FALL PROTECTION. Leader s Guide. Marcom Group Ltd.

Transcription

1 1818 FALL PROTECTION Leader s Guide Marcom Group Ltd.

2 Structure and Organization Information in this program is presented in a definite order, so that employees will see the relationships between the various groups of information and can retain them more easily. The sections in this program include: The basic principles for working above ground safely. Guard rails and safety nets. Full body harnesses. Connecting devices. Anchor points. Horizontal and vertical lifelines Equipment inspection. Each of the sections gives an overview of important information in one topic area, providing employees with the basis for understanding how to prevent falls in the workplace. Background Some people think that working off the ground is as dangerous as walking a tightrope. These workers expect to plummet to their demise anytime they work up high. It s true that above ground level our feeling of security may drop dramatically. In fact, without proper training, working off the ground can be deadly. But, by exercising caution, we can work safely whether we re climbing ladders, standing on scaffolding or working on the cables of a suspension bridge. Objectives To help employees understand how fall prevention works, this education and training program is designed to present basic information in this area. Upon completion of the program, employees should: Understand the basic principles for safely working above ground. Be able to use good housekeeping skills to avoid problems with dropped tools and other hazards. Know how to employ specific safety measures and equipment when working above the ground. Understand when and how to use guard rails, safety nets and personal fall arrest systems. Know the difference between vertical and horizontal lifelines, and when to use them. Understand how timely maintenance and inspection of equipment is critical to good fall protection.

3 OUTLINE OF MAJOR PROGRAM POINTS THE BASICS Combating the dangers of working off the ground begins with you. Don t take your safety or anyone else s lightly. You can avoid accidents by placing safety at the top of your priority list. Proper work practices are important for any job. But when you re up there, the risk of an accident is heightened and following standard safety procedures becomes even more important. For instance, if you need to climb a ladder to get where you re going, inspect the rungs before you go up. Make sure they re in good condition. While you re climbing, practice the three-point climb. This means keeping two hands and a foot, or one hand and two feet in contact with the ladder at all times. Keeping your weight centered between the rails will help you maintain your balance and reduce the chance of a fall. Specialized equipment like lift-buckets and cherry-pickers require extra protection. Don t forget to hook up your lifeline. When you re on the move, watch your step. Be on the lookout for trip hazards. Do your part by practicing proper housekeeping. Maintain a neat work area so that no one trips on leftover tools and clutter. Pay attention to warning signs. They mark the point where you cross into fall protection territory. Signs will also tell you whether certain areas are restricted to workers wearing fall protection equipment. Don t work above the ground if you re taking medication that could make you drowsy. And never work after drinking alcohol. These things impair your reflexes and increase the chance of a dangerous fall. Once you ve gotten the basics down, it s important to take a close look at your facility s fall protection plan. GUARD RAILS & SAFETY NETS Fall protection plans focus on locations where falls could lead to serious injuries. The height at which protection is required depends on the type of work you do. On most work sites, protection begins at four feet off the ground. But in the construction industry, precautions aren t required until you re six feet off the ground. Workers must be protected from falling by at least one of the following: guard rails, safety nets, or personal protective equipment. A system of guard rails is one of the easiest ways to prevent falls from ledges. Rails can be set up either as temporary or permanent controls. They must rise between inches above the walking surface and support a force of 200 pounds, the weight of the average worker. Safety nets are often used in areas where guard rails aren t always practical. There are essentially two kinds of nets. "Personnel nets" are designed with heavy duty webbing that can catch workers, while "debris nets" are woven with much finer webbing to capture falling objects before they injure someone beneath them. All nets must be kept in good condition. Inspect them at least once a week, and after they catch anything that might have damaged the webbing.

