To keep safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals up to date with the best practices, latest standards and requirements and equipment for addressing and preventing falls in the workplace, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) announces the release of the fourth edition of Introduction to Fall Protection.

The new publication, by author, J. Nigel Ellis, Ph.D., PE, CSP, CPE  is the first published in over 10 years. It addresses one of the most significant causes of worker deaths in the U.S. Sections that have been added to the book since the last edition was published include a new section on rope access methods, updated consensus standards, new equipment on the market and recently identified hazards related to older or existing equipment and a section on rescuing fallen workers.

According to 2008 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) falls made up 13 percent of workplace fatalities. Of that 13 percent, 11 percent were falls to a lower level. Of the 680 fatal falls reported in 2008, 18 percent were from a roof, 17 percent from a ladder, 12 percent from a moving vehicle and 10 percent from a scaffold or staging.

In addition, Center for Disease Control (CDC) statistics state that unintentional falls are the leading causes of non-fatal injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms.

A source for SH&E professionals who are implementing fall protection programs, solving fall protection applications problems, and seeing more technical information and guidance on fall protection measures, Introduction to Fall Protection, Fourth Edition includes many new illustrations and photos that provide clear examples of the proper and improper ways to deal with fall hazards.

The fourth edition was developed to keep SH&E professionals up to date on the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) Z359.1 Fall Protection code which has been amended since the third edition was published.

Changes to Z359.1 address the following; specifications and design requirements for active fall protection systems, connecting components for personal fall arrest systems and personal energy absorbers and energy absorbing lanyards.

Introduction to Fall Protection, Fourth Edition also includes an expanded section on training, which stresses the importance of keeping employees trained and up to date on fall protection standards.

“This book is intended for all levels of the safety profession who are trying to find the latest approaches to working safely at heights,” explained Dr. Ellis. “It provides detailed information on eliminating fall hazards to the growing safety profession.”

Many safety professionals, including internationally known fall safety experts, also contributed to Introduction to Fall Protection, Fourth Edition by providing updates to all of the books chapters.

Dr. Ellis is the President of Wilmington, DE-based Ellis Fall Safety Solutions, and is a recipient of the ASSE Fellow, the highest honor granted by ASSE. He is a Registered Safety Engineer (CA & MA) and a member of a number of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) committees on fall arrest and fall protection.

Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 34,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org.