1910.23 Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes 1910.66 Powered Platforms, Manlifts and Vehicle Mounted Work Platforms. 1926.500 Fall Protection 1926.501 Duty to Have Fall Protection 1926.502 Fall Protection Systems and Criteria 1926.503 Training Requirements
Must be protected from free falling six feet or more: Maintenance Activities Railcar Prep Use of Boom Articulating Lifts Others???
Evaluate the workplace for fall hazards and plan accordingly. Focus on: Structural integrity issues. The presence of fall hazards Situations where fall arrest or restraint will be difficult to utilize. Types of fall arrest or restraint methods to be used. Protection for persons working under or passing below overhead work. Highly recommend a physical inspection of the facility.
Eliminating the Hazard
Eliminates the hazard all together. 4 foot (General Industry) fall protection railings, etc.
Top-rails must be 42 inches above the walking/working surface. Mid-rails 21 inches. Must be capable of withstanding 200 lbs. of force.
All excavations should be marked with caution tape, reflective pylons, traffic cones, etc. Excavations six feet or greater must be protected by a guardrail, fence, barricade or properly rated cover.
Use railings or other means to guard: Open Stairways Chute Floor Opening Pits Trenches
Preventing Fall Related Injuries
Rigged so that an employee can neither free fall or make contact with a lower level. Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit deceleration distance to 3.5 feet.
Anchorage Harness Connectors
Activates upon a fall Stops Fall Prevent serious injury
Distance a body falls before the fall arrest system activates. Must not exceed 6 feet or contact w/lower level or obstruction.
Secure Point. Must withstand forces associated with fall arrest. Support 5000 lbs. per person. Preferably above to eliminate swing fall hazards.
Disperses forces of fall arrest over the chest, thighs, pelvis and shoulders. Safely support body upright until rescued. Connected to anchorage by a lanyard. D-Ring on back is for fall arrest, side is for positioning/restraint.
Shock absorbing Self retracting lifelines (SRL). All must have double action locking hooks w/tensile strength of 5000 lbs.
Do not connect two snap hooks together (roll out). The D-ring should always be larger than the snap hook connected to it. Be aware of sharp edges. Guard sharp edges with a protective materials.
Full Body Harness Attached @ D-Ring Anchorage Connector (Lanyard)
Personal fall arrest systems must limit arresting forces to 1800 lbs. when used with a full body harness. Shock absorbing mechanisms should be used for fall arrest.
Free Fall Distance = 6 ft + Deceleration Distance = 3.5 ft = Total Fall Distance = 9.5 ft + Height of the Worker = 6 ft + Safety Factor = 3 ft = Required Clearance = 18.5 ft Assume: 6 foot shock absorbing lanyard anchored above the head.
Travel Freely Automatically locks to arrest a fall Example: Rope Grab
More than one person attached Rated for correct number of persons.
Safety cage must be chained to forklift Safety cage must have a properly rated anchorage point Person in cage must attach to anchor point with a lanyard attached to full body harness Person in cage must wear a hardhat It is not safe to move forklift while in person(s) are in the cage.
Crane Basket Required Boom Articulating Lift Required Scissor Lifts Not required unless railing is removed. Scaffolding Not required unless railings are not being utilized (10 ft)
A tie off system that restrains the employee from falling. Must limit employee free fall to 2 feet. Often utilizes the side D-rings. Side D-rings are not be used for fall arrest.
Focus on hardware, webbing, labels, stitching and indicators. Before each use inspect lanyards, SRL and harnesses: Cuts Frays Damage Cracks Burns Annually by a competent person.
Personal fall protection systems and components subjected to impact loading need to be taken out of service until: Inspected by a competent person Determined to be undamaged and suitable for use If equipment is not useable, make it unusable.
Clean full body harness with water and mild soap solution. Do not use bleach or bleach solutions. Air Dry Store full body harness in a cool, dry, clean environment, out of direct sunlight. Many factors can damage a harness: Chemicals Extreme heat Sunlight
Employer shall provide prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or ensure that employees are able to rescue themselves. In-house Equipment Local First Responders
Train employees on: Nature of hazards in the work area. The correct procedures for maintaining, erecting and inspecting fall protection systems Document all training: Name of employee trained Date Signature of person who conducted the training
Required when: Changes in the workplace. Changes in the types of fall protection systems or equipment used. Determined that the employee does not have requisite understanding or skills.
Estimated 500,000 people treated for ladder injuries each year. Estimated 300 people die per year from ladder related falls, electrocutions, etc.
3 Point Rule -Always Maintain 3 Point Contact. Face Ladder Hands Must be Free Hoist Tools Rather Than Carrying (tool bags).
1 in 5 injuries using portable ladders can be attributed to defects. Should be inspected before use and taken out of service for defects: Feet/Legs intact No broken or missing rungs No broken hardware spreaders Other causes of injuries: Improper selection Contact with electrical power lines Climbing ladder with tools/materials in hand(s)
Type Type 1AA Special Duty (Rugged Professional) Type 1A Extra Heavy Duty Type 1- Heavy Duty Industrial Type II Medium Duty (Painter/Handyman) Type III Light Duty (Household Use) Duty Rating (combined weight) 375 lbs. 300 lbs. 250 lbs. 250 lbs. 200 lbs.
Find level surface Use 4 to 1 Rule For every 4 feet of climb the base of ladder should be positioned 1 foot out. Ladder must be positioned 3 feet above landings Tie off top of ladder Never lean out Foot the ladder
Firm Level Surface Lock Spreaders Stay off top two steps Keep away from doorways or traffic
Joe.mlynek@progressivesafety.us