Life Safety & Security January 2021

As building managers and floor supervisors know, fall protection
equipment can help prevent many injuries and fatalities in the
workplace. But how do you handle employees who are reluctant
to use that safety equipment?
Unfortunately, policies that discipline employees for failing to use
safety equipment may not be wholly effective in changing
attitudes about workplace safety. A more comprehensive
approach involves regular training, allowing employees to have
input on equipment choices and shifting some oversight out of
administrative offices and onto the production floor.
Four factors are changing the workplace mentality about
safety gear:
Training. First, educate all employees on the risks of falls in the
workplace. According to the CDC and Bureau of Labor Statistics,
falls accounted for 213,000 workplace injuries and 605 deaths in
one year alone. Also, all new hires should go through safety
training that includes step-by-step instructions on how to use
safety gear. Have workers put on a safety harness as part of their
training, so you know they can do it correctly.
You may not think anyone would need training on how to climb a
ladder, but if you’ve ever seen someone climbing a ladder with
tools in-hand, you know people sometimes forget basic safety
protocol. Explain in training that even when a ladder is
surrounded by a fall protection cage, workers still need to
exercise caution when climbing, and that includes keeping their
hands free.
Employee input. If you’ve heard workers say their fall protection
harnesses are ill-fitting or uncomfortable, ask them for help in
choosing new equipment. You could even assemble a team to
research and test new harnesses. When workers have some say
in the type of equipment they’re required to use, they may be
more likely to use it.
Peer monitoring. A building manager can’t watch what’s
happening in production areas at all times. That’s why a safety
committee comprised of employees may be more effective in
promoting the use of safety gear. Plus, workers may be more
likely to follow instructions from their peers, rather than from
management.
Give your safety committee the autonomy to reward people who
uphold good safety standards – perhaps provide an incentive like
free lunch or a cash reward that your committee can offer
someone each month.
January - 2021