Fall Protection: Fabricate your Own or Purchase J. Nigel Ellis Ph.D., CSP, P.E., CPE www.fallsafety.com 1.800.372.7775 7775 NSC Congress 31 October 2011 10-29-11
What we will discuss Today Policy: Follow o ANSI Z359 Standards, ds, OSHA, in house rules ues The challenge of Standards they change frequently The products offered by fall manufacturers changes! Wood products eg covers/railings made by carpenters Horizontal Lines rigged with cable and wire rope clips The trust users have placed in products and standards Proof: Evidence or Hearsay?
Materials for Fall Protection Wood: 2x4; 2x6, plywood or OSB Piping Ropes for rope grabs Cables Scaffold poles Shackles, eyebolts Not used anymore: Transite May work but expect a surprise 8 Mfrs: Harness, Lanyard, climbing device, descender, rope for descender, rope for lifeline, figure 8, cable for climbing device
Applications Railings Passive Platforms Passive Hole covers Passive Passive = Restraint Active = Dynamic Stairs and Handrails Passive 1926.502(d)(3); 1926 1052(b)(11) Warning Lines Passive Handrail Ropes and Knots Active 3 min. Anchors Active gap Lifelines Active (e)(6) Horizontal Lines Active Scaffolds Passive/Active Hardware: Eyebolts, shackles, wire cable clamps Passive/Active Wall 1910.23
Considerations over Products Human Factors Strength, th grip Terminations eg u bolts Lifetime Maintenance Top Guardrail 2x4 F Compatibility Warranty/Insurance/Liability Testing a Railing 1926.502(b) Note: CoG is now >42 for 50% workers Use 3-4 cables for <19 gap 200 lbs F lbs 19 max 19 max 39 min.- 45 + 200 150 50
Statics v. Dynamic Fall Protection Most home built thinking has been about Statics Need to think of Dynamics and Drop Testing What to do if there are no tests? Eg FRA, MSHA Horizontal Lifelines: ¼ dia. GAC cable v. 3/8 or ½ dia. Need a Qualified Person who is a M.E. or S.E. to stamp ANSI Z359.6-2007
Horizontal lli Lines/Lifelines: OSHA requires Qualified Person (PE) 1926.502(d)(8) & (d)(11) F2 Post deflects 3.5 Dyn. Sag Test Wt F1 Tie back 7 Single span end-forces F2: 10,000 lbs using 220 lbs test wt. 6 ft EA lanyard free fall on steel cable; multi-span lower F1, >sag
Manufactured Products Standards compliance Quality Tested Do you know the manufacturer s service record? Markings: Check carefully for Unauthorized sub standard Facsimiles Markings: Check carefully for Unauthorized sub-standard Facsimiles eg snaphooks, bolts/nuts
How reliable are purchased FP products? System or parts assembly Tower monopole, stepbolts, cable, fall arrestor, lanyard, harness, descent device, rope, snaphook anchors, hitch, tower brackets, Applications Installations Standards change frequently: lifetime may be 5 years
Competent Person Responsibilities Recognizes Hazards before they occur/as they emerge Selects fall equipment Trains Authorized Persons (workers) in Fall Protection Appointed and Responsible for FPP FPP: selection of equipment, procedures, clearances and rescue plan Ability to stop the job if fall hazards are observed One or more persons
Qualified Person Responsibilities Input into early design Engineering at request of Competent Person No OSHA violations when Cert. of Occupancy issued eg Skylights are screened Unless involved daily; may sub to outside firm OSHA Def n: 1926.32(k): here Ref Z359.2-2007 Managed Fall Protection Program for PFAS
Inspection Frequency Wood Railings? Covers? Ladders? Only when missing or damaged?
Portable Ladder Usage Pitch 4 in 12 Pitch 8 in 12 Legal req. in stds 3 ft 12 4 Common Practice Trades: 6-24 20 42 12 8 16 ft 4 4 1 OSHA/ANSI A14 compliant, CoG works around ladder Dialogue with more detail? 1 Higher roof pitch makes it harder to stand unless going over the ladder
Walk through Ladder Extension helps keep your balance Residential www.raptor.com Commercial
Roof Hole at Construction site Washington DC 10 story building roof WaterProofer Torchdown No Fire! training Fell through roof hatch opening: 25 ft fall Under Front Side
Wlki Walk in Danger: Temporary Hole Covers #1 Cover; #2 Net Cover thickness ¾ nom. plywood F Countersink Bevel (30 psf) F= 300 lbs worker or 20K road Concrete slab Web Joist 6 d #1 #2 Roof or floor openings for HVAC, plumbing, chutes etc. And Noise / Dust barriers? One piece Plywood for up to 3 ft opening. If >3ft then 2x4 s d >2 min. OSHA 1926.500 d >3 (JNE) & <12 Leg breaker d >1 OSHA 1910.21(a) d >12 body fall through pot l Round or square floor hole covers: Marking clarity: DANGER! Hole Cover Covers must not be trip hazards and nailed plywood up to? Bobcat if used, must be crawler-type
Skylight protection 25 50 fall fatalities per year; presently no standards test ASTM E06.50.25 Proposed impact test: For New Skylights: 1. 300 lbs 95%-ile w/clothes and safety equipment 2. 12 dia. Boxer s Punch Bag w/ lead shot test weight 3. 3 ft fall height of test wt. agreed draft October 2011 For Older Skylights:? UV light, chemicals?
Guardrail Gen. Industry
Guardrail Construction Second floor guardrail collapsed Kneeling worker had used rail to stand up Top Rail fell to ground And he also asofell. Door/Wall Opening
Guardrail - Construction 60 lbs Must have L shape 200 lbs loading
Make or Buy Fabricate? History of success Carpenters build it Carpenters maintain it Not Tested No instructions No Proof Purchase? uc Salesman recommends Product appears to work Tested current standards Train, Inspect, Maintain Manufacturer s instructions Proof is possible
Liability 1. Product Instructions must be clear in several languages with many illustrations 2. When an incident occurs you should be able to prove through h training records and design drawings that equipment has been properly installed and used. 3. Documentation can be a substitute for an engineer. 4. A FP engineered design is a system integrated into the work site.
Questions? J. Nigel Ellis, EFSS efss@fallsafety.com