GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FALL PROTECTION PROCEDURE

Transcription

1 PURPOSE The purpse f this prcedure is t specify practices and training fr the safety f GEORGIA TECH emplyees while wrking n elevated surfaces and ladders. GEORGIA TECH emplyees wh wrk at heights f fur (4) feet r greater are required t attend training n fall prtectin. Additinally, thse emplyees wrking n aerial platfrms, scissrs lifts r ther elevated platfrm equipment must receive training n the use f such equipment. SCOPE This prcedure applies t all GEORGIA TECH emplyees that perfrm any duties n an elevated wrk surface where there is a fall hazard f 4 feet r mre t a lwer level. RESPONSIBILITIES The EHS General Safety unit is respnsible fr prviding training, cnducting evaluatins f elevated wrk areas, and assisting in the selectin f the prper equipment fr the task. All supervisrs must fllw this prcedure when they have emplyees that wrk at heights. All emplyees are respnsible fr fllwing the safety prcedures regarding fall prtectin and use the persnal prtective equipment specified. DEFINITIONS Aerial lift device: Equipment such as pwered platfrms, vehicle-munted elevated and rtating wrk platfrms, extensible bm platfrms, aerial ladders, articulating bms platfrms, vertical twers and pwered industrial truck platfrms. Anchr pint: A secure pint f attachment fr lifelines, lanyards r deceleratin (grabbing) devices. Bdy harness: An intercnnected set f straps that may be secured abut a persn in a manner that distributes the fall arrest frces ver at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shulders with a means fr attaching the harness t ther cmpnents f a persnal fall arrest system. Deceleratin device: Any mechanism, such as a rpe, grabbing device, rip stitch lanyard, specially wven lanyard r autmatic self-retracting lifeline/lanyard, which serves t dissipate a substantial amunt f energy during a fall arrest, r therwise limits the energy impsed n an emplyee during fall arrest. Deceleratin distance: The additinal vertical distance a falling persn travels, excluding lifeline elngatin and free fall distance, befre stpping, frm the pint at which a deceleratin device begins t perate.

2 Fixed ladder: A ladder, including an individual rung ladder, which is permanently attached t a structure, building, r equipment. Guardrail: A barrier at least 42 inches high erected t prevent persnnel frm falling frm wrking levels mre than 30 inches abve the flr, grund, r ther wrking areas f a building. Hle: A vid r gap 2 inches r mre in its least dimensin in a flr, rf, r ther walking/wrking surface. Ladder: A device typically used t gain access t a different elevatin cnsisting f tw r mre structural members crssed by rungs, steps, r cleats. Lanyard: A flexible line f rpe r strap that generally has a cnnectr at each end fr cnnecting the bdy harness t a deceleratin device, lifeline r anchr pint. Lifeline: A cmpnent cnsisting f a flexible line fr cnnectin t an anchrage at ne end t hang vertically r fr cnnectin t anchrages at bth ends t stretch hrizntally. This serves as a means fr cnnecting ther cmpnents f a persnal fall arrest system t the anchrage. Lwer Levels: Thse areas r surfaces t which an emplyee can fall. Such areas include, but are nt limited t, grund levels, flrs, platfrms, ramps, runways, excavatins, pits tanks, material, water, equipment, structures, r prtins theref. Flr Opening: An pening measuring 12 inches r mre in its least dimensin, in any flr, platfrm, pavement, r yard thrugh which persns may fall; such as a hatchway, stair r ladder pening, pit, r large manhle. Psitining device system: A bdy harness system rigged t allw an emplyee t be supprted n an elevated vertical surface such as a wall and wrk with bth hands free while leaning. Persnal fall arrest system: A system used t arrest an emplyee in a fall frm a wrking level. It cnsists f an anchrage, cnnectrs, and bdy harness and may include a lanyard, deceleratin device, lifeline, r suitable cmbinatins f these. Restraint line: A device, which is attached between the emplyee and an anchrage t prevent the emplyee frm walking r falling ff an elevated surface. Rf: Exterir surface n the tp f a building. Rpe grab (grabbing device): A deceleratin device that travels n a lifeline and autmatically, by frictin, engages the lifeline and lcks t arrest a fall.

