Master OHS File 2022

4. RISK MANAGEMENT
4.2 Safe Work Procedures

4.2.3 Fall Protection Plan

1. Purpose
To establish safe guidelines for employees who work at heights.

2. Scope
This procedure shall apply to TCT employees and their visitors on the Absa Projects.

3. References and Related Documents

Safety Harness Inspection
Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993
SANS 50795:1996 Protection against fall from Height
SANS 10333-3:1996 Inspection, Certification and Management of Equipment
Absa Contractor OHS Management Contractor OHS Specification 1 September 2021 Version 5

4. Abbreviations and Definitions

 Competent Person – A person with the required knowledge, training and experience specific to that work or task.
 Fall arrest equipment: means equipment used to arrest a person in a fall, including personal equipment such as body
harness, lanyards, deceleration devices, lifelines or similar equipment, but excludes single belts.
 Fall arrest system: means personal protection equipment used to create a system to prevent falls from a height,
comprising a full body harness and a connecting sub-system for fall arrest purposes.
 Fall Arrest Systems/ Personal Fall Protection System - Means an assembly of components joined together so that,
when connected to a suitable anchor point with sufficient clearance from the ground or other obstacles, it operates as
a complete arrangement of equipment able to fulfil its function in use of arresting a fall.

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  Fall prevention equipment: means equipment used to prevent persons from falling from a fall risk position, including
personal equipment, a body harness, lanyards, lifelines or physical equipment such as guardrails, screens, barricades,
anchorages or similar equipment.
 Fall risk: means any potential exposure to falling either from, off, or into. Work cannot continue on site unless this fall
risk(s) has been mitigated, reduced and controlled to acceptable levels.
 Full Body Harness - Straps that may be secured about the employee in a manner that will distribute the fall arrest
forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders with means for attaching it to other components of a
personal fall arrest system.
 Height safety equipment: means any equipment used while working at height and includes the following categories:
 Equipment used to work at height, for example ladders, mobile elevated work platforms, platforms, climbing irons, etc.
 Fall prevention equipment.
 Fall arrest equipment
 Lanyard - A flexible line of wire rope or nylon strap that generally has a connector at each end for connecting a full
body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage.
 Medical Fitness - Means being declared medically and fit to work safely in a fall risk position or such similar
environment and being in possession medical certificate of fitness.
 Working at heights: means any work performed above a stable work surface or where a person puts himself/ herself in
a position where he/ she exposes himself/ herself to a fall from or into. Work at height is, as a result, work in any place
(except a staircase in a permanent workplace), including a place at, above or below ground level, where a person could
be injured if he/ she fell from that place. Access and egress, for example climbing, that present a risk of fall can also be
regarded as work at height.

5. Responsibilities
5.1 SHE Coordinator
 Support and enforce this program to ensure 100% compliance by all personnel.
 Shall designate and appoint a competent person to be responsible for the preparation of a fall protection plan as per CR
10(1)(a).
 Become familiar with the content of this procedure, and actively coach personnel.
 Ensure that all Supervision and employees under his/ her control comply with this procedure.
 Ensure disciplinary action is taken against employees under his/ her control who fail to follow this procedure.

5.2 HSE Officer

 Supports the ownership of the program and assists in any training deemed necessary to ensure personnel have sufficient
understanding of the program for successful compliance.
 Monitor the implementation of the fall protection plan in the field.
 Identify any employee not complying with this procedure and report it to the appointed SHE Coordinator.

5.3 Fall Protection Planner CR 10(1)(a)

 Responsible for the preparation, implementation and maintenance of the fall protection plan.
 Fall protection plan to be reviewed:
 Annually;
 As part of corrective action in an investigation;

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  After related legislation changes; and
 After related client requirement changes.
 Shall ensure that the completion of a risk assessment of all work performed in elevated positions is done.
 Shall ensure that all fall prevention and fall arrest equipment are suitable and of sufficient strength for their intended use
and that fall protection equipment are only considered where fall prevention is not practicable.
 Employee medical fitness will be checked before working at heights training is conducted.
 Verify that all safety harnesses are registered and checked.
 Shall ensure that the SHE Coordinator have the latest copy of the Fall Protection Plan.
 Identify any employee not complying with this procedure and report it to the appointed SHE Coordinator.

