Fall Protection ABC’s

Chris Caron American Safety & Supply, Inc.

Fall Protection ABC Itinerary

Review types of fall arrest systems

Review and discuss ladder safety

Discuss the various components of fall arrest systems A-B-C’s

Review inspection protocol

Fall Protection

Fall Protection is a complicated issue with more than

100,000 reported incidents per year. In the construction industry, falls from height are the # 1

cause of death.

Some Statistics

2011 – OSHA reports that Fall Protection took over first place in violations

Duty to have fall protection - 6551

Scaffolding - 6432

Ladders - 2940

Fall Protection Training - 1824

Ariel Lifts - 1253

What’s the cost???

The National Safety Council estimates that the cost of the average Fall Injury is

$ 20,208.00

29 CFR

1910.23

General Industry

Operations

Maintenance

1910.26

Construction

All Construction Applications

ANSI Z359.2

This entirely new portion of the standard details the requirements for a comprehensive fall protection

program including: Identify, evaluate and eliminate hazards

Training of all personnel

Ensure proper installation and use of equipment

Implement rescue procedures

ANSI Z359.2 Continued

Fall Protection Hierarchy

1. Eliminate hazard

2. Passive fall arrest

3. Fall restraint

4. Personal Fall arrest System - Active (PFAS)

5. Administrative controls

Passive Fall Arrest Systems

Safety Nets are passive systems that require little or no training beyond installation. They are used to catch workers, materials and/or equipment from elevated work surfaces.

More Passive fall prevention systems

Ladder cages, guardrails,

handrails, warning lines & controlled work zones are all

examples of passive Fall Prevention Systems.

Guard Rails

Guardrail systems can be used on flat roofs as an option to using fall protection or restraint.

Fall Prevention/Restraint

Fall Prevention refers to the

systems and techniques that eliminate the possibility of a fall to a lower level. The most desirable method is to engineer out or modify the work plan to eliminate the hazard.

Fall Restraint Systems use

lanyards or some other kind of tethering systems measured so that a worker cannot go beyond the point where the potential for a fall exists.

Fall Restraint in Man Lifts

“ When working in an elevated scissor lift… A worker need only be protected by a properly designed guardrail system”

More on Man-Lifts/Bucket Trucks

Always keep feet on the floor of bucket.

Do not sit, stand, or climb on the edge of the basket.

Do not place any item in the bucket for the purpose of increasing work height (ladders, step stools).

Do not try to climb down from the bucket when it is raised.

Make sure bucket floor is clear of debris.

ALWAYS WEAR FALL PROTECTION!

Man-Lift Know-No

“If a worker leaves the protection of the basket he or she shall be protected by a Personal Fall Arrest System.”

Fall Protection/Active Fall Arrest Applications General Industry

Personal Fall Arrest Systems

29 CFR 1910.23 Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal/vertical) with an unprotected side or edge which is 4-feet or more above a lower level shall be protected by the use of a guardrail system, safety net or a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

Some exceptions apply

Portable Ladders

OSHA has no Fall Protection standard covering the use of portable ladders. Step or extension.

OSHA Fall protection standards come into play the second you step off the ladder on to a walking/working surface.

Fixed Ladders?

Portable Ladders

The 4.1 ladder rule states:

“Place the ladder 1 foot away from whatever it’s leaning against for every 4’ of height to the point where it contacts the top.”

Portable Ladders Continued – Safety Guidelines

Look overhead to avoid electrical hazards and other obstructions.

Inspect ladder prior to every use

Don’t use a self-supporting (folding) ladder as single (Extension) ladder

Maintain 3-points of contact while climbing .

Always stay in the middle of the ladder and always face the ladder.

See What I Mean ?!

Accessing An Upper Level

For accessing an upper level: Make sure that the

side rails extend at least 3-feet above the surface to be accessed.

The top and bottom of the ladder should be secured.

Secured how?

Anchorage - A Anchorage means a secure

point of attachment for the fall arrest system.

OSHA1926.502(d)(15) Anchorage used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms.

1 Anchor – 1 Worker

Anchorage shall be capable of supporting at least 5,000lbs

Positioning & restraint anchorage can be 3000 LBS and 1000 LBS.

Let’s talk SWING-FALL

Swing Fall

A Swing-Fall occurs when a worker

moves to any point not directly below their anchor. Use

3’ in either direction (6’ total) as a guideline.

6’ Free-Fall

6’ Swing Fall

Clearance

When putting together a fall protection system, clearance must be considered. Work performed below 20’, an SRL should be used.

Body Support - B

A Full Body Harness provides a connection point on the worker for the personal fall arrest system.

OSHA1926.502(d)(16 Personal Fall Arrest Systems,

when stopping a fall shall limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 lbs

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) shall be rigged so as to limit a workers free fall to no more than 6 feet and so that a fallen worker cannot come in contact with any lower level.

Proper sizing technique

Connectors - C

Connectors are devices used

to connect the workers Full Body Harness to the anchor system. Connectors include lanyards, snap hooks, carabineers, deceleration devices, self-retracting lifelines (SRL), vertical lifelines and rope grabs.

OSHA 1926.502(e)(3) Connectors shall be drop-forged, pressed or formed steel or made from equivalent materials.

OSHA 1926.502(e)(5) Connecting assemblies shall have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lbs.

Force

Weight times distance equals

FORCE!

The more you weigh, the farther you fall, the more force generated.

Descent & Rescue

Rescue, the retrieval of a fallen

worker or the self-rescue of workers is a necessary component of any fall protection system.

OSHA 1926.502(d)(20) The employer shall provide for

PROMPT rescue of employees

in the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves.

Suspension trauma!!!

Inspection Guidelines

Frequency Prior to each use by the

user

Annually by a competent person other than the user – RECORDED.

After a fall, equipment must not be used until an inspection by a competent person determines it’s suitability for use.

Inspection Guidelines

Is it Fall Protection?

Mechanical devises such as SRL’s and rope grabs should be deployed and tested.

Webbing should be inspected for fraying, cuts or broken fibers. Check for abrasion, stitching damage and chemical contact.

Labeling should be present and fully legible.

More Inspection Guidlines

Hardware – Snap hooks, D-Rings, buckles – check for damage, rust, burs corrosion, and worn parts.

Mechanical devises such as SRL’s and rope grabs should be deployed and tested.

Any Questions???

What’s wrong with this picture?

Any Questions?

Thank You for your time and attention.