Fall Protection Refresher Orientation

FN000304

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 1

 Course Objectives

Understand the definitions of fall prevention,

fall restraint, and fall arrest.
Understand the requirements of fall
protection.
Recognize the hazards associated with fall
protection.
Know where to seek help and advice for fall
protection (FESHM Chapter 5066)

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 2

 Course Objectives

Know how to inspect and wear personal fall

arrest system equipment (PFAS).
Know the requirements for anchorage points
and how to tie off to them.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 3

 What is Fall Protection?

A series of reasonable steps taken to cause

elimination or control of the injurious
effects of an unintentional fall while
accessing or working at height

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 4

 Fall Statistics

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the

construction industry.
An average of 362 fatal falls occurred each
year from 1995 to 1999, with the trend on the
increase.
The cost of care for injuries related to falls is
a financial burden for the entire construction
industry

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 5

 Where Do Fatal Falls Occur

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 6

 Where Do Non-Fatal Falls Occur

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 7

 Anatomy of a Fall
.33sec./2 feet

.67 sec./7 feet

It takes most people about
1/3 of a second to become
aware.
1 sec./16 feet It takes another 1/3 of a
second for the body to
react.
A body can fall up to 7
feet in 2/3 of a second.

2 sec./64 feet

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 8

 Planning for Fall Protection
Best practice dictates that fall protection
becomes an integral part of the work
planning process, from constructability, to
systems installation, to use and maintenance
The workplace cannot be truly safe unless
fall protection is incorporated into every
phase of the process
Planning will keep workers safe and
minimize fall exposures

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 9

 The Steps of Fall Protection?

Is this the correct order?

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 10
 Controlling Fall Exposures
General industry regulations (paraphrased)
Every open-sided floor, platform, wall opening, or hole 4 feet
or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded
by a standard railing, or the equivalent, on all open sides
except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed
ladder.
Construction industry regulations (paraphrased)
Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and
vertical surface) with an unprotected side, edge, or hole which
is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be
protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety
net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 11

 Controlling Fall Exposures
FESHM Chapter 5066 Fall Protection Program
Any worker, visiting scientist, or subcontractor involved in
work activities and exposed to a fall hazard at or greater that
6 will require fall protection if fall prevention methods
cannot be used.
29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926 shall be followed when the
work involves hazards that require fall protection. There are
requirements that apply to all general work as well as specific
requirements based upon the work activity that is being
performed. Exceptions to fall protection requirements, as
provided in 1926.500, are ONLY for construction-related
activities. There are no fall protection exemptions for
maintenance or operations work.
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 12
 Using Fall Protection Systems
Select fall protection systems appropriate for given
situations.
Use proper construction and installation of safety
systems.
Supervise employees properly.
Use safe work procedures.
Train workers in the proper selection, use, and
maintenance of fall protection systems.
Evaluate the effectiveness of all steps

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 13

 Fall Protection Methods
Fall Prevention- A system that will prevent a person
from falling to a lower level.
Example: Railings

Work Positioning or Fall Restraint- A system that will

allow the worker to approach a fall hazard and work but
will not allow the worker to fall to a lower level.

Fall Arrest- A system that will protect a person from

crashing on to a lower level after a fall. Example: Fall
Arrest Harness/lanyard
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 14
 Competent Person

means one who is capable of identifying

existing and predictable hazards in the
surroundings, or working conditions which
are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to
employees, and who has the authorization
to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 15

 Qualified Person

Qualified person" means one with a

recognized degree or professional
certificate and extensive knowledge and
experience in the subject field who is
capable of design, analysis, evaluation and
specifications in the subject work, project,
or product.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 16

When Is Fall Protection Required?

What are the fall distances that trigger

guardrails and fall protection?

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 17

 When Is Fall Protection Required?
Fall
prevention is
required for
falls onto
dangerous
equipment.
Zero fall
distance is
allowed.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 18

 When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall
protection
is required
for work on
forms or
steel
reinforcing
over 6 in
height

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 19

When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall protection is
required for
scaffolding over
6 in height.
OSHA allows up
to 10 but the Lab
rule is 6.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 20

 When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall
protection
required for
walking /
working
surfaces over
4 in height
in general
industry
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 21
 When Is Fall Protection Required?

