Fall arrest systems and PPE for working at heights

Fall protection is based on three pillars: preventing access to dangerous areas , intercepting a fall before it occurs , and limiting the consequences should a fall nevertheless occur . This is where the different types of fall arrest systems and PPE come from.

Guardrails , properly assembled scaffolding, and collective protection are the first step. If the scaffolding is enclosed by toeboards, intermediate rails, and top rails, the likelihood of someone falling is dramatically reduced. For this reason, collective protection is given priority wherever possible: it protects everyone without relying solely on the behavior of each individual.

When this isn't enough, fall arrest and restraint systems come into play: lifelines, certified anchors, harnesses, energy-absorbing lanyards, and retractable devices. Proper planning determines where to install the anchor points, the intended work path, and how to minimize fall factors (free fall height, presence of obstacles, pendulum effect). It's not just a matter of "laying the rope," but of designing the right configuration for a specific scenario.

Harnesses must be carefully selected, adjusted, and inspected. Incorrect sizes, non-adjustable straps, loose buckles, or incorrectly used anchor points render the system ineffective. Regular PPE inspections, maintenance records, and the replacement of worn or damaged components are part of routine maintenance, not extraordinary interventions.

Construction helmets for working at height , with a properly fastened chin strap, are another often overlooked aspect. When working at height, the risk isn't just falling objects, but also the possibility that, in the event of a slip or impact, the helmet could come off if it's not secured.

Education and training complete the circle: even the best fall arrest system is useless if its user can't understand when it's safe and when it's not. Knowing how to attach, how to move the anchor point, and how to behave around temporary or fixed lifelines is an integral part of professionalism for those who work at height.

A construction site that correctly uses fall arrest systems and PPE is not only safer: it communicates seriousness to clients, neighbors, and institutions, and makes it clear that the work is not imposed at the expense of the people who carry it out.