Module Overview Fall Protection Equipment Module Description Basic guidelines and methods. Selection, inspection and maintenance of fall protection equipment to include: body belt. full body harness. lanyard. related equipment. How to don and doff a full body harness.
Module Overview Module Description Not a substitute for standards. Training should not be considered as substitute for safety and health standards for general industry or construction industry. Employers and employees should be familiar, comply with standards, rules, and regulations applicable to their work.
Module Overview Module Description This module: Describes real life case studies and lessons learned. Presents the Why and the Need for compliance. Estimated length: 60 minutes. Audience: Employees, supervisors and managers.
Module Overview Module Objectives The objective of this training course is to familiarize student with: Selection, inspection and maintenance of fall protection equipment to include: body belt. full body harness. lanyard. related fall protection equipment. Donning and doffing of fall protection harness.
Module Overview References OSHA, ANSI, NIOSH, others. OSHA requirements, various sections of: 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry). 29 CFR 1926 (Construction). (Subpart M Fall Protection). American National Standards Institute (ANSI). National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Equipment manufacturers. Others.
Module Overview State Plans Check with your state agency. Employers / employees in 26 states and territories w/ OSHA approved state plans should check w/ their state agency. State may be enforcing standards and procedures that, while at least as effective as federal standards, not always identical to federal requirements.
Module Overview Falls - Serious Business Fall protection and fall accidents are serious business. OSHA requires, and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends strategic precautions against falls. Falls are the second leading cause of work related fatal injuries, after motor vehicle crashes. In 1999, 717 workers died of injuries caused by falls from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, elevations.
Module Overview Fall Protection Saves Lives Accident Background In Houston, on August 8, 2001, two window washers were suspended from a building when their scaffold broke. They were threatened with death by taking a plunge to the ground far below.
Module Overview Fall Protection Saves Lives When scaffold broke: Workers left dangling high above ground. Were hooked to proper safety equipment, remained aloft until firefighters rescued. Had they not followed OSHA's required safety procedures and tied off separately from scaffold, would likely have plunged to earth.
Module Overview Selection Fall protection equipment is not all the same. Each manufacturer may have own unique harness and related equipment construction. Fall protection equipment should be based on those factors unique to user to include type of work, comfort, fit, style, size requirements, cost and related factors.
Selection Fall Protection Three fundamental elements: Body support designed specifically for work application. Connecting means (such as shock absorbing lanyard, snap hooks, carabiners). Anchorage system ( anchorage point and anchorage connection).
Selection Body Belt As of January 1, 1998. Use of body belts for fall arrest is prohibited. OSHA in certain cases allows body belts to be used in a fall positioning device system. Many contractors and employers have banned use of body belts on a worksite.
Selection Right Type for the Job Select the right type for the job. Become familiar with fall protection regulations (i.e. Subpart M of 29 CFR 1926, other OSHA regulations). Know ANSI requirements for fall protection. Discuss / review needs with suppliers and manufacturers.
Selection Comfort and Ease of Use Comfort is important. Fall Protection needs to be comfortable. Should de easy to don (put on) and doff (take off). Equipment that is comfortable, easy to don and doff, and adjust promotes safe and effective use.
Selection Other Factors Other selection factors include: System components must be compatible. Harness hold and retain shape when taken off, avoid tangling and snagging. Harness easily adjustable across chest, shoulders, and leg straps.
Selection ANSI ANSI s Goal. To facilitate development and adoption of voluntary consensus standards, ensure integrity. Referenced in OSHA regulations. Equipment must meet ANSI standards. Equipment labeled as meeting ANSI standards.
Inspection / Maintenance Inspection Frequency All elements inspected frequently. Frequent inspection necessary to maintain service life and high performance. Visual inspection before each use required and should become routine. Make regular inspection for wear, damage or corrosion a part of your safety program.
Inspection / Maintenance Manufacturers Instructions Follow manufacturer s instructions. Information presented is generic in nature. Vitally important to inspect each fall protection system, subsystem, and component per equipment manufacturer s instruction. Follow manufacturers instructions with respect to use, inspection, maintenance, care, and storage.
Inspection / Maintenance ANSI American National Standards Institute: Z359.1 2007 - Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems. Establishes requirements for performance, design, marking, qualifications, instruction, training, inspection, use, maintenance, and removal from service of fall protection equipment. Employers / employees should become familiar, follow ANSI requirements.
Inspection / Maintenance ANSI Z359.1 2007: Addresses connectors, full body harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers, anchorage connectors, fall arresters, vertical lifelines, comprising personal fall arrest systems; capacity range 130 to 310 pounds. Body belts, window cleaner belts, and chest waist harnesses not addressed by provisions of standard.
