Safety Training Topic Purpose of Meeting To remind workers that falling from heights can result in serious injury. To educate workers about fall prevention. To consider ways to prevent injuries cause by falls. Materials and Preparation A copy of the written fall protection rules or policy. Note to Trainer Enter your name and the training date on the Training Sign-In Sheet. Have each attendee sign the Training Sign-In Sheet next to their name. Use this page your reference and give attendees copies of the remaining pages. CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 1
SAFETY TRAINING TOPIC Introduction Fall protection covers any area at heights where there is the danger of falling from a higher level to a lower level. It also includes tripping / slipping, and falling on a single level such as the ground. Keeping workspaces free of debris and obstructions reduces the risk of this type of fall. This training has been developed to educate workers about our policies and procedures regarding fall protection. Covered Environments Fall protection procedures are designed to keep workers safe when working in the following environments: Roofs Ladders Scaffolding Elevator Shafts Silos Utility Poles Mezzanines Tanks Towers Work Platms Lifts/Cranes Catwalks Skylights Loading Docks Manholes Etc. CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 2
Hazards Falls are one of the top four causes of workplace fatalities. According to OSHA, almost all the falls they investigate could have been prevented by using common sense and following recommended safety guidelines. Workers who fall are at risk the following injuries: Strains and Sprains Bruises and Lacerations Broken Bones Spinal Cord Injuries Concussions (including those causing brain damage) Internal Bleeding Suspension Trauma (from hanging in a harness after a fall) Death Guardrails Preventing an employee from falling in the first place is the safest approach to fall protection. Guardrails are generally considered the best protection system and should be used (if possible) wherever there is a risk of falling 7 ½ feet or more. Sometimes other fall protection systems are used along with guardrails/handrails to increase safety. Never climb on or stand on guardrails any reason! CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 3
Safety Nets Safety nets are often used when there is a risk of falling 7 ½ feet or more and it is impractical or unsafe to install/use other fall protection systems. These nets should be hung as close as possible to the level where employees are working. This way, free fall distance is minimized and the net does not sag down onto structures below. Any tools or work materials that fall into the safety net should be removed as soon as possible. Floor Hole Covers Floor hole covers are used to place over a hole to prevent employees from falling. A cover must withstand twice the weight of any potential vehicle crossing the cover. It must have a label or words inscribed on the cover to identify what the cover is over. For example, a manhole cover usually says sewer on it if it is covering sewer. If a vehicle is not going to cross the cover then the maximum weight requirement is twice the maximum size of any person and the combination of that person plus the weight of any equipment they must carry. CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 4
Personal Fall Arrest (PFA) Systems A PFA system is designed to stop an employee from striking the ground or a lower level of a structure by arresting the fall. A PFA is often used when there is a risk of falling 7 ½ feet or more. The PFA system may be used alone or when guardrails and safety nets are also in place depending on the situation. It is made up of 4 components: Anchorage (a sturdy point to connect the lifeline to) Harness (a full body harness - not just a belt) Connectors (D rings, snap hooks, carabiners, lanyards, etc.) Decelerator (such as a shock absorbing lanyard or retractable lifeline) Fall Distance During a fall, an object gains momentum. This means the further it falls, the more ce it will hit the ground with. In a personal fall arrest system, your body s impact is against the harness instead of the ground. There is still a lot of ce involved (up to 1,800 lbs). It is very important to make the fall distance as short as possible to minimize this effect. The maximum free fall distance allowed a PFA system is 6 feet. This must be adjusted to a shorter distance if a 6 foot drop will bring the employee into contact with a lower level of the structure. CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 5
Anchorage Points The anchorage or tie-off point is where the lifeline or lanyard is attached via a connecter to the structure being worked on. Select this point carefully so that the connector will not come off accidentally. The lanyard should not rub against any sharp surfaces. A qualified employee is capable of selecting anchorage points. This anchorage point must be capable of withstanding 5,000 lbs of pressure. The following should never be used as tie-off points: Guardrails/handrails Anchor points to which work platms are already attached Electrical conduits - these present a risk of electrical discharge if they break Sprinkler heads or pipes Correct Tie-Off Placement The anchorage/tie-off point should be no further down than the level of your waist during work. It is better to have it located above your head. If the tie-off point is below waist level, it means you could actually fall an extra couple of feet bee the personal fall arrest system starts working. This can mean the difference between life and death. The anchorage point must be placed high enough to keep you from striking a lower level or the ground during a fall. This means it has to take into account your height, the length of the lanyard/lifeline, and the amount that the lanyard may stretch or elongate under pressure. CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 6
Personal Fall Restraint Systems A body belt can be used instead of a full body harness if the device is only being used restraint and/or positioning and not fall arrest. The difference between arresting a fall and restraining a fall is the intended use. A personal fall restraint system (PFR) is not designed to stop a vertical fall in progress. It is really intended to keep a fall from happening in the first place and to help position you during work. It does this by restricting the area over which you can move to keep you away from the edges of a roof or platm, etc. A positioning device system can only be used when the connectors and lanyard don t exceed 2 feet from connection to anchorage. A body belt should never be used as a substitute a full body harness in a personal fall arrest system (PFA). Using a belt in this way would cause the full impact of stopping the fall to be concentrated on your midsection. This can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and spinal injury. Care and Cleaning Equipment should not be left in direct sunlight since this can discolor and weaken some materials. Store all equipment in a clean, dry place where it will not be exposed to corrosive fumes or substances. Nylon and polyester can be cleaned with soap and water. Wipe off any excess dirt with a damp cloth first, then add soap to the cloth and lather the material well. Use a clean cloth to wipe the material dry, then let it air dry away from excessive heat or sunlight. CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 7
Equipment Maintenance All fall protection equipment should be inspected at least twice a year by a qualified person. In addition, you should inspect your own equipment bee each use. Types of damage to watch out incude: Heat: Heat causes nylon material to become brittle and turn a brownish color. Chemicals, Paint and Solvents: These often create brown smears. The lanyard will show tiny cracks when it is bent over sharply. Welding Damage: Molten metal and flames fuse the material. You will see shiny, hard spots on the lanyard. Controlled Access Zones Any section covered under the Fall Protection Program is considered a controlled access zone (CAZ). Only authorized employees are allowed in the CAZ. A safety monitor must be assigned to watch the work in progress. This person must be competent and well trained to recognize potential hazards. This safety monitor must be able to see and communicate with the authorized employees in the CAZ at all times. CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 8
Ladder Safety Non-self-supporting ladders should be positioned so that the horizontal distance between the foot of the ladder and the base of the wall is about 1/4 the working length of the ladder maximum strength and stability. This means that every 4 feet of vertical heights, the ladder base should be one foot away from the base of the wall. Confined Space Fall protection should keep workers from falling into the confined space in the first place. This system can take the following ms: A sturdy, temporary cover the hole or hatch Guardrails or other barriers Restraint lanyards that keep employees from approaching the hole Ladders and/or winches are often used together to create a primary and secondary fall protection system in confined spaces. In- depth planning and proper use of self retracting lifelines are very important since the risks of swinging and striking the interior walls of a confined space are very high. Conclusion A basic understanding of how to prevent falls can go a long way reducing your risk of injury on the job. Think about the job you're perming and the principles outlined in this training. Take the time to perm the job safely. CSRMA Tailgate Topic 2009 DKF Solutions LLC Page 9