FN000304

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation

Course Objectives
Understand the definitions of fall prevention,
fall restraint, and fall arrest. Understand the requirements of fall protection. Recognize the hazards associated with fall protection. Know where to seek help and advice for fall protection (FESHM Chapter 5066)
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Course Objectives
Know how to inspect and wear personal fall
arrest system equipment (PFAS). Know the requirements for anchorage points and how to tie off to them.

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What is Fall Protection?

A series of reasonable steps taken to cause

elimination or control of the injurious effects of an unintentional fall while accessing or working at height

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Fall Statistics
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in
the construction industry. An average of 362 fatal falls occurred each year from 1995 to 1999, with the trend on the increase. The cost of care for injuries related to falls is a financial burden for the entire construction industry

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Where Do Fatal Falls Occur

Floors, Loading Docks, Ground Level 4% Non-moving Vehicles 3% Other 12%

Structural Steel 9%

Roofs 37%

Ladders 15%
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Scaffolds 20%
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Where Do Non-Fatal Falls Occur

Scaffolds 15% Other 22% Roofs 12%

Non-moving Vehicles 9%

Ladders 35% Stairs/Steps 7%

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Anatomy of a Fall
.33sec./2 feet .67 sec./7 feet

It takes most people about

1/3 of a second to become aware. It takes another 1/3 of a second for the body to react. A body can fall up to 7 feet in 2/3 of a second.

1 sec./16 feet

2 sec./64 feet
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Planning for Fall Protection

Best practice dictates that fall protection
becomes an integral part of the work planning process, from constructability, to systems installation, to use and maintenance The workplace cannot be truly safe unless fall protection is incorporated into every phase of the process Planning will keep workers safe and minimize fall exposures
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The Steps of Fall Protection?

Is this the correct order?

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Controlling Fall Exposures

General industry regulations (paraphrased) Every open-sided floor, platform, wall opening, or hole 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing, or the equivalent, on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. Construction industry regulations (paraphrased) Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side, edge, or hole which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
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Controlling Fall Exposures

FESHM Chapter 5066 Fall Protection Program

Any worker, visiting scientist, or subcontractor involved in work activities and exposed to a fall hazard at or greater that 6 will require fall protection if fall prevention methods cannot be used. 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926 shall be followed when the work involves hazards that require fall protection. There are requirements that apply to all general work as well as specific requirements based upon the work activity that is being performed. Exceptions to fall protection requirements, as provided in 1926.500, are ONLY for construction-related activities. There are no fall protection exemptions for maintenance or operations work.
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Using Fall Protection Systems

Select fall protection systems appropriate for given situations. Use proper construction and installation of safety systems. Supervise employees properly. Use safe work procedures. Train workers in the proper selection, use, and maintenance of fall protection systems. Evaluate the effectiveness of all steps
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Fall Protection Methods

Fall Prevention- A system that will prevent a person from falling to a lower level. Example: Railings Work Positioning or Fall Restraint- A system that will allow the worker to approach a fall hazard and work but will not allow the worker to fall to a lower level. Fall Arrest- A system that will protect a person from crashing on to a lower level after a fall. Example: Fall Arrest Harness/lanyard
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Competent Person
means one who is capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

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Qualified Person
Qualified person" means one with a
recognized degree or professional certificate and extensive knowledge and experience in the subject field who is capable of design, analysis, evaluation and specifications in the subject work, project, or product.

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When Is Fall Protection Required?

What are the fall distances that trigger
guardrails and fall protection?

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When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall prevention is required for falls onto dangerous equipment. Zero fall distance is allowed.

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When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall protection is required for work on forms or steel reinforcing over 6 in height

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When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall protection is
required for scaffolding over 6 in height. OSHA allows up to 10 but the Lab rule is 6.

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When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall
protection required for walking / working surfaces over 4 in height in general industry
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When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall
protection required for walking / working surfaces over 6 in height in construction
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When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall
protection is required for vertical ladders without cages over 24
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When Is Fall Protection Required?

No fall protection is
required for portable extension ladders

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Hazard Recognition

What are the allowable controls

and best practices?

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Walking & Working Surfaces

Hazards with
working/walking surfaces
Open-sided floors Holes Leading edges

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Open Sided Floors

Guardrails Restraint Devices

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Wood Guardrail Construction

Proper Height

Midrails
Toeboards Adequate Strength

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Guardrail Construction
Bad Better

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Cable Guardrail Construction

Proper height Cannot deflect below 39 Marked every 6 Terminations and attachments Maintenance

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Accessways/Ladderways
Bad Better

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Holes

Secured indentified covers Guardrails

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Skylights

Must be protected

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Aerial Work Platforms

A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is required whenever you are working in an Articulating and/or telescoping boom lifts and bucket trucks Use the manufactures designated anchorage points.

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Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Should only be used when other fall

prevention means can not be used or are not feasible.

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Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Used to protect an employee from hitting a
lower level once they have fallen. Components include:

An anchorage point Body harness Deceleration devices Connectors lanyards, rope grabs, anchorage connectors

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Personal Fall Arrest Systems

When using personal fall arrest systems:
If you fall, the impact force to the body has to be less than 1800 pounds, achieved by using shock absorbing lanyards and a harness Minimize fall distance, the maximum free fall distance can only be 6 feet There can not be any structures below in you fall distance Maximum weight of an individual w/tools is 310 pounds
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Fall Distances
Free Fall Distance
The vertical displacement of the fall arrest attachment point on the employee's harness between onset of the fall and just before the system begins to apply force to arrest the fall.

