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Fall Protection

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PPT-SM-FALLPROT

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Introduction to Fall Protection • Falls account for 13% of fatal injuries • 11% of these fatal falls were to a lower level • Workers may be required to perform tasks at great

heights which puts them at risk to injuries and death from falls

• Knowing which fall arrest system to use and how to properly secure it will aid in the prevention of injuries and fatalities due to a fall

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When Fall Protection is Necessary When working under any of the following conditions fall protection equipment must be worn • Heights 4 feet or above in general industry • Heights 6 feet or above in construction industry • Heights more than 6 feet above the established working surface without guardrails

• Immediate danger below the working surface • Working on a tank roof • Lifting or lowering worker by air hoist or hydraulic winch

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Types of Fall Protection

• Guardrails and handrails

• Nets and barricades

• Ladder climbing devices

• Restraining devices

• Hole covers

• Fall arrest equipment

Other than guardrails, the most commonly used form of fall protection is fall arrest equipment.

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Worker Responsibilities

• Do not work at heights unless trained to do so • Know the hazards of working at heights • Inspect fall arrest equipment prior to use • Wear fall arrest equipment when required • Be alert for fall hazards • Be aware of chemicals that can damage

equipment

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Nature of Fall Hazards • The action of falling makes the

body susceptible to many different hazards

• While falling, you do not have control of your body which can cause you to land in dangerous or fatal ways

• Puncture wounds can occur from falling against objects or tools that might be at the jobsite

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Nature of Fall Hazards

• The body has no control of how or where it will land

• Protection from falling objects includes the use of – Toeboards – Barricades – Canopies – Hard hats – Lines to secure tools and material

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Selection and Use of Fall Arrest System

• Used in exposed areas where workers may be subject to a fall

• All parts of a fall arrest system must be capable of supporting a 5,000 pound load

A fall arrest system includes a • Full body

harness • Lanyard • Fall brake • Tie-off point

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PPT-SM-FALLPROT

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Full Body Harness • Distributes force of fall

across buttocks – Less likely to cause internal

injuries

• Properly adjust harness – Tight but does not restrict

motion

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Full Body Harness

• Inspection – Monthly or quarterly

– Visually prior to use

• If subject to fall, destroy and

dispose

• Worn as described by

manufacturer

A full body harness must show no evidence of • Defects • Damage • Modifications

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Full Body Harness

Safety belts • Intended as positioning devices

• Worn underneath ribs, not on the waist

• Falls result in serious internal injuries to soft organs

• Know your company’s policy regarding the use of

safety belts

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Lanyard • Connects anchor to harness

• Restrict fall to 6 feet or

less

• Designed for use in a fall

arrest system

• Must support at least

5,000 pounds

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Lanyard

• Modified lanyard made from spare cable or rope is not acceptable

• Attach lanyard to back of full body harness

• Attachment hardware must be double locking design

Tying knots to shorten lanyards weakens the lanyard by up to 50%.

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Fall Brakes • Known as deceleration device • Controls deceleration during

fall – Limits the G forces exerted on

the person falling

• Divided into – Webbing tear aways – Retractable, inertial braking

mechanisms

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Tie-off Point • Estimated 80% of all errors that occur

with fall protection equipment are due to a poor choice for the tie-off point

• Must support weight of 5,000 pounds • Located above and behind the worker

as much as possible • Do not tie-off on

– Process pipe – Hand railings – Cable trays

Approximately 80%

of errors that occur

with fall protection

equipment are due

to a poor choice for

the tie-off point.

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Handling and Storage

• Handle properly to not allow deterioration or

damage

• Store equipment in designated area

• Store indoors away from the elements

• Hang equipment with D-rings or metal pieces on

hooks

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Inspection and Maintenance

• Inspect prior to use and on a routine basis • Remove damaged, modified or defective equipment

from service – Repair or destroy

• If subject to fall – Remove from service – Repair, inspect or destroy

• Be aware of chemicals that can damage equipment • Use only approved cleaning agents

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Rescue Plan

• Have rescue plan in place

• Speedy recovery is important

• Authorized workers should practice rescue plan

regularly

• Rescue equipment should – Meet ANSI requirements

– Be inspected by user before and after use

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Training

Documented with a certificate that states • Name of the worker trained

• Date of training

• Signature of the person that conducted the

training

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