Fallschutz

Fallschutz, or fall protection, refers to measures and equipment designed to prevent injuries from falls from height in workplaces and similar settings. It covers both fall prevention and fall arrest, recognizing the difference between eliminating exposure to fall hazards and mitigating injury if a fall occurs. A comprehensive fallschutz plan typically combines engineering controls, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment, following a hierarchy of controls from elimination and substitution to engineering controls, procedures, and PPE.

Key components include collective protection, such as guardrails, edge protection, safety nets, and stable work platforms, as well as personal protective equipment like full-body harnesses, lanyards with energy absorbers, deceleration devices, and anchor lines. Connectors such as carabiners and rescue equipment are also integral to many systems. Systems must be appropriately selected for the task and subjected to regular inspection, maintenance, and replacement as needed to remain effective.

Regulatory context varies by country, but most jurisdictions require risk assessment, planning, training, proper equipment use, and rescue planning as part of fallschutz. In the European Union, equipment and practices align with harmonized standards, while national regulations such as DGUV rules in Germany or OSHA rules in the United States guide specific requirements for installation, usage, and maintenance. Effective fallschutz emphasizes planning, prioritizes collective protection where possible, and ensures rapid rescue procedures in the event of a fall.