Personal protective equipment to protect against falls from a height

Safety for mobile work platform users

When working with mobile elevating work platforms, serious accidents occur time and again as a result of falling or being catapulted from the work platform. If the risk of falling from the work platform basket cannot be ruled out in the risk assessment, suitable measures must be taken. Personal protective equipment to protect against falls is a suitable measure.

Personal fall protection equipment (PPE) can save your life. We provide you with the right equipment to protect your health.

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Fall protection PPE must be worn when using certain mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) such as static booms and mobile booms.

Static Booms (1b)

  • Truck platforms
  • Trailer working platforms
  • Crawler platforms

Mobile Booms (3b)

  • Telescopic work platforms
  • Articulated telescopic work platforms
Felbermayr-PSAgA mit Sicherheitsgeschirr, Falldämpfer und Rucksack


We recommend wearing PPE for vertical lifts such as scissor lifts (Mobile Vertical 3a). However, local regulations / manufacturer specifications may require PPE to be worn for all MEWPs, including vertical lifts.

Important information for your safety when using work platforms:

  • Select a suitable working platform: Choose the right work platform in terms of reach, manoeuvrability, load capacity, ground conditions and the work to be carried out.
  • Personal protective equipment to protect against falls from a height: The harness, also known as a safety harness, must be correctly fitted and adjusted. The harness is attached to the designated attachment point on the work platform using a connecting element and retaining eyelet. All persons on the platform must attach their lanyards to the correct anchor point. Safety lines and connecting elements must comply with the applicable standards.
  • Shock absorbers prevent injuries: In the event of a fall, shock absorbers slow down the fall speed. Injuries are minimised or prevented.
  • User training: Use trained operators, supervisors and managers. You can find details on the certified IPAF training here.
  • Wear a hard hat: Industrial safety helmets protect the head from injury. Note: Helmets are not provided by Felbermayr.

Potential hazards and risks for operators of work platforms:

  • Height: Working at great heights requires additional safety measures.
  • Movement: When moving the working platform, sudden jolting or swivelling may occur, which increases the risk of falling.
  • Surroundings: Uneven or unsafe working environments increase the risk of instability and accidents. 
     

Legal basis:

  • Employee protection act [ASchG]: Obliges employers to take suitable protective measures to prevent accidents at work.
  • Ordinance on personal protective equipment [PSA-V]: The ordinance on personal protective equipment has specified the regulations on personal protective equipment for employees.
  • Operating instructions (per work equipment ordinance [AM-VO]): The operating instructions provide specific guidelines for the use of PPE when working on work platforms.
  • According to the currently valid DIN EN 280:2016-04 "Mobile elevating work platforms", mobile elevating work platforms must be equipped with anchorage devices for restraint systems in the work platforms. These must be designed in such a way that they can be connected to the personal protective equipment. Connecting elements must not be able to come loose from the anchor device unintentionally.

 

Personal protective equipment, which includes a safety harness, shock absorber and industrial safety helmet, is an important lifesaver.

Hashem Rahsepar-Hashemi — Team leader for safety management at Felbermayr
Portrait vom Teamleiter Felbermayr-Sicherheitsmanagement mit Helm