol used by a Team of Four Professionals; A Qualified Person of Registered Architect ARA and/or Registered Structural Engineer PE if any calculations and mathematical work who is required to certify designs. The team prepares drawings of anchors and numbering systems to cross-reference each anchor location and/or structural deficiencies for installing anchor points for fall protection lifelines and load lines for swing scaffolds and single point suspended scaffolds. A Certified Safety Professional who is capable of analyzing hazards with lifelines and load line use and misuse, reviews equipment instructions and prepares notices on the building of proper anchor usage requirements. Inspects annually for damage and reports to the building owner; A Subject Matter Expert who is a Competent Person representative, usually from a recognized window cleaning company capable of determining the correct location of each Anchor location for the work anticipated in conjunction with the owner’s representative; and finally a Competent Fabricator and Installer who is capable and experienced in using the drawings and with owner representative input to design, manufacture, install the Anchors successfully. A standardized test method of pulling one Anchor Point against another Anchor Point must be certified by the Structural Engineer for 360 degree reliability according to the OSHA Regulation. Tie-back anchor points are necessary to meet OSHA in addition to lifeline anchors with a maximum of 15 degree angled lines to the roof edge.

Contact Ellis Fall Safety now to discuss your recommendations to go forward for a local source of Anchor Point design, safety and fabrication vendors, including consideration of your existing vendors and answer your questions. 

Ellis Fall Safety is your local source for Anchor Point design, safety standards, and fabrication and our team is ready for all your fall safety needs. The goal is to help educate business owners and the property managers who represent them by providing engineering and designs that enable height exposed workers to perform their duties without interference.

John Whitty is a Structural Engineer with 30 years of experience in rooftop anchors for window cleaners, fall protection engineering & regulations; and Jeff Strauss VP Operations 30 years with DuPont Safety in the plant, building safety, and training.

Dr. Nigel Ellis has many years of experience with the International Window Cleaning Association Safety Committee and has worked with OSHA since 1974 on window cleaning regulations including the latest regulations affecting building owners in 2016. He is the author of Introduction to Fall Protection Editions 1-5 (latest 2021).

Falls are among the top three most common causes of work-related injuries, making fall protection training critical. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, the manufacturing and construction industries saw almost 600,000 injuries, with fatal injuries steadily on the rise year over year. With proper training, equipment knowledge, and appropriate techniques in place, almost all falls are preventable. To help reduce the risk, Ellis Fall Safety is sharing the benefits of fall protection training and how you can utilize it to protect your employees when exposed to fall hazards.

Who Needs Fall Protection Training

There is a significant difference between having fall protection systems in place and effectively using, having, and maintaining the correct systems. Fall protection training can mean the difference between life and death and it is necessary to protect employees’ wellbeing. Any worker who works in high hazard situations or with personal fall protection equipment is required to undergo fall protection training. This includes workers, supervisors, and managers who work near or supervise workers at heights. A qualified person must conduct the fall protection training. Under this long-established OSHA rule, specific requirements must be met at the workplace, too. This includes the components, devices, and equipment that are being used are adequately rated, and that employees are trained to use them.

If you’re a property or business owner seeking a company to perform a work-from-height-related task at your facility, it’s important to verify that they are certified in fall protection. This guarantees that the individuals being hired are responsible.

Types of Fall Protection Training

There are generally four levels of fall protection training—awareness, authorized worker, competent person, and qualified-person training. These levels of training all help workers recognize specific fall hazards and the steps they can take to reduce the risk.

• Fall Protection Awareness – awareness level training is the most basic and generally consists of on-site sessions, computer presentations, equipment demonstrations, and some hands-on application. Individuals will have a basic understanding of the hierarchy of fall protection, how to stay safe at work, complete body harness training, and the basic ABC’s—anchorage, body support, and connecting means.
• Authorized Worker – any worker who is exposed to fall hazards at the workplace should undergo this training. This training level focuses on best practices to keep employees safe and OSHA compliant standards and regulations.
• Competent Person – a competent person has competency requirements in 19 of OSHA’s standards. Oftentimes designed for someone in a supervisor position, this training covers all types of fall hazards and methods of protection. A competent person, once trained, can address, evaluate, and recommend solutions in a fall hazard situation.
• Qualified Person – a qualified person typically has a degree in engineering or a similar field. Just like a competent person, a qualified person can identify fall hazards, however, their experience allows them to perform tasks, like making certified anchorage points or designing horizontal safety systems. They’re also required to have competency in 32 different OSHA regulations.

