Protection against falls plays a central role in the construction and operation of overhead lines. The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) distinguishes between three main areas of fall protection:
- Protection through technical devices
- Protection through temporary technical facilities
- Protection through the combination of technical equipment with personal protective equipment against falls (PPE)
Each of these areas has its specific requirements and applications to ensure worker safety. The HighStep system meets two of these three areas simultaneously, providing an efficient and comprehensive solution.
1. Protection by technical devices
Technical devices are permanently installed protective devices that enable safe access to and work on overhead lines. Typical examples are:
- Lifts
- Stairs with side protection
- Stages with side protection
These fixed structures provide reliable protection against falls. However, due to their structural peculiarities, overhead power lines rarely have such permanent structures. If they are missing, other measures must be taken.
2. Protection by temporary technical facilities
Where permanently installed facilities are not available, temporary technical facilities are used. These include:
- Aerial work platforms
- Scaffolding
- Personnel pickup equipment
These temporary solutions are often used for short-term operations or when structural conditions - such as icy or difficult-to-access masts - prevent the use of permanent facilities. They offer flexible protection, but require certain conditions, such as sufficient space for assembly and stable surfaces.
3. Protection through the combination of technical equipment and PPE
Combining technical devices with personal protective equipment against falls from a height (PPE) is an effective method of ensuring safety in situations where neither fixed nor temporary devices are practical. Commonly used combinations include:
- Fall protection devices that are permanently installed on the mast
- PPE such as full body harnesses that are connected to the fall arrest device via guided fall arresters
This combination offers the advantage of ensuring continuous protection even in challenging environments and demanding tasks.
HighStep Systems: The optimal solution
The HighStep system from HighStep Systems meets two key security requirements:
- Protection through technical devices: The system offers a permanently installed fall protection device with the rail, which can be mounted on the overhead line mast. This ensures safe access to the work areas and thus offers collective protection. The Rail is generally suitable for any “conventional” overhead power line mast. It can then be combined with the HighStep Lift or HighStep Easy & Protector.
- Protection through the combination of technical equipment with PPE: In addition to the permanently installed fall protection equipment, PPE, such as safety harnesses with guided fall arresters, is used. This combination offers maximum protection even in cases where the worker is working on particularly high or inaccessible masts. The HighStep system fully addresses these points and therefore offers a combination of permanently installed technical equipment (the rail) and PPE. The mobile anchor point: With the mobile anchor point, which can be attached anywhere on the rail, you can quickly attach an anchor point above the person to be rescued, to which you can then attach the height safety device and thus directly relieve the person to be rescued.
Advantages of the HighStep system:
- Double safety through the simultaneous use of technical equipment and PPE.
- Continuous protection throughout the climb.
- Efficient and flexible solution for various application scenarios without having to rely on temporary solutions.
Compared to other systems, which often only cover one of these two protection areas, HighStep Systems This provides a comprehensive solution for protection against falls during the construction and operation of overhead power lines. It ensures safe ascent and protection while working on overhead power line masts – all in compliance with the highest safety standards.
Here click here for the complete DGUV publication.
