FALL PROTECTION PROGRAM 1.0 PURPOSE: The Indiana University (IU) is to: 1.1 Protect Indiana University employees from injuries associated with falls 1.2 Inform Indiana University employees of the hazards associated with working at heights greater than four feet or where there are openings or holes in walking/working surfaces. For projects deemed construction projects and covered under the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Act (IOSHA) 29 CFR 1926, the height requirement is six feet 1.3 Provide information to employees on appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and work practices for working safely at elevated work sites 1.4 Comply with the requirements of the IOSHA General Duty Clause, other IOSHA regulations and other federal and state regulations as applicable 2.0 REGULATORY REFERENCES: 29 CFR 1910, Subparts D, F, I, and R: 1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes 1910.66, Powered platforms for building maintenance Appendix A, Guidelines Appendix C, Personal fall arrest system 1910.67, Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms 1910.132, Personal protective equipment general requirements 1910.268, Special industries: Telecommunications 1910.269, Special industries, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution 29 CFR 1926, Subpart M 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices 1926.760, Fall protection 3.0 SCOPE This document is intended as a master document that addresses regulatory requirements. Details specific to implementing the program for a specific department or job can be added by the user in the appendices of the program. This program applies to all Indiana University employees whose work duties require them to work at heights greater than six feet above a surface below. It includes employees working on raised surfaces with unprotected or unguarded sides and those working near holes or openings. It does not apply to workers on scaffolds or ladders. These are covered under the Indiana University Ladder and Scaffolding Program. Fall protection may include the use of railings, walls, fall restraint systems, fall arrest systems, and safety nets. Specific areas and activities which require fall protection are covered in Appendix B4. Page 1
4.0 ELEMENTS OF THE FALL PROTECTION PROGRAM 4.1 Hazard Assessment Employers must assess the workplace to determine if the walking or working surfaces on which employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to support the workers. Employers must determine what fall protection measures are effective for the specific job site. 4.2 Fall Protection Systems 4.2.1 Positioning Device Systems Positioning device systems are equipment that is used to keep someone from approaching a fall hazard. Restraint equipment is different from arrest equipment in that a body belt and lanyard that does not contain a shock absorber may be used. The lanyard must be short enough to keep the individual from reaching the leading edge. The concept behind restraint is it allows someone to do work, but keeps the individual from the potential of falling. Positioning Device Systems requirements include: 4.2.1.1 Anchorage capacity of 3000 pounds or four times the potential load 4.2.1.2 Connective means lanyard 4.2.1.3 Body holding device body belt 4.2.1.4 Rescue or escape procedures must be written and specific to each work site 4.2.2 Fall Arrest Systems Fall arrest is equipment that is used to stop a fall after someone has fallen. It is designed to stop someone before they strike the level below. Fall Arrest requirements include: 4.2.2.1 Anchorage capacity of 5000 pounds 4.2.2.2 Connective means lanyard with shock absorber 4.2.2.3 Body holding device full body harness 4.2.2.4 Rescue or escape procedures must be written and specific to each work site 4.2.3 Lift and Articulating or Telescoping Booms Fall Protection is mandatory on lifts and articulating or telescoping booms. All personnel using any type of lift to perform work must wear a full body harness and a restraint lanyard. The lanyard shall be configured in such a manner as not to allow the person(s) inside the basket to be ejected. Most lifts have a load rating below 1800 pounds, which is the maximum arresting force required by IOSHA for fall arrest systems. Also, lifts are not likely to have an anchor point capable of a 5000 pound rating. Tip-over can occur if someone were to fall and generate this force from the lift. This is why a restraint system is to be used as opposed to an arrest system. Page 2
4.3 Safety Monitoring Systems A safety monitoring system means a fall protection system in which a competent person is responsible for recognizing and warning employees of fall hazards. This system must be used in conjunction with another protection system unless the roof being worked on is less than 50 feet in width. (1926 Subpart M, Appendix A) The duties of the safety monitor are to: 4.3.1 Warn by voice when approaching the open edge in an unsafe manner 4.3.2 Warn by voice if there is a dangerous situation developing, which cannot be seen by another person involved with product placement, such as a member getting out of control 4.3.3 Make the designated workers aware that they are in a dangerous area 4.3.4 Be competent in recognizing fall hazards 4.3.5 Warn employees when they appear to be unaware of a fall hazard or are acting in an unsafe manner 4.3.6 Be on the same walking/working surface as the monitored employees and within visual sighting distance of the monitored employees 4.3.7 Be close enough to communicate orally with the employees 4.3.8 Not allow other responsibilities to interfere with monitoring 4.3.9 If the safety monitor becomes too encumbered with other responsibilities, the monitor shall: 4.3.9.1 Stop the process 4.3.9.2 Turn over the safety monitoring function to another designated, competent person The safety monitoring system shall not be used when the wind is strong enough to cause loads with large surface areas to swing out of radius, or result in loss of control of the load, or when weather conditions cause the walking/working surfaces to become icy or slippery. 