Plan before you climb

The most dangerous moment on any elevated work task is the one where someone decides to just quickly get up there without thinking it through. Pre-task planning for height work takes three minutes and prevents most fall incidents.

The five questions

Before any work at height: (1) What's the fall hazard and how high? (2) What protection system are we using? (3) Is the anchor point rated and inspected? (4) Do we have a rescue plan if someone falls and is suspended? (5) Does everyone on the crew know the plan?

Suspension trauma

A worker who falls and is caught by a harness is not automatically safe. Suspension in a harness with no way down can cause suspension trauma — blood pooling in the legs leading to unconsciousness and death — within 15–30 minutes. You must have a rescue plan before work begins, not after.

Rescue plan requirement

OSHA requires that employers provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall. 'Call 911 and wait' is not a rescue plan. Know how you will get someone down before work starts.

Discussion question

What is our rescue plan if someone is suspended in a harness at today's work location — and does everyone here know it?

Documentation Reminder

Record this meeting: date, topic ("Working at Heights — Pre-Task Planning"), names of attendees, and facilitator. A signed attendance sheet filed with your safety records is your training documentation. OSHA treats documented safety meetings as evidence of good faith.

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