Occupational Health Program Safety Training Series

Fall Protection Awareness Training

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Fall Protection

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Why Fall Protection??? „ „

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Do you know anyone who is afraid/nervous of heights? Do you know anyone who has fallen off of a deck or roof? In 1999, over 93,000 workers incurred injuries from falls to lower levels (BLS) Falls typically account for 10% of fatal work injuries The number of fatal on-the-job falls in 2007 rose to a new high of 835 (BLS) OSHA Regulated CFR 1910 & 1926

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Fall Protection Measures „

Training Program

- Understand and recognize potential hazards „ „

Hazard Assessment Engineering Controls (Fall Protection Systems) - Guardrail system – Barrier along open edge - Safety net system – Net under elevated worker - Personal fall arrest system – harness, lanyard and lifeline/rope – Controlled access zones

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Employee Awareness – – –

Keep tools and materials away from edges Be familiar with available Fall Protection safety equipment Rule of thumb: Utilize safe Fall Protection methods and safety equipment when working higher than 4 feet above ground or platform 4

Height Hazard Recognition „

Falls can be dangerous, even fatal ™ Falls from same level • • • •

Slips Trips High frequency rate Low injury severity rate

™ Falls from an elevation • Free Fall • Impact • Relatively low frequency rate • High injury severity rate 5

Height Hazard Recognition „

Surface conditions (wet, icy, dusty, slippery)

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Weather conditions (wind, rain, snow)

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Height Hazard Recognition „

Workers not aware of their location – Stay away from edges, unless you are working there

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Tripping over tools, materials, etc.

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Dropping/Falling objects

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When working above ground: – Don’t leave tools or materials where they might be kicked over the edge or tripped over – Don’t throw items over the edge – Wear hard hats when working under an aboveground work area 7

Height Hazard Assessment „ Elevated

Platforms

> 4 feet above lower level/ground „ Trenches „ Pits „ Roofs „ Towers/Poles „ Crevasses

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Fall Protection Systems Guardrail system – Barrier along open edge „ Barrier

along an open edge „ 42" high with middle rail halfway up „ Toeboard or kickplate „ Can withstand force

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Fall Protection Systems Safety net system – Net under elevated worker „ Safety

devices located under elevated workers „ Made of a strong rope mesh „ Inspection requirements 10

Fall Protection Systems Other Fall Protection Systems „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Ladder Cages Hole Covers Controlled access zones Warning line systems Slip-Resistant Floors Safety monitoring Housekeeping 11

Fall Protection Systems Personal fall arrest system – harness, lanyard, lifeline/rope Worker ‘anchored’ to fixed object Harness attached to lanyard, lifeline, or deceleration device „ Should prevent a worker from falling more than 6 feet & from contacting any lower level during arrest of a fall „ „

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Personal Fall Arrest System Arresting Forces „ „ „ „

The act of falling is not painful Striking an object or sudden stopping causes pain Body weight x fall distance Personal Fall Arrest System should – bring a worker to a complete stop – limit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1800 pounds

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Personal Fall Arrest System Body Belts „ As

of January 1, 1998, use of a body belt for fall arrest is prohibited by OSHA – Damage to spine and internal organs – Average tolerable suspension time is 90 seconds – Maximum of only 900 pounds of arresting force 14

Personal Fall Arrest System Harnesses „

Arresting forces on thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders – Harness rated for 1,800 pounds of arresting forces – Tolerable suspension time of 15 minutes

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D-rings – Upper back for fall arrest – Sides for positioning – Front for rescue or suspension 15

Personal Fall Arrest System Deceleration Device „ Dissipates

a substantial amount of energy during a fall arrest „ Rip-stitch, tearing, or stretching lanyard „ Retracting lifelines or lanyards

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Personal Fall Arrest System Anchorage „

Located directly above you – Avoid swinging – Clear drop zone

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Can withstand 5,000 pounds of force Don’t use guardrail or other item that may break Ask a supervisor if unsure about proper anchor points 17

Personal Fall Arrest System Connectors „ „ „ „ „

Connectors are vital Includes self-locking snaphooks Non-locking snaphooks cannot be part of personal fall arrest systems Do not link similar connectors together Never tie a knot for a connection 18

Personal Fall Arrest System Equipment Inspection „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Inspect before every use Cuts, tears, abrasions, stitches coming out Cracks or burrs Parts move freely No alterations Appropriate labels Record inspection in a log 19

Personal Fall Arrest System Rescue Plan „ Each

worksite or facility must have a rescue plan „ Employees must be trained on the plan „ Must limit hanging/suspension time

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Equipment Be familiar with your equipment Your fall protection equipment may include: „ Hardhats/climbing helmets „ Harnesses „ Self-retracting lifeline w/ manual crank „ Gloves, radios

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Equipment Vendor/Supplier information „ Methods

of inspection, use, cleaning,

storage „ Anchoring/tie-off techniques „ Application limits „ Deceleration distance for deceleration devices measured during the force test 22

Fall Protection Awareness and Hazard Recognition

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What’s Wrong?

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http://www.safety.wisc.edu

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