Fall Protection / Open Holes & Guardrail 1. Leading Edges Policy Statement It is GW Communications policy that any worker exposed to a fall 6 or greater, shall be protected from coming into contact with the level below. Only Competent Persons are allowed to conduct elevated work. A. Leading Edges: Leading edges that present a potential fall greater than 6 should be protected with guardrail systems. B. Fall Restraint: Fall restraint systems may be implemented by restricting the worker s approach to a leading edge. C. Fall Arrest: When guardrails and fall restraint systems are found to be impractical, fall arrest systems may be implemented. 2. Holes and Floor Openings A. Types of Protection: All augured holes, manholes, floor and roof openings shall be protected by means of coverings or guardrail systems. B. Securing Covers: The cover must be secured from displacement. Cleats under the cover will not be used. C. Cover Requirements; Covers must display a sign that is clearly and permanently marked OPEN HOLE DO NOT REMOVE. Page 1 of 6
D. Strength Requirements.: Covers must be able to withstand 2 times the maximum load it can be subjected to. If equipment or traffic has a potential of being loaded on the cover, steel traffic plates will be used ply board will suffice foot traffic. E. Guardrail: Standard guardrail with toe boards must meet or exceed strength and design requirements for guardrail outlined in this chapter. F. Approaching Unprotected Holes and Floor Openings: Personal fall protection systems shall be used when making an approach to any unprotected hole or floor opening. 3. Excavations A. When to Protect: When an excavation s depth presents a leading edge of 6 or greater, or a slope that is at 40% or steeper, that excavation must be protected by guardrail systems, coverings or barricades. B. Drilled Holes: Fall protection is required within 6 if the hole is 6 or deeper and 2 or more in diameter. C. Barricades: When barricades are used they must form a continuous barrier around the opening and be no closer than 6 to the opening s edge. 4. Guardrail Systems A. Suitable Materials: Wood, metal and cable systems that meet the strength requirements may be used. Cable systems must be secured with a minimum of 3 cable clamps. B. Strength Requirements: All of the components to any guardrail system must be able to withstand 200 lbs. in any direction. If cable system is used, it must have less than 3 of deflection. C. Dimensions: 1. Stantions must be no more than 8 apart. 2. Toprail must be between 42 and 45. 3. Midrail must be half the elevation of the toprail. 4. Toe board must be at least 3 ½ high. Page 2 of 6
Fall Protection 3.8 5. Fall Restraint Systems A. PPE: A full body harnesses shall be used for fall restraint purposes. B. Anchorage Point: Workers shall be tethered to a substantial object in a manner that will limit the workers approach to the leading edge. 6. Fall Arrest Systems A. Approved Products: Only OSHA and/or ANSI approved products shall be used in fall arrest systems. Components used shall only be manufactured domestically. Fall Arrest systems must be designed by a Qualified Person preferably a PE. B. PPE: A full body harness must be used on fall arrest systems. Only the D ring at the center of the wearers back shall be used for fall arrest purposes. C. Rescue: A means of prompt rescue is required in the event of a fall. D. Inspection: All fall protection components shall be inspected prior to each use. It should also be inspected annually by a qualified person. E. Anchorages: Anchorage points shall have a minimum breaking strength of 5000lbs. per person. F. Tie-Off Points: Tie off points shall be above the workers head when practical. Under any circumstance, the worker shall not come into contact with the level below. G. Self Retracting Lifelines: Self-retracting lifelines shall be used. Lanyards are not be used on GWC unless approved by the LOB Manager or the Safety Manager. Only one device is permitted in the rear D-ring at one time. H. Personal Equipment: Personal Fall Protection shall not be permitted on the Projects. Only equipment supplied by the Project will be used on site. Page 3 of 6
7. Horizontal Lifelines A. Design: The design of a Horizontal Lifeline System shall be done by a certified engineer. Tabulated data must be obtainable upon request. If the designer does not meet the certified engineer s criteria, the system shall be tested. Results of the test must be obtainable upon request. Cable must be secured with a minimum of 3 cable clamps. Clamps must be of US or Canadian manufacturer. See Section 5 for allowed materials. B. Components: All components must be manufactured domestic and rated for the required strengths (5000lbs. per person). C. Lifeline Deflection: Under no circumstances shall a worker come into contact with the level below, lifeline deflection must be taken under consideration. D. Testing: 1. Testing is required when: a. The strength of anchorage points is unknown. b. The strength of any of the components is unknown. 2. Testing shall be done by a competent person. 3. The test and its results shall be documented in the Site Specific Fall Protection Plan. It is recommended that the test be photographed and/or video taped. 4. The actual test components may not be revised for fall protection. 8. Vertical Access A. Options & Height Limitations: Wherever practical, utilize access to the work that does not require tieoff, such as 1. Stairways. 2. Stair towers. 3. Inclined ladders up to 30 in height, or vertical ladders up to 20 in height. (Refer to Section 3.12 Ladders) B. Vertical Lifelines: Where ladders are not practical or exceed the height requirements, a vertical lifeline with a ladder climbing device (rope grab) must be used. Page 4 of 6
C. Ascending and Descending: While climbing or moving to a work area, use either a rope grab or a double legged lanyard where one of the lanyard legs is secured before the other lanyard is unhooked. 9. Falsework Operations A. Procedure: When assembling or dismantling frames while exposed to a fall of 6 or more, workers should be tied off using standard fall protection equipment. However, if this is not practical, a worker may be permitted to stand on two planks without the benefit of fall protection. This rule only applies when the worker is handling frames and cross braces. While working on top jacks, caps, stringers or similar items, the worker must be tied off. B. Planning: Falsework operation must be thoroughly planned in advance with the intention of minimizing the risk of accidental falls as well as other hazards. Page 5 of 6
10. Training: Prior to any employee working from heights they must go through training. Training will be documented with the name of the employee, date of training and person conducting the training with their signature as certification of training. If the work scope changes, new hazards arise, the employee violated a safety procedure or a hazardous event occurred the employee must be retrained prior to being allowed to work from heights again. 11. Alternative Fall Protection The use of Fall Protection Systems not mentioned in this Manual must be approved by the Safety Manager prior to installation. This includes but is not limited to Controlled Access Zones, Safety Nets, Safety Monitor and Warning Line Systems. 12. Safety Monitor If a safety monitor system is approved it must be implemented by a competent person who can recognize fall hazards, warn other employees of fall hazards if they are unaware or acting unsafely. The monitor should also be on the same level as the employees and in visual sight with verbal communication. Safety Monitors cannot be assigned any other task while conducting monitor duties. 13. Rescue Each project will develop rescue procedures to ensure a worker that has fallen can be reached within 5 minutes of the fall to, at a minimum, relieve the pressure exerted by the body on the harness. This may be accomplished by using Manlifts, scissor lifts, high angle rescue box, ladders, or self rescue devices. Once initial pressure has been removed, the worker must be rescued within 15 minutes of the fall. The Project Manager has overall responsibility to ensure all personnel are trained and the proper equipment is used on site. In the event of an accident or near miss he will lead the investigation to ensure no reoccurrence of such event. Page 6 of 6