Transport vehicles

Fall protection for passenger and freight transport

Automobiles, trains, ships and aircraft are used as means of transport in both the commercial and public sectors. Classic examples are trucks and train carriages in the logistics sector, as well as water, air and transport vehicles in ports or hangars. Large transport vehicles are also used by the fire brigade or for disaster relief. During loading and unloading, but also when securing the load, skilled workers move around and on the means of transport – and thus at sometimes dangerous heights. Inspection and cleaning work is also constantly being carried out on or in the immediate vicinity of the vehicles.

In professional workshops with sufficient space, stages, ramps or platforms are used for servicing and inspecting transport vehicles. Where this is not possible, a different protection against falls (from a height) is needed: for example, an anchorage device in combination with personal protective equipment (PPE) can be attached either overhead to building structures or directly to the vehicle. INNOTECH® offers systems for the protection of single and multiple persons in a wide range of spatial conditions.

Special hazard situations during loading and unloading

Local conditions and vehicles vary greatly in the transport industry's wide range of applications: conditions in a port are different from those in a logistics company. However, the following applies everywhere: for loading and unloading, but also for servicing, inspection and cleaning, the law requires safety measures for the persons carrying out the work.

Special requirements apply at heights between 1 and 3 meters: the risk of falling (from a height) and injury is often underestimated and a fall prevention (protection) system is required by law from a height of 2 meters. However, anchor points cannot be attached everywhere. In any case, the use of an airbag vest is recommended to protect against serious injuries to the back and chest.

Special features in the area of application of transport vehicles:

• The surface of vehicles on which work is carried out is considerably smaller than in other areas of application – such as the roof of an industrial hall. Due to the small surface, unintentional movements, such as a careless step backwards, can lead to a fall (from a height) more quickly.
• Loading and unloading of means of transport takes place in all weather conditions – entering a danger zone is virtually inevitable. Outside of halls and workshops, slipping due to weather conditions is an additional source of danger.