FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

Pre-Meeting Notes Review the notes section of the slides prior to presenting Begin the meeting with: Does anyone one have examples of “Stop the Job”? Does anyone have any safety concerns? Review GPS data: Scorecard – who is leading and what are the opportunities? Significant violations, such as speeding over 10 MPH. Review significant company incidents Use them to engage in a conversation.

Falls Falls are a persistent hazard found in the workplace. A fall can occur during the simple act of walking or climbing a ladder, or as a result of a complex series of events. According to the 2009 data from the Bureau of Labor, 605 workers were killed and more than 212,000 workers were seriously injured by falls to the same or lower level.

FALL Hazard Examples Ladders Scaffolds Elevating work platforms Towers Work Platforms Tops buildings Top of tanks

What is Fall Protection? ◦Fall protection is the backup system planned for a worker who could loose his or her balance at height, in order to control or eliminate injury potential. ◦A fall arrest system is required if any risk exists that a worker may fall from an elevated position.

Fall Protection Types ◦Best: Guard Rails ◦Next: Fall Restraint ◦Third: Positioning ◦Fourth: Fall Arrest ◦Fifth: Safety nets

Fall Arrest System 1. Rated Tie-off Point 3. Rated strap 4. Shock-Absorbing Lanyard 7. Full-Body Harness

Fall Arrest System 1. Tie-off Point 2. Lifeline 3. Rope Grab 4. Shock-Absorbing Lanyard 7. Full-Body Harness

A positioning System ◦A positioning system restrains the elevated worker, preventing him from getting into a hazardous position where a fall could occur, and also allows hands-free work. Both systems have three components: harnesses or belts, connection devices and tie-off points.

Positioning System 1. Tie-off Point 8. Restraining Belt 9. Restraining Lanyard 10. Rebar, large throat hook

Calculating Your Fall Distance Shock Absorbing Lanyard

Calculating Your Fall Distance Retractable LL

Full-body Harnesses and Belts ◦Full-body harnesses wrap around the waist, shoulders and legs. A D-ring located in the center of the back provides a connecting point for lanyards or other fall arrest connection devices. ◦Belts are used in positioning system applications. These belts have two side D- rings, and are used only for restraining a worker in position. This type of belt is not used for any vertical free fall protection. ◦You must inspect them before each use.

Attachment Location ◦The attachment of the body harness must be located in the center of the wearer's back, near the shoulder level, or above the head. ◦OSHA Standard: (d)(17) ◦Adjusted to limit free fall to no more than 6 feet.

Body Harness ◦Body harnesses are designed to minimize stress forces on an employee's body in the event of a fall, while providing sufficient freedom of movement to allow work to be performed. ◦ANSI Z359.1 limits the force to 900 lbs., OSHA 1800 lbs. ◦Do not use body harnesses to hoist materials.

Body Harnesses ◦As of January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system, because they impose a danger of internal injuries when stopping a fall.

Self-retracting Lifelines/Lanyards ◦Self-retracting vertical lifelines that automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet (.61 m) or less must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN) when in the fully extended position. ◦If used in a horizontal position, make sure it is designed to be used in that position by the manufacturer.

Webbing ◦Webbing are the ropes and straps used in lifelines, lanyards, and strength components of body harnesses. ◦The webbing must be made from synthetic fibers. ◦OSHA Standard: (d)(14)

Connectors ◦Connectors, including D-rings and snap hooks, must be made from drop-forged, pressed or formed steel, or equivalent materials. They must have a corrosion- resistant finish, with smooth surfaces and edges to prevent damage to connecting parts of the system.

Horizontal Lifelines ◦Horizontal lifelines are to be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person, and as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two, 10,000 pounds (44.4 kN).

Garlock Single or Multi-Tank System (in a box)

Garlock Multi-Tank Stanchions Main Mid Termination Typical anchor

Garlock Single Tank and Bridging Tank End Attachment Mid Tank Positioner

Snap hooks ◦Snap hooks - must also require two separate motions to open and have a rated gate when buying new equipment.

Anchorages ◦Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms, and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached, or must be designed and used as follows: ◦Under the supervision of a qualified person.

Anchorage ◦As part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two.

Fall Arrest Equipment -ABCs ◦A is for the Anchor Point. ◦B is for the Body Harness. ◦C is for the Connecting Device.

“Roll out” ◦Occurs when the snap hook disengages from the Anchor Point. ◦If the connecting element that a snap hook (shown) or carabiner attaches to is undersized or irregular in shape, a situation could occur where the connecting element applies a force to the gate of the snap hook or carabiner. This force may cause the gate (of either a self-locking or a non-locking snap hook) to open, allowing the snap hook or carabiner to disengage from the connecting point.

Inappropriate Connections ◦Large throat opening snap hooks should not be connected to standard size D-rings or similar objects which will result in a load on the gate if the hook or D-ring twists or rotates. ◦ Large throat snap hooks are designed for use on fixed structural elements such as rebar or cross members that are not shaped in a way that can capture the gate of the hook.

Inappropriate Connections

Administrative Rules and Fall Arrest Maintenance ◦When fall protection of any kind is provided, the employees using the fall protection must be instructed of the limitations to that system’s effectiveness.

Guardrails ◦Guardrails are the primary means of fall protection in industry and construction. ◦Rails must be able to support 200 lbs. in all directions but up. ◦Top Rails must be at 42 inches (+ 3) above surface. ◦Mid-rails must be installed at 21 inches

Orthostatic Intolerance / Suspension Trauma ◦Trauma Orthostatic intolerance may be experienced by workers using fall arrest systems. Prolonged suspension from a fall arrest systems can cause orthostatic intolerance, which in turn can result in physical injury, or potentially, death. ◦Research indicates that’s suspension in a fall arrest device can result in unconsciousness, followed by death, in less than 30 minutes.

◦Inspect equipment before use ◦Get faulty equipment repaired before using it. ◦Follow safe work practices in all off-the-ground situations ◦Frayed or broken harness straps ◦D-ring securely attached and not bent ◦Tears, missing stitches or damaged hardware Inspection and Maintenance

Even Modest Height falls can cause injury A Team Mate in Houston was securing his load preparing for transport He lost his balance and jumped down from his trailer His hard landing resulted in a fracture to each of his legs

Injuries Affect Everyone Our Team mate was looking forward to retiring soon to spend time with his 11 grand children This will affect his lifestyle while he heals With a little planning and caution this could have been prevented Stop, Plan, and Act safely. Your Team and your Family are depending on you!