1.8 Fall Protection Program

Transcription

1 1.8 Fall Protection Program 1.8 Fall Protection Program This fall protection program applies to all Canadian Rope Access Personnel and subcontractors, and to all work performed by Canadian Rope Access Specialists Inc. All personnel must have annual fall protection training, and current IRATA rope access certification. Training will include instruction on fall hazards, all common fall protection techniques, rope access techniques, rescue techniques, equipment usage, storage and inspection as well as regulatory requirements. Records of training, and copies of certifications will be kept in the employees or contractors personnel file located in Dropbox under 3. Human Resources Worksafe OHS Regulation 11.2 Obligation to use fall protection (1) Unless elsewhere provided for in this Regulation, an employer must ensure that a fall protection system is used when work is being done at a place (a) from which a fall of 3 m (10 ft) or more may occur, or (b) where a fall from a height of less than 3 m involves a risk of injury greater than the risk of injury from the impact on a flat surface. (2) The employer must ensure that guardrails meeting the requirements of Part 4 (General Conditions) or other similar means of fall restraint are used when practicable. (3) If subsection (2) is not practicable, the employer must ensure that another fall restraint system is used. (4) If subsection (3) is not practicable, the employer must ensure that a fall arrest system is used. (5) If the use of a fall arrest system is not practicable, or will result in a hazard greater than if the system was not used, the employer must ensure that work procedures are followed that are acceptable to the Board and minimize the risk of injury to a worker from a fall. (6) Before a worker is allowed into an area where a risk of falling exists, the employer must ensure that the worker is instructed in the fall protection system for the area and the procedures to be followed. (7) A worker must use the fall protection system provided by the employer Worksafe OHS Regulation Rappelling and work positioning systems (1) A worker on a rock face or other steep slope must be protected from falling by a work positioning or rappelling system, or by a fall arrest system as required by Part 11 (Fall Protection). (2) A single rope work positioning system may be used by a worker to rappel to and remain in work locations on a rock face or other steep slope if tension is maintained in the rappel rope at all times so that the worker is not exposed to a free fall. (3) If the work practice could result in a slack line in the rappel or work positioning system and a fall could occur, a personal fall arrest system, independently anchored, meeting the requirements of Part 11 (Fall Protection) must be used. (4) Rappelling techniques must provide for automatic stopping by means of a mechanical fall arrestor, Prusik sling or other device acceptable to the Board. (5) A rappelling or fall protection system must be used in a manner that minimizes the swing-fall hazard. Canadian Rope Access Specialists Inc, its employees and subcontractors will adhere to all site specific, regional, provincial and federal; Health and Safety Regulations. Additionally CRAS will follow guidelines outlined by the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association guidelines when working on rope, wherever this standard does not not conflict with provincial, or regional regulations. Before beginning any job, or upon commencement of any new operation, the site supervisor will conduct a site hazard assessment (form 5.1 Site Safety Document) and Job Hazard Analysis (form 5.3). Any work locations that may present a fall hazard will be identified and documented. A safe work plan/fall protection plan will be

