OFFERED BY: CH BULL CO SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA BASIC FALL PROTECTION OFFERED BY: CH BULL CO SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Your Instructors ANDY BULL President C. H. Bull Company

Falls Kill Unrestrained falls from 10’ kill or disable 4 out of 5 victims Unrestrained falls from 11’ kill 4 out of 5

PHYSICS OF A FALL Elapsed Distance Velocity Speed MPH Force at Time of fall Ft. per second impact .25 1 Ft 8 5.5 400 Lbs .50 4 Ft 16 11 1600 Lbs .61 6 Ft 20 14 2400 Lbs .75 9 Ft 24 16 3600 Lbs 1.0 16 Ft 32 22 6400 Lbs 1.25 25 Ft 40 27 10,000 Lbs 1.5 36 Ft 48 33 14,000 Lbs 1.75 49 Ft 56 38 19,600 Lbs *calculations based upon a 200 pound worker including tools.

Construction In 1995 1,048 people died on the job 32% of fatal accidents involved falls

Key Areas of Concern Falls from heights Confined spaces Lift equipment Scaffolds

Eliminating the Risk Don’t go there Build a work platform Implement a personal fall arrest system Use alternative means

Fall Protection A series of steps taken to reasonably lessen or eliminate the risk of falling in the work place

What Is Fall Protection? Equipment? Planning? A culture change? It is all of the above

Key Fall Exposures, Concerns At heights When positioned Confined spaces Lift devices

The Regulatory Environment Employers have the GENERAL DUTY to provide a safe, healthy workplace

Hierarchy of Regulation State or federal standards Minimum acceptable Manufacturer notices, warnings, instructions Employer safety policy

Generally Speaking the Regs Require Fed OSHA limits free falls to 6’ or less Cal/OSHA limits free fall to 30” or more Special criteria for confined space work Fall protection in lift devices Scaffold builders to be “tied off”

Specific Regulations 29CFR1910 29CFR1926 Multiple state regulations CAL/OSHA of Regulations, Title 8 Subchapter 7

Two Types of Personnel Are Described Competent Qualified

Competent Persons Know application limits Regulations Able to “solve and resolve” problems Have authority to take necessary actions

Qualified Persons Degree or certificate of competency Vast experience Skill necessary to “solve and resolve” technical problems

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Must be in place when the risk is present Must limit impact loads on the victim Must ACTUALLY work in the environment in which they are used

At Heights Maximum free fall Minimum anchor strength Maximum impact loads Adequate clear space for use Fall protection is 10% equipment; 90% rigging

When Positioned A fall of NO MORE THAN 2 FEET A minimum 3,000# anchor All other hardware must meet PFAS requirements

Confined Space Fall Protection and Retrieval Needs Holes Excavations Ship maintenance & construction Tanks

Types of Confined Space Permit Required - IDLH situations may be encountered Non Permit Required - NO IDLH situations

“Fall Protection” Opportunities Falls Extractions

Entry & Exit Requirements Without approved means of entry Basic fall protection Personnel winch cannot be used as load winch With approved means of entry Extraction only in permit-required situations

Powered Lift Equipment Confusing Scenario Scissor lift Boom lift or other device

Scissors Lift Working surface

Boom Lift Must be “tied off” 29CFR1910.67(c)(2)(v) A full body harness shall be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift.

One More Look at Boom Lifts Do you see any problems here? Free fall potential? Anchor strength? Basket capacity?

Scaffold Fall Protection ???? Conflicting guidance abounds CAL / OSHA Title 8 Subchapter 18 has the most information on scaffold

Federal Regulatory Basis OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Sub R Steel erection only 29 CFR 1926 Sub M Well documented 6’ free fall

29CFR1926 Sub R Significant changes 1926.760(a) sets 15’ “trigger height” with exceptions Specific training

Definition of “Steel Erection” “…the construction, alteration or repair of steel buildings…installation of decking…used in the process of erection.” 29CFR1926.751

Connectors Protected from falls of more than 30’ 29CFR1926.760(b)(1) 15’ to 30’ PFAS or positioning or restraint system 29CFR1926.760(b)(3)

Decking Established procedures for controlled decking zone (CDZ)

What if Conventional Fall Protection Will Not Work Fall protection plans are acceptable alternative Very restrictive Very specific

Fall Protection Plans Require clear statement that “conventional” fall protection “is impractical or creates a greater hazard.” Must clearly identify why conventional systems are not appropriate

Plans Must be Specific Where it is to be implemented Who is responsible for implementation A qualified person must approve the plan and any changes The plan must be maintained on site

Additional Actions May be Required for Compliance Title 8§1671.1(a)(9) requires controlled access zones and safety monitoring when “no other alternatives measure has been implemented….”

Controlled Access Zones Control line set not less than 6’ nor more than 25’ from unprotected or leading edge Set with lowest point no less than 39” nor more than 45” above the working level Must be clearly marked at not more than 6’ intervals

Safety Monitoring Safety monitor must be competent person Must always be in communication with employees being monitored Monitor should have no other responsibilities diverting attention

Safety at Heights: A Simple Proposition A - anchorage B - full body harness C - connectors D - devices

Anchor Points Basic - most common alternative Engineered - meets 2:1 safety factor Most common errors Assume anchor point is strong enough Somebody else tied off to this anchor point

Can You Recognize an Appropriate Anchor? 5,000 lbs 3,000 lbs How about a rule of thumb?

Anchor Point Evaluation Ford F-250 Extended Cab 2 WD 5,058 lb.

Anchorage Selection 5,000 pound requirement Set as high as possible Cuts free fall Use correct device Cable or web sling Carabiner, handgrip

Weight Limits Most fall arrest equipment sold in the United States has a stated weight limit of 310 pounds. Why? Anchor quality

B: Body Harness The only acceptable device for use in a fall arrest situation Spreads load to minimize injuries OSHA allows 1,800 pound impact load ANSI Z359.1-1992 limits impact to 900 pounds Positions victim for rescue

Harness Categories General use Specialized Rescue, Climbing

Common Features Ease of inspection Improved labeling Two-color design

Harness Fit Harness Fit Legs closed tightly Sub pelvic strap correctly positioned D-ring positioned between shoulders

Harness Inspection Webbing okay? Hardware okay? No burns, tears, discoloration Hardware okay? Properly positioned No cracks

Connectors Must be double locking Must be compatible Must be inspected prior to each use

Energy Absorbing Devices Must absorb the energy built up during a fall Must control energy imparted on both victim and anchor point All get longer under load

Shock Absorber Types Rip stitch “Woof material” Tearing Self retracting lifelines

Inspection is Critical Webbing undamaged? Hardware functional? Shock absorber okay?

Make Your Inspection COMPLETE! Internal damage can be hard to detect Tug on the lanyard legs to be sure they are attached

Falls Actually Don’t Kill…. The Stop Does the Damage Contact with lower levels, dangerous equipment Swings into structures

Fall Protection Math Lanyard length + shock absorber length + victim height + elongation = REQUIRED CLEAR SPACE 6’ + 6’ + 42” + 1’ = >15’ Do you have this much distance?

Falls: Quick, Deadly

Fall Protection: 10% equipment 90% rigging

Rigging Is Critical Anchor set as high as possible Lanyard attached properly to harness Shock absorber clipped to back d-ring

Self Retracting Lifelines Must be positioned over work area Minimize swing fall potential Cuts anchor requirement 3,000 lbs.... Vs. 5,000 lbs..

Temporary Horizontal Lifelines Ideal for steel, bridge, and decking Anchored correctly Check vertical clearance Nearly 20’ may be needed

Minimum Clearance Requirements Vary Pro-Span system needs 22’ for one man & 60’ interval BeamSafe needs 16’ for one man & 60’ interval

Engineered Fall Arrest/Protection Systems Fall arrest – there may be fall from an exposed edge Fall restraint – prevents personnel from reaching an exposed edge

Typical Rail Car Unloading, Inspection Installation Demanding vertical performance Must be user friendly

There are Lots of Opportunities

Rail Car

Cell Tower

Light Tower

Amphitheater

Arenas

Hanger

Crane Runway

Ladder

Bridge

Roof Application

Rides or Attractions

Horizontal systems Cable systems Rigid rail systems Embedded strut Beam trolley

Cable System

Rigid Rail System

Embedded Strut

Beam Trolley

Vertical climbing systems Cable systems Rail systems

Cable System

Rigid Rail System

Summary- Engineered Systems Definition Standards Hazards and Solutions What are the benefits of an Engineered System?

Benefits Cost effective Versatile Low Maintenance Very easy to use COMPLIANT

Inspection Intervals Title 8 Sec 1670 (19) requires that PFAS “shall be inspected not less than twice annually” by a competent person Inspection date must be documented

Rescue: The Final Challenge Most falls are self rescued If rescue is required it Must be timely, per OSHA Must be within 15 minutes, per ANSI Must be part of the plan

A Safety Reminder Think again! Even if you were born to do a job, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to automatically do it safely.… You know what you're doing, its what you've been trained to do your whole life. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right??? Think again!

Thank You! It starts right now. Remember knowledge is not power, it is what you do with what you know that gives you power