Inspection / Maintenance Fall Protection System Typically includes: Snap Hook (locking type) Shock Absorber Lanyard Rope Grab Lifeline Anchor Point
Inspection / Maintenance Equipment Inspection Travel restraint vs. fall arrest: Travel-restraint system is intended to limit a worker s movement so worker is unable to reach a location where a risk of falling. Fall-arrest system allows person to be protected by falling only short distances and waiting rescue. Equipment must be inspected before each use and must be regularly maintained.
Inspection / Maintenance Labels and Markings Affixed or stamped to equipment. Manufacturers have affixed and/or stamped labels and markings on fall protection equipment. Important for user to inspect labels and markings which must be present and legible. Important to follow all information identified on labels and markings.
Inspection / Maintenance Anchors Anchors / anchorages A secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices. Anchors should be inspected on a frequency determined by manufacturer or minimum annual basis by a competent person. Inspected prior to each use by worker attaching to the anchor.
Inspection / Maintenance Anchors Inspection and records. Visually inspected for signs of damage such as bending, cracking or weld failure and for thread damage on temporary restraint only anchors. Inspection records of the annual inspection of all anchors must be maintained.
Belts / Harness Inspection Body Belts OSHA defines a body belt as: A strap with means both for securing it about the waist and for attaching it to a lanyard, lifeline, or deceleration device. Body belts used for positioning work ONLY and NOT for fall arrest. Use of a body belt in a positioning device system regulated under 29 CFR 1926.502 paragraph (e). Body belts are not to be used to hoist materials.
Belts / Harness Inspection Body Harness Body harness is defined as: Straps that may be secured about person in a manner that distributes fall arrest forces over at least thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders with a means for attaching harness to other components of a personal fall arrest system. Safety Tip Harnesses equipped with a front-mounted attachment element for fall arrest may be used only as part of a personal fall arrest system that limits the maximum free fall distance to two feet and limits the maximum arresting force to 900 pounds. Applications for the frontal D-ring attachment include ladder climbing (refer to ANSI A14.3 for guidelines) and work positioning applications. Only those harnesses manufactured with the front D-ring attached to the frontal location and properly marked ANSI Z359.1 compliant meet this requirement.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Inspection before each use by wearer. Follow manufacturers instructions. To inspect the webbing. In general, beginning at one end, grasp belt or harness with hands six to eight inches apart. Hold body side of the belt or harness toward you.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Bend and observe. Bend belt or harness in an inverted U. Surface tension resulting makes damaged fibers or cuts easier to see. Follow procedure for entire length of belt or harness. Inspect both sides of each strap.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Webbing material must be free of frayed, cut, pulled stitches, or broken fibers. Check for tears, abrasions, mold, burns, discoloration or chemical damage. Pulled, cut, or broken stitches may be an indication that belt or harness has been impact loaded and must be removed from service.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Inspect for frayed or broken strands. Broken webbing strands generally appear as tufts on webbing surface. Any broken, cut or burned stitches should be readily seen.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Harness hardware. Inspect harness hardware which includes buckles, D-rings, back pad, and loop keepers. Hardware must not be damaged, broken, distorted. Must be free of rough or sharp edges, burrs, cracks, worn parts, or corrosion.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection For the harness. Inspect D-rings and back pads looking for distortion, cracks, breaks, and rough or sharp edges. D-ring should pivot freely. D-ring back pads inspected for damage.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Special attention, attachments. Give special attention to attachments of buckles and D-rings. Note any unusual wear, frayed or cut fibers, or distortion of buckles. Rivets tight and not removable with fingers. Body side rivet base and outside rivets flat against material. Bent rivets will fail under stress.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Tongue and buckle. Check carefully tongue and buckle of belt or harness as they receive heavy wear from repeated buckling and unbuckling. Inspect for loose, distorted or broken grommets. No additional punched holes.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Tongue Buckle Tongue buckle free of distortion in shape and motion. Should overlap the buckle frame and move freely back and forth in its socket. Roller should turn freely on frame. Check for distortion or sharp edges.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Friction Buckle Inspect buckle for distortion. Outer bar or center bars must be straight. Special attention paid to corners and attachment points of center bar.
Belts / Harness Inspection Belt / Harness Inspection Check the PVC coating. Check all PVC coated hardware to ensure non conductivity. PVC coating must be free of cuts, rips, tears, holes etc.
Belts / Harness Inspection Labels, Markings, Tags Inspect products labels. All labels should be present and fully legible. Labels are affixed to the equipment to provide information. Read and follow label instruction.
