A briefing on fall protection systems for designers

1 A legal requirement and ethical must
2 The legal context
3 Getting the balance right
4 Implementing the hierarchy of fall protection
5 The design options open to you
6 Test standards for fall protection systems
7 Keep things in perspective
8 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] A legal requirement and ethical must

Recent legislation changes highlight designers’ responsibilities for ensuring robust fall protection in building design. So, what do you need to be aware of if you are the lead designer? This article offers an insider’s guide on what you need to consider with fall protection systems.

Design plays a key role in keeping workers safe when working at height. Thinking about it right from the start is key; if you integrate a fall protection system into your design you will deliver a structure that both looks good and is safe to work on at height. This isn’t just an ethical must; it is also a legal requirement.

[edit] The legal context

As a principal designer, your responsibilities for ensuring that robust fall protection is in place are set out in HSE Guidance and the Work at Height Regulations, first published in 2005 and updated in 2007.

The recent Building Safety Act (2022) assigns principal designers even more responsibility to be a ‘guiding hand’ for health and safety features and instalments through the design and construction of all buildings. As such, Architectural Technologists have a significant role in ensuring robust fall protection in building design.

Many UK design and architectural practices have welcomed this renewed focus on safety. At a recent webinar on fall protection, architect Paul Bussey, from Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, described the new Act as a major wake-up call. “The UK design and construction industry has for too long been deregulating, relaxing and gaming fire safety and health and safety regulations,” he said. “It’s time for a major culture change.”

So, what are your main duties as the lead designer? Well, it is your job to plan, manage and monitor, eliminating hazards “so far as is reasonably practicable” (Work at Height Regulations 2005) and reducing risks from remaining hazards.

You should set out your fall protection strategy as part of the Health and Safety Plan, specifying solutions to minimise the risks of working at height. These solutions should cover the whole building life cycle, from construction to ongoing maintenance. Start by asking yourself which rooftop areas need access, the frequency of this access, the number of people who will be involved and the training that they will need to have. All these factors should guide your decision-making.

[edit] Getting the balance right

In deciding what is “reasonably practicable” and what are the most effective solutions for your project, you will want to question where the right balance lies. Innovation versus proven systems? Creativity in design versus confidence and safety? Cutting edge or compliant? These are the kind of questions that principal designers should ask themselves every day as they grapple with the challenge of fall protection safety.

Clearly, aesthetics are fundamental, fall protection systems that have longevity are a must and budgets are an essential consideration. But, most importantly, you will want to keep the risks of working at height to the absolute minimum, getting safety right from a business, ethical and moral perspective.

Fortunately, there are approaches in place where designers do not need to choose between these options, which enable the highest standards of safety when it comes to fall protection.

[edit] Implementing the hierarchy of fall protection

When designing safe access, you should follow the hierarchy of fall protection. This means eliminating any fall hazard in the first instance by designing it out. Where this is not possible, you should explore collective fall protection, like, for example, a guardrail that acts as a physical barrier between the worker and the hazard. Installing collective fall protection will allow less-trained users to access a rooftop without the need for personal protective equipment.

If collective fall protection is not possible, because of planning constraints, rights of light or ‘viewing corridors’, your next option is to specify a personal fall protection system. There are two kinds: a fall restraint system and a fall arrest system.

With a fall restraint system – the preferred option – workers use fall protection equipment, such as an anchor point, harness and fixed length lanyard, preventing them from reaching the hazard.

If a fall restraint system is not possible, then the remaining option is to specify a fall arrest system. This allows trained workers, wearing specialist equipment to access the hazard, safe in the knowledge that if they do fall, their fall will be arrested by this equipment.

[edit] The design options open to you

There are two main design options open to you when specifying a personal fall protection system: a perimeter system and a ridge system. With a perimeter system, users have full movement around the perimeter while always remaining in restraint. With a ridge system, which is suitable for both fall restraint solutions and fall arrest solutions, workers use additional single point anchor posts to gain access to roof corners. It is worth noting that both systems should be tested for fall arrest, in case of misuse.

[edit] Test standards for fall protection systems

Once you have decided what kind of fall protection system is most suitable for your project, your next challenge is a choose a system that meets the right test standards. This means specifying a system that meets both the EN 795:2012 standard (updated from the 1997 standard) for single user anchor devices and the CEN/TS 16415:2013 standard for multi-user anchor devices.

There are a few things to be aware of in relation to test standards. Do not assume that a system tested against the old 1997 standard will be capable of meeting the revised standards. Check that a system that claims to be tested against current standards has been tested against the 2012 standard; it may only meet the 1997 standard.

You also need to check that the system has been tested on the structure or base material it will be used on; for example, that it has been tested using UK standard BS 8610. This is important because anchors perform differently on different materials and roof structures when force is exerted.

It is also worth being aware that, should a contractor substitute a different fall protection system from the one you specified, you could be held legally liable in the event of serious injury or death if the quality is not the same as the one stated. This is the case even if the change took place without your knowledge.

[edit] Keep things in perspective

In trying to achieve the right balance in designing a building that is both aesthetically pleasing and safe to work on at height, it is important to keep things in perspective.

Remember those key words: “so far as is reasonably practicable”. You are not responsible for everything. No one expects you to control the way that contractors manage health and safety or design for future uses of the building that you could not reasonably have anticipated. By knowing what your responsibilities are, taking them seriously, and partnering with a trusted and innovative supplier of fall protection systems, you can stay compliant and help keep workers safe.

This article appears in the AT Journal issue 15o summer 2024 as "Fall protection systems: an essential briefing for designers" written by Stuart Pierpoint, Specification Sales Manager, MSA Safety.

--CIAT