Fall Protection

Types of falls v Falls from same level SlipsSlips TripsTrips High frequency rateHigh frequency rate Low injury severity rateLow injury severity rate 1a

Types of falls v Falls from an elevation Relatively low frequency rateRelatively low frequency rate High injury severity rateHigh injury severity rate v Specific potential fall hazards 1b

Common fall protection systems v Guardrail systems and toeboards v Handrail and stair rail systems v Designated areas 2a

Common fall protection systems v Hole covers v Safety net systems v Ladder cages 2b

Common fall protection systems v Ramps and bridging devices v Slip-resistant floors v Effective housekeeping 2c

What happens during a fall? v Person loses his/her balance v Body unintentionally moves from an upright position to a prone, or semi-prone position 3a

What happens during a fall? v Free-fall velocity at impact when falling 12 feet is nearly 20 M.P.H. v Person hits the ground in less than one second from this distance 3b

Falls are dangerous because of three primary elements: v The free-fall distance the worker falls v The shock absorption at impact v The body weight of the worker Why falls are dangerous 4a

Free-fall distance v The uncontrolled length of travel before a worker hits the floor, ground, or before fall arrest equipment activates v Measured from the foot level before the fall, to the foot level after the fall 5a

Free-fall distance v Free-fall distance should be limited to a few feet so as to prevent injury from: collisions with grade levelcollisions with grade level collisions with obstructions near the work sitecollisions with obstructions near the work site pendulum-like swings that result in collision with objectspendulum-like swings that result in collision with objects 5b

Shock absorption at impact v Varies according to the types of fall protection equipment used v Shock-absorbing lanyards reduce the probability of injury 6a

Body weight of the worker v Falls have more severe impact on heavy workers v “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” v Heavy workers may have larger waistlines, preventing fall arrest equipment from fitting properly 7a

Fall arrest systems v Used when engineering controls are not feasible or sufficient to eliminate the risk of a fall v Fall arrest systems should match the work situation 8a

Fall arrest systems v Fall arrest systems should: prevent a worker from falling more than 6 feetprevent a worker from falling more than 6 feet prevent a worker from contacting any lower level during arrest of a fallprevent a worker from contacting any lower level during arrest of a fall 8b

Fall arrest systems v Fall arrest systems should: limit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1800 pounds when a worker uses a body harnesslimit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1800 pounds when a worker uses a body harness bring a worker to a complete stopbring a worker to a complete stop limit the deceleration distance a worker travels to 3 1/2 feetlimit the deceleration distance a worker travels to 3 1/2 feet 8c

Fall arrest systems v Fall arrest systems should: have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential energy impact of a worker falling a distance of 6 feet - or-have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential energy impact of a worker falling a distance of 6 feet - or- have sufficient strength to withstand the free-fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is lesshave sufficient strength to withstand the free-fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less 8d

Personal fall protection v Personal fall arrest systems v Positioning device system v Personal fall protection system for climbing activities 9a

Training v Equipment inspection v Application limits v Methods of use v Donning, doffing, adjusting equipment 10a

Training v Anchoring and tie-off techniques v Emergency rescue plans and implementation v Maintenance procedures v Storage techniques 10b

Vendor/Supplier information Comprehensive instructions for fall arrest system use and application, provided by the supplier, should consist of: 11a

Vendor/Supplier information v The force measured during the sample force test v Maximum elongation measured for lanyards during the force test 11b

Vendor/Supplier information v Deceleration distance for deceleration devices measured during the force test v Caution statements on critical-use limitations 11c

Vendor/Supplier information v Application limits v Proper hook-ups 11d

Vendor/Supplier information v Anchoring tie-off techniques v Proper climbing techniques 11e

Vendor/Supplier information v Methods of inspection, use, cleaning, storage v Lifelines 11f

Reporting fall hazards v Employees will not experience repercussions from reporting hazards v Employees should report unsafe equipment, conditions, procedures 12a

Reporting fall hazards v Equipment repair receives top priority v Under no circumstances will defective equipment be used 12b

Reporting fall hazards v When fall conditions exist: Take short stepsTake short steps Keep toes pointed outKeep toes pointed out Walk on the whole foot when crossing rough or slippery surfacesWalk on the whole foot when crossing rough or slippery surfaces Avoid making sharp turnsAvoid making sharp turns If you fall, protect your head and neckIf you fall, protect your head and neck 12c

Reporting fall hazards v Disciplinary actions for failure to use equipment 12d

Housekeeping v Effective housekeeping prevents falls v Keep high work areas free from: ToolsTools MaterialsMaterials DebrisDebris LiquidsLiquids 13a