4 Remove tools and other materials caught in a net as quickly as possible. You may not think to take the time, but leaving these things in a net causes a safety hazard. Of course, we should take precautions to prevent objects from falling in the first place. Most facilities do this by installing toe boards, or screens, just above the level of the walking surface. Toe boards and screens block tools and materials from slipping over the edge. In elevated areas with unprotected sides and edges, personal fall arrest systems are a must. Before you make use of these systems in the field, you should test them out to see how they feel. A secure fit provides the most protection in the event of a fall. PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEMS Personal fall arrest systems consist of a body holding device, a connecting device, and an anchor point. The best body holding gear to use with these systems is a full body harness. At the end of a fall, when the lifeline grabs tight, the harness spreads out the effect of the shock over the shoulders, buttocks, and thighs. Harnesses are fitted with "D-rings" for attachment. Always use the one at the center of the upper back when you attach the connecting device. This will help the harness evenly distribute your weight during a fall. Connecting devices such as lanyards and retracting lifelines link you and the safety harness to the anchor point. A lanyard is a short rope or strap that only lets you fall a short distance. Lanyards over two feet in length should be fitted with shock absorbing options which reduce the force of a fall. Self-retracting lifelines have a drum-wound line which allows for a wider range of movement. In the event of a fall, a breaking mechanism will quickly stop your descent. Be careful when using self-retracting lifelines for horizontal movement. Moving more than four feet from the anchor point with these devices may leave you vulnerable to a "swing fall." This occurs when you swing back toward the anchor point. The impact of hitting the side of a building or other surface during a swing fall can be just as serious as an unprotected fall. Both lanyards and retracting lifelines are fitted with "snaphooks." Make sure the hooks are securely locked in place before you climb. This will prevent a roll out of the hook which could lead to a nasty plunge. Anchor points provide the third element in a personal fall arrest system. To keep you safe, an anchor point must support 5,000 for each employee connected to the anchor. When you re setting up your own anchor point, make sure that it s secure. Never use pipes or electrical conduits as anchors. They can easily break free under the force of your falling weight. "Bosun's chairs" are often used with vertical lifelines. These support your weight when you are working off the side of a structure. If you use a bosun s chair, you must also wear a full body harness for complete protection. This harness must be connected to a second, separate lifeline. When your job calls for some mobility, you need to hook up to a fixed lifeline. These systems allow you to work safely in either a horizontal or vertical direction. Horizontal systems are designed to be rigged between two fixed anchor points. They allow you to safely walk across a surface from one point to another without having to detach your lanyard. Horizontal lifelines must be set up by qualified workers. Vertical systems allow workers to safely move up and down within a work area.

5 Remember, connection devices hooked up to vertical rails or lifelines must be fitted with automatic braking devices. These grab onto the tract or lifeline to prevent further fall. Your safety depends on the effectiveness of each element in the fall protection system. So it s important to inspect your equipment before you use it. Look out for frayed or broken straps on your harness. The D-ring must not be bent out of shape and make sure it s securely attached. You should also look for tears or missing stitches that could allow the D-ring to rip free in a fall. Damage to any part of a harness compromises your safety. If you find any problems, get a new one. SUMMARY Working above ground level can be safe and easy for everyone if you stick to the rules. Let s review. Be aware of hazardous areas and know what you need to do to protect yourself. Follow safe work practices; don t risk an accident. Practice good housekeeping; keep materials and tools away from edges and out of walkways. Climb ladders with care; keep your weight centered between the rails. Use the personal fall arrest system that s right for the job. Inspect it before each use. If you follow your facility's fall prevention program and remember to work safely, you ll never find yourself hanging by a thread while you re off the ground.

6 QUIZ "FALL PROTECTION" Name: Date: 1. True or False?... The "three-point climb" is recommended when using ladders. 2. True or False?... When using lift buckets, extra protection is not required. 3. True or False?... If your harness is torn or otherwise damaged, you should get a new one immediately. 4. True or False?... Guard rails must support at least 1,000 pounds. 5. True or False?... If you encounter a potential trip hazard, you should proceed around it and carry on with your work. 6. True or False?... Bosun's chairs are only used on ships. 7. True or False?... Pipes and electrical conduits are safe anchor points as long as you test them thoroughly before using them. 8. True or False?... Keeping your belt buckle between the rails of the ladder helps you maintain your center of gravity and prevent falls. 9. True or False?... Debris Nets are used to prevent tools and other materials from falling on people who are below. 10. True or False?... A lanyard is a short rope or strap which limits your possible falling distance.

7 QUIZ "FALL PROTECTION" PRESENTER'S COPY...WITH ANSWERS 1. True or False?... The "three-point climb" is recommended when using ladders X 2. True or False?... When using lift buckets, extra protection is not required. 3. True or False?... If your harness is torn or otherwise damaged, you should get a new one immediately. X 4. True or False?... Guard rails must support at least 1,000 pounds. 5. True or False?... If you encounter a potential trip hazard, you should proceed around it and carry on with your work. 6. True or False?... Bosun's chairs are only used on ships. 7. True or False?... Pipes and electrical conduits are safe anchor points as long as you test them thoroughly before using them. 8. True or False?... Keeping your belt buckle between the rails of the ladder helps you maintain your center of gravity and prevent falls. X 9. True or False?... Debris Nets are used to prevent tools and other materials from falling on people who are below. X 10. True or False?... A lanyard is a short rope or strap which limits your possible falling distance. X