This document defines the minimum control measures required to reduce the risk of injury or illness related to fall hazards or work at height.

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Victor Hardy
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1 Fall Prtectin Purpse This dcument defines the minimum cntrl measures required t reduce the risk f injury r illness related t fall hazards r wrk at height. Scpe Applicable t all Cca-Cla system lcatins (manufacturing, distributin, ffices, labratries and all ther lcatins) wrldwide. Definitins See Appendix I. s 1. Cmpliance Implement management practices and cntrls in accrdance with the stricter f Cmpany requirements r applicable legal requirements 1 related t fall prtectin cntrls. Establish and maintain prcesses t identify, access and peridically verify cmpliance with current versins f these applicable legal requirements. These prcesses may be specific t fall prtectin r part f a mre cmprehensive cmpliance prcess. 2. Hazard Identificatin and Risk Assessment Cnduct and dcument an initial assessment f the wrkplace t identify ptential fall hazards and necessary cntrls. The assessment: May be either a stand-alne dcument r included as part f a mre cmprehensive risk assessment; Must be updated whenever prcesses, equipment r facilities that can create r change ptential fall hazard(s) are added r mdified; and 1 Applicable legal requirements means any law, regulatin, rule, requirement, standard, nrm, decree r cde applicable t the relevant facility and/r peratin enacted, prmulgated r issued by any gvernmental r regulatry agency r bdy at the Natinal, Federal, State, Prvincial, Municipal r ther lcal level. It may als include relevant and applicable internatinal r reginal laws, regulatins, rules and agreements, such as, but nt limited t United Natins Guidelines and/r Eurpean Unin (EU) Directives r Regulatins, whether adpted int lcally applicable law r directly applicable withut the need fr lcal adptin. Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 1 f 11

2 Fall Prtectin Must be reviewed at least annually t verify that it is current. 3. Administrative Cntrls 3.1 Fall Prtectin Prcedures Establish and dcument prcedures and cntrls addressing all applicable sectins f these s, in rder t prevent the risk f falling and fr cnducting wrk at height 3.2 Wrk Permits Establish a permit prgram t cntrl, mnitr and dcument wrk at heights f mre than 2 meters (6 feet) where fixed platfrms and standard railings are nt prvided. This includes wrk within 5 meters (15 feet) f an unprtected edge f a rf r wrk platfrm. Wrk where assciates remain n a ladder, within the cnfines f an aerial device r tied ff t a designated engineered anchrage pint, d nt require a wrk permit unless the site s risk assessment and prcedures dictate therwise. The permit must: Be cmpleted prir t the wrk, with permit requirements cmmunicated t all thse invlved in the wrk; Be psted in the immediate wrk area fr the duratin f the wrk; Cntain at least: Date, time, exact lcatin and duratin f the wrk; Descriptin f the wrk t be dne; Anchrage pints t be used; Safety checks required and cmpleted, including inspectin f equipment; Special cnsideratins identified during a pre-wrk risk assessment, which must be addressed r fllwed during the wrk; Rescue plan in place in the event f a fall; and Signed verificatin by the wrkers and the Area Supervisr that the abve have been cmpleted and verified. Be retained fr 1 year r as per legal requirement, whichever is lnger. 4. Physical Cntrls 4.1 Flr Surfaces Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 2 f 11

