Leading Edge: Helping You Stay Safe While Working at Height
Imagine working 20 feet above the ground. Now imagine working on top of a roof over 50 feet off the ground. And now think about being 50 stories in the air while building a skyscraper. Fall protection equipment is an essential component of your safety, but you also need to know how to use the equipment properly. For this, you need appropriate training and an understanding of what is required to be compliant.
One of the most dangerous aspects of working at height are leading edge hazards. This is often construction work that is performed at an unprotected edge, perimeter or border where a fall hazard exists. Typically, a leading edge situation will force a lifeline or lanyard to ‘bend’ over the edge in the event of a fall over the edge. Moreover, many leading edges also present sharp edge hazards that can fray or even sever a lifeline as it bends over the edge. Other hazards that exist due to leading and sharp edge situations include: