Welcome to Session 236 What s New in Fall Protection for Transportation and General Industry Presented by: Sponsored by: Arnold Timothy Galpin, P.E., Rigid Lifelines division of SPANCO Inc. 2012 Material Handling Industry. Copyright claimed as to audiovisual works of seminar sessions and sound recordings of seminar sessions. All rights reserved.
Today we will look at the changes coming in Fall Protection:
ANSI codes are changing:
First, let s take a quick look at how far we have come
What s new?
The Fall Protection code is evolving rapidly as the Z359 Standards writing committee releases new equipment standards approximately 1 per year
Currently available Z359 Standards: ANSI/ASSE Z359.0-2007: Definitions and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest: ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007: Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components: ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007: Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program: ANSI/ASSE Z359.3-2007: Safety Requirements for Positioning and Travel Restraint Systems ANSI/ASSE Z359.4-2007: Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components ANSI/ASSE Z359.6-2009: Safety Requirements & Specifications for Personal Fall Arrest Systems ANSI/ASSE Z359.12-2009: Safety Requirements for connecting components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems ANSI/ASSE Z359.13-2009: Safety Requirements for lanyards and energy absorbers for Personal Fall Arrest Systems
-Z359.11 Harness standard- New standard is scheduled to be released in November of 2014. -Z359.13 Energy Absorbing Lanyard standard (released Nov 2009) -Z359.14 Self Retracting Lanyard standard - New standard is scheduled to be released in November of 2012 - Z359.2 User Code standard (released Nov 2007) - Z359.7 Performance testing standard (released June 2011)
-Z359.7 Qualification and Verification Testing of Fall Protection Products.
Z359.7 Verification testing standard
Z359.7 Verification testing standard: Testing labs will verify conformance to Z359 Fall Protection Code equipment standards. Test lab must be an ISO 17025 certified test lab.
Harnesses will have a dedicated standard.
-Z359.11 Harness standard- New standard is scheduled to be released in November 2014.
HARNESS
HARNESS
HARNESS
D-Ring attachment areas will be more clearly defined for both frontal and dorsal locations.
Back Straps are proposed to be required on future harnesses that do not have waist belts
Waist belts are planned to be deemed unacceptable for use in Fall Arrest.
Fall Indicators on fall protection harnesses
All energy absorbers will soon have dedicated standards.
Z359.13 Energy Absorbing Lanyard standard (released Nov 2009)
Energy Absorbing Lanyards (Fixed Length Lanyards)
Z359.14 Self Retracting Lanyard standard (scheduled release 11/12)
Self Retracting Lanyards
There are so many different versions- Which one is safest for my application?
Z359.13- Rip Stitch lanyards
Most energy absorbing lanyards are only designed for 6 foot free fall.
Energy Absorbing (rip stitch) Lanyards (E.A.L. s)
Most common lanyard
Most common misapplication
New label requirement
When to use the 12 free fall
Energy Absorbing (rip stitch) Lanyards (E.A.L. s)
Z359.14 Self Retracting Lanyard standard (scheduled release 11/12)
Z359.14- Self Retracting Devices
SRL-R RESCUE CAPABILITY Requires others to crank handle
Looks content now he didn t hit the ground 15 min Faints 30 min Dead
Suspension Trauma is very serious stuff.
Always use the buddy system!
SRL-LE LEADING EDGE
SRL-LE LEADING EDGE
-Z359.11 Harness standard- New standard is scheduled to be released in November 2014. -Z359.13 Energy Absorbing Lanyard standard (released Nov 2009) -Z359.14 Self Retracting Lanyard standard - New standard is scheduled to be released in November of 2012 - Z359.2 User Code standard (released Nov 2007) - Z359.7 Performance testing standard released in June of 2011
Z359.2 User Code standard- Released Nov 2007. Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program
Hazard Analysis and Rescue Planning
Quantifying Hazards
Examples of hazards encountered during a fall are: Fall distance hazards- 18-6 of clearance must be supplied for 6 long energy absorbing lanyards, and even more for flexible horizontal wire ropes. Cutting hazards Puncture hazards Moving machinery hazards Rotation equipment hazards Temperature hazards Chemical hazards Drowning hazards Sloped surface hazards Asphyxiation hazards (e.g. grain bins) Leading Edge hazards Suspension trauma hazard Swing hazards
SWING FALLS - What are they?