3 Fall Prtectin Maintain flrs t prevent slips, trips and falls. Guard flr hles t prtect persnnel frm a trip r fall. Prvide cvers and/r guardrails t prtect persnnel frm the hazards f pen pits, tanks, vats, trenches, etc. Cvers shall nt intrduce additinal trip hazards and shall be suitably strng fr the intended use. Flrs shall be maintained in a clean and, s far as pssible, a dry cnditin. Where wet prcesses take place, maintain drainage t minimize water n the flr, with additinal cntrls implemented as necessary t prevent slip hazards. Keep flrs free frm prtrusins r lse surface material that can create a trip hazard. 4.2 Wall Openings Guard every wall pening frm which there is a drp f mre than 1.2 meters (4 feet), r elsewhere as indicated by the risk assessment. Guards shall be capable f withstanding a lad f a persn falling nt the barrier. Where there is expsure belw t falling materials, prvide a remvable te-bard r the equivalent. When the pening is nt in use, keep the guard in psitin regardless f a dr n the pening. 4.3 Elevated Platfrms and Walkways Guard every pen-sided flr, platfrm r walkway 1.2 meters (4 feet) r mre abve adjacent flr level, r where the risk assessment indicates a need fr prtectin, by a standard railing n all pen sides except where there is entrance t a ramp, stairway, fixed ladder r lading access. Prvide te-bards wherever there is a risk f bjects falling ver the pen sides nt peple r equipment belw. Openings r Extensin Platfrms used fr material handling shall have guarding equivalent t a standard railing. When the pen side is nt in use fr handling materials, keep the guard clsed. Guard penings fr fixed ladder access with a standard railing. Passage thrugh the railing must be either prvided with a swinging gate r s ffset that a persn cannt walk directly int the pening. Chains cannt be used as a substitute fr swing gates r ffsets. 4.4 Fixed Ladders Design, use and manage fixed ladders t prevent injury. Prvide fixed ladders mre than 6 meters (20 feet) in height with a cage surrunding the climbing side f the ladder, extending frm 2 meters (7 feet) abve flr level t a pint at least 1 meter (3.5 feet) abve the landing surface. Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 3 f 11

4 Fall Prtectin Fixed ladders lnger than 9 meters (30 feet) shall be prvided with landing platfrms at least every 9 meters (30 feet). 4.5 Fragile Surfaces Prvide cntrls as necessary t prevent falls thrugh fragile surfaces. Cmmunicate the presence f fragile surfaces t ptentially affected persnnel thrugh the use f clear markings r ther means. Implement cntrls t prevent any unnecessary travel ver fragile surfaces r travel near enugh t present a fall hazard. In the event that travel ver r near t a fragile surface is required, prvide physical fall preventin cntrls, such as platfrms, guards r cvers, if feasible. If physical fall preventin cntrls are nt feasible in a particular situatin, then implement the use f fall prtectin equipment as described belw. 5. Fall Prtectin Equipment 5.1 Fall Prtectin Equipment When perfrming wrk at heights ver 2 meters (6 feet) where fixed platfrms and standard railings are nt prvided persnnel shall be prvided with and wear fall prtectin equipment meeting the requirements set frth in ANSI Z359.1 r applicable lcal standards, and sized t securely hld the user. Fall prtectin is required fr wrk at heights less than 2 meters (6 feet) if the site s risk assessment indicates the ptential fr injury due t falls. Unless therwise indicated by the site s risk assessment r prcedures, fall prtectin equipment is nt required: On a ladder prvided that the wrk perfrmed allws the persn t maintain 3 pints f cntact with the ladder at all times (e.g., ne hand and tw feet, r tw hands and ne ft); and When using scafflding with a standard railing. Bdy belts may nt be used as fall prtectin. Lanyards must be n lnger than 2 meters (6 feet). Self-retracting lanyards, if used, must limit free-fall distance t less than 2 meters (6 feet). Cnnectrs (snaphks, carabiners, etc.) used t attach the lanyard t the harness r anchrage pint must be lckable (requiring at least 2 actins t pen), in rder t prevent inadvertent pening. When the use f fall prtectin equipment as described abve is nt pssible, r is inadequate t cntrl the risk, implement alternative fall prtectin measures, such as safety nets r airbags, f sufficient capacity t prevent injury in the event f a fall. Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 4 f 11