3 Scaffld: Any temprary elevated r suspended platfrm, and its supprting structures, used fr supprting emplyees r materials r bth. Self-retracting lifeline/lanyard: A deceleratin device cntaining a drum-wund line which can be slwly extracted frm, r retracted nt, the drum under minimal tensin during nrmal mvement and which, after nset f a fall, autmatically lcks the drum and arrests the fall. Standard railing: A vertical barrier erected alng expsed edges f a flr pening, wall pening, ramp, platfrm, r runway t prevent falls f persns. Snap hk: A cnnectr cnsisting f a hk-shaped member with a nrmally clsed keeper, r similar arrangement, which may be pened t permit the hk t receive an bject and, when released autmatically clses t retain the bject. Te bard: A vertical barrier at flr level erected alng expsed edges f a flr penings, wall pening, platfrm runway, r ramp t prevent falls f materials. Tie-Off: A prcedure f cnnecting directly r indirectly t an anchrage pint. Unprtected sides and edges: Any side r edge (except at entrances t pints f access) f a walking/wrking surface, e.g., flr, rf, ramp, r runway where there is n wall r guardrail system at least 42 inches high. Vertical Lifeline: A cmpnent cnsisting f a vertically hanging flexible line fr cnnectin t an anchr pint at ne end that serves as a means fr cnnecting ther cmpnents f a persnal fall arrest system t the anchr pint. Walking/wrking surface: Any surface, whether hrizntal r vertical, n which an emplyee walks r wrks including, but nt limited t flrs, rfs, ramps, bridges and, runways. Wall Opening: A gap r vid 30 inches r mre high and 18 inches r mre wide in a wall r partitin, thrugh which smene can fall t a lwer level. Wrk area: That prtin f a walking/wrking surface where jb duties are being perfrmed. PROCEDURE The prcedure fr fall prtectin cvers the fllwing wrk situatins: Ladders - fixed, free standing, temprary, r rll away type. Elevating Persnal Platfrms scafflds, aerial platfrms, scissrs lifts, frklift-munted platfrms, bm trucks, etc.

4 Elevated Surfaces rfs (clser than 6 feet t the edge), catwalks, skylights, bilers, chillers, etc. Vertical Opening - grund level entry int excavatins, trenches, hles, pits, vessels, and ther cnfined spaces. Fall prtectin is required whenever wrk is perfrmed in an area 4 feet abve its surrundings and can generally be prvided thrugh the use f fall prtectin systems including: Cvers - Cvers are fastened ver hles in the wrking surface t prevent falls. Guardrails - Standard guardrails cnsist f a tp rail, lcated 42 inches abve the flr, and a mid-rail. Screens and mesh may be used t replace the mid-rail, s lng as they extend frm the tp rail t the flr. Persnal Fall Arresting Systems - Cmpnents f a persnal fall arresting system include a bdy harness, lanyard, lifeline, cnnectr, and an anchrage pint capable f supprting at least 5,000 punds. Psitining Device Systems - Psitining device systems cnsist f a bdy belt r harness rigged t allw wrk n a vertical surface, such as a wall, with bth hands free. Warning Line Systems - Warning line systems are made up f lines r rpes installed arund a wrk area n a rf. These act as a barrier t prevent thse wrking n the rf frm appraching it edges. Ladders Emplyees wh wrk n ladders with a wrking height f 4 feet r mre shall be knwledgeable f the fllwing: Hw t inspect ladders fr visible defects Hw t use ladders prperly The ladder safety inspectin guide can be used as a referenced. Emplyees wh wrk n fixed ladders with a wrking height f 8 feet r abve must have a fall arrest system attached. Training Fall Prtectin Training will be prvided fr all affected emplyees. Refresher training will be prvided peridically t all emplyees wh use a persnal fall arrest system. Emplyees wh use persnal fall arresting systems t cntrl fall hazards in their wrk area shall be knwledgeable f the fllwing:

5 The applicatin limits f the equipment The prper hk-up, anchring and tie-ff techniques including determinatin f elngatin and deceleratin distance Methds f use, inspectin, and strage f equipment Fall Arrest System Requirements Fall Arrest Equipment reduces the risk f injuries that can ccur when a wrker falls frm ne level t anther. If engineering cntrls are nt feasible t prevent the fall, fall arrest equipment becmes the last line f defense. Critical cmpnents f fall arrest equipment include: Bdy harness - The harness must, cmfrtably but snugly, fit the individual. Many bdy harnesses are designed fr "universal fit" t accmmdate several individuals. "Universal fit" has limitatins; the mid range universal fit may nt adequately accmmdate small frame and large frame individuals. Shck Absrbing Lanyards - Shck absrbing lanyards are required. Static rpe and nyln lanyards must be replaced with an apprpriate length shck-absrbing lanyard. During fall arrest the rip stitching f the shck-absrbing lanyard absrbs the shck f the fall, drastically reducing frces nt the bdy and preventing significant injury. Special attentin must be given t the stpping distance required by the manufacturer f the lanyard. Lcking snap hks - Lcking snap hks are required. All cnnectin hardware (e.g. - snap hks, carabineers) must have a lcking mechanism t prevent rll ut frm the anchr and sized apprpriately t fit with the anchr. Inspectin f fall arrest equipment General Industry standard, GEORGIA TECH and Fall Arrest Equipment Manufacturers, require any defective equipment t be immediately remved frm service and replaced. Defective equipment must be destryed t prevent accidental use that culd endanger smene's life. The emplyee will perfrm a visual inspectin f the equipment prir t each use. Harness inspectin - Defects include but are nt limited t: cuts, abrasin, lse threads, tears, stretching and mld. Lk fr deteriratin Expsure t mlten metal r flame frm ht wrk will fuse nyln fibers tgether. There may be hard shiny spts and the nyln appears shriveled and brwn. The nyln will feel brittle. Expsure t harsh chemicals - change in clr, appearing as a brwnish smear. Nyln webbing lses elasticity. Hardware inspectin - Lk fr cracks, pitting and any distrtin in all hardware cmpnents: buckles, D-rings, snap hks and carabineers, rivets and grmmets. Belt buckle grmmets get a lt f wear frm pening and clsing. Snap hks must lck and clse tightly; buckles must functin prperly.

6 Use f fall arrest equipment Always use a secure anchr pint (must hld 5,000 lb. lad). Cnnect t an anchr pint at shulder level r abve. Never cnnect belw the D-ring f the bdy harness. Cnnectin t anchr pints must prevent a dangerus swing fall hazard r impact with any lwer level in the event f a fall. Cnnectin t an anchr pint must limit the fall t n greater than six feet. Use chafing pads r anchr slings t prevent cutting cnnectrs (lanyards and lifelines) n sharp edges. D nt use knts n cnnectrs (lanyards and lifelines). Vertical lifelines must be synthetic (nyln) fiber. Rpe Grab Devices used n vertical lifelines must be secured twelve feet up frm the terminal end f the vertical lifeline. Terminate the end f the vertical lifeline t prevent the Rpe Grab Device frm slipping ff. Only ne persn can tie ff t a vertical lifeline. Cleaning and strage f fall arrest equipment - Fllw the equipment manufacturer's cleaning instructins. Always dry equipment naturally. Use an apprved lubricant (light il r lubricant) t il snap hks when dry. Stre clean and dry away frm direct sunlight and excessive heat. Aerial Lift Guidelines Wrk activities that are perfrmed with an aerial lift must be in cnfrmance with the manufacturer and the General Industry standards. Basic requirements include but are nt limited t: Initial training is required t perate aerial lifts. A certified trainer will be respnsible fr training emplyees in the crrect use and safety precautins fr the specific equipment (i.e. a certified emplyee r equipment supplier / manufacturer). Articulated and extensible bm platfrms must have bth platfrm (peratr cntrls) and lwer cntrls. The peratr must test the cntrls each day t determine that the cntrls are in safe wrking cnditin. The peratr must stand firmly n the flr f the basket, and must nt sit r climb n the edge f the basket r use planks, ladders r ther devices fr a wrk psitin. Bdy harnesses must be wrn with a lanyard attached t the bm. The pint f attachment must be the aerial lift's bm r wrk platfrm. Persnnel cannt attach lanyards t adjacent ples, structures r equipment while they are wrking frm the aerial lift.

