While the Texas winter weather last week slowed down jobsite progress and impacted concrete pours, it did provide BCS concrete finishers the opportunity to receive more classroom training. Eduardo Cortez, Falltech Master Trainer, delivered a Fall Protection training session where all finishers learned about the fundamentals of OSHA’s Fall Protection Regulations, options for appropriate anchor points, practicing donning body harnesses and understanding some of the issues related to performing fall rescues.
Cortez makes training interactive by using real examples from jobsites and explaining the challenges of using a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS). A PFAS is one of the fall protection options required by OSHA when workers are exposed to falls of six feet or more when working above a lower level. Cortez asks workers what they think OSHA requirements are related to fall protection and then he addresses the ABCD’s of fall protection training (Anchor Point, Body Harness, Connectors and Descent and Rescue.
BCS Finishers listen to the description of how to do a body harnesses.
In 2024, BCS converted to a new Falltech harness that is more durable than its predecessor and can hold more tools without destroying the webbing and stitching. Additionally, the Tradesman Pro model, features trauma straps, which are used in the case of a fall to allow the worker to deploy bilateral coils that hook together and permit a fallen worker to stand up and relived the pressure created by leg straps on the femoral arteries. Workers who have fallen can sustain life threatening injuries from suspension trauma in less than 15 minutes. So, a Fall Rescue plan and training in self-assisted rescue are critical elements to fall protection training.
Eduardo Cortez, Falltech, explains how to adjust the chest strap.
Workers learned about the correct size they should wear, how to adjust the body harness straps and how having personal items in their pockets may cause unintended injuries. Cortez also teaches workers how to inspect their harness before each use.
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