Deceleration Distance
The distance between the location of an body harness attachment point at the moment of activation of the deceleration device during a fall, and the location of that attachment point after the employee comes to a full stop.
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Minimizing Free Fall Distance

6 Lanyard Length Extended Lanyard Length Plus maximum 2 extension (usually within inches)

3.5 Deceleration Device

Tie to anchor above the D-ring

Or use a retractable

Using an anchorage above the D-ring and a standard lanyard may still allow an employee to fall a distance that may be difficult to rescue from. Using a retractable minimizes forces on the body, and may make rescue easier (and therefore more timely)
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Calculating Total Fall Distance

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Watch Swing Falls

This worker is tied off using a retractable lifeline. There is a major swing fall potential if he fell to either side.

Swing Fall

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Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Anchorage Body Connector
Harnesses
Caribiners

Rope Grabs

Beam Wraps Lanyards

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Positioning

Anchorages
Fall arrest anchor points must support 5000 lbs
per employee attached Fall restraint anchor points must support at least 1000 lbs per employee attached Ask your supervisor, Senior Safety Officer, or the ESHSection safety representatives if you need assistance in determining an adequate anchorage point
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Roof & Deck Anchors

Permanent Anchors
Wood Roof Anchor

Metal Roof Anchor

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Use of Eye Bolts

Rated for loading parallel to the bolt axis. If wall mounted, the rating perpendicular to the axis must be good for 5,000 lbs. per employee

Rated

Needed
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Girder Grip Anchorage Rings

These attachments can be mounted through bolt holes on steel members. They are rated at 5,000 lbs. in all directions

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Removable Concrete Anchors

These attachments can be mounted in holes of concrete. They are rated at 5,000 lbs. in all directions

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Anchorage Connectors

These type of connectors enable you to tie off to various types of anchorage points

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Beam Clamps
Beam clamps can make an effective anchorage when used properly, and with the correct lanyard
TIGHT

BEAM CLAMP

PIN SET

Be sure pin is inserted full length and clamp is tight.

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Horizontal Life Lines

Provide maneuverability Must be designed, installed and used under the guidance of a
qualified person
This could be interpreted as requiring the use of manufactured systems, which is recommended
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Horizontal Line Engineering

72,000 lb 72,000 lb

5,000 lb

5,000 lb

Anchor stress depends on the sag angle of the line.

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Line Stanchions

5,000lb.

The connection of the line stanchion to the flange must 3 ft. support the bending moment applied to the base.

Bending Moment 15,000 ft-lb

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Aerial Work Platform Anchorages

Use the manufactures designated anchorage points. Never use guardrails as anchorage points.

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Body Harness
Need to be inspected before use by the
worker, and at least annually (documented) by a Competent Person Harnesses should never be modified Do not write on or paint harnesses unless material is approved for use Should be taken out of service immediately if defective or exposed to an impact
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Harness Fitting
Chest strap tightened at mid chest D ring between shoulder blades

Proper snugness shoulder to hips

Leg straps snug but not binding

Butt strap supports the load

Harnesses must be sized for the worker. Workers must weigh more than 130 lbs. and less than 300lbs.
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Harness Pressure Points

Spread load across butt strap and belt strap if on the harness

Excess pressure here can cut blood flow to the legs Some studies have indicated permanent damage to the lower extremities when the worker hangs for more than twenty (20) minutes
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Deceleration Devices
Any mechanism with a maximum length of
3.5 feet, such as a rope grab, rip stitch lanyard, tearing or deforming lanyards, selfretracting lifelines, etc. which serves to dissipate a substantial amount of energy during a fall arrest, or otherwise limit the energy imposed on an employee during fall arrest.

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Lanyards
A flexible line of rope, wire rope, or strap which
generally has a connector at each end for connecting the body belt or body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline or anchorage. Must not be tied back to themselves unless specifically designed for such use Should have the appropriate clip for the intended anchorage points Do not knot or wrap around sharp objects
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Lanyards
Various types of energy absorbing lanyards

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Retractable Lifelines

Deceleration devices containing a drum-wound line which can be slowly extracted from, or retracted onto, the drum under slight tension during normal employee movement, and which, after onset of a fall, automatically locks the drum and arrests the fall. Do not use with energy absorbing lanyards.
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Lifelines
A component consisting of a flexible line for
connection to an anchorage at one end to hang vertically or for connection to anchorages at both ends to stretch horizontally and which serves as a means for connecting other components of a personal fall arrest system to the anchorage.

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Positioning Systems
Positioning devices
provide hands-free work
Additional fall protection may be required to move or access

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Restraint Devices
Provide access but prevent the fall Limit anchorage requirement to 1000 lbs May be more suitable for loading areas,
scaffold erection and dismantling Should be installed and used under the supervision of a Competent Person

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Fall Restraint
Restraint Line

Edge

Fall restraint assumes the employee cannot reach the edge, they are basically on a short leash. If the employee can fall over the edge, then a personal fall arrest system must be used.

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Use of Restraint Cables

Example of restraint cables used during deck anchoring.

RESTRAINT CABLE
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Planning For A Rescue

Whenever working with the potential of hanging by a harness, a rescue plan must be in effect. A written Hazard Analysis must be done and employees must be trained on the plan.

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Planning For A Rescue

The rescue plan must be written in the hazard
analysis The goal is to rescue the employee as soon as possible and limit the hanging time to no more than fifteen minutes. Plan for a worker that is unconscious. Ensure all the rescue equipment in the vicinity Call x3131whenever someone has been in a fall arrest situation
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Fall Protection
For any additional information or questions regarding this presentation call: Rafael Coll ES&H Section [email protected] Ext: 8518 John Cassidy ES&H Section [email protected] Ext: 8223

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