2 1.8 Fall Protection Program developed and documented, detailing the hazard, the fall protection system to be used, and the anchors to be used. Additionally a rescue assessment will be completed for any location to which a worker may fall, and an appropriate rescue procedure will be documented. Whenever technicians are within 10ft (3m) of an unprotected edge from which a fall of 2m (6.5ft) or may occur, or while suspended by a work-positioning system, they will observe %100 tie off, and they will be attached to at least one CSA or ANSI fall arrest or fall restraint system. CRAS will provide Petzl CSA Navaho Bod-Fast multipurpose harness, CSA Y-Lanyards and Kong ANSI approved Back-up devices for use on vertical lifelines. The system will be anchored to an anchor meeting the guidelines set out in Worksafe BC guideline (G Anchors), selected by a qualified supervisor (see also CRAS-RAOP 4.4) Whenever technicians are working on rope, they will use an additional back-up system/vertical life line, fall restraint/arrest system connected to a suitable anchor. Wherever possible anchors will be located outside of the fall hazard area, allowing technicians to apply their personal fall protection system before entering the hazard area. If practicable warning lines and control zones will be established at least 2 meters from the unprotected edge (see also CRAS-RAOP 4.5.4) Equipment used for personal fall protection will meet CSA or ANSI standards in accordance with Worksafe BC regulation (11.5). Only equipment designed and certified for live load will be used to suspend workers. Where an applicable ANSI or CSA standard exists equipment will meet or exceed that standard. If an appropriate CSA or ANSI standard does not exist equipment will meet the EN, CE or NFPA standard. (CRAS-RAOP 3.1.1) All equipment, harnesses, connectors lanyards and ropes will be inspected on a regular interval of 3 months by a competent person and before each use by the user and supervisor. Any textiles, lanyards, harnesses, or ropes with fraying, burns or unknown chemical substances on any load supporting area will be retired. Any metal hardware that is not operating normally or shows signs of obvious metal wear or cracks will be retired. Any hardware that has been dropped more than 10 ft onto a hard surface or subject to a shock load, such as from a fall will be retired. (see also CRAS-RAOP 3.1.3) A suitable point of contact for the purposed of rope access will be considered an anchor rated to 5000lbs or a suitable structural member (see OHS regulations Anchors, 11.6 Anchors and other hardware and G Anchors ), a rope rated to at least 6000lbs and a means of connecting the rope to an ANSI or CSA full body harness. Harnesses used will be designed for work positioning, fall restraint and fall arrest (CRAS-RAOP 4.4.1) At all times, during all maneuvers, a rope access technician must maintain 2 independent points of contact; for example their ascent gear (manual rope grabs) or auto locking descent device on their working line and an additional backup device (ANSI/CSA fall protection system) connected to a safety line which will also connected to an independent anchor. Before removing any point of contact a technician must apply a third point of contact ensuring that at no time are they reduced to a single point of contact, even while moving points. For example a descender would be placed on the working line before removing an ascender. A second backup device would be placed on the safety rope before removing the first. The rope access technicians feet may count as a single point of contact while climbing on a structure or while standing on a flat surface, and thus the technician will only be required to use a single fall protection system. At no point will a rope access technician allow slack in their working line, subject themselves to a swing-fall hazard, or place themselves in a situation where a fall is possible. Failing to adhere to this fundamental principle, even for a moment, shall be considered a serious safety infraction and may be grounds for disciplinary action. (see also CRAS-RAOP 4.5.6)

3 1.8 Fall Protection Program Rope access technicians will ensure that at no time is there potential for an uncontrolled swing or slip. They will not allow slack to develop in their working line and should be committed to the work positioning system at all times. All maneuvers will be conducted in such a way as to not risk shock loading the system. Rope access work must be conducted in such a way as to not produce a swing fall hazard. Ideally vertical lifelines should be mounted directly overhead to prevent injury from a pendulum fall. Where this is not possible an anchor may be offset so the angle between the line perpendicular to the edge at the drop location and the suspension line or lifeline is no greater than 22 degrees. The distance from the perpendicular line to the anchor should be less than 2 metres (6.5 feet). If a deviation greater than this is required or a hazard exists the lines may be deviated to another equal anchor system by using additional ropes. The inside angle must be kept to less than 120 degrees (90 degrees recommended). As an alternative the technician may be connected to two complete ropes systems, a total of 4 ropes, connected to four separate anchors in such a way as to distribute the force between the anchor systems and eliminated the potential to swing. Anywhere ropes may be exposed to a sharp surface or edge or any other point where abrasion may be a concern ropes must be protected by using rope protection. Falling objects present a possible hazard to rope access workers. Whenever rope access technicians are working on rope the area above them will be kept free of loose objects and the area beneath them will be kept clear of other workers and bystanders. All tools and equipment will be attached to lanyards to prevent inadvertently dropping them and rope access technicians will wear a helmets to protect them from falling objects. Additionally technicians will where a CSA or ANSI approved class E hard hat with a chin strap, to prevent inadvertent dropping. (see also CRAS-RAOP 4.5.8) Worksafe OHS Guideline G Anchors Issued January 1, 2005; Editorial Revision May 17, 2006 Purpose of guideline This guideline provides additional information for selecting anchors that are acceptable under section Anchors The OHS Regulation defines an anchor as "a secure point of attachment for a lifeline or lanyard." Types of anchors under this definition include 1. A device that has been purposefully manufactured and installed as an anchor to support a personal fall protection system. 2. A substantial structure, such as a beam, column or similar substantial portion of the structure, selected as a point of anchorage where no dedicated anchor device is available. These points of anchorage generally require some supplemental rigging, such as a sling, to allow the anchorage connector of a personal fall protection system to connect to the anchorage. Natural anchors, such as large well-rooted trees or rock outcroppings can be acceptable points of anchorage as well if deemed by a qualified person to be able to withstand the forces that may be imposed by the fall protection system. The actual strength of an anchor is dependent on The design of the anchor The orientation of the anchor relative to the direction of loading The condition of the anchor The connection of the anchor to the supporting structure The adequacy of the structure to resist the imposed loading