5 Fall Prtectin 5.2 Anchrage Pint Fall prtectin equipment must be attached t anchrage pints capable f supprting a persn in the event f a fall. Anchrage pints must: Supprt at least 2 times the maximum expected arresting frce (nminally 2270 kgf (5000.lbf)). D nt use nn-structural members, such as piping systems, electrical cnduit r scafflding, as anchrage pints unless they have dcumented capability f supprting the required frce. Devices specifically designed as temprary anchrage pints, such as beam straps, may be used if the supprting member meets these requirements; and Be lcated t ensure a maximum free-fall distance f less than 2 meters (6 feet). Each persn must have their wn independent anchrage pint unless the single anchrage pint has dcumented capability f supprting mre than ne persn. WARNING: NEVER use a lanyard as an anchrage pint by wrapping it arund a structural element and cnnecting it t itself. This reduces the strength f the lanyard by a minimum f 50% and greatly increases the chances that the lanyard will be cut r will rll ut f the cnnectr. 6. Aerial Lifts 6.1 Use f Aerial Lifts Implement safe wrk practices fr wrk requiring aerial lifts. Te-bards and standard railings are required n all aerial lifting equipment. Persnnel in an aerial device must: Wear fall prtectin equipment and be tied ff t the aerial device at all times; Stand firmly n the flr f the wrk platfrm; Fllw an established dcking prcedure that prvides cntinuus fall prtectin, in the event that the wrk requires exiting the device in the raised psitin; and Implement cntrls t prevent bjects frm falling frm the lift, such as the use f tl carriers t hld parts. D nt perate aerial devices near energized high vltage pwer lines unless the equipment is designed fr such peratin. A minimum distance f at least 3 meters (10 feet) must be maintained between the energy surce and the device. D nt exceed lad limits specified by the manufacturer. Implement cntrls t prevent persnnel access under a raised aerial device. Establish cntrls t prevent the inadvertent mvement f the lift during peratin. Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 5 f 11

6 Fall Prtectin D nt mve mbile platfrms when the wrk platfrm is elevated in a wrking psitin with persnnel in the basket, except fr equipment that is specifically designed fr this type f peratin. 6.2 Frklift Basket Attachments If a lift truck with a basket attachment is used as an aerial lift, cmply with the cntrls specified in Sectin 6.1 abve, and with the fllwing: Cmply with the Cmpany s Lift Truck Safety s. The basket attachment must: Have a standard railing and te-bard; Have an identified anchrage pint; and Be secured and lcked t the lift truck. Wheels f the lift truck must be lcked r chcked when wrk is being dne inside the basket. The lift truck peratr must remain at the cntrls f the lift truck and stay in cmmunicatin with the persnnel while persnnel are in the basket attachment. The lift truck may nt be driven while persnnel are in an elevated psitin. The lift truck must have a lad rating at least equivalent t twice the ttal lad, including basket, persnnel and equipment; and The lift truck must have safeguarding in cmpliance with the Machine Safeguarding s if needed t prevent cntact with lift truck mving parts. 7. Prtable Ladders and Scafflds 7.1 Prtable Ladders and Mbile Platfrms Implement safe wrk practices fr wrk requiring prtable ladders r mbile platfrms. Place and use ladders and mbile platfrms t minimize the pssibility f falling and t prtect users frm area hazards, such as energized equipment and traffic. Use the ladder nly fr the lad and purpse fr which it is designed. D nt tie r fasten ladders tgether t prvide lnger sectins unless designed fr extensin. D nt use metal ladders r mbile platfrms where there is the ptential t cntact live electrical equipment. Stre ladders and mbile platfrms such that they are prtected frm damage and are accessible fr use. Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 6 f 11

