As a business, what comes to mind when reflecting on professional goals and commitments?
The forefront should be the safety of employees, especially when it comes to working at height.
Despite the dangers associated with working at height, insufficient training is still a common problem, resulting in serious repercussions for employees, management and companies. The team of height specialists and engineers at Kerrect, pride themselves on prioritising the safety of workers and in this month’s blog, we’re going to take a look at safe and efficient rope access, fall protection methods, safety nets, and our commitment to elevating safety standards in the industry.
Safe and efficient rope access
A rope access system involves using a main working line to access and position around a workplace, which is protected by a backup safety system, usually a safety line, to minimise the risk of a fall. Both the working line and safety line should be connected to a harness, and each secured to two anchor points.
Using a
rope access system provides access to difficult locations, such as tight spaces or high elevations. They are also cost effective, as they are more economical than traditional scaffolding, and provide minimal disruption to ongoing operations, given their simple set up.
Fall protection methods
As you can imagine, there are a plethora of fall protection methods. Let’s take a look at some of the most recent developments within the height industry:
Harnesses
Harnesses are the epitome of fall protection, and fortunately, 2025 brings smarter and more comfortable options. Ergonomic designs now reduce worker fatigue, particularly for those spending long hours at height. There are now even ‘smart’ harnesses, equipped with integrated fall detection sensors, which can instantly alert supervisors or emergency responders in the event of a fall, significantly reducing response times.
Lanyards and Connectors
The latest lanyards come with self-retracting lifelines that feature dynamic energy absorption, minimising the impact on the user during a fall. Specialised connectors are also available for environments with extreme conditions, such as high-moisture or chemical exposure, ensuring reliability in diverse applications.
Anchor Systems
Portable and reusable anchor systems are designed for flexibility, enabling safer setups in temporary or unusual work locations. For more permanent installations, advancements regarding fixed anchor points now take into consideration modern architectural complexities and offer long-lasting and secure solutions.
Fall Arrest and Restraint Systems
Dual-use systems that easily switch between
fall arrest and restraint modes are increasingly popular. These systems are tailored for specific industries, ensuring a perfect fit for unique challenges, such as high-rise construction.
Safety net protection in high-risk environments
In high-risk environments,
safety nets act as a crucial protective measure by catching falling workers or objects when operating in high-risk zones and working at height, such as on fragile roof areas or cladding projects, significantly reducing the risk of serious injury by absorbing the impact of a fall and preventing them from hitting the ground directly. The materials used in safety nets, typically high-tensile polypropylene or nylon, are chosen for their durability and ability to withstand heavy loads and harsh weather conditions. This ensures the safety nets are not only strong, but are also long-lasting, making them a cost-effective safety measure on construction sites.
First and foremost, we believe that safety net protection can save lives. By providing a barrier around elevated work areas, workers or equipment are prevented from falling and potentially suffering serious or even fatal injuries.
Our commitment to elevating workplace safety standards
The team of height safety specialists at Kerrect are committed to providing comprehensive height safety systems and equipment, ensuring workers and companies meet the highest safety standards.
Inadequate height safety provision is not just a regulatory failure, it’s a moral and operational risk. We believe employees deserve to go home safely, and businesses have a duty to provide the training and tools workers require to work at height without fear. As we head into 2025, Kerrect remain committed to ensuring Australian workers have the right equipment and know-how, to ensure they can perform their job safely and confidently.
Don’t take risks with workplace safety! Contact our team today