4 1.8 Fall Protection Program Ladder Safety Part 13 Ladders, Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms 13.4 Manufactured ladders A manufactured portable ladder must be marked for the grade of material used to construct the ladder and the use for which the ladder is constructed Position and stability A ladder must (a) be placed on a firm and level base, (b) be positioned so that the horizontal distance from the base to vertical plane of support is approximately ¼ of the ladder length, (c) have sufficient length to project approximately 1 m (3 ft) above the upper landing to which it provides access, and (d) if necessary, be secured to ensure stability during use Use restrictions (1) If work cannot be done from a ladder without hazard to a worker, a work platform must be provided. (2) A worker must not carry up or down a ladder, heavy or bulky objects or any other objects which may make ascent or descent unsafe. Before utilizing a ladder, or at the start of every work shift, the CRAS supervisor will conduct an inspection of the ladder to ensure that it is in good repair, meets an applicable CSA o ANSI standard, and is suitable for the type of work. Ladders with damaged, defective or missing components will not be used. All personnel using ladders will comply with the basic steps to prevent ladder accidents listed below, while using ladders. Basic Steps to Prevent Ladder Accidents In order to prevent ladder accidents, there are number of basic steps that must be taken 1. Inspect the ladder at the start of each shift make sure there aren t any defective or damaged components. 2. While setting up a ladder, always make sure the bottom of the ladder is positioned on a solid, stable and flat surface. For example, you should never position a ladder in mud. 3. Make sure the angle of the ladder is safe. Use the 1/4 Rule. Erect the ladder 1m out for every 4m up. 4. Ladders used to access elevated work areas must extend a minimum of 1 meter (3.3ft) or (3 rungs) above the upper landing. This will make getting on and off the ladder at the top, a safer task. 5. Ensure that ladder locks are engaged and the ladder is tied off with the securing rope. 6. For portable ladders used on a regular basis, the ladder should be secured at the top and bottom in order to prevent movement. It s permissible to climb the ladder once in order to tie it off, otherwise, you should never climb an access ladder that is not tied off. If you need to climb a newly erected access ladder in order to tie it off, have a co-worker hold the ladder to stabilize it for you. 7. While going up and down any ladder, always face the ladder and maintain 3 points of contact. Before stepping onto the ladder, ensure that your boots are free of any mud or snow that may make the rungs slippery. 8. While on a ladder, never over-reach or stretch out enough that you could lose your balance, slip or cause the ladder to slide. 9. Ladders are designed for one, and only one person. Never climb a ladder while someone else is on it. 10. Never climb a ladder while carrying heavy objects or equipment. Whenever possible hoist equipment to upper levels with a rope. 11. Ladders that are to be used on a worksite are required to be CSA or ANSI approved. 12. Step Ladders must not be more than six metres high when set for use; must have legs that are securely held in position by means of metal braces or an equivalent rigid support; and when in use, must have a front section slope at an angle of one horizontal to six vertical. 13. Extension ladders must be equipped with locks that securely hold the sections of the ladder in the extended position; where a section of an extension ladder is extended, the section that is extended must overlap another section by at least one metre; an extension ladder consisting of two sections must not exceed 14.6 metres in length; and an extension ladder consisting of more than two sections must not exceed 20 metres in length.

