Fall protection – NS 9610
NS 9610 specifies requirements for training, selection, use, and inspection of fall protection equipment and rescue equipment for working at heights.
Fall accidents are one of the most frequent reasons people incur serious injuries or lose their lives in connection with the execution of their work. The purpose of this standard is to provide more detailed and specified descriptions of the requirements in the regulations, and in this way ensure safety for work at height.
For instance, an operational leader should be appointed, hazards must be identified, risk assessments conducted, and the appropriate type of equipment selected.
Various types of fall protection systems are described, including access-restricting systems, positioning systems, fall arrest systems, and rescue systems. In rescue operations, different rescue principles can be applied, and a plan must be in place to ensure a rapid response, competence, and minimal risk.
Training in fall protection is a critical component of NS 9610 and is divided into theoretical and practical sections. The standard outlines theoretical topics for participant training and includes a plan for practical training with learning objectives. Time allocation, roles, other aspects of course implementation are also described.