1. FALL PROTECTION

2. Overview Identify fall hazardous areas
Describing potential fall hazards
How appropriate portable and extension ladders are used

3. Fall Protection
All situations that expose personnel to a fall of 6’ or greater must be assessed by a competent person who is trained in fall protection to implement appropriate controls
“Military unique” such as obstacle course training and rappelling are covered by SOP or other military standards, but requirements of CFR 1910 and 1926 apply if feasible
The General Industry and Construction Standards cover fall protection systems and use requirements

4. Unit /Employer Responsibilities
Ensure personnel who may be exposed to fall hazards receive fall protection awareness training
Provide fall protection equipment
Ensure work site hazards are assessed and SOPs relating to fall protection are current
Installation Safety Manager
Provide fall protection training and material as required
Provide recommendations for fall protection
Review all fall protection SOPs before they are published
Stop any work operations not in compliance
Supervisors
Get assistance from ISM for assessing potential fall hazards
Provide personnel with a written SOP
Provide stable work platforms, scaffolds, ladders, fall protection equipment, debris nets, and barriers
Ensure personnel are properly trained and enforce the use of fall protection equipment
Marine Corps Personnel
Comply with the fall protection program requirements
Request supervisor’s assistance when assessing potential fall hazards
Use equipment and techniques properly
Inspect all equipment before use and maintain IAW manufacturers recommendations
Remove any defective or shock-loaded equipment from service until inspected by competent person or manufacturer
Report unsafe work conditions to the supervisor

5. Types of Fall Protection
Guardrails
Personal Fall Arrest System with Harnesses
Safety nets
Covers
Warning Line Systems
Safety Monitoring Systems
Positioning and Restraint Systems
Keep Rescue Operations into consideration when considering fall protection.

6. Guardrails
Temporary or permanent: capable of withstanding 200 lbs force applied within 2” of top edge in any out or downward direction along it’s length
Top rail
Mid rail
Toe board
Top rail
39” to 45” (42”) above the walking/working surface
Mid rail
Installed between the top rail and working surface so
opening doesn’t exceed 19”
Toe board
4” high from working surface

7. Personal Fall Arrest System with Harnesses
Free-fall is no more than 6’
All components must be rated at 5000 lbs. breaking strength and be compatible for use together as a system
May include horizontal, vertical, or self-retracting life lines
System is composed of
Anchor system (A)
Full body harness (B)
- Body belts not authorized
Lanyard with shock absorbing device (C)
Self locking connectors (D) D

8. Safety Nets
Extend a minimum of 8 ft. from the edge of the working surface
Installed as close as possible to the working level
Able to withstand a weight of 400 lbs. dropped from the highest point of the working surface

9. Covers
Able to withstand twice the weight of personnel, equipment, and materials that may be imposed at any time
Must be fastened to prevent slipping
Must be marked “cover” or “hole”

10. Warning Line Systems
System can only be used on low-slope roofs with a pitch equal or less than 4” in 12”
Rope, wire, or chain placed 34” to 39” high
Placed at least 6 ft. from the edge of roof
Flagged with high visibility material every 6 ft.
Support able to withstand 16 lbs. of force without tipping

11. Safety Monitoring System
A competent person
Must be on the same working surface
Can have no other duties but observe
System be used on low
slope roofs only
A competent person to warn workers if they appear to be unaware of a fall hazard
Must be on the same working surface as the workers with no visual obstructions and able to communicate orally with workers
Can have no other duties
Can only be used on low
slope roofs, pitch equal to
or less than 4” in 12”, and
flat roofs

12. Positioning and Restraint Systems
Will not allow a person to fall more than 2 feet
Anchor strength must be a minimum of 3000 lbs.