7 Fall Prtectin 7.2 Scafflding Implement safe wrk practices fr wrk requiring use f scafflding Scafflding shall: Supprt withut failure its wn weight and at least twice the maximum intended lad applied r transmitted t it. Pst the lad rating and d nt exceed it; Be prvided with standard railing fr all wrk platfrms; and Be prvided with ladders (integrated with r secured t the scafflding), which must be used fr ascending r descending. Persnnel wrking n scafflding: Must meet these Fall Prtectin s during assembly and disassembly f scafflding; May nt remain in the scafflding while it is being mved; and Must perfrm a risk assessment prir t wrk and implement cntrls t mitigate any identified risks. At a minimum, the assessment must address risks frm envirnmental factrs (wind, slippery surfaces), ptential fr cllisin (with traffic r lads being lifted) and the risk t peple belw frm falling bjects. 8. Inspectin and Maintenance All fall prtectin equipment, aerial lifts, ladders (fixed, prtable and mbile stairs) and scafflding must be inspected and maintained t ensure that they functin as designed and minimize any risk f injury. At a minimum: Maintenance and inspectin must cmply with the mre stringent f manufacturer s recmmendatins, the requirements cntained in this sectin r in Appendix II f this dcument. Recrds f maintenance and inspectin required by the manufacturer must be retained fr the life f the equipment; and If the equipment fails any f its maintenance and inspectin checks, then it must be remved frm service, with cntrls implemented t ensure that it will nt be used inadvertently. Defective fall prtectin equipment that cannt be repaired must be destryed t prevent use. 9. Fall Prtectin Training Ensure that emplyees and ther affected persnnel wh use any type f fall prtectin equipment, aerial lifts, ladders (fixed, prtable and mbile stairs) r scafflding, are adequately trained t use it withut endangering their wn r thers safety. Training must cver applicable sectins f the facility s fall prtectin prcedures and include hw t perfrm required pre-use inspectins. Training fr fall prtectin equipment must be dcumented and cver the prper methd t wear and use harnesses and ther applicable equipment. Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 7 f 11

8 Fall Prtectin Training fr aerial devices must be dcumented and result in certificatin that the user is cmpetent in the prper peratin f the equipment and in using apprpriate fall prtectin cntrls. Training fr prtable ladders r scafflding must include hw t prperly place, secure, use and stre the equipment, as applicable. Prvide refresher training when there is evidence f deficiencies in emplyees knwledge regarding perfrmance f their rles and respnsibilities, and, fr aerial devices, at least every three years. Ensure that cntractrs and visitrs understand and fllw site requirements regarding fall prtectin, in cmpliance with the Cntractr and Visitr Management s. References Ladder Safety Guidelines ANSI Z359.1 Cntractr and Visitr Management s Lift Truck s Safety s fr Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems, and Cmpnents ES-RQ-110 ES-RQ-175 Revisin Histry Revisin Date 1-Jan July Aug Feb Aug-2005 Summary f Change Revised dcument released as part f the TCCMS Redesign - Gvernance Reset. This dcument cntains cntent frm the previus versin with refrmatting and significant rewrding. Changed dcument name t Fall Prtectin s Mdified cmpliance requirement fr cnsistency with ther requirements; Fr clarity: separated sectins with clr cdes, added clarificatin language in several sectins, mved prtable ladder peratin t guidelines Revised language fr lcal regulatin, added recrds retentin requirement and references t Ht Wrk and Cntractr Management s Crrected sme typ errrs Initial Issue Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 8 f 11

9 Fall Prtectin Appendix I Definitins Aerial wrk (Wrk at Height): Any wrk perfrmed 2 meters (apprximately 6 feet) abve the adjacent flr levels, r at a lesser height if the site s risk assessment indicates the ptential fr injury due t falls. Aerial lift (aerial device): Any vehicle-munted device, telescping r articulating, r bth, that is used t psitin persnnel. Anchrage pint (tie ff pint): The pint at which fall prtectin equipment is attached t a supprt structure capable f hlding a persn in the event f a fall. Can be a fixed, engineered pint; a hrizntal r vertical lifeline engineered fr the purpse; r a device, such as a beam strap, engineered as a temprary anchrage pint. Articulating bm platfrm: An aerial device with tw r mre hinged bm sectins r with a telescpic r extensible bm. Cmpetent persn: A persn wh, because f training and experience, is capable f identifying hazardus r dangerus cnditins in aerial wrk, perating aerial devices and training emplyees t identify such cnditins and t perate such equipment. Extensin ladder: A nn-self-supprting, prtable ladder, adjustable in length, cnsisting f tw r mre sectins traveling in guides r brackets s arranged as t permit length adjustment. Fragile Surface: any surface liable t fail if any reasnably freseeable lad is applied t it. Includes surfaces such as sky lights and ther hrizntal r angled glazing in rfs, asbests cement sheets and ther nn-lad bearing materials and light weight ceilings cnstructed ver internal ffices. Flr pening: An pening measuring 30.5 cm (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, excluding flr penings ccupied by elevatrs, dumb waiters, cnveyrs, machinery r cntainers. Histing machine: Any device intended t raise and lwer a suspended r supprted mbile wrk platfrm. Typically this can be a frklift truck r crane. Ladder: An appliance usually cnsisting f tw side rails (stiles) jined at regular intervals by crss-pieces called steps, rungs r cleats, n which a persn may step in ascending r descending. Ladders may be fixed (attached t building r structure) r prtable. Landing platfrm: An elevated platfrm separating sectins f a fixed ladder. The landing platfrm must be sized t allw a persn t stand cmfrtably withut needing t hld nt the ladder. The ladder sectins abve and belw the landing platfrm must be ffset s that the platfrm prvides a break in the cntinuus length. Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 9 f 11

