2. Fall Protection From Elevated Platforms

3. Introduction
Have you heard about the guy who fell off an eighty-foot ladder, got up and walked away without a scratch?

4. He fell off the first step.
Introduction
He fell off the first step.

5. Introduction
In all seriousness, if you fall more than 30 feet and land on a hard surface, it will probably be your last fall.

6. Introduction
According to the American College of Surgeons, a fall of anything over twice a person’s height has a greater then 50% probability of major injury.

7. Introduction
You must be aware and alert to the risks when working at any elevated height. While the dangers of falling from a great height are obvious, many workers underestimate how dangerous a short fall can be. In general industry, work levels at a height of 4 feet or more require fall protection.

8. Introduction
There are several areas that this program will focus on. Fall protection from flatbed trucks, scissor lifts, crane bridges, and the proper use of lanyards.

9. Flatbed Trucks
There are risks associated with working on or around flatbed trucks that can be greatly reduced by following these guidelines.

10. Flatbed Trucks
First, be aware of the environmental factors that can impact safety. Make sure that the truck is parked on a level surface. This will ensure that you are working on a level surface when on the flatbed trailer.

11. Flatbed Trucks
Also, by having the truck parked on a level surface you decrease the chance for accidental trailer rolling to occur.

12. Flatbed Trucks
Check to make sure that the deck of the trailer is free of dirt, oil, and other debris. Check to see if the flatbed is dry or wet. The chances of slipping and falling increase if the deck is wet. Avoid wet spots whenever possible. If you work in an area where there are slippery surfaces, wear shoes with non-skid soles.

13. Flatbed Trucks
Minimize the need to access the flatbed trailer and complete required inspections from the ground.

14. Flatbed Trucks
If you have to work on the deck of the flatbed prevent falls by staying alert; pay attention to the task at hand, but also maintain awareness of where you are in relation to the edges of the deck.

15. Flatbed Trucks
With flatbed trailers, there will usually be an overhead crane involved in the loading and unloading process. When loading or unloading, know where the overhead crane is at all times.

16. Flatbed Trucks
Your environment is always changing, by being alert and paying attention you will decrease the risk of being injured.

17. Loading Process
When loading a flatbed trailer, first circle around the trailer from the ground and inspect the deck for damage or debris that could be a potential trip hazard.

18. Loading Process
To decrease the risk of falling, complete as many of the tasks as you can from ground level. Accessing the top of the trailer is also a known hazard when working on flatbed trailers because typically the trailers are not equipped with proper access equipment.

19. Loading Process
It is recommended that a portable stair platform with hand rails be utilized to access the flatbed trailer. Be sure the portable stair’s wheels are locked or that the floor stand is engaged to prevent movement of the stairs while climbing on the trailer.

20. Loading Process
Do not run up or down stairs or skip a step. Take them one at a time, and be sure to use the hand railing. Falls often happen when people are in a hurry or are thinking about something else. Stairways deserve your full concentration.

21. Loading Process
Stairs should be kept clear at all times. Do not store anything on stairs, even for a short time.

22. Loading Process
Once on the top of the trailer scan the deck to make sure you didn’t miss any hazards. Then use the crane controls to guide the material onto the trailer. Make sure not to swing the load or try to stop a swinging load with your hand.

23. Loading Process
Always try to position yourself in the center of trailer and work front to back to prevent the need to walk over loaded materials. Never position yourself between the load and the side edge of the trailer. If the load does swing, you could be knocked off the side.

24. Loading Process
Lower the load to the deck gradually. The load can then be secured from ground level.

25. Loading Process
The last step is to tarp the load. If you feel that you cannot safely tarp the load, then you should ask for assistance. If necessary, ask for a spotter to keep those on the trailer away from the sides.

26. Loading Process
While working on the flatbed truck do not step or climb on the product. There is limited space on a flatbed trailer which leaves little room for error.

27. Loading Process
Remember: take your time, be aware of your environment, and complete as much work as you can from the ground. There are other options for tarping to minimize the need for manual tarping from the elevated platform of the trailer.

28. Loading Process
You can tarp from the ground with a rolling and retractable tarping system.

29. Loading Process
You can tarp with side kit arrangements which are commonly called covered wagons.

30. Loading Process
Use an overhead fall protection system such as a body harness and fall arrest system.

31. Loading Process
When using a fall arrest system and working on the flatbed trailer, ensure that the overhead lanyard does not potentially impact the crane. The fall arrest system must operate freely without interference.

32. Loading Process
Or, you can utilize a rail system that mounts in the pockets of the flatbed trailer.

33. Loading Process
These side rails act as fall protection while you manually tarp the load on top of the flatbed trailer. When using this kind of system the operator must be very cautious not to be positioned in an area where they could be trapped between the rail and the load while using an overhead crane.