At Ellis Fall Safety, we are here to help ensure that you and your team can work safely and effectively. If you’re looking to establish a safe workplace for your employees, free from the risk of falls, consider contacting our team today to see all the benefits fall protection training can bring to your facility. 

Workplace fall hazards cause some of the most severe injuries. In fact, in the construction industry, falls are the number two killer, accounting for one in five worker deaths a year. Most of these fall injuries happen because a worker falls off something (70%), such as a ladder or scaffolding, while 30% of falls are due to slips and trips. Each year, fall protection violations consistently top OSHA’s list of most frequently cited standards, remaining one of the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and fatalities.   

One of the most important steps for prevention is knowing the hazards before you begin so you can be prepared to prevent them. That’s why our fall protection experts are sharing the three most common examples of fall hazards in the workplace and what you can do to actively prevent them.

1. Dangerous Surfaces

Dangerous surfaces like slippery, unstable floors, unprotected edges, floor holes and wall openings are all common examples of fall hazards in the workplace. These unsafe surfaces frequently cause slips, trips, and falls and can be easily prevented. To avoid these hazards:

• Clean up any known spills, leaks, or debris on walkways, stairs, and entranceways.
• Keep walkways free of tools, job site materials, and debris.
• Remove or secure exposed wires, cords, or cables from aisles and walkways.
• Ensure adequate lighting is provided throughout the work area.
• Place trash in proper receptacles.
• Use proper signage in hazard areas.
• Report any hazards you see.
• Conduct regular inspections and walk-throughs of the work area.

• Platforms, Ladders, Scaffolding, Stairs

As we stated above, working above the ground poses significant fall risks for you and your employees. Improper use of ladders, scaffolding, or other platforms can result in fatal injuries. It’s important to be extra cautious any time you find yourself working on these surfaces. To mitigate the risk of a fall:

• Ensure proper barriers and guardrails are in place.
• Be sure to use the railings when working on stairs and walk when going up or down.
• Remove all building materials and tools from your work area.
• Report any damages you notice on platforms, ladders, stairs, or scaffolding.
• Ensure platforms are well lit.
• When using a ladder, check the rungs, cleats, and steps before use.
• Place ladders and scaffolding on secure, stable surfaces.  
• Always use proper equipment to reach high places (i.e., appropriate height ladders).

• Misuse of PPE

Anytime an employee is working from height, they are in danger of falling. Many of these types of falls occur when personal fall protection equipment isn’t used properly or at all. This can result in serious injury and the worst case, death. If you’re going to use Personal Fall Arrest Systems, you need to ensure you choose the proper equipment for the job. Make sure body harnesses and lanyards are comfortable, fitted properly, and work as designed. Your PPE needs to be inspected annually by a competent person, and before every use by you, the user. These important steps could be the difference between life and death for you and your employees.

To safely work at heights, qualified fall protection training is essential to ensure the right safety precautions are in place. At Ellis Fall Safety, we can help educate building owners and property managers regarding specific requirements and help your facility become compliant. To learn more about competent person training, our fall protection engineering and consultation services, contact our team of fall experts today for a free proposal.   

Over 7 million workers will go to the emergency room this year due to fall-related injuries, making falls the leading cause of worker fatalities in the construction industry. Almost every time, these accidents are preventable. With close to 100 unnecessary deaths each year, fall protection and training should be top of mind for every work from height building owner or manager. Investing in a proper fall protection system and prevention program might not seem like the most cost-effective option for your facility, but in most instances, it is a necessity per OSHA and ANSI requirements.

When a building owner or manager decides to cut costs and avoids installing a fall protection system, not only are they risking the safety of their employees, the costs incurred from a worker fall is often significantly higher than the cost of the fall protection installation. It is your responsibility to ensure your workers are performing their work in a safe and protected environment. Today, we’re looking at some of the basics to consider and the advantages of investing in an engineer fall protection system for your facility.

Types of Fall Protection Equipment

A fall protection system is made up of different compatible devices an employer or building owner provides that prevents a free fall or to safely arrest or restrain a fall. When properly installed, fall risks will be reduced. A fall protection system is necessary for workers if exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more. Below, we discuss some of the main types of fall protection used on construction sites that protect workers from height:

• Guardrail Systems – often your first line of defense from workplace accidents, guardrails and barriers can be installed at the edge of a worksite, roof, or wherever a fall risk may occur.
• Anchor Technology – window anchor points are vital to any roof fall protection system. They are used to connect lanyards, lifelines, and other tie-offs to prevent a worker from falling. An engineered anchor point can be installed on a roof, door, or wherever needed by the user.
• Safety Net Systems – these netting systems are designed to protect workers from height, such as a skylight by deflecting or dissipating a fall. They can also work to catch dropped items on a worksite.
• Personal Fall Arrest Systems – this system includes a full body harness, anchorage, and connector used to stop workers’ mid-fall.
• Fall Restraint Systems – a fall restraint system uses positioning devices to prevent workers from reaching a hazard and are a great alternative to a guardrail system if practical.
• Safety Monitoring Systems – this system often utilizes a person, rather than a mechanical device, to warn workers when they are approaching a hazard or unprotected area- this is for roofing work only.

