Fall Protection

Fall Protection 

Hazard Recognition
􀀹 Tripping over tools, materials, etc.
􀀹 Workers not aware of their location
􀀹 Failure to use required fall protection
􀀹 Dropping objects
􀀹 Lifting people with improper equipment
􀀹 Leading Edge Work
􀀹 Excavations

Aboveground Working Rules
􀀹 Use a personnel lift only if you’re authorized
􀀹 Only authorized employees should work on elevated areas
􀀹 Stay away from edges, unless you are working there
􀀹 Never run when working above ground
􀀹 Listen for verbal warnings

Falling Objects
􀀹 When working above ground:
􀀹 Don’t leave tools or materials where they might be kicked over the edge or tripped over.
􀀹 Don’t throw items over the edge
􀀹 Wear hard hats when working under an above ground work area

Other Fall Protection Systems: Training as necessary by Safety Office when using these systems.
􀀹 Safety Nets
􀀹 Warning Areas
􀀹 Limited Access Zones
􀀹 Safety Monitors
􀀹 Covers
􀀹 Toe Boards
􀀹 Fall Protection Plans

Frequently Cited Violations:
Failure to protect workers from falls of 6 feet or more off unprotected sides or edges, e.g. floors and roofs. (1926.501(b)(1); (b)(10); and (b)(11))
Failure to protect workers from falling into or through holes and openings in floors and walls. (1926.501(b)(4) and (b)(14))
Failure to provide guardrails on runways and ramps where workers are exposed to falls of 6 feet or more to a lower level. (1926.501(b)(6)) 

Guardrails
􀀹 Barrier along an open edge 42” + or – 4” high with middle rail halfway up.
􀀹 Toeboard or kick-plate.
􀀹 Withstand force of 200 pounds in any direction.
􀀹 Surfaced to prevent injury.
􀀹 No overhang of terminal posts, unless no injury.
􀀹 Material a minimum of ¼” nominal.
􀀹 Wire rope flagged every 6 feet.
􀀹 Steel/plastic banding not used.
􀀹 If used at hoisting areas, provide chain or gate.
􀀹 Erected around all sides of holes.
􀀹 Points of access have gates.
􀀹 Passage of materials, only two sides removable
􀀹 Ramps or runways along unprotected edge.
􀀹 Inspect frequently when using manila or synthetic rope.

Purpose Of Personal Fall Arrest System
*Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4 KiloNewtons) when used with a body belt;
*Limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 KiloNewtons) when used with a body harness;
*Be rigged so that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) nor contact any lower level;
*Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07 meters); and
*Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free falling a

Uses for PFAS
Working above lower level
Worker positioning
Worker restraint
Climbing
Worker riding or lifting
Worker tied to fixed object
Harness properly worn and connected
Lanyard, lifeline, deceleration device

Never use to hoist workers or objects distance of 6 feet (1.8 meters) or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.

Typical Personal Fall Arrest System Consists of:
Anchorage Connector
Shock Absorbing Lanyard
Full Body Harness

Requirements for PFAS:
􀀹 The anchorage connector must be attached to a suitable and strong attachment point, must withstand 5,000 pounds per employee.
􀀹 Connectors drop forged, pressed or formed steel.
􀀹 Smooth surface.
􀀹 Dee rings/snap hooks minimum strength 5000 lbs.
􀀹 Snap hooks sized for compatibility with other members, prevent inadvertent opening.
􀀹 Only locking snap hooks.
􀀹 Unless snap hook locking type designed for following applications, do not        attach to:
            Webbing, rope, wire rope 
            Each other
            D ring with another snap hook
            Any object incompatibly shaped

Lifelines:
Horizontal - designed/installed by competent person
Vertical/horizontal strength 5000 lbs
Each employee separate line
Protected, cuts/abrasions
Self retracting limit 2’ strength = 3000 lbs, more than 2’ strength = 5000 lbs
Lanyards, synthetic fiber

Anchorage withstand 5000 lbs, Designed and installed by qualified person.
Safety factor of at least two.

PFAS Equipment Inspections:
􀀹 Inspect before every use.
􀀹 Cuts, tears, abrasions, stitches coming out.
􀀹 Cracks or burrs.
􀀹 Parts move freely.
􀀹 No alterations.
􀀹 Appropriate labels.
􀀹 Record inspection in a log.

Arresting Forces:
􀀹 The act of falling is not painful.
􀀹 Striking an object or sudden stopping causes pain.
􀀹 Body weight x fall distance.
􀀹 Limiting arresting force to 1800 lbs.
􀀹 Rig to prevent free fall of more than 6 feet or contact with other objects.
􀀹 Limit max decel to 3.5 feet.
􀀹 Sufficient strength for twice anticipated load.
􀀹 Harnesses and equip only for protection.
􀀹 One time use, remove from service.
􀀹 Attach at center of back.
􀀹 Prompt rescue.
􀀹 No guardrail attachment.
􀀹 Limit to edge of hoist area.

Rescue Plan:
Each worksite or facility must have a rescue plan.
Employees must be trained on the plan.
Limit hanging/suspension time.