Sunday, November 12, 2023

Cold Weather and Fall Protection

It’s essential to pay attention to the effects of cold temperatures on the flexibility and performance of materials used in PPE, in particular fall protection equipment. Here are five key things to keep in mind when working at heights in the winter

Newsletters Alberta Local 63 BC Local 68 Manitoba Local 152 Ontario Construction Saskatchewan Local 151

Inspection – Thoroughly inspect your equipment before use for signs of wear, deterioration, or damage, especially lifelines and their components.
Ratings – Check the temperature ratings of the equipment you’re using as some will be less effective the colder the temperature. Know the limitations of your fall protection equipment.
Awareness – Moisture and cold temperatures can lead to malfunctions in equipment, for example, causing the locking function on a self-retracting lifeline to fail to deploy. Equipment left outside overnight can be particularly affected.
Testing – Briskly pull the cable out to make sure the locking mechanism inside the housing responds to a sudden jerk on the cable. It should function like a car seat belt where a sudden tug engages the locking mechanism. If the locking mechanism becomes stuck due to freezing temperatures, the cable will continue to spool out. Test its functionality three or more times with the cable at different lengths.
Training – Be sure your fall protection training is up to date and that you know how to use and maintain your PPE properly.

Sources: Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Infrastructure Health & Safety Association

Cold Weather and Fall Protection

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