Benefits of a Fall Protection System for Your Facility

When on the job, it benefits everyone when a proper fall protection system and fall prevention program are in place. These methods can help eliminate hazards and control the risks associated with working from heights. A fall prevention program can be customized to your unique facility and is specific to your workplace. It will include many aspects like site location, site-specific fall hazards, type of fall protection to use, and more. Combined with your fall protection system, fall arrest planning will reduce worker compensation claims and insurance premiums, guarantee employee safety, increase productivity, reduce OSHA fines, and best of all, boost morale. Training at maintenance facilities must be developed.

Not only do we educate facility managers and owners on proper anchor technology with structured engineering analysis, we can also offer fall protection training, engineering services, maintenance management, and so much more. Investing in a fall protection system and your worker’s safety is something that every owner and manager should consider. If you’re ready to make your job site a safer place for your employees, and contractors contact our team today.

Roof anchors are an important fall protection safety feature for window cleaner worker. Be that as it may, other maintenance individuals who also devote much of the time working from rooftops can likewise profit from safer roof anchors. Probably the most ideal approach to guarantee you are utilizing the equipment properly is to ensure that it is well installed and inspected regularly. This is the duty of the owner or building manager.

To guarantee the success of a roof anchor, you ought to install and inspect the entire guidelines provided in the user manual. With respect to the area, you’d prefer to install the system, it’s essential to carry out a complete inspection to make sure all structures and rafters are free from deterioration, rot, or defects. Constant inspections help lessen the possibility of using equipment that is damaged and may fail when presented with the forces of fall arrest. You will need the building drawings and be able to read them clearly

Roof anchors are to be installed on roofs of buildings made of wood and steel. The roof material should be able to support a tensile load of 5,000 lbs. The area of installation ought to be chosen to limit the danger of swing fall hazards to the max. 15 degrees. Extra considerations for installation and use will be noted in the product’s User Instruction Manual for installation. Reviewing the document cautiously to make certain appropriate equipment usage and installation is vital.

Before using a permanent roof anchor, a visual inspection of the equipment must be done. Any defective, poorly maintained, or unsafe equipment should be removed from service right away. Equipment that has been subjected to the forces of fall arrest should also be removed from service instantly. Also, any repairs that need to be made to the fall equipment ought to be performed by the manufacturer. Upon visual inspection, the equipment including anchors ought not to have any indications of corrosion, chemical attack, alteration, extreme heating, bending or severe wear.

Working in a construction field during installation can definitely damage the equipment in the area. While an inspection of the equipment before use is mandatory, OSHA requires that a Competent Person other than the user should do that yearly. A Qualified Person must test the anchors every decade. Workers should regularly read the instruction manual comprehensively to make the best use of the equipment.

Ellis Fall Safety helps you sort out the different questions and opinions provided by the Team of Professionals to keep your anchor points and window cleaning management under control.

Owners and window cleaning employers bear a significant measure of obligation regarding providing and maintaining sufficient fall protection for workers including independent employees. It is likewise critical to help guarantee trained and properly equipped employees who constantly examine and supervise all fall protection and prevention equipment and systems before use. A qualified safety professional or professional safety engineer is useful to guide management as to proper coordination of structural engineering, window cleaning, and installation/testing management.

Fall protection includes a selection of various rope equipment and arresting systems. The three main factors to consider when dealing with components of an efficient fall protection system and program are comprehensive work area inspections, careful pre-work equipment inspections, and proper fall arrest/restraint systems.

Prior to working at locations that involve great heights, it is vital that qualified staff complete a systematic inspection of all fall protection equipment that will be in use. There are several regulations that ought to be looked at while developing pre-use inspection procedures for personal fall protection arrest equipment. The fall protection equipment should be inspected at the start of each 8-hour shift and inspections for deterioration, mildew, and other defects that might affect significant functionality should be included in each inspection of fall protection equipment and reported to management in writing.

Untoward consequences might arise as a result of failure to inspect fall protection equipment appropriately. For most workers, proper personal fall arrest systems are the last line of defense in avoiding lethal falls. Before an employee begins work at elevation, all defects must be recognized and fixed. In addition to inspecting the fall prevention equipment itself, a detailed pre-work inspection must also involve a reflection of the environment in which the work is carried out on. The ANSI/ASSP/Z359.15 committee dictates how a rope fall arrest system should be constructed with two locks to avoid panic grab failure.

