In high-altitude work operations, fall prevention safety is not only critical to employee life safety but also the baseline for enterprise legal responsibility and brand reputation. According to international standards such as GB/T6095 "Safety Belts" and EN361 "Personal Protective Equipment for Fall Protection – Body Harnesses," this document provides detailed explanation of 10 key regulations for fall prevention, assisting enterprises in establishing an inherently safe production system.
Step 1: Comprehensive Risk Assessment—Prevention from the Source
The first step in fall prevention for high-altitude work is systematic risk assessment. Before construction, maintenance, installation, and other operations, it is mandatory to:
Identify fall hazard areas (work surfaces at heights ≥2 meters)
Evaluate specific hazard factors in the work scenario
Formulate corresponding protective measures according to risk levels
GB3864 "Safety Colors and Safety Signs" recommends marking high-risk areas with conspicuous warnings to alert workers to existing risks.
Step 2: Equip with Full-Body Safety Harnesses—Correct PPE is Fundamental
The core personal protective equipment for fall prevention is the full-body safety harness (compliant with GB/T6095 and EN361).
Key requirements:
✓ Attachment points at shoulders, waist, and legs to distribute impact forces
✓ Load-bearing points at chest and groin areas
✓ Prohibition of single-point waist belts (obsolete, extremely high risk)
When selecting safety harnesses, ensure verification of: manufacturer certification, inspection marks, material quality, and clarity of reflective strips.
Step 3: Regular Inspection and Maintenance—Equipment Reliability Assurance
The effectiveness of fall protection equipment depends directly on regular inspection. Based on frequency of use, the following is recommended:
| Inspection Item | Inspection Period | Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Visual inspection (before each use) | Daily | GB6095 |
| Professional inspection (comprehensive check) | 6–12 months | EN365 "Inspection, Maintenance and Care of Fall Protection Equipment" |
| Post-impact inspection | Immediately | EN365 |
Check for corrosion, cracks, and wear marks
Verify integrity of hooks and D-rings
Ensure webbing is unbroken and not faded
Fupan Safety provides third-party professional inspection services with test reports compliant with EU and GB standards.
Step 4: Mandatory Training—Knowledge Empowerment for Employees
Employee training is the human foundation of the fall prevention system. All high-altitude work personnel must receive:
Basic knowledge training: fall prevention principles, standards and regulations, common accident case studies
Equipment use training: safety harness donning, anchor point selection, emergency procedures
Scenario drills: practical exercises for specific work environments
Periodic refresher training: at least 1–2 update sessions annually
Training should be conducted by training institutions holding GB certification qualifications to ensure teaching standardization.
Step 5: Fixed Protective Measures—Engineering Controls Superior to Individual Protection
Engineering controls take priority over PPE. Where possible, install:
Guardrails (height ≥1100 mm, compliant with GB12014)
Safety nets (mesh size ≤10 cm, compliant with GB/T5725)
Protective barriers and protective canopies
Advantages of fixed protection:
Wide protective coverage, independent of individual behavior
Single investment, long-term effectiveness
Reduces employee burden and lowers fatigue-induced operation risks
Step 6: Safe Passages and Scaffolding Standards—Work Infrastructure
Ladders, scaffolding, and temporary work platforms must comply with standards:
✓ Ladders: Compliant with GB2601 "Ladder Safety Standards"
Place at 75° angle with intact anti-slip pads
Prohibition of stepping on top three rungs
✓ Scaffolding: Compliant with GB51210 "Building Construction Scaffolding Safety Technical Standards"
Secure connection of base beams, horizontal beams, and vertical posts
Complete scaffolding plank installation with no gaps
✓ Temporary platforms: Accurate load calculations with complete guardrails
Step 7: Three-Point Contact Method—Daily Operational Standards
When working on unprotected ladders or slopes, employees must observe the "three-point contact" principle:
At any time, the body must maintain at least 3 contact points with the ladder:
Both hands gripping rungs with one foot stepping (2 hands + 1 foot)
Or both feet stepping with one hand gripping a rung (2 feet + 1 hand)
This simple rule significantly reduces the risk of slipping and falling.
Step 8: Adverse Weather Work Suspension—Environmental Risk Management
External threats to fall prevention stem from environmental factors:
| Weather Condition | Risk Level | Recommended Measures |
|---|---|---|
| High winds (>level 8) | Prohibited | Suspend high-altitude operations |
| Heavy rain | Prohibited | Ladders and platforms become slippery; fall risk doubles |
| Ice or snow | Prohibited | Reduced surface friction |
| Low temperature (<−10°C) | Caution | Material embrittlement increases fall protection equipment failure risk |
| Fog with visibility<50 m | Restricted | Increase supervision intensity, reduce work height |
Weather forecasts must be checked before operations, with contingency plans established.
Step 9: Emergency Rescue Plan—Critical Life-or-Death Moments
Even with all preventive measures in place, preparation for post-fall emergency rescue is essential:
Complete Rescue System Includes:
Rescue equipment configuration
Rescue rope (compliant with EN1891)
First aid kit, stretcher, spinal board
Communication equipment (radio, telephone)
Rescue personnel training
Climbing rescue techniques (EN12281 "Inspection and Use Specifications for Fall Protection Equipment")
Basic first aid training (CPR, hemorrhage control, immobilization)
Regular drills (once per quarter)
Medical coordination
Establish emergency response mechanism with hospitals
Reserve helicopter rescue access (high-altitude work areas)
Incident reporting system
Record all fall incidents and near-misses
Analyze root causes for continuous improvement
Step 10: Professional Supervision and Management—System Sustained Effectiveness
Fall prevention safety requires dedicated management and continuous supervision:
Key Responsibilities:
Safety supervisor/engineer: Weekly inspections checking PPE compliance and equipment condition
Crew leader: Daily pre-shift safety briefing confirming protective measures are in place
Professional inspection organization: Periodic system effectiveness assessment with audit reports