Belts / Harness Inspection Defective Equipment Defective webbing and hardware. If inspection of webbing and hardware reveals a defective condition, remove unit from service immediately and replace with equipment that passes inspection. Destroy product making it unusable or, Label as Damaged, DO NOT USE and return to manufacturer immediately for service.
More Inspection Lanyard Inspection OSHA identifies a lanyard as: A flexible line of rope, wire rope, or strap that generally has a connector at each end for connecting body belt or body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage.
More Inspection Lanyard Inspection Inspect frequently and document results. Lanyard must be inspected before each use by wearer and frequently by competent person. Follow manufacturers instructions relative to inspection frequency and inspection technique. Results of formal inspections must be maintained.
More Inspection Lanyard Inspection When inspecting lanyards: Begin at one end and work to opposite end. Slowly rotate lanyard so that entire circumference is checked. Pause at any spliced ends and carefully observe for any damage.
More Inspection Lanyard Inspection When checking out the snaps. Check carefully for hook and eye distortion, cracks, corrosion or pitted surfaces. Keeper or latch should seat into nose without binding and not be distorted or obstructed. Keeper spring should exert sufficient force to firmly close keeper. Keeper locks must prevent keeper from opening once closed.
More Inspection Lanyard Inspection Thimbles Used to prevent wear on lines and wires must be firmly seated in eye of splice and splice should have no loose or cut strands. Edges of thimble free of sharp edges, distortion, or cracks.
More Inspection Steel Lanyard Rotate and observe. Rotate steel lanyard and observe for cuts, frayed areas, or unusual wear patterns on wire. Broken strands will separate from body of lanyard. Steel lanyards should not be used for fall protection without a shock absorbing device.
More Inspection Web Lanyard Bend webbing over a piece of pipe, observe each side of web. Observe for cuts, breaks or any breaks in the stitching. Swelling, discoloration, cracks or charring are signs of chemical or heat damage. Generally web lanyards have limited elasticity and should not be used for fall protection without use of a shock absorber. Check with manufacturer.
More Inspection Rope Lanyard Inspect from end to end. Inspect rope lanyard from end to end. Rotate lanyard in hands, observe for fuzzy, worn, broken or cut fibers. Rope diameter should be uniform throughout. Weakened areas will appear as change in original diameter. When rope lanyard used for fall protection, shock absorbing system should be used.
More Inspection Shock Absorbing Packs Inspect packs. Inspect outer portion of shock absorbing pack for burn holes and tears. Also inspect stitching on areas where pack is sewn to D-ring, belt, or lanyard. Inspect for any sign of loose strands, rips, and deterioration.
More Inspection Rope Grabs A deceleration device. A rope grab is a deceleration device that travels on a lifeline and automatically, by friction, engages lifeline and locks to arrest a fall. When inspecting rope grab, inspect action of locking roller; should be free to travel full length of guide slots.
More Inspection Lanyard Connection Handle Inspect lanyard connection handle for freedom of motion. Should be no binding or sticking. Inspect for wear on nose of handle where contacts roller. Lever must push roller into rope.
More Inspection Lanyard Connection Handle Inspect handle spring. Should be in its correct place and undamaged. Inspect detent pin. Top button should spring back up when pushed down. Pin should easily slide through rope grab body and hinge.
More Inspection Rope Grab Hinge Pivot freely. Rope grab hinge must pivot freely and close completely. Check that gravity lock on hinge works freely. Inspect hinge for signs of rope wear. No dips or depressions worn into rope channel.
More Inspection Lifeline Inspection Lifeline, a vital component. 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 serves as a means for connecting other components of a personal fall arrest system to anchorage.
More Inspection Lifeline Inspection Lifeline hardware. Lifeline hardware must not be damaged, broken, distorted, have any sharp edges, burrs, cracks, worn parts, or corrosion. Check that connecting hooks work properly. Hook gates move freely and lock upon closing.
More Inspection Lifeline Inspection Inspect for concentrated wear. Material free of frayed strands, broken yarns, cuts, abrasions, burns, and discoloration. Free of knots, excessive soiling, heavy paint build up, and staining (i.e. rust). Splices tight, with five full tucks, and thimbles must be held by splice. Cracked or distorted rope thimbles may indicate lifeline has been impact loaded.
More Inspection Lifeline Inspection Ultraviolet (UV) light. Check for ultraviolet (UV) light damage. UV light damage indicated by discoloration, presence of splinters and slivers on rope surface. Know the factors that reduce rope strength. Check labels. Are they present and fully legible? Replace if illegible or missing. Read and follow manufacturers instructions / procedures.