34. Loading Process
At the present time there is not a prevalent system utilized in the industry to protect from fall hazards on flatbed trailers.

35. Scissor Lifts
When working from heights, scissor lifts are generally safer to use than ladders.

36. Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts supply a level platform to stand on while providing an easy means to reach work sites far above the ground. Although they are safer than ladders, scissor lifts are not accident proof.

37. Scissor Lifts
The best way to eliminate the risks is to be aware of them and follow safe work practices every time you use a scissor lift.

38. Scissor Lifts
Every aerial lift requires the use of fall protection. For scissor lifts, a guardrail is considered adequate fall protection, as long as the worker stays within the boundaries of the guardrail.

39. Scissor Lifts
A standard guardrail consists of a top rail, midrail, posts and toe boards. The guard rail shall have a height of 42 inches from the upper surface of the top rail to the floor. A standard toe board is 4 inches in vertical height.

40. Scissor Lifts
Some workers prefer the added protection of a safety harness attached to a lanyard.

41. Scissor Lifts
All aerial lifts have a load capacity rating that indicates the amount of weight the lift can safely carry. Before work begins, you must know the rating of the lift and make sure that the combined weight of all personnel, tools, equipment, and materials carried on the lift does not exceed this rating.

42. Scissor Lifts
A good safety practice is to have a person stationed on the ground who is able to give aid in the event of an emergency. The person on the ground also acts as a spotter and needs to be aware of any potential hazards.

43. Scissor Lifts
For example, when working around overhead cranes the spotter needs to know where the overhead crane is in to relation to the lift at all times.

44. Scissor Lifts
The operator of the lift is responsible for inspecting the lift before each day’s use. Check that there are no loose or missing parts on the unit. Check that all warning signs and decals on the lift are readable; these display critical information such as the make and model of the lift, the rated workload capacity, the maximum platform height, and maximum operating pressure of the hydraulic system.

45. Scissor Lifts
Inspect for leaks in the air, hydraulic fluid, and fuel systems, and make sure hydraulic hoses are free of kinks and pinch points.

46. Scissor Lifts
Be sure that tires are at the correct air pressure and look for punctures, cracks, and tread wear.

47. Scissor Lifts
During the pre-start inspection, if a problem is discovered that affects the safe operation of the lift, tag-out the machine and report this to your supervisor immediately.

48. Scissor Lifts
Because hazards in the environment are every bit as dangerous as faulty equipment, it is important to also inspect the area where you will be working.

49. Scissor Lifts
During inspection, check overhead for possible obstructions or electrical runways that can be exposed live conductors. A safe working distance of 10-feet should be maintained from exposed live wires including crane runway conductors.

50. Scissor Lifts
Before mounting or dismounting from a lift, make sure that the platform is in the lowered position. Any climbing should be done using the 3 points of contact method. That means both hands and one foot, or both feet and one hand should be in contact with the equipment at all times.

51. Scissor Lifts
Once inside the lift, remember to secure the entry door or chains before raising the equipment.

52. Scissor Lifts
When operating the controls use a slow, easy touch so that the platform’s movement is smooth rather than jerky. While extending the lift, always make sure that you stay within the vertical and horizontal reach limits established by the manufacturer.

53. Scissor Lifts
If at any time the equipment appears to be malfunctioning, stop work immediately and report the problem to your supervisor.

54. Scissor Lifts
While working from a scissor lift, keep your feet firmly on the floor. Do not climb or sit on the edge of the basket, platform or guardrail, and do not use planks, ladders, scaffolds, boxes, or any other such device to increase your working height.

55. Scissor Lifts
Government regulations do not prohibit a worker from leaving an elevated bucket platform to gain access to an off-the-ground worksite, but it may be prohibited by your employer.

56. Scissor Lifts
If it is allowed, and it becomes necessary to complete a task, check with your employer on the exact procedure for that facility and equipment. Obviously, if not done carefully, this can be a very dangerous activity- never make the transfer off the lift, unless you are protected 100 percent of the time by effective fall protection equipment.

57. Scissor Lifts
Another potentially dangerous procedure is moving a lift while the worker is elevated in the lift. This is only allowed if the lift is designed for that purpose and the operator has complete control over the elevated movement of the lift.

58. Scissor Lifts
The route to be traveled must be surveyed immediately before the move, with a check for traffic, holes or uneven surfaces, and obstructions overhead.

59. Scissor Lifts
While the lift is in motion keep your focus on the direction you are traveling and maintain a safe distance from potential hazards.

