Contributor: Craig Erickson, CEO Safety Rail Company

Fall protection is big business. It’s estimated that in 2024, the U.S. market will spend north of $3 billion on guard rails, lanyards, harnesses, lifelines, anchoring systems, etcetera, etcetera. It’s easy to see why the fall protection industry has attracted the attention of so many sales organizations. And while many distributors and resellers do have a solid knowledge base, there is no shortage of companies that are perfectly comfortable promoting themselves as something they’re not. Without an assessment, proper engineering, manufacturing expertise, and installation know-how behind it, a guard rail is just a railing. There is tested science to fall protection… it goes a lot deeper than a railing with a coat of yellow paint.

Finding the right partner can be tricky. As a complete, end-to-end fall protection company, Safety Rail feels uniquely qualified to shed some light on what makes a great one.

Don’t jump straight to products… start with an assessment.

It’s common to want to take the easy route. A Google search… a few clicks… and you’re on your way to worry-free protection, right? Wrong. The safety of your personnel is no place for guesswork or fast solutions. A thorough hazard assessment with boots-on-the-ground at the site (and on the roof) is the only way to get to the core of your specific fall protection needs. The goal can be nothing short of complete OSHA compliance and a custom, detailed playbook to get you there.

As for deliverables, it’s fair to expect a Hazard Identification Report that clearly flags all risks to your personnel; a Risk Assessment Matrix to help prioritize what needs to be done; a Control Measures Plan that lays out the methods to address these risks; and a Hazard Communications Plan that helps everyone in your organization clearly understand the work that needs to be done and any new protocols that will be put in place.

Demand solutions engineered with purpose.

Effective, long-lived fall protection equipment requires advanced engineering and thoughtful design. Companies with core competencies in engineering and product development are more likely to continually innovate, certify and improve their products. Knowing where your fall protection products are actually manufactured can be important as well. At Safety Rail, we manufacture all of our own products … and we do it right here in the United States. Our welders are American Welding Society Certified and we use raw material sourced in the U.S. as well. These are practices that enable us to consistently deliver value in the event that offshore supply chains are disrupted or turn volatile.

When investigating partner companies, make sure they have a broad understanding of all of the products you’ll need — your plan is likely to require a mix of products ranging from perimeter safety rails to access protection for ladders, hatches and skylights. Additionally, a company with a strong foundation in engineering and manufacturing will often have the ability to modify stock solutions or even design and manufacture custom products if need be.

Don’t overlook installation.

Some fall protection products are designed to be good to go right out of the box, others are far more complex. And it stands to reason that the people who make the products are the people most qualified to install them. If a provider doesn’t offer installation services, that should raise concern. Fall protection systems are engineered to withstand specific loads and stand up to environmental threats. Without a proper installation, there’s no guarantee the protection system will perform as expected, exposing your people to unnecessary risk and organization to liability. The knowing eye of an experienced installer can also determine when a product is the wrong product or when a modification is required to ensure adequate protection. Remember, the whole point of fall protection is to mitigate risk. Using an unqualified installer or taking it on yourself is only inviting risk.

Do your homework. Be deliberate.

For many organizations, regardless of size, Safety Rail Company is a formidable choice and often even the best choice, but every situation is unique. Your challenges are unique. Invest the time and find a fall protection partner that understands your industry and the day-to-day functions your personnel are tasked with. And remember, this is a process, not an event. Your fall protection needs will change as your company grows or shrinks or moves or remodels. Mother nature, roofing crews and HVAC guys can potentially have an impact, too. Best to know you’re working with an organization that will be there when you need help. Needs can change and once you find a good partner, it’s always best to keep them.