Since the beginning of its activity, more than ten years ago, AITANA SAFETY has been a pioneer of the use of Collective Protection Equipment (CPE) to secure against falls from height. Collective protection equipment such as toproof guardrails, safety nets or roof walkways are by far the most effective way to secure roof edge. They not only exclude employee’s decision to ensure themselves or not, but they create a much more friendly work area, which improves the mobility of people working at heights. That results in an increase in work efficiency. When entering the roof, the employee only has to focus on doing the job, cause falling from a height is properly secured. These are the so-called passive safety systems. When entering the danger zone, the employee does not have to do anything to ensure his own safety.

In contrast to CPE, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) require the willingness of the worker to secure himself, but also the necessary knowledge for the use of the equipment. Sometimes it’s even about using specialized mountaineering equipment. Despite the fact that PPE is often a cheaper solution than CEP, more and more companies resign from PPE installation at the design stage because they represent a higher exploitation cost during building lifetime. As an example, costs related to the need to conduct training in the use of specialized equipment and annual technical inspections.

Very often, health and safety officials, designers of new buildings and even the National Labor Inspectorate forget that the so-called Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as roof safety lines or EN 795 anchor points should only be used when there is no possibility of using Collective Protection Equipment. Directive 89/391/EEC* prioritizes CPE over PPE.

* Council Framework Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of people at working place, Journal device EU L 183 of June 29, 1989, p. 1 as amended) defines the rules of preventive action also in the field of protection against falling from height.

The legal approach seems quite convincing. So … why should we install an EN 795 lifeline that requires roof users to have certified mountaineering skills when you can instead install guardrails that ensure safety on the roof without any user action?

When choosing a fall arrest system, we must analyse first the type of hazard to secure. It is also important to take into account: how to fix the system to the supporting structure, constraints related to the work carried out, certification, temporary or permanent edge protection, etc. All of the above-mentioned elements are a must when selecting the appropriate fall protection system. That is why at AITANA SAFETY, we design, deliver and assemble custom-made solutions that secure edge protection against falls from height. Thanks to our technical department, we are able to analyse a given project and then propose the best solutions to the client. We have our own engineering department, which performs the advisory function, allowing for close contact with the client. Based on our experience, we can even design individual solutions for customers who have unusual requirements, and then test the solutions designed by us in external accredited specialized laboratories.

We recommend you always buy roof protection systems certified by an independent notified body. In this way, you are sure that the system meets the requirements of the standard and its properties have been approved by an independent institution.