2.2 Select measures in the correct order

Personal fall protection is not automatically the first solution when a fall risk exists.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions are based on the principle that the risk should first be eliminated or reduced by other measures.

A practical order is:

1. Can the fall risk be eliminated?

Can the task be performed in a way that avoids exposing the person to the fall risk?

For example, can the work be carried out from ground level, can the task be changed, or can a different means of access be used?

Can the work be moved, replanned or performed from a safer position?

Examples may include:

Where a suitable fall-protection device cannot be provided, other protective measures that are not personal fall protection should be considered.

Only when other solutions are not reasonable or suitable should personal fall protection be used to address the remaining fall risk.

A common mistake is to begin planning with questions such as:

“Which harness do we need?” “Which lanyard should we use?” “Which retractable type fall arrester is suitable?”

That is too early.

Start instead with:

What is the risk, and can we eliminate it?

If personal fall protection is required, product selection comes later.

Do not start by selecting a harness, lanyard or retractable type fall arrester. Start by trying to eliminate or reduce the fall risk.