5 High Angle Rescue Procedures High Angle Rescue Procedures Worksafe Regulation 4.13 Risk assessment (1) The employer must conduct a risk assessment in any workplace in which a need to rescue or evacuate workers may arise. (2) If the risk assessment required by subsection (1) shows a need for evacuation or rescue, appropriate written procedures must be developed and implemented, and a worker assigned to coordinate their implementation. (3) Written rescue and evacuation procedures are required for but not limited to (a) work at high angles, (b) work in confined spaces or where there is a risk of entrapment, (c) work with hazardous substances, (d) underground work, (e) work on or over water, and (f) workplaces where there are persons who require physical assistance to be moved. Worksafe Regulation 32.2 Training (1) Workers designated to provide rescue or evacuation services must be adequately trained. (2) The training program must include simulated rescue or evacuation exercises and regular retraining, appropriate to the type of rescue or evacuation being provided, and training records must be kept. All SPRAT and IRATA technicians are trained in rescue as a basic certification requirement. The industrial rope access system provides multiple options for self rescue, partner rescue and team rescue if necessary. In the following section, the person needing rescue, who may be trapped, injured, incapacitated or otherwise needing assistance will be referred to as the subject. The subject may or may not be in need of medical attention and may or may not be capable of moving through the system due to equipment failure, ensnarement etc. The technical difficulties and specific techniques anticipated to rescue the subject from any point in the rope access system will be considered in the risk assessment phase and documented in the Safety meeting and or in the site supplement before starting work. Provisions for transporting injured persons to definitive medical care, and the process required must be considered in the planning phase. This will include information such as the method of summoning first aid and ambulance, the location and driver of any on-site ETV, suitable helicopter landing zones, arrangements for air evacuation, the proximity hospital and the level of medical care available at the nearest hospital. If the risk assessment shows the rescue subject's position cannot be reached by rescuers, or that the time required to set up and implement a rescue would prove too lengthy, then a rescue system will be rigged prior to starting work. If necessary, this may be pre-attached to the operative throughout the work task. Rescue is often a time sensitive endeavor. It is well established that a critical trauma patients chances of survival are greatest when receiving definitive surgical care within a short period of time after a severe injury. Additionally the subject may be at risk of orthostatic incompetence due to blood pooling in the legs, and a type of compartment syndrome known as, suspension trauma or harness hang syndrome if the subject has been hanging immobile for longer periods. This phenomena is greatly reduced when using rope access equipment and harnesses over traditional fall arrest, but should still be considered post rescue.

6 High Angle Rescue Procedures All rescues are to be carried out by competent rope access operatives. When possible the subject is to use self rescue techniques and or team members are to assist in self rescue. Rescue equipment including a suitable first aid kit should accompany all operational rope access teams. This will include sufficient equipment to rescue a technician from any access situation in which they might be working. Dedicated rescue equipment will not be used for anything other than rescue. The primary steps of any rescue are 1. ensure the safety of the rescuers at all times 2. gather information about the incident and assess the situation if possible establish contact with the subject via voice or radio determine if subject is injured determine if a new hazard has been introduced confirm the safety and integrity of the access and egress 3. conduct a hazard assessment and formulate a rescue strategy identify any new hazards determine if the established rescue plan is appropriate, if not modify the plan 4. ensure that all rescue team members understand the rescue plan 5. call for additional resources if required other workers any on-site rescue or first aid or public ambulance service outside rescue, fire services, SAR etc as needed. 6. gain access to he subject 7. prevent further injuries and mitigate hazards to the subject and rescuers 8. correct any life threatening conditions and stabilize the subject as much as possible if needed maintain the subjects airway, via positioning or inserting an artificial airway maintain breathing, if needed ventilate the subject as often as possible during evacuation control any deadly bleeding, CPR will not be practical until the subject is on a firm surface, if a patient is in cardiac arrest while on rope every effort must be made to get them to the nearest surface or platform as soon as possible. initiate spinal immobilization for suspected spinal injuries as soon as practical; while ``on rope`` this might take the form of the OSS, or KED and a hard collar if the index of suspicion is high and the subjects condition would not be made worse by delaying splint major fractures if possible to reduce further injury 9. evacuate the subject to a safe location 10. complete treatment and packaging if necessary 11. if necessary transport the subject to where suitably qualified persons can administer definitive care