In the event there’s a fall, total free fall distance will determine if the employee working at heights might hit an obstruction or the ground. When a high risk for a fall is involved, fall arrest equipment should be utilized. Fall arrest equipment functions to slow the worker during a fall, reducing the impact sustained on the body. This equipment includes ropes with terminations plus hardware plus harness safety systems, retractable lanyards and shock-absorbing lanyards. After a fall, an immediate inspection should be done to find out if fall forces affected its reliability.

Equipment like lanyards with shock-absorbing packs may turn out to be unreliable after a fall. The next step to take is to withdraw from service and destroy it. It should be discarded to prevent future use. A contractor worker must ask a supervisor for a copy of the company’s fall protection written program and stay current on the most recent information available as regards avoiding falls. from buildings.

Ellis Fall Safety is highly knowledgeable on all aspects of high rise window cleaning and OSHA regulations and safety inspections and training and can coordinate the handling of a Team of Four Professionals on your behalf.

A well-cleaned glass window offers an open view of the surrounding area. Should the glass become dirty or soiled, the pleasure of looking out the window to enjoy the scenery is lost. While you can wipe down a glass yourself, it can be quite difficult to get the window thoroughly free of streaks. A professional window cleaner anchor point is the best way to go for several reasons.

Almost every building with windows needs window cleaner anchor point to keep their window surfaces clean, sparkling and functional. It strongly drives rentals and leasing targets. Cleaning your own windows can be a time-consuming project and may be impractical for your own workers as a building manager or owner. Window cleaner anchor points can make sure all of your windows, even the hard to reach ones, are spotless. Don’t risk your company safety record by trying to erect a traditional ladder to clean the outdoor or indoor windows yourself. The risk is too high. Lower windows can use aerial lifts up to the 5th or 6th floor. 

A thorough window cleaning is one of the most important tasks on the building chore list, but fortunately, it’s one that only has to be completed a couple of times per year. To prevent the build-up of stubborn hard water stains on windows, thorough cleaning in spring and fall should do the trick. 

Window surfaces that are regularly exposed to humidity are going to require much more frequent cleaning. On close examination, it’s amazing how dirty glass surfaces can get disheartening unless you have the best window cleaners anchor point at your disposal. Window cleaners anchor point can restore the glass and extend your window’s life. They should also have the right equipment to safely clean hard-to-reach windows and skylights.

Windows are made of glass, and incidents happen when you least expect them. Should you crack or completely shatter one of your windows during the cleaning process, you will need to replace it, which can sometimes prove costly. If the window cleaners anchor point you hired were the ones who accidentally caused damage to the window, you’ll be covered for any damages. The window cleaner will handle everything for you and have the broken window replaced in quickly.

Window cleaners anchor point can identify problems like sashes that are painted shut, ill-fitting window screens, wood rot on windowsills, or damaged or non-functional windows. Spotting the problems early can often save you a big expense later, and it could even save your life. Little things like painted sashes and clogged channels might spell the difference between getting out in case of fire and being forced to take another way out of danger in a very tense situation.

Ellis Fall Safety helps building owners and building managers determine the proper economics and number of anchors and their roof locations to make investment decisions easier

Anchor points are a fundamental component of a fall protection system. They are also an essential piece of gear for anybody that deals with rooftop jobs or other raised surfaces. Anchor points are mainly installed on roofs. Its connections can be a simple D-ring or a whole personal fall arrest system.

Everyone has the tendency of installing various things around their homes. However, a do-it-yourself project is not the best thing to do in commercial settings due to the risks associated with it. Someone with lots of personal experience on the installation of anchor point products and its code and OSHA regulations will still benefit from the professional services of a competent fabricator and installer with proper testing methods and capability.

Competent fabricators and installers offer a wide range of manufacturing services which include machining, laser cutting, assembly, plasma cutting, coating, welding, and more. These experts pride themselves in their work – of course – but also their goals. They approach each client relationship with integrity and they work hard every day to deliver the best anchor point fabrication and installation services possible for their clients.

Before an anchor point is installed, other related issues must be resolved. Hiring a professional for anchor point installation means you can consult with an expert. Discuss your desired results with the expert and they will certainly disclose options you had never formerly considered. 

