Mission
The mission of the SAIA Fall Protection Council within the Scaffolding and Access Industries is to advance the safety, integrity, and knowledge across the scaffolding and access industry. The Council is dedicated to promoting best practices, supporting the development of industry standards, fostering education and training, and encouraging collaboration among contractors, engineers, and industry professionals. Through leadership, technical expertise, and advocacy, the Council strives to reduce risk, enhance compliance, and protect workers at height.
Goals
- Advance Industry Best Practices
Develop and promote practical, field-driven guidance for fall protection in scaffolding and suspended access applications. - Support Standards and Regulatory Alignment
Collaborate with industry stakeholders to support the development, interpretation, and harmonization of fall protection standards and regulations. - Enhance Education and Training
Create educational resources, technical bulletins, and training demonstrations to improve competency in all fall protection sections. - Promote Incident Reduction
Identify common hazards and trends to drive initiatives aimed at reducing fall-related incidents and improving overall jobsite safety. - Encourage Industry Collaboration
Provide a forum for contractors, engineers, safety professionals, and industry leaders to share knowledge, address challenges, and develop solutions. - Strengthen Awareness and Advocacy
Increase awareness of fall protection requirements and advocate for responsible safety practices throughout the scaffold and suspended access industry.
Chair
Becky Danielson
Safewaze
Co-Chair
Micah Turner
Trekker Group
WHAT IS FALL PROTECTION?
Fall Protection
There are several ways to protect workers that are working at heights. All too often personal fall arrest systems are automatically chosen, however the best way to identifying the proper protection is following the hierarchy of fall protection.
Eliminate the Hazard
Eliminating the fall hazard or preventing exposure to a fall hazard is the most effective control measure. Preventing exposure may include modifying structure, isolating the worker from the hazard, changing a process, substituting equipment, or using work procedures organized in such a manner that the worker is not exposed to the fall hazard.
Passive Fall Protection
Passive fall protection methods are generally considered a higher level of protection than active systems since there is little or no reliance on the worker. Examples of passive protection include guardrails, which provide a physical barrier between the worker and the fall hazard, covers over holes which provide a load bearing barrier, scaffolds and working platforms with guardrails or barrier protection.
Fall Restraint Systems
Fall restraint systems, involve the use of equipment assembled in such a manner that the worker cannot fall. Restraint systems are characterized by the worker remaining on the same surface they were working on if a fall should occur. Restraint systems do not allow a worker to free fall, therefore restraint systems do not generate the same amount of energy as fall arrest systems, reducing the risk of injury.
Active Fall Protection System
Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) involve the use of personal fall protection equipment assembled in such a manner that an authorized person can fall. Fall arrest systems are characterized by the worker free falling some distance and the fall being arrested by the fall protection equipment. Fall arrest systems create additional concerns regarding the amount of force that the worker’s body will experience during the event, contacting structure and requiring rescuing the worker after the fall has been arrested.
No matter what systems are chosen, detailed education should be given to the worker ensuring that employees know how to properly inspect, use, and store the equipment. If a personal fall arrest system is chosen, education on proper fit is key in protecting the worker from further injury.
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OUR MISSION
To ensure those who make, install, depend on, or govern the use of scaffold and access equipment pursue the highest standards of safety, craftsmanship, and ethics.