More Inspection Visual Damage Indicators Damage to webbing and rope lanyards include: Heat. Chemicals (i.e. paint and solvents). Ultraviolet light. Molten metal. Direct flame.
More Inspection Visual Damage Indicators Heat. With excessive heat, nylon becomes brittle and has a shriveled brownish appearance. Fibers will break when flexed. Nylon should not be used above 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
More Inspection Visual Damage Indicators Chemical Chemical damage may result in change in color, usually appearing as a brownish smear or smudge. Transverse cracks appear in webbing and rope materials as harness is bent over tight. Material will lose elasticity as result of chemical exposure and damage.
More Inspection Visual Damage Indicators Paint and solvents. Paint may penetrate and dry, restricting movements of fibers. Paint may cover up potential defects making inspection difficult. Solvents may weaken fibers. May appear as chemical damage.
More Inspection Visual Damage Indicators Ultraviolet Rays Ultraviolet rays from direct sunlight can reduce strength of webbing and rope materials found in fall protective equipment. Damage from UV generally indicated by discoloration and the presence of splinters and slivers on the materials surface. Webbing / rope should be stored out of direct sunlight.
More Inspection Visual Damage Indicators Molten metal and direct flame. Webbing / rope is often thermal sensitive. Webbing / rope strands may fuse together when exposed to molten metal and / or direct flame. Generally webbing will not support combustion, nylon will. A hard, brittle feel and hard, shiny spots may indicate damage.
More Inspection Carabiners - Snaphooks An oblong metal ring. Carabiner commonly known as a snaphook. Snaphook is an oblong metal ring with one spring-hinged side that is used as a connector. Used in fall protection systems and require inspection on a pre use basis. Prior to using snaphook, check locking mechanism. Non locking snaphooks are not permitted.
More Inspection Carabiners - Snaphook Check gate and closure. To ensure not damaged and operate smoothly. Clean as required by manufacturer. Blow out mechanisms with an air hose. Do not lubricate as will attract dirt and grit. Check spring loaded closures operating as required. Discard any that do not close as designed.
More Inspection Carabiners - Snaphooks In addition, check Gate to ensure it is not bent from use. Latch mechanism to ensure it is not broken. Snaphook is not bent or misaligned. Snaphook is not cracked or fractured. Safety tip Under ANSI 359.1 2007 the gate face, the side of the gate and the minor axis of non-captive eye snap hooks or carabiners must withstand 3,600 pounds of force. The snaphook should be stamped with these ratings.
Cleaning and Maintenance Cleaning and Maintenance Basic care and maintenance. Will prolong life of fall protection equipment and contribute to performance. Check and follow manufacturers instructions. Clean webbing and rope materials with water and mild soap solution. Wipe off hardware with clean, dry cloth, and hang to air dry. Do not force dry with heat.
Cleaning and Maintenance Cleaning and Maintenance Dirt, paint, etc. Excessive build up of dirt, paint, etc. may prevent rope grab or webbing / rope materials from working properly. In severe cases dirt / paint degrade rope and webbing materials to point where weakened and should be removed from service.
Cleaning and Maintenance Storage Storage of rope and webbing. Store rope and webbing equipment in a cool, dry, and clean environment out of direct sunlight. Avoid chemical vapors. Thoroughly inspect webbing / rope equipment after period of extended storage.
Cleaning and Maintenance Equipment Subject to Stresses Important to note. If personal fall protection equipment has been subjected to fall arrest or impact forces, it must be immediately removed from service and tagged as DO NOT USE, returned to manufacturer, destroyed, or made otherwise unusable and disposed of. Anchors involved in a fall arrest situation resulting from a fall event require inspection from a professional engineer.
Cleaning and Maintenance Alteration / Repair Leave it to experts. Do not attempt to alter, repair, or make substitutions to fall protection equipment or components. Equipment found to be in defective condition must be tagged as Do Not Use and removed from service.
Cleaning and Maintenance Equipment Repairs Repairs by authorized manufacturers. Only authorized manufacturers should perform repairs on fall protection equipment or those authorized by the manufacturer in writing to do so. Refer to manufacturers specifications for further information and details.
Donning and Doffing Harness Assignment If possible, assign harness to worker. Oftentimes, deciding factor comes down to cost. Generally less expensive to purchase harness for a number of individuals, believed to be safer to issue harness on individual basis. Single user harness become part of workers personal kit and more likely to be properly inspected and maintained.
