Would you trust someone who isn’t a qualified electrician to re-wire your house because they’re cheap?
Of course not, because you accept that you pay more for experience.
The same goes for installing roof safety and fall protection systems. You pay a professional and competent company to ensure these safety critical systems perform as they should. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees.
We’ve encountered some shocking systems (see our photos below) and shudder to think what would happen if someone fell while using them. They certainly wouldn’t prevent or stop a fall from height.
Expertise & knowledge are essential to stop a fall from height
Professional fall protection companies like us have a wealth of expertise. They have extensive experience working with different types of roofs, architectural structures and industry-specific safety requirements. This expertise allows them to competently assess the work environment, identify potential hazards and risks and protect against a fall from height.
Fall protection specialists employ skilled professionals trained in fall protection and working at height. They stay up to date with the latest industry best practices. This includes technological advancements, safety standards and legislation changes.
You want a company with this in-depth knowledge and understanding to evaluate your specific needs. Site specific factors must be considered. These include wind speeds, the roof’s dimensions, access points and any unique challenges the work environment presents. Only by doing this can a company provide fall protection systems that address your particular safety requirements.
We certainly wouldn’t recommend or install a system like this!
Fall protection companies know about the different types of systems available. They can recommend the most suitable equipment based on your work environment. This could be guardrails, personal fall arrest systems or other solutions. Their expertise allows them to choose the right combination of systems that offer optimal safety while considering usability, accessibility and ease of maintenance.
Why professional companies insist on quality & reliability
Fall protection specialists prioritise the quality and reliability of their installations. They ensure that the roof safety and fall protection systems are built to withstand various environmental conditions, provide long-term worker protection and prevent or arrest a fall from height.
Like us, professional installation companies only use high-quality systems and equipment. These are chosen for their durability, strength and resistance to environmental factors. This can include UV radiation, external temperatures and corrosion.
The systems they install will have been subjected to rigorous testing to ensure they meet or exceed industry standards. This also verifies that they can withstand the expected loadings and forces associated with falls and will come with a warranty. This warranty coverage offers you additional insurance on the quality of the products.
When a competent company designs and installs a fall protection system, it will consider the structural integrity of the roof and its supporting components. It will also evaluate load-bearing capabilities, consider factors such as deflection and ensure that the installation does not compromise the overall stability of the structure.
Somehow we don’t think this system came with a warranty, or the person who installed it considered any factors!
You need competent maintenance and support for your fall protection equipment
Professional fall protection companies not only handle the design and installation of your systems, but they also provide ongoing maintenance and support.
These can include regular inspections of the systems to ensure their continued effectiveness. Inspections will involve evaluating the integrity of components, checking for any signs of wear and tear, and making sure the system hasn’t been altered. Regular inspections help to spot and address potential problems, reducing the risk of accidents or system failures.
A DIY system won’t stop a fall from height
Some companies may be tempting from a cost-saving perspective. But they lack the expertise, compliance, quality and ongoing support that professional companies provide. All you’ll get is a badly designed and installed DIY system.
Investing in a competent company for the design, installation and maintenance of your roof safety and fall protection systems is crucial. So if you want to ensure the safety and well-being of workers at height, speak to the professionals.
Need help protecting people working at height, or want to discuss maintenance of your systems, we’re here to help.