Fall
protection
required for
walking /
working
surfaces over
6 in height
in
construction
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 22
 When Is Fall Protection Required?
Fall
protection
is required
for
vertical
ladders
without
cages over
24

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 23

 When Is Fall Protection Required?
No fall protection is
required for portable
extension ladders

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 24

 Hazard Recognition

What are the allowable controls

and best practices?

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 25

 Walking & Working Surfaces

Hazards with
working/walking
surfaces
Open-sided floors
Holes
Leading edges

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 26

 Open Sided Floors

Guardrails
Restraint Devices

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 27

 Wood Guardrail Construction

Proper Height
Midrails
Toeboards
Adequate Strength

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 28

 Guardrail Construction

Bad Better

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 29

 Cable Guardrail Construction

Proper height
Cannot deflect
below 39
Marked every 6
Terminations
and attachments
Maintenance

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 30

 Accessways/Ladderways
Bad Better

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 31

 Holes

Secured indentified
covers
Guardrails

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 32

 Skylights

Must be protected

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 33

 Aerial Work Platforms
A personal fall arrest
system (PFAS) is required
whenever you are
working in an
Articulating and/or
telescoping boom lifts
and bucket trucks
Use the manufactures
designated anchorage
points.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 34

 Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Should only be used when other fall

prevention means can not be used or are
not feasible.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 35

 Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Used to protect an employee from hitting a
lower level once they have fallen.
Components include:
An anchorage point
Body harness
Deceleration devices
Connectors lanyards, rope grabs, anchorage
connectors

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 36

 Personal Fall Arrest Systems

When using personal fall arrest systems:

If you fall, the impact force to the body has to be
less than 1800 pounds, achieved by using shock
absorbing lanyards and a harness
Minimize fall distance, the maximum free fall
distance can only be 6 feet
There can not be any structures below in you fall
distance
Maximum weight of an individual w/tools is 310
pounds
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 37
 Fall Distances
Free Fall Distance
The vertical displacement of the fall arrest
attachment point on the employee's harness between
onset of the fall and just before the system begins to
apply force to arrest the fall.
Deceleration Distance
The distance between the location of an body
harness attachment point at the moment of activation
of the deceleration device during a fall, and the
location of that attachment point after the employee
comes to a full stop.
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 38
 Minimizing Free Fall Distance

Extended
6 Lanyard Length Lanyard Length
Plus maximum
2 extension
3.5 Deceleration Device (usually within
inches)

Tie to anchor Or use a

above the D-ring retractable

Using an anchorage above the D-ring and a standard lanyard may still
allow an employee to fall a distance that may be difficult to rescue
from. Using a retractable minimizes forces on the body, and may make
rescue easier (and therefore more timely)

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 39

 Calculating Total Fall Distance

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 40

 Watch Swing Falls

This worker is tied

off using a
retractable lifeline. Swing Fall
There is a major
swing fall potential
if he fell to either
side.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 41

 Personal Fall Arrest Systems
Anchorage
Caribiners
Body Harnesses

Connector
Rope
Grabs

Beam
Wraps
Lanyards
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 42 Positioning
 Anchorages

Fall arrest anchor points must support 5000 lbs

per employee attached
Fall restraint anchor points must support at least
1000 lbs per employee attached
Ask your supervisor, Senior Safety Officer, or the
ESHSection safety representatives if you need
assistance in determining an adequate anchorage
point

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 43

 Roof & Deck Anchors

Wood Roof
Permanent
Anchor
Anchors

Metal Roof
Anchor
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 44
 Use of Eye Bolts

Rated for loading

parallel to the bolt
axis.
If wall mounted, the
rating perpendicular to Rated
the axis must be good
for 5,000 lbs. per
employee
Needed

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 45

 Girder Grip Anchorage Rings

These attachments can be

mounted through bolt holes
on steel members.
They are rated at 5,000 lbs.
in all directions

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 46

 Removable Concrete Anchors
These attachments can be mounted in holes of concrete.
They are rated at 5,000 lbs. in all directions

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 47

 Anchorage Connectors
These type of connectors enable you to tie off to various
types of anchorage points