5.4 Supervisor
 Ensure that a copy of the fall protection plan is available on site when work is performed at heights.
 Become familiar with the content of this procedure, and actively coach employees, monitor staff and ensure that the
standards outlined within this procedure are complied with.
 Ensure that staff receive appropriate level of information, instruction, training as required prior to using any fall
protection equipment including communicating any safe systems of work in place for specific tasks.
 Ensure all Working at Heights risks are identified and explained on the risk assessment.
 Ensure that all team members understand the applicable Risk Assessment and Procedures. (Proof of communication to
be kept).
 Ensure that the appropriate formal inspection and testing takes place by competent persons and is suitably recorded.
 Ensure that staff receive appropriate level of information, instruction, SAQA training as required prior to using any fall
protection equipment.
 Keep record of his employee’s safety harness inspections that is done by Fall Protection Planner for verification.
 Identify any employee not complying with this procedure and report it to the appointed SHE Coordinator.

5.5 Employee
 Become familiar with the content of this procedure.
 Use Fall Protection equipment only for the purpose it has been provided and in accordance with any information,
instruction or training received.
 Carry out pre-use visual inspections on planned fall protection equipment to be used.
 Immediately report to their supervisor any fault or defective Fall Protection equipment or any they notice that a test
record (label) is out of date.
 Ensure that the appropriate formal inspection and testing takes place by Fall Protection Planner and is suitably recorded
and hand such inspection sheets over to the supervisor.
 Ensure that while working at heights (2 meters and higher) they are hooked to an appropriate anchor point or life line
100% at all times.
 Ensure that you always work with a buddy and are never alone while working at heights.
 Report any unsafe conditions at height to your supervisor of HSE officer.
 Always apply 3-point contact rule when ascending or descending from or to a different level/ height.

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6. Procedure
6.1 General
 The risk of fall shall be eliminated where reasonably practicable utilising the Hierarchy of controls.
 The following calculation should be taken into consideration when designing or installing any fall protection/
prevention system:
FREEFALL DISTANCE 1.8 meters
+ DECELERATION DISTANCE 1.4 meters
= TOTAL FALL DISTANCE 3.2 meters
+ SAFETY FACTOR 0.6 meters

CLEARENCE REQUIRED 3.8 meters FROM ANCHOR POINT

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  It must be kept in mind that the anchor point should be at least at waist height, preferably at shoulder height to
minimize the free fall distance and the anchor point to be situated above the work being done to decrease the
effects of a swing fall.
 Each working at height scenario shall have a risk assessment conducted. Every effort must be made to provide fall
protection for people required to work at height. If, however, a fall restraint device is identified as being necessary,
personnel who are trained, assessed, and deemed competent to work at height must be used. Contractors are
responsible for the training and competency of their employees to perform their allocated tasks in accordance with
the applicable standards. Documented proof of this training must be provided to the HSE department prior to
working at height.
 A person will use both a fall-arrest harness and attachment device with a shock-absorbing lanyard or an inertia reel
whenever they are at risk of falling and incurring injury. The lanyard or reel must be attached to a suitable
anchorage at all times while the person is in an exposed position. At times, this requirement may necessitate the
use of two lanyards so that one can be left attached while the second is being moved to the next anchorage. Back
hooking and the tying of knots in a lanyard are not permitted. An inertia reel device may be used in place of a
shock-absorbing lanyard.
 Safety harnesses and other fall protection devices shall be used in accordance with this procedure. There may be
occasions when fall arrest harnesses are used in addition to other control measures (e.g., harnesses must always be
worn when operating boom type Elevated Work Platforms).
 However, when any person is working in an area where there is a possibility that he/ she may fall and is not
protected by existing fall protection, he/ she must use a fall arrest harness.
 Always maintain 100% tie-off, at all times, when working at heights.
 Ensure a 3-point contact is maintained when climbing/ using stairs and ladders.