10 Fall Prtectin Lanyard: A flexible line f rpe, wire rpe r strap that is used t secure the bdy belt r bdy harness t a deceleratin device, lifeline r anchrage. Mbile unit: A cmbinatin f an aerial device, its vehicle and related equipment. Mbile wrk platfrm: Any persnnel-carrying device (typically, a man basket r lift bucket). Scaffld: Any temprary elevated platfrm and its supprting structure used fr supprting wrkers r materials r bth. Standard railing: A barrier erected alng expsed edges f a wrk platfrm t prevent falls f persns, and prviding prtectin equivalent t a railing meeting the fllwing design criteria: the railing shall cnsist f tp rail, intermediate rail and psts, and shall have a nminal vertical height f at least 107 cm (42 inches) frm upper surface f tp rail t flr, platfrm, runway r ramp level. The tp rail shall be smth-surfaced thrughut the length f the railing. The intermediate rail shall be apprximately halfway between the tp rail and the flr, platfrm, runway r ramp. All railings must be cnstructed t withstand the frce f a persn falling int the railing withut cllapse r failure f the rail. Stepladder: A stepladder is a self-supprting prtable ladder, nnadjustable in length, having flat steps and a hinged back. Te-bard: A vertical barrier at flr level, at least 10 cm (4 inches) high, erected alng expsed edges f a wrk platfrm t prevent materials frm falling frm the platfrm. Where material is piled t such height that a standard te-bard des nt prvide prtectin, paneling r fencing frm flr t intermediate rail r t tp rail must be prvided. Wall pening: An pening at least 76 cm high and 46 cm wide (30 x 18 inches), in any wall r partitin, thrugh which persns may fall. Openings fr windws are nrmally nt cnsidered t be a wall pening Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 10 f 11

11 Fall Prtectin APPENDIX II Maintenance and Inspectin Fall Prtectin Equipment [including, but nt limited t, bdy harnesses, lanyards, fall arrestrs and attachment pints (tie-ffs, life lines, beam straps)] Aerial Lifts Fixed ladders, prtable ladders and mbile stairs Scafflding Pre-Use Check Visual check Dcumented, pre-shift check cvering: All cntrls wrking prperly Platfrm free f slip/trip hazards Hydraulic/ pneumatic/ electrical fittings tight Lifting tackle free f defects Rails, te-bards, safety chains in place Fall prtectin is available N structural defects/ supprt braces intact Retain inspectins fr 12 mnths. Visual check Dcumented, prir t each use and after being mved r assembled Verify that the crss-bracing is cmplete, the wrk platfrm is cmplete, and scafflding is secure, structurally sund and will nt mve. Retain recrds fr the life f equipment. Mnthly Inspectin* Nt Applicable Nt Applicable Nt applicable Nt applicable Annual Inspectin & Maintenance* Dcumented inspectin, Retain recrds fr life f equipment. As specified by manufacturer, Retain recrds fr life f equipment Dcumented inspectin Retain recrds fr life f equipment) Nt applicable *Beynd the specific inspectins nted abve, fllw manufacturer s instructins fr maintenance and inspectin cntent and frequency. Retain recrds f all manufacturer required maintenance and inspectin fr the life f the equipment. Revisin: 16-Nv-2012 Page 11 f 11

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FALL PROTECTION PROCEDURE

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FALL PROTECTION PROCEDURE 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