60. Scissor Lifts
Once a task is completed, check that the area is clear of workers and obstructions before lowering the platform. Before leaving a scissor lift unattended, secure it by setting the parking brake and removing the key.

61. Working On Bridges
If you are working on a crane bridge and the work that needs to be done can be completed while safely positioned on the bridge, ensure guardrails are in place on the bridge and that they meet OSHA’s standards.

62. Working On Bridges
Properly designed guard rails on the bridge of the crane can be used as fall protection while conducting work or maintenance activities on the crane. If the employee on the bridge of the crane moves off the protected platform, they will need to have a lanyard system tied to a secure structure.

63. Working On Bridges
When working on the bridge take only the tools you need. To prevent trip hazards, practice good housekeeping habits. Any employee who is working from the bridge is responsible for cleaning up any debris and removing all tools when the tasks are completed.

64. Lanyards
When working on a scissor lift or on a bridge and there is work that needs to be done outside of the guardrails, then a lanyard must be used.

65. Lanyards
A lanyard connects the full body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage. Lanyards are short, flexible lines, usually with connectors at each end, made of rope, high-tensile strength webbing, or steel cable.

66. Lanyards
Lanyards and vertical lifelines must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.

67. Lanyards
Do not connect a lanyard between a body harness and a self-retracting deceleration device because this can add more free fall distance to the system. Free fall must be limited to 6 feet or less.

68. Lanyards
If utilizing a lanyard system on a flatbed trailer, the system must be designed to respond with less than four feet.

69. Lanyards
The lanyard system must never contact the bridge of the crane when loading with an overhead crane. The lanyard needs to be attached to the anchorage point in a way that does not reduce its required strength.

70. Lanyards
If using snap-hooks, they must be locking snap-hooks that fit together properly with the harness’s D-rings. Do not attach two snap-hooks to each other. Make sure snap-hooks are compatible with the hardware they are being attached to.

71. Lanyards
An anchorage is a secure point of attachment for a personal fall arrest system. It must be independent from the means supporting or suspending a worker.

72. Lanyards
An anchorage must be able to support a weight of at least 5,000 pounds for each worker attached. The anchorage should be located so that if a free fall occurs, an attached worker will not collide with it or contact any lower level hazard.

73. Lanyards
The tie-off point to a lifeline or anchorage is usually at or above the D-ring on the back of the worker’s full body harness. This reduces free fall distance. Tie-off is the act of connecting, directly or indirectly, to an anchorage point.

74. Lanyards
Some ways of connecting to an anchoring system can reduce the strength of a personal fall arrest system and should be avoided. A knot should never be tied in a lanyard. A tie-off using a knot in the lanyard or lifeline at any location can reduce the strength of the line by 80 percent or more.

75. Lanyards
The lanyard or lifeline should be replaced by one that has the proper connector to eliminate the need for a knot.

76. Lanyards
A tie-off around “H” or “I” beams can reduce the strength of the line by 70 percent or more. A webbing lanyard or wire core lifeline should be used around the beam to protect the lanyard or lifeline from the sharp edges.

77. Avoid a tie-off around rough or sharp edges.
Lanyards
Avoid a tie-off around rough or sharp edges.

78. Lanyards
Fall protection devices must be inspected before each use by a competent person. Harnesses and lanyards need to be examined for mildew, wear, damage, and deterioration Anchor points, snap-hooks, D-rings, scaffolding, and guardrails should be inspected for damage that could affect their efficiency.

79. Lanyards
Defective or damaged parts must be taken out of service immediately and should be tagged or marked “unusable” or destroyed.

80. Summary
We have discussed fall protection from flatbed trucks, scissor lifts, bridges, and the proper use of lanyards.

81. Summary
When working on a flatbed trailer pay attention to the constantly changing environment.

82. Summary
Scissor lifts are safer than ladders, but this does not mean that there aren’t any risks.

83. Summary
Stay within the guardrails. If you must work outside the guardrails be sure to have fall protection.

84. Summary
Follow safe work practices when using a scissor lift and be aware of the risks.

85. Always inspect the lift before each day’s use.
Summary
Always inspect the lift before each day’s use.

86. Whenever possible have someone on the ground to act as a spotter.
Summary
Whenever possible have someone on the ground to act as a spotter.

87. Summary
While working on crane bridges, stay within the guardrails. If work must be completed outside the guardrails use a lanyard.

88. Before using a lanyard, inspect it for any damage or deterioration.
Summary
Before using a lanyard, inspect it for any damage or deterioration.

89. Summary
A fall from a high height is dangerous but so is a short-distance fall, which is why being aware of the risks and paying attention are important when working from any height.

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