6.2 Permits
 Permit to work procedure to be complied with when any work at heights are done.

6.3 Ladders
 The use of ladders shall only be done in compliance with the Ladder procedure.
 Temporary construction ladders shall extend at least (1000mm) above the upper landing being accessed and be
secured against displacement.
 One-time access/ egress on a portable ladder does not require the use of a retractable lifeline.
 Tie off safety harness at height more than 2m, even if the work is only inspections.
 If it is required use a retractable lanyard for working at a height.
 Do not work on the top step of a ladder
 The following procedure shall be used when a retractable lifeline is not required:
 Personnel preparing to perform a new work activity must receive risk assessment training concerning the use of
portable ladders and associated fall protection techniques;
 Personnel ascending ladders that are not yet secured at the top must have another employee holding the ladder at
the bottom until it can be properly secured. This also includes the last trip down after untying the ladder at the top;

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  Upon reaching the elevation where the work is to be performed, the employee shall secure their shock absorbing
lanyard prior to proceeding with the task. The ladder should then be properly secured and the task may begin.
When the task is completed, this process should be reversed with the shock absorbing lanyard being the last
protective device to be released prior to descent.

6.3.1 Securing ladders

 Portable ladders include stepladders and extension ladders.
 Generally, ladders must:
 Be secured to structures with rope or wire;
 Be positioned on a solid stable base or be fitted with foot plates;
 Not to be used near electrical services or welding, if ladders are metal;
 Be inspected before use;
 Be positioned at a ratio of 4:1;

 Be inspected on a regular basis and taken out of service if defective.

 Absolutely no objects, tools, or materials are to be carried in hands while ascending/ descending ladders.
 A three-point contact must be maintained with the ladder at all times.
 All hand tools must be attached to the operator by a lanyard at all times.
 A tool belt must be utilized where possible.

6.3.2 Maintain the Ladder

 Ladders should be inspected before and after each use, visually by the user.
 Inspect step ladder and extension ladders for cracks, broken welds, rough spots and burrs.
 Report defective ladders and ensure that it is taken out of service where no access can be gained to defective ladders.
 All ladder inspections shall be logged on a ladder inspection, by the competent & appointed ladder inspector.

6.4 Full Body Harness/ Shock Absorbing Lanyards

 A full body harness and shock absorbing lanyard system shall be worn and secured where there is a fall exposure of 2m
or more.
 If the work is located on a permanent structure and no fall potential is created by the work or by the condition of the
structure, full body harnesses may not be required.
 NOTE: If at any time an employee is forced to reach, or position any part of their body beyond the plane of the
structure’s boundaries (i.e., guardrail system), full body harnesses shall be worn and secured to ensure 100% fall
protection.

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  To ensure the integrity of the equipment being used and success of the Fall Prevention/ Protection Program, the
following shall be strictly adhered to:
 Only full body harnesses/ shock absorbing lanyard systems may be used.
 Lanyards must be of the shock absorbing type when used for fall protection.
 Shock absorbing lanyards shall only be used for fall protection and are never to be used for positioning or material
transport.
 Full body harnesses and shock absorbing lanyards shall be secured to limit potential freefall distance.
 Employees using a full body harness and shock absorbing lanyards shall inspect them for wear, damage and other
deterioration prior to each use.
 All full body harnesses and shock absorbing lanyards shall be inspected at least monthly by a Fall Protection Planner.
 The inspections of the body harnesses shall be recorded as per Safety harness inspection record.
 Defective full body harnesses and shock absorbing lanyards shall be tagged "DEFECTIVE - DO NOT USE" and
immediately removed from service.
 Full body harnesses and shock absorbing lanyards subjected to impact loading shall be immediately removed from
service and shall not be used again for employee protection until inspected and determined by a Competent Person
to be undamaged and suitable for reuse.
 Storage of Harness. When not in use the harness must be stored in an area where exposure to UV rays, welding
spatter and chemicals is eliminated.
 Should Harness get wet, it should be hanged to dry in a well-ventilated area.