13. Rescue Operations
The ISM and supervisors shall insure personnel can be rescued promptly
A rescue and evacuation plan must be in place
The ISM and supervisors shall insure personnel exposed to fall hazards can be promptly rescued, or able to recover themselves if they fall
A rescue and evacuation plan must be in place that includes emergency procedures, methods of rescue, equipment used, and training requirements

14. Scaffolds moved to reach a desired work level or position
Scaffolds are elevated platforms that can be
moved to reach a desired work level or position
2 main types of scaffolds
Suspension
Mobile

15. Scaffolds Tube and Suspended
Hang by ropes or wires from an overhead support
Single/Double Point
Suspension
Keep scaffolds at least 10 ft from energized power lines
Use a personal fall arrest system attached to a proper anchor
A guardrail is required if the scaffold is more than 14” away from surface being worked on
Don’t use scaffolds if winds are over 40 mph
Mobile
Rest on the ground and may be supported by wheels or casters
The height of the scaffold should not be more than 4 times it’s base measurement
Set the brakes and chock the wheels to keep the scaffold from moving while you work
Use approved outriggers to increase the width of the base for a higher scaffold
Clear a pathway for the scaffold that is free of any debris, cracks or holes
Alert everyone in the area that the scaffold will be moved
Push as close to the bottom of the scaffold as possible

17. Ladders Two basic types of ladders Portable ladders - Step ladder
Extension ladder
Fixed ladders
Portable Metal Ladders
No structural defects or accident hazards such as sharp edges, burrs, etc.
Slip resistant rungs
(a)(1)Designed to produce a ladder without structural defects or accident hazards such as sharp edges, burrs, etc.
(a)(1)(v)Slip resistant rungs

18. Portable Ladders Stepladder
Make sure the ladder is fully open and the spreaders are locked
Don’t climb, stand or sit on the top two rungs

19. Portable Ladders cont. Extension ladder
Set up with about 3 feet extension above the working surface
Be sure to secure or foot the ladder firmly before extending
Never raise or lower the ladder with the fly section extended
Tie off at top

20. Portable Ladders cont.
Figure out the right set-up angle or pitch - should be about 1/4 of the distance from the ladder’s top to bottom supports

21. General Ladder Safety
If you must use a ladder in a passageway, set out cones or barricades
Use both hands for climbing
Tie off the ladder to a secure object
Make sure the footing is secure
Use wooden or fiberglass ladders for electrical work
Don’t reach when on a ladder

22. Inspecting Ladders Look for broken or missing steps or rungs
Look for broken or split side rails and other defects
Check footing devices when installed
Tag defective ladders “out of service” or “do not use”
Don’t paint ladders, it covers defects
Missing rung

23. Use of Ladders
Portable ladders are designed as a one-man working ladder based on a 200-pound load.
The ladder base section must be placed with a secure footing.
The top of the ladder must be placed with the two rails supported, unless equipped with a single support attachment.

24. Use of Ladders
When ascending or descending the climber must face the ladder and have two points of contact
(c)

25. Fixed Ladders Must be able to support two loads of 250lbs
Must be able to withstand rigging, impact loads and weather conditions
If fixed ladder is longer than 24 ft, must have cages or wells to protect worker from falling
May have a ladder climbing device installed
Ladders that are permanently attached to buildings or other physical structures
Must be able to support two loads of 250lbs
Must be able to withstand rigging, impact loads and weather conditions
If fixed ladder is longer than 24 ft, must have cages or wells to protect worker from falling
May have a ladder climbing device installed

26. Stairways
use handrails !

27. Stairways
Must be strong enough to carry 5 times it’s maximum intended load
Treads must be slip resistant and equally spaced

28. Stairways cont.
Stairways landings must be at least 30 inches deep and 22 inches wide at every 12 feet or less of vertical rise
Unprotected sides of landings must have standard 42 inch guardrail systems

29. variation in any stairway system
Stairways cont.
Install between 30 and 50 degrees
Must have uniform riser height and tread depth, with less than a 1/4-inch variation
Uniform - 30 & 50 deg. angle
No more than 1/4 inch
variation in any stairway system

30. Stairways cont.
Stairways with four or more risers, or higher than 30” must be equipped with at least one handrail

31. Stairways cont. Fix slippery conditions before using
Stairway parts must be free of projections which may cause injuries or snag clothing

32. Training Conducted by a competent person designated by the ISM
Training shall be provided
to all personnel that may
be exposed to fall hazards
Nature of fall hazards in work area
Procedures for erecting, inspecting, and disassembling fall protection systems being used
Use and operation of fall protection systems being used
Correct procedures for handling and storing equipment and materials and overhead protection
Role of each person in the safety monitoring system

37. References NAVMC DIR 5100.8, Chapter 18 29 CFR 1910 29 CFR 1926
COE EM
Local SOP