SWING FALLS- Why are they confusing to most people
Using a swing fall velocity of 23.2 MPH the force on a 310 lb person is 3,640 lb if he hits an immovable object.
The heavier you are the harder you fall Bottom line- Swings falls are dangerous.
Video examples of typical hazards
Hazard Analysis: Fall Distance
Hazards encountered during a fall are: Cutting hazards Puncture hazards Moving machinery hazards Rotation equipment hazards Temperature hazards Chemical hazards Drowning hazards
Moving machinery hazard
Hazard Analysis: Fall Distance & Swing Fall (The farther you fall the more likely you will be injured)
How can we further minimize/eliminate fall distance?
Short distance enables self rescue
HOW DO WE TOTALLY ELIMINATE SWING FALLS?
KEEP ATTACHMENT POINT DIRECTLY OVER THE WORKER S HEAD
Working in a single spot? Use single point anchorage. Working or walking along a path? Use a monorail.
Monorail
Portable Monorail
What happens when you need to cover a large area?
LARGE AREA COVERAGE: USE A SWING ARM OR TRAVELING BRIDGE
xxx
No swing falls if the system is specified properly.
Attachment point directly overhead Eliminates Swing + Rigid Track with SRL Limits Total Fall Distance + Self Rescue Device Allows Self Rescue = SAFEST SYSTEM
What if you do arrange for the SAFEST SYSTEM are you done?
Z359.2 requires a written Hazard Analysis -Knows the proper usage of the equipment used in his/her organization or department. -Knows how to properly inspect the equipment. -Knows how to train others in the proper usage of the equipment. -Knows how to indentify fall hazards and write a hazard analysis. -Writes a rescue plan for every occurrence of fall protection. -Provides supervision (monitoring) of users while at height. -Receives update training every two years or sooner if new equipment is introduced.
Examples of hazards encountered during a fall are: Fall distance hazards- 18-6 of clearance must be supplied for 6 long energy absorbing lanyards, and even more for flexible horizontal wire ropes. Cutting hazards Puncture hazards Moving machinery hazards Rotation equipment hazards Temperature hazards Chemical hazards Drowning hazards Sloped surface hazards Asphyxiation hazards (e.g. grain bins) Swing hazards Leading Edge hazards Suspension trauma hazard
Z359.2 requires a written Rescue Plan
After you write the rescue plan are you done?
Practice the rescue plan just like you practice a fire drill.
Working with Professional Rescue teams Discuss rescue needs with the rescue team before an accident occurs. Does the rescue have the capability to perform all possible worst case rescues? Does the rescue team need to visit your facility to review any obstacles or hazards? Is the equipment the rescue team will use acceptable to your company? How quickly can the rescue team respond? Does the rescue team need advance notice when certain work is scheduled to be performed? Will the capabilities of the rescue team change over time and change with personnel changes?
Working with Professional Rescue teams Document rescue equipment and procedures used Document when initial training occurs Outline the frequency of training drills Document who will provide retraining and at what time
Developing In-House Rescue (Self Rescue or Co-Worker assisted Rescue) Determine which workers need to be trained & who will provide assistance Document rescue protocol Acquire Equipment and components Perform practice drills
In-House Rescue Teams Document rescue equipment and procedures used Document when initial training occurs Outline the frequency of training drills Document who will provide retraining and at what time
Self Rescue Document rescue equipment and procedures used Document when initial training occurs Outline the frequency of training drills Document who will provide re-training and at what time Self Rescue Equipment does not mean you can work alone always use the buddy system.
Practice Evaluate
Suspension trauma can happen in seconds: Fireman Volunteer 400+ lbs Harness straps pinched his large neck Unconscious in seconds
ANSI ANSI Fall Protection Code is releasing new standards to increase worker safety.
Follow ANSI Z359.2 Perform a Hazard Analysis and Rescue Plan for every instance of fall protection
Proper equipment Select components that will keep your workers safest so they can quickly return to work after a fall event
Oh, and always - Use the buddy system!
Any questions? Arnold Timothy Galpin, P.E. Engineering Manager Rigid Lifelines division of SPANCO Inc.
For More Information: Speaker: agalpin@spanco.com Home Page: www.spanco.com Visit MODEX 2012 Booth 3120 2012 Material Handling Industry. Copyright claimed as to audiovisual works of seminar sessions and sound recordings of seminar sessions. All rights reserved.