7 High Angle Rescue Procedures Rescue from descent (access from higher point) 1. Descend down subjects back up line. If backup line is weighted then rescuer can break in to the line with a z-rig, down croll to the subject, or deploy a new rope. 2. When the subject is reached attach a pick-off sling from rescuers descender to subjects sternum ring. 3. Remove subjects shunt and lower them down with their descender on to rescuers descender. Remove victims descender. 4. Attach carabiner to work positioning loop and use as point of friction for descender. 5. Descend keeping in mind that two people on one descender will drop quickly 6. Once rescuer is able to walk on the ground, rescuer is to escape the system. 7. Rescuer then checks for debris and lowers subject on to ground stabilizing their neck. Rescue from descent (access from below) 1. Ascend up subjects backup line and attach backup device to their suspension line 2. Pass over subject keeping two points of contact, applying second backup device above casualty 3. Transfer into descent 4. Attach subjects lanyard to rescuers central point and remove subjects backup device. 5. Attach pick-off sling from rescuer s descender to subjects sternum ring. 6. Remove subjects backup device and lower them down with their descender on to rescuers descender. 7. Attach carabiner to work positioning loop and use as point of friction for descender. 8. Descend keeping in mind that two people on one descender will drop quickly Rescue from ascent (access from below) 1. Ascend up subjects backup line and attach backup device to their suspension line 2. Pass over subject keeping two points of contact, applying second backup device above casualty 3. Transfer into descent 4. Attach subjects lanyard to rescuers central point and remove subjects backup device. 5. Attach pick sling from rescuer s descender to subjects sternum ring. 6. Fix tail end of rescuers descent line through a carabiner or pulley on subjects handle ascender, 7. When croll becomes unweighted then rescuer removes subjects croll from rope. 8. The rescuer then adds an other point of friction on the descender and descends. 9. Refer to last three steps of rescue from descent Rescue from ascent (access from above) 1. Descend down subjects back up line. If the backup line is weighted then rescuer can break in to the line with a z-rig, or down croll to the subject, or deploy a new rope. 2. Attach subjects lanyard to rescuers central point and remove subjects backup device. 3. Attach pick-off sling from rescuer s descender to subjects sternum ring. 4. Fix tail end of rescuers descent line through a carabiner or pulley on subjects handle ascender, 5. When croll becomes unweighted then rescuer removes victims croll from rope. 6. The rescuer then adds an other point of friction on the descender and descends.

8 High Angle Rescue Procedures ``Breaking into a Tight Line`` 1. A resettable 3:1, Z-rig or other haul system with progressive capture is attached to the subjects suspension line using a rope grab and to the anchor. 2. A rope grab or other capture device is attached to the backup anchor and connected to the backup line. 3. As the victim is hauled the back up line is to pulled through the backup capture device. 4. When enough slack is available in the suspension line an ID descender can be attached to the anchor. 5. A stopper knot should be tied in the bitter dead ends of both ropes. 6. The knots previously connecting the suspension and back up lines can taken apart. 7. The ID at the anchor point is used as a capture and belay device. 8. The system is now able to be set up to haul or lower the subject on either their working or backup line. Rescue using Hauling and lowering A Petzl ID or other similar belay device that can be used as a progress capture and belay device is attached to an anchor at the pitch head and a rope is put through it. If the intention is to haul the subject a mechanical advantage haul system will be constructed 1. the tail of the rope can be used with a rope grab and pulley to create resettable 3:1, haul system with progressive capture called a Z-rig using only the basic kit rope access kit. 2. More complex mechanical advantage systems can be constructed if it is necessary and equipment is available 3. In many circumstances the rope access technician can redirect the rope and connect their chest ascender in-order to input more force into the system using their body weight. When this is not possible the technicians handle ascender can be used as a handle to pull on. If the intention is to lower the subject 1. ensure there is enough rope to reach the ground or landing platform. 2. if there is not sufficient rope and it is necessary to lower the subject on their own ropes, a second rope can be tied to the end of each line using a double fisherman's knot and the knot's can be passed at the belay device and safety. 3. When using the Petzl ID to lower a carabiner should be used to add additional friction. If it is required to lower a two person load a Munter hitch must be added to a carabiner connected to the anchor to further increase friction in accordance with the manufacturers directions. Cross Haul Rescue Similar to Double Stopping or a Rope to Rope Transfer the subject may be attached to two hauling and lowering systems at two different opposing anchor positions with four separate ropes and anchors. The two systems can be hauled or lowered respectively to position the subject at nearly any point between the two anchors. Additional hauling and lowering systems could be added to add a 3 rd dimension of movement. At no point should the system be tensioned as to create an inside angle of greater than 120 degrees as this may stress the system beyond it's 10:1 safety factor.