7 An aerial lift may nt be mved when the bm is elevated in a wrking psitin with the peratr in the basket, except fr equipment which is specifically designed fr this type f peratin. Emplyees wh use aerial lifts shall be knwledgeable f the fllwing: Scafflds Guidelines The manufacturer's perating instructins Pre-start inspectin f the Aerial lift Inspectin f the wrk area fr dangerus cnditins such as uneven surfaces, verhead bstructins such as pwer lines, r ther hazards Lad capacities f the equipment Hw t safely mve the equipment Training n hw t prevent falls and use apprpriate fall prtectin persnal prtective equipment Minimum safe apprach distances t energized pwer lines GEORGIA TECH emplyees must fllw General Industry standards when wrking with scafflds. Fixed Scafflds (Wrk Platfrms) The fting r anchrage fr scafflds shall be sund, rigid, and capable f carrying the maximum intended lad withut settling r displacement. Unstable bjects such as barrels, bxes, lse brick, r cncrete blcks shall nt be used t supprt scafflds r planks. Scafflds and their cmpnents shall be capable f supprting withut failure at least fur times the maximum intended lad. Scafflds shall be maintained in safe cnditin. Scafflds shall nt be altered r mved hrizntally while they are in use r ccupied. Any scaffld damaged r weakened frm any cause shall be immediately repaired and shall nt be used until repairs have been cmpleted. Scafflds shall nt be laded in excess f the wrking lad fr which they are intended. Guardrails nt less than 2 x 4 inches r the equivalent and nt less than 36 inches r mre than 42 inches high, with a mid-rail, when required, f 1 x 4-inch lumber r equivalent, and te-bards, shall be installed at all pen sides n all scafflds mre than 10 feet abve the grund r flr. Tebards shall be a minimum f 4 inches in height.

8 Mbile Wrk Platfrms All scaffld wrk levels 10 feet r higher abve the grund r flr shall have a standard (4-inch nminal) te bard. All wrk levels 10 feet r higher abve the grund r flr shall have a guardrail f 2- by 4-inch nminal r the equivalent installed n less than 36 inches r mre than 42 inches high, with a midrail, when required, f 1- by 4-inch nminal lumber r equivalent. A climbing ladder r stairway shall be prvided fr prper access and egress, and shall be affixed r built int the scaffld and s lcated that its use will nt have a tendency t tip the scaffld. A landing platfrm shall be prvided at intervals nt t exceed 30 feet. Emplyees shall nt wrk n scafflds during strms r high winds. Emplyees shall nt wrk n scafflds which are cvered with ice r snw, unless all ice r snw is remved and planking sanded t prevent slipping. Tls, materials, and debris shall nt be allwed t accumulate in quantities t cause a hazard. RECORDKEEPING The EHS General Safety unit will maintain all training recrds. Dcuments t Reference n EHS Webpage Access t Rf-Tp Permit Frm Fall Prtectin Equipment Inspectin Sheet Aerial Lift Inspectin Frm Ladder Inspectin Guide