Donning and Doffing Harness Selection Multiple user harnesses most effective equipped with tongue and grommet type buckles. Somewhat easier and quicker to adjust. Multiple user harnesses may be donned by many workers so ease of adjustment more practical. If properly adjusted, the full body harness will provide maximum safety and not interfere with worker's ability to perform assigned tasks.
Donning and Doffing Harness Donning Manufacturer's instructions must always be followed. Points common to most harnesses. Procedure for donning depends on type of harness.
Donning and Doffing Harness Styles Vest style vs. crossover style. There are two basic harness styles. Vest style typically identified as having a chest strap with shoulder straps running vertically down to leg straps. Crossover harnesses have shoulder straps crossing in the front of harness.
Donning and Doffing Donning Common donning issues: No matter what the style, must always follow manufacturers instructions. Lay harness out on a clean, flat surface to ensure there are no tangles or twists in the webbing and to help in the pre-use inspection.
Donning and Doffing Donning With the harness laid out on a clean, flat surface free of tangles or twists in webbing, again observe for any defects in webbing and hardware. Then, hold harness by back D-ring. Shake harness to allow all straps to fall into place.
Donning and Doffing Donning Unbuckle chest, leg, waist straps. If chest, leg and/or waist straps are buckled, release the straps and unbuckle.
Donning and Doffing Donning Shoulder straps. Slip the straps over the shoulders so the D-ring is located in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades.
Donning and Doffing Donning Leg straps. Pull leg strap between legs and connect to the opposite end. Repeat with second leg strap. If belted harness, connect the waist strap after the leg straps. The waist strap should be tight, but not binding.
Donning and Doffing Donning Chest strap connection. Connect the chest strap and position in the mid chest area. Tighten to keep the shoulder straps taut.
Donning and Doffing Donning Buckle and tighten. After all straps have been buckled, tighten all buckles so the harness fits snugly but allows full range of movement. Pass excess straps through loop keepers.
Donning and Doffing Donning Harnesses with mating buckle. Pull center bar buckle completely through square link. Allow center bar buckle to fall into place on top of square link. Pull loose end of strap to tighten adjustment of harness. Slide keepers to hold any excess webbing.
Donning and Doffing Donning Harnesses with tongue buckle. Insert loose strap of webbing through tongue buckle. Place buckle tongue through appropriate grommet. Push remaining webbing through keeper to retain loose end.
Donning and Doffing Donning Friction Buckle Pass webbing under the buckle, over knurled bar, and back down between knurled bar and frame. Pull web end to tighten.
Donning and Doffing Donning Last but not least. Conduct a buddy check. Trained and experienced co-worker to check out your system. Attach the fall protection equipment connector to the Dorsal D- ring on harness before beginning work.
Donning and Doffing Doffing Taking it off! When work completed and time to remove fall protection, do in a safe place, free of fall hazards. Follow the manufacturers instruction when doffing. Generally the reverse technique of donning.
Donning and Doffing Doffing Inspect and safely store. Inspect equipment and if safety has been compromised, tag as Do Not Use, dispose of or talk supervisor, safety officer or competent person. Store removed fall protection equipment in a clean, dry location, away from sunlight, chemicals, heat or any other condition that could damage equipment.
Fall Protection Case Study Case Study Best personal fall protection equipment in the world won t do a bit of good unless it is used. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigated a fatality of a 27 year old laborer of a roofing company that fell through roof of a sports coliseum.
Fall Protection Case Study Case Study Background Incident occurred on a college campus project to strengthen arena roof 262 long, 241 wide and 91 high. On day of incident, victim and foreman spent morning patching slices of roofing material. Roof had pitch, victim making his way up pitch to top of arched roof. Victim was wearing fall protection.
Fall Protection Case Study Case Study Accident Unknown reason victim disconnected lanyard from lifeline and harness. Several minutes later, workers inside coliseum heard a noise near ceiling, observed victim fall 90 feet and hit floor. Victim given immediate emergency medical treatment. Transported to emergency room where he was pronounced dead.
Fall Protection Case Study Case Study Cause of death. Medical examiners report established cause of death as head trauma with aortic rupture. Victim hit ground so hard it ruptured main artery leading from heart.
Summary Selection, Inspection and Maintenance Inspection may save your life. Fall protection equipment must be inspected before each use and periodically by competent person. Follow manufacturers instructions. Look for flaws in webbing and hardware. Questions? Talk with supervisor, safety officer or competent person. Doubts? Replace and dispose.
Summary Donning and Doffing All equipment is not the same. Follow manufacturers instructions. When equipment is donned it should fit comfortably. Before you put it on, inspect it. If any doubts about safety of fall protection, do not use it. Talk with your supervisor, safety officer and/or competent person.