4.4 Controlled Access Zones Workers may be protected through limited access to high hazard locations. Before any nonconventional fall protection system is used, a Controlled Access Zone (CAZ) shall be clearly defined by the competent person in a recognized manner, either through signs, wires, tapes, ropes or chains. A controlled access zone means an area designated and clearly marked where leading edge work may take place without the use of a guardrail, safety net or personal fall arrest system but must have a control line in place to protect the employees of the area. The competent person must ensure that the CAZ is clearly marked or controlled. Control access zone systems shall comply with the following provisions: 4.4.1 All access to the CAZ must be restricted to authorized entrants 4.4.2 All workers who are permitted in the CAZ shall be listed in the appropriate sections of the plan (or be visibly identifiable by the competent person) prior to implementation 4.4.3 The competent person shall ensure that all protective elements of the CAZ be implemented prior to the beginning of work Page 3
4.4.4 When used to control access to areas where leading edge and other operations are taking place, the CAZ shall be defined by a control line or by any other means that restricts access 4.4.5 When control lines are used, they shall be erected not less than six feet (1.8 M) nor more than 25 feet (7.3 M), or half the length of the member being erected, whichever is less, from the leading edge 4.4.6 The control line shall extend along the entire length of the unprotected or leading edge and shall be approximately parallel to the unprotected or leading edge 4.4.7 The control line shall be connected on each side to a guardrail system or wall 4.4.8 Control lines shall consist of ropes, wires, tapes, or equivalent materials, and supporting stanchions as follows: 4.4.8.1 Each line shall be flagged or otherwise clearly marked at not more than six foot (1.8 M) intervals with highly visible material 4.4.8.2 Each line shall be rigged and supported in such a way that its lowest point (including sag) is not less than 39 inches (1 M) from the walking/working surface, and its highest point not more than 45 inches (1.3 M) from the walking/working surface 4.4.8.3 Each line shall have a minimum breaking strength of 200 pounds 4.5 Guardrails 4.5.1 Standard guardrails consist of a top rail located 42 inches above the floor and a mid-rail. The top rail must be able to withstand a load of 200 pounds applied from any direction. In areas where tools or debris may fall to the level below a four inch high toe board will be installed. 5.0 ADMINISTRATION/COMPLIANCE/RESPONSIBILITIES The is administered by the University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management (EHS). This includes responsibility for developing and maintaining this master program, providing training to affected workers, and issuing certificates of accomplishment for individuals who have successfully completed the training, including handson demonstrations of skills and a written examination. Department heads, managers, and supervisors are responsible for implementing the program. Each department or functional group is responsible for performing hazard assessments of work sites and jobs and determining the nature and scope of the for that activity. The department is responsible for written procedures and site-specific training. EHS is available to assist in all areas upon request. Once trained, employees are responsible for recognition of the fall hazards associated with their jobs, for following all written procedures, for proper use of all personal protective equipment. Employees are also responsible for inspecting and maintaining all fall protection equipment issued to them. Page 4
6.0 REQUIRED TRAINING AND RECORDKEEPING 6.1 Training All training must be conducted by a competent person. EHS has many competent persons who can conduct this training. Such training can be arranged by contacting the EHS Training Coordinator. All IU employees working in areas where fall hazards exist must be trained to recognize those hazards, to follow the specific procedures for that site and operation, and to utilize appropriate PPE and other equipment when working in that area. Retraining shall be conducted when inadequacies in employee knowledge prove training to be warranted; when fall protection standards, equipment or technology change, or when EHS or a supervisor determines it is needed. 6.2 Recordkeeping 6.2.1 Inspection Records: All harness inspection records shall be maintained by the supervisor of the work being done. Records shall be maintained until the harness is removed from use and physically destroyed. Records of all repairs made to harnesses will be documented, and those records maintained with the inspection records. 6.2.2 Training Records: All training records will be maintained in the EHS training database with sign-in sheets for training kept by the EHS Training Coordinator. Page 5
APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS: Indiana University Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Anchorage: A secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or deceleration devices and capable of supporting at least 5000 pounds for each worker attached. Body Belt (Safety Belt): A strap with means for both securing it about the waist and for attaching it to a lanyard, lifeline, or deceleration device; used for positioning only. Body Harness: Straps which may be secured about the employee in a manner that will distribute the fall arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders with means for attaching it to other components of a personal fall arrest system. Buckle: Any device for holding the body belt or body harness closed around the employee s body. Competent Person: One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surrounding or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. This person shall attend a course that certifies them as a competent person before they will be considered a competent person here at IU. Connector: A device which is used to couple (connect) parts of the personal fall arrest system and positioning device systems together. It may be an independent component of the system, such as a carabineer, or it may be an integral component of part of the system, such as a buckle or D-ring sewn into a body belt or body harness, or a snap-hook spliced or sewn to a lanyard or self-retracting lanyard. Controlled Access Zone (CAZ): An area in which certain work (e.g., overhand bricklaying) may take place without the use of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or safety net systems and access to the zone is controlled. Dangerous Equipment: Equipment, such as pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, machinery, electrical equipment, and other units which, as a result of form or function, may be hazardous to employees who fall onto or into such equipment. Deceleration Device: Any mechanism, such as a rope grab, rip-stitch lanyard, specially-woven lanyard, tearing or deforming lanyards, automatic self-retracting lifelines/lanyards, etc., which serves to dissipate a substantial amount of energy during a fall arrest, or otherwise limit the energy imposed on an employee during fall arrest. Deceleration Distance: The additional vertical distance a falling employee travels, excluding lifeline elongation and free fall distance, before stopping from the point at which the deceleration device begins to operate. It is measured as the distance between the location of an employee s body harness attachment point at the moment of activation (at the onset of fall arrest forces) of the deceleration device during a fall and the location of that attachment point after the employee comes to a full stop. Page 6
Equivalent: Alternative designs, materials, or methods to protect against a hazard which the employer can demonstrate will provide an equal or greater degree of safety for employees than the methods, materials, or designs specified in the standard. Failure: Load refusal, breakage, or separation of component parts. Load refusal is the point where the ultimate strength is exceeded. Fall Arrest: Equipment that is used to stop a fall after someone has fallen, before he/she strikes the surface below. Fall Restraint: Equipment used to keep a worker from approaching a fall hazard, allowing him/her to work without the potential for falling. Floor Hole: An opening in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface through which equipment can fall. Floor Opening: An opening sufficiently large enough that a person can fall through it. Free Fall: The act of falling before a personal fall arrest system begins to apply force to arrest the fall. Free Fall Distance: The vertical displacement of the fall arrest attachment point on the employee s body belt or body harness between onset of the fall and just before the system begins to apply force to arrest the fall. This distance excludes deceleration distance and lifeline/lanyard elongation, but includes any deceleration device slide distance or self-retracting lifeline/lanyard extension before they operate and fall arrest forces occur. Guardrail System: A barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels. Infeasible: It is impossible to perform the construction work using a conventional fall protection system (i.e., guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system) or that it is technologically impossible to use any one of these systems to provide fall protection. Lanyard: A flexible line of rope, wire rope, or strap which generally has a connector at each end for connecting the body belt or body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage. Leading Edge: The edge of a floor, roof, or formwork for a floor or other walking/working surface, such as a deck, which changes location as additional floor, roof, decking, or formwork sections are placed, formed, or constructed. A leading edge is considered to be an unprotected side and edge during periods when it is not actively and continuously under construction. Lifeline: A component consisting of a flexible line for connection to an anchorage at one end to hang vertically (vertical lifeline) or for connection to anchorages at both ends to stretch horizontally (horizontal lifeline) and which serves as a means for connecting other components of a personal fall arrest system to the anchorage. Page 7
Low Slope Roof: A roof having a slope of less than or equal to four inches every twelve inches (vertical to horizontal). Lower Levels: Those areas or surfaces to which an employee can fall. Such areas or surfaces include, but are not limited to, ground levels, floors, platforms, ramps, runways, excavations, pits, tanks, material, water, equipment, structures, or portions thereof. Mechanical Equipment: All motor or human propelled wheeled equipment used for roofing work, except wheelbarrows and mop carts. Personal Fall Arrest System: System used to arrest an employee during a fall. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device and lifeline or a suitable combination of all three. Positioning Device System: A body harness system rigged to allow an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall and work with both hands free. Qualified Person: One who, by profession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project. Restraint Anchor: A fastener attaching the restraint system to a stable support. Safety Monitoring System: A system in which a competent person is responsible for recognizing and warning workers of fall hazards. It must be used in conjunction with other fall protection systems except if the roof being worked on is less than 50 feet in width. Self-Retracting Lifeline/Lanyard (SRL): A deceleration device containing a drum-wound line which can be slowly extracted from or retracted onto the drum under slight tension during normal worker movement and which, after the onset of a fall, will automatically lock the drum and arrest the fall. Shock Absorber: Part of the fall protection system designed to minimize the shock associated with the drop experienced when falling. Snap-Hook: A connector comprised of a hook-shaped member with a normally closed keeper or similar arrangement, which may be opened to permit the hook to receive an object and, when released, automatically closes to retain the object. *As of January 1, 1998, the use of a non-locking snap-hook as part of personal fall arrest systems and positioning device systems is prohibited. Steep Roof: A roof having a slope greater than four inches every twelve inches (vertical to horizontal). Page 8
Swing Fall: A condition that exists when a worker s anchorage point is not directly above the worker when he falls, causing his body to act like a pendulum and greatly increasing the likelihood of him striking an object, scaffold, or building when falling. Toe Board: A protective barrier at least four inches in height that will prevent the fall of materials and equipment to lower levels and provided protection from falls for personnel. Unprotected Sides and Edges: Any side or edge (except at entrances to points of access) of a walking/working surface, such as floor, roof, ramp, or runway where there is no wall or guardrail system at least 39 inches (1.0M) high. Walking/Working Surface: Any surface, whether horizontal or vertical, on which an employee walks or works, including, but not limited to, floors, roofs, ramps, bridges, runways, formwork and concrete reinforcing steel, but not including ladders, vehicles, or trailers on which employees must be located in order to perform their job duties. Warning Line System: A barrier erected on a roof to warn employees that they are approaching an unprotected roof side or edge and which designates an area in which roofing work may take place without the use of guardrail, body belt, or safety net systems to protect employees in the area. Must be used in conjunction with a safety monitoring system unless the roof being worked on is 50 feet or less in width. Work Area: That portion of a walking/working surface where job duties are being performed. 100% Protection: Remaining connected to one anchor point while connecting to the next anchor point (i.e., not disconnecting from one point before connecting to the next). Page 9
APPENDIX B: EXAMPLE PROCEDURES Note: Specific procedures must be developed and validated for each specific site. Such procedures shall be written and shall at a minimum contain: B1 Specific location of the job B2 Date the procedure was developed or modified B3 Name of person(s) preparing the procedure B4 Signature of person approving the procedure B5 Signature of the person supervising the job B6 If applicable, erecting personnel B7 Possible free fall distance B8 Structure contacted on free fall B9 Swing fall B10 Degree of shock absorption provided by fall arrest apparatus, if applicable B11 Anchorage points for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices B12 100% protection (?) B13 Connector compatibility (?) B14 Training received by each worker B15 Equipment maintenance records B16 Equipment inspection procedures and records B17 Rescue procedures Appendix B1: Inspections Each piece of the system must be inspected thoroughly prior to each use. If any part of the system does not meet the requirements allowing it to be used, it must be marked and placed out of service. B1.1: Types of Inspections B1.1.1 Prior to each use - performed by a person using the equipment; examples are provided below: B1.1.2 Semi-annually - must be performed by a competent person B1.1.3 Annually - must be performed by a competent person B1.2: Items to Inspect B1.2.1 Function and condition B1.2.2 Check the function of snap-hook (self-locking, self-closing) B1.2.3 Check action of retractor of SRL B1.2.4 Indication of impact (impact indicator red stitching on lanyard) B1.2.5 Check for red indicator if impacted on snap-hook swivel SRL B1.2.6 Ripped stitching no more than two stitches B1.2.7 Torn stitching B1.2.8 Deformation in metals B1.2.9 Corrosion B1.2.10 Holes Page 10
Appendix B2: Sample Harness Inspection List for User HARNESS INSPECTION Inspector: Manufacture: Model Number: Inspection Date: / / Harness Number: Serial Number: Date Into Service: IF INSPECTION REVEALS ANY FAILURES, REMOVE UNIT FROM SERVICE IMMEDIATELY INSPECTION PASS FAIL COMMENTS BUCKLES No damage Not broken No distortion No sharp edges No burrs No cracks No signs of wear Corrosion free Work freely KEEPERS No damage Not broken No distortion No sharp edges No burrs No cracks No signs of wear Corrosion free Work freely BACK PAD No damage Not torn Bolts not loose WEBBING No cuts 1/8 th inch or greater Free of frayed fibers Free of broken fibers No tears No abrasion Mold free No burn holes 1/16 th inch or larger No discoloration Clean Page 11
STITCHING PASS FAIL COMMENTS Pulled threads Broken stitches two or more SELF-RETRACTING LANYARD Cracks in casing Fall indicator intact Snap-hook functional (selflocking, self-closing) Webbing not torn CARABINEER/SNAP-HOOKS Not broken No distortion No sharp edges No burrs No cracks No signs of wear Corrosion free Work freely Self-locking, self-closing I certify that I have inspected the above piece of equipment and find it to be in working order and without defects. Signature: Date: Page 12
Appendix B3: Sample Inspection Sheet, Biannual BIANNUAL HARNESS INSPECTION LOG / / TO / / In-service Date HARNESS NUMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 MANUFACTURER MODEL NUMBER SERIAL NUMBER INSPECTION DATE INSPECTION DATE Page 13