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 48

 Beam Clamps
Beam clamps can make an effective anchorage when used properly, and with
the correct lanyard

TIGHT BEAM
CLAMP

PIN SET

Be sure pin is inserted full length and clamp

is tight.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 49

 Horizontal Life Lines

Provide maneuverability
Must be designed, installed and used under the guidance of a qualified
person
This could be interpreted as requiring the use of manufactured systems, which is
recommended
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 50
 Horizontal Line Engineering

72,000 lb 72,000 lb

5,000 lb 5,000 lb

Anchor stress depends on the sag angle of the line.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 51
 Line Stanchions
5,000lb.
The connection of
the line stanchion
3 ft.
to the flange must
support the Bending
bending moment Moment
applied to the base. 15,000 ft-lb

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 52

 Aerial Work Platform Anchorages

Use the manufactures designated anchorage points.

Never use guardrails as anchorage points.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 53

 Body Harness

Need to be inspected before use by the

worker, and at least annually (documented)
by a Competent Person
Harnesses should never be modified
Do not write on or paint harnesses unless
material is approved for use
Should be taken out of service immediately
if defective or exposed to an impact

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 54

 Harness Fitting
Chest strap tightened
at mid chest D ring between
shoulder blades

Proper snugness
shoulder to hips

Butt strap
Leg straps snug but
supports the load
not binding

Harnesses must be sized for the worker. Workers must

weigh more than 130 lbs. and less than 300lbs.
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 55
 Harness Pressure Points

Spread load
across butt strap
and belt strap if
on the harness

Excess pressure here can

cut blood flow to the legs
Some studies have indicated permanent damage to the lower extremities
when the worker hangs for more than twenty (20) minutes
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 56
 Deceleration Devices

Any mechanism with a maximum length of

3.5 feet, such as a rope grab, rip stitch
lanyard, tearing or deforming lanyards, self-
retracting lifelines, 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.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 57

 Lanyards
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.
Must not be tied back to themselves unless
specifically designed for such use
Should have the appropriate clip for the intended
anchorage points
Do not knot or wrap around sharp objects

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 58

 Lanyards
Various types of energy absorbing lanyards

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 59

 Retractable Lifelines
Deceleration devices containing a
drum-wound line which can be
slowly extracted from, or retracted
onto, the drum under slight tension
during normal employee
movement, and which, after onset
of a fall, automatically locks the
drum and arrests the fall.
Do not use with energy absorbing
lanyards.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 60

 Lifelines

A component consisting of a flexible line for

connection to an anchorage at one end to hang
vertically or for connection to anchorages at
both ends to stretch horizontally and which
serves as a means for connecting other
components of a personal fall arrest system to
the anchorage.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 61

 Positioning Systems

Positioning devices
provide hands-free
work
Additional fall
protection may be
required to move or
access

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 62

 Restraint Devices

Provide access but prevent the fall

Limit anchorage requirement to 1000 lbs
May be more suitable for loading areas,
scaffold erection and dismantling
Should be installed and used under the
supervision of a Competent Person

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 63

 Fall Restraint
Restraint Line

Edge
Fall restraint assumes the employee cannot reach the edge, they
are basically on a short leash.
If the employee can fall over the edge, then a personal fall arrest
system must be used.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 64

 Use of Restraint Cables
Example of restraint cables used during deck anchoring.

RESTRAINT CABLE
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 65
 Planning For A Rescue
Whenever working
with the potential of
hanging by a harness,
a rescue plan must be
in effect.
A written Hazard
Analysis must be
done and employees
must be trained on
the plan.

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 66

 Planning For A Rescue
The rescue plan must be written in the hazard
analysis
The goal is to rescue the employee as soon as
possible and limit the hanging time to no more
than fifteen minutes.
Plan for a worker that is unconscious.
Ensure all the rescue equipment in the vicinity
Call x3131whenever someone has been in a
fall arrest situation
Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 67
 Fall Protection

For any additional information or questions

regarding this presentation call:

Rafael Coll John Cassidy

ES&H Section ES&H Section
[email protected] [email protected]
Ext: 8518 Ext: 8223

Fall Protection Refresher Orientation 68