Competent fabricators and installers are usually highly experienced and are able to finish any tasks very quickly. Unless you work in construction or similar industries, you may not know the safety procedures that professionals adhere to. When you take into consideration all the risks, you can figure out why anchor point installation experts have prepared for possible dangers and are well insured and bonded.Installations should benefit from the services of a Subject Matter Expert (senior window cleaner) and Safety Engineer services to make sure that signs and labeling are not in conflict from previous contractor work

Anchor point installation requires precise equipment that if you don’t use any of them you might face the hazards of a damaged roof. However, a competent fabricator and installer have the necessary high quality, and state-of-the-art equipment they need to get the job done right.

Ellis Fall Safety helps you select a company that can select fall protection manufacturers products and test anchors to meet OSHA regs of having 5,000 lbs anchors and 2,500 lbs proof- tested locations.

The utilization of anchor points is recorded as part of OSHA’s fall protection safety regulations, which rely in part on quality standards for fall protection equipment that are set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI standard Z359.18 regulates the requirements that anchoring devices must meet to qualify as part of an OSHA-compliant anchor point. Safety Engineer review of the building identifies compliant and non-compliant anchors and what are permanent and temporary anchors plus signs and instructions for contractors to observe.

Anchor points used in workplaces are divided into two different categories. There are those installed by qualified professional engineers which are referred to as certified anchorages, and those installed by non-engineers who are recognized as having the fundamental level of skills and experience required for anchor point installation in USA. Anchor points installed by non-engineers are referred to as non-certified anchorages.

Certified and non-certified anchorages are recorded discretely in OSHA regulations. OSHA regulation 1910.140(c)(13)(i) covers non-certified anchorages, and this states that all non-certified anchor points must be able to support at least 5,000 lbs of weight for every employee attached to the anchor point. In the other hand, OSHA regulation 1910.140(c) (13)(ii) requires that certified anchor points only need to be able to support two times the load applied to the anchor point in the case of a fall. This weight is more often than not notably less than 5,000 pounds, often in the area of 1,800 to 2,400 lbs; OSHA clarified its requirements to be 2,500 lbs proof load.

Certified anchor points can always support less weight due to the fact that the engineer certifying them is better-qualified to understand exactly how much falling weight needs to be supported and how much weight the anchor point is capable of supporting. The weight-support specifications that apply to non-certified anchor points are designed to leave noteworthy room for error in case the individual assessing the anchor point makes an error.

Certified and non-certified anchorages are judged from a health and safety perspective. Anchor point programs assist you in taking control of safety on your job sites. It is vital to the success of the construction practice. Providing anchor points will benefit the build by reducing warranty issues, providing anchor points for multiple trades, reduce risk and liability and offer an anchor point past the construction phase.

Ellis Fall Safety recommends appointing a qualified safety professional, (Certified Safety Professional, CSP) to establish and monitor building contractor instructions and notices and inspects the building for violations. He or she is regularly in touch with the assigned structural engineer, window cleaning subject matter expert, installer/tester and helps coordinate the project to reduce liability and cost.

Anchor points are attachment devices that allow access to unguarded structures and edges by trained workers. They are generally designed for protection from falls from heights. There are many types of anchors, and the correct anchor system should always be selected for each working site. It’s important that building anchor point installers are trained and capable of fabricating and installing the proper anchor system. Anchor points for window cleaners must be designed by registered structural engineers meeting OSHA regulations specifies in 2017.

There are several purposes of an anchor point, which include fall arrest, rope access and re-direction. Determining each purpose and appraising the surface’s suitability helps in the selection of the right anchor, and to the system layout. Anchors should have a minimum breaking strength of 15kN (1500kg static load) for one individual or 21kN (2100 kg static load) for two individuals. A competent worker is required to install, test and approve an anchor point in accordance with AS/NZS 1891.4: 2009 and more recently OSHA regulations for use with Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – selection, use and maintenance often prescribed by skilled window cleaner companies.

A lanyard can be attached to a horizontal anchor which consists of lifelines and static lines. This allows a series of movement along the path of the line. A competent worker should also install and check these lines regularly at least annually. With reference to the components utilized and significant forces, there will be limitations on use, including the maximum number of individuals who may be able to be connected at a particular time.

Competent workers are individuals who through a combination of training, education and experience, acquired knowledge and skills allowing them to properly perform anchor point fabrication and installation. 

Permanently installed anchor points should be regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. History of installation and testing can be viewed by individuals authorized to access the anchor site through an owner-approved tagging systems. Tags are mainly used to provide information on the installer’s name, date of installation and certification, the rating and purpose of the anchorage and the highest number of individuals allowed to be connected to the anchor at any particular time.

Ellis Fall Safety helps choose the structural engineer firm that is local and competent with proper licenses in the state of installation