Dropped and falling objects: A serious and ongoing risk in rope access work
Dropped and falling objects might sound like rare accidents — but they’re a serious and ongoing risk in rope access work.
From unsecured tools to poor third-party coordination, these incidents can lead to life-changing injuries, property damage, or worse.
Real-world examples from the latest IRATA Safety Bulletin include:
- A scaffold clip placed near active ropes that fractured a technician’s wrist
- A mobile phone dropped from 60 metres, smashing a car windscreen outside the exclusion zone
These could’ve been fatal. So what can be done?
To prevent accidents:
- Use proper tool tethers and pouches
- Always zip up pockets and secure loose items
- Set up and supervise exclusion zones
- Never work under unsecured loads
- Conduct thorough dropped object risk assessments
A safe site is a prepared site. And it starts with awareness, training, and procedures.
#RAILRopeAccess #IRATA #WorkAtHeight #DroppedObjects #ToolboxTalk #RopeAccessSafety #StayAlert #ZeroDrops
