Safe Work Procedure Template · Web view2021. 6. 11. · The key word in the PFPS (Personal Fall Protection System) acronym is “SYSTEM”. The PFPS is a system of three (3) singular

Title: Safe Work Practices & Procedure Fall Protection

No.

Issue Date: Risk Level: HIGH Page Number: 1 of 15

DO NOT use this machine/equipment unless you have been trained in its safe use and are deemed a competent operator!

Description of Work:

Falls are the worst danger faced by most workers. Every day somebody falls – from scaffolds, ladder, platform, etc. Any misuse of a ladder is enough to cause a fall. Saskatchewan OH&S Regulations require that a fall arresting device be worn when working at heights above 3 meters (10 ft.). Review the OH&S Regulations for your specific application.

*This information does not take precedence over Saskatchewan Employment Act and the Occupational Health & Safety Regulations.

Requirement:

A Fall Protection System is used when work is done at a location from which a fall of 3m or more may occur, OR where a fall of less than 3 m involves a risk of injury greater than the risk of injury from the impact on a flat surface.

A written Fall Protection Plan is completed and approved before work commences at a location where workers are not protected by permanent guardrails, and from which a fall of 7.5 m or more may occur.

Workers are knowledgeable of fall protection requirements including the identification of fall hazards, the selection of effective hazard elimination and control strategies, equipment inspection and maintenance, use of fall control systems, and relevant emergency response procedures.

Note: Common signs and symptoms of a musculoskeletal injury (MSI) can include pain, burning, swelling, stiffness, numbness/tingling, and/or loss of movement or strength in a body part. Report these to your supervisor.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required (Check the box for required PPE):

Gloves Face Masks Eye Protection

Welding Mask

Appropriate Footwear

Hearing Protection

Protective Clothing

Other PPE: Hard Hats with chin straps, Personal Fall Protection Equipment, Long hair must be tied back, Ear Protection (as required for corresponding work area), respirator (as required for corresponding work area), gloves (as required for corresponding work area)

Safe Work Procedure Checklist:

1. Guidelines:

▪ All work activities being performed at or above a height of 7.5M requires a Fall Protection Plan.

▪ Working off ladders at heights greater than 3 m is considered a working at heights activity.

▪ A fall protection system is required for all work performed at or above a height of 3m.

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▪ Workers must have their supervisor’s permission to bypass guardrails or barriers put in place to prevent them from entering areas where there is a hazard of falling. In situations where it is necessary to temporarily bypass guardrails or barriers, workers must use fall protective equipment.

▪ A pre-use inspection shall be performed prior to use of all Personal Fall Protective Equipment (PFP). These inspections will also comply with manufacturers specifications.

▪ Users of PFP equipment must follow manufacturer’s instructions including harness/lanyard weight ratings.

▪ A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) shall include an energy shock absorber

▪ Only clearly identified engineer approved permanent anchor points shall be used with a PFPs.

▪ ALL PFP equipment must be CSA approved and meet Saskatchewan OH&S Regulations.

▪ The maximum arresting force of a PFAS shall not be greater than 1800lbs force

▪ The maximum free fall distance of a PFAS shall be kept to less than 1.2 m or 4 feet.

▪ Minimizing the load we carry (for example heavy equipment increases body weight, consideration must be taken to ensure the rated capacity of a PFP is not exceeded)

▪ Tools being used in working at heights activities that could pose a hazard if dropped must be secured (example tethered).

▪ A worker must use the fall protection system provided by the employer.

2. How long does it take to fall?

Many workers believe that they have time to regain theirbalance before they fall — this is not always true. The table tothe right indicates how far you can fall in just a few seconds.You may not have time to grab hold of something safe, butyou can still prevent a tragedy. Properly maintained andworn, a safety belt or full body harness attached to a secureanchor could save your life

Time (seconds)

Distance (metres)

Distance (feet)

0.5 1.2 41 5 16

1.5 11 362 20 64

2.5 31 1003 44 144

4 78 256

3. Hierarchy of Control: ▪ The hierarchy of control shall be followed systematically and only when one level is not

reasonably practicable may the next level be considered. It is not acceptable to select work equipment from lower down the hierarchy (e.g. personal fall arrest, such as harnesses and lanyards) in the first instance. The hierarchy has two basic steps to consider, in order these are:

o Fall prevention strategies to eliminate the risk of falling, either through task or job redesign, barriers, administrative controls, etc.

o Fall protection to minimize the risk of injury or death in the event a fall does occur. Fall protection strategies allow the worker to fall, trusting a PFPS (i.e., harness and lanyard, safety net) to stop the fall before hitting the ground or the next lower level.


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4. Types of Fall Protection:

Travel Restraint – Prevents workers from getting too close to a fall hazard by use of a tie-off system (harness, lanyard tied off at a set length from a weighted tie-off point)

Fall Arrest – Protects workers by stopping or arresting them in mid-fall from a working surface (includes harness, anchorage support, lifeline, and/or lanyard).

5. Personal Fall Protection System:