Appendix B4: Areas or Activities That Require Fall Protection IOSHA has identified 15 areas or activities where some type of fall protection is needed if the potential fall distance is six feet or greater. The following are situations were fall protection is needed. Please keep in mind there may be other situations where a fall of six feet or more is possible. B4.1 Unprotected Sides and Edges Employees on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is six feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems. All employees shall be instructed on the necessary precautions prior to conducting inspections, investigations, or assessments. B4.2 Leading Edges Employees constructing a leading edge that is six feet or more above a lower level shall be protected by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems. Any employee on a walking/working surface six feet or more above a lower level where leading edges are under construction, but the employee is not performing the leading edge work, shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system or personal fall arrest system. If a guardrail system is chosen to provide the fall protection and a controlled access zone has already been established for leading edge work, the control line may be used in lieu of a guardrail along the edge that parallels the leading edge. B4.3 Hoist Areas Each employee in a hoist area shall be protected from falling six feet or more to lower levels by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems. If a guardrail system or portion(s) of the system is removed to hoist objects and the employee must lean through the access opening or out over the edge, that employee shall be protected by using a personal fall arrest system. B4.4 Openings/Holes Each employee on walking/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through openings/holes (including skylights and roof penetrations) more than six feet above lower levels by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrails erected around the holes/openings. Each employee shall be protected from tripping or stepping into or through openings/holes by use of hole-covers of standard strength and construction. Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from objects falling through openings/holes from above. B4.5 Formwork and Reinforcing Steel Each employee on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel shall be protected from falling six feet or more to lower levels by personal fall arrest systems or positioning device systems. B4.6 Ramps, Runways, Platforms, and Other Walkways Each employee on ramps, runways, and other walkways shall be protected from falling six feet or more to lower levels by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems. Page 14
B4.7 Excavations Each employee at the edge of an excavation, pit, well, or shaft six feet or more in depth shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, barricades, or covers. Excavations less than six feet deep shall be marked with barrier tape and appropriate warning signs. B4.8 Dangerous Equipment Each employee working above dangerous equipment regardless of height shall be protected from falling into or onto equipment by guardrail equipment or by equipment guards. Each employee six feet or more above dangerous equipment shall be protected from fall hazards by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems. B4.9 Overhand Bricklaying and Related Work Each employee performing overhand bricklaying and related work six feet or more above lower levels, shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, or shall work in a controlled access zone. Any employee reaching more than ten inches below the level of the walking/working surface on which they are working shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system or personal fall arrest system. B4.10 Low Slope Roofs Employees performing roofing activities on low slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges six feet or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by the following systems: Guardrail systems Safety monitoring system if the roof is 50 feet or less in width Personal fall arrest systems Or a combination of the following: Warning line system and guardrail system Warning line system and personal fall arrest system Warning line system and safety monitoring system B4.11 Steep Roofs Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges six feet or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toe boards or personal fall arrest systems. B4.12 Precast Concrete Erection Each employee engaged in the erection of precast concrete members and related operations working six feet or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems. Page 15
B4.13 Wall Openings Each employee working on, at, above, or near wall openings where the outside bottom edge is six feet or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches above the walking/working surface, shall be protected from falling. This protection shall be provided through the use of guardrail systems or a personal fall arrest system. B4.14 Protection from Falling Objects When an employee is exposed to falling objects, each employee must wear a hard hat and implement one of the following measures: Erect toe boards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling from higher levels Erect a canopy structure and keep potential falling objects far enough from the edge of the upper level Barricade the area where overhead objects could fall and prohibit employees from entering the area B4.15 Walking/Working Surfaces Not Addressed If the specific activity was not addressed above, each employee on a walking/working surface six feet or more above a lower level shall be protected by a guard rail system or personal fall arrest system. Page 16
APPENDIX C: FORMS, LINKS TO FORMS, (if applicable) APPENDIX D: ADDITIONAL REFERENCES, (if applicable) Page 17