How to don your harness in 6 easy steps

6.5 Anchorage Points

 The strength of a personnel fall arrest system is based on its being attached to an anchorage system that does not
reduce the strength of the system.
 The following equipment and structure will not meet the requirements of the OSHA fall protection standard and shall
NOT be used for anchorage points.
 Screw Pipe;
 Conduit;
 Cable Tray (use requires engineering approval);
 Welded Pipe Less Than 50mm;

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  Wooden Handrails.

6.6 Rescue Plan

 Before any rescue can be attempted, a proper risk assessment must be conducted of the surrounding environment. It is
only with the correct training that a difficult rescue can be performed proficiently, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
 Due to the nature a rescue and the varying risks associated with a rescue only the most Basic Rescue SOP’s can be
supplied by the fall protection plan developer. All structures pose a high risk where rescues are concerned and it is
important that a competent rescuer be on site to identify and evaluate the risk and explain the possible rescue
scenarios to all workers during the PTA. The Competent rescuer of the contractor performing the work, must
remain on site with the correct rescue kit until the work is completed.
 This plan is to expedite the response to an incident requiring rope rescue skills and equipment to perform the
rescue of with the minimum risk to the rescuers and the victim. This may be either a high-angle, a low angle and
may involve confined space rescue.
 This plan is to expedite the response to an incident requiring rope rescue skills and equipment to perform the rescue
with the minimum risk to the rescuers and the victim. This may be either a high-angle, a low angle and may involve
confined space rescue.
 The priority is to locate and gain access to the victim in the minimum amount of time to avoid suspension trauma.
Stabilise the patient medically, physically and emotionally in the minimum amount of time with the minimum risk to,
the rescuers and then the patient.
 Once this is done, the patient is no longer at immediate Risk and the personnel on scene are in position to gather the
information required to develop and carry out a transportation plan. It is important to remember that no two rescues
are the same and that each will have their own individual challenges/ constraints.

6.7 Tool lanyards

 Whenever any material or object has the potential to fall and injure a worker, a safe system of working will be adopted.
 Fit for purpose lanyards to be strapped around the wrist or to the structure if it is too heavy.
 Connect your hand tools with the required lanyards to protect against dropping from height.
 In addition, before starting work, communicate with teams nearby so that up-and-down parallel work can be avoided.

6.8 Medical Fitness

 Should an employee’s blood pressure exceed a systolic pressure of 160 mmHg he/ she will no longer be allowed to
work at heights.
 The employee will not be allowed to work at heights until he/ she can provide a doctor’s letter advising that his/ her
hypotension/ hypertension is under control.

6.9 Maintenance on harness and lanyards

 No maintenance will be carried out on harness and lanyards.
 Damaged harnesses will be quarantined and disposed of.
 Damaged lanyards will be replaced by new lanyards.
 Wet harnesses to be hanged in a well-ventilated area to dry.

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6.10 Steps to follow when harnesses are damages or need to be discarded
 Harnesses to be taken to appointed fall protection planner for inspection.
 Harness to be tagged do not use.
 Indication need to be made on register that the harness is damaged and need to be discarded.
 New harness to be issued to employee should it be necessary.
 Old harnesses to be placed in quarantine at fall protection planner office who will ensure correct disposal of the
damaged harnesses.

7. Training
All employees will be trained on the requirements of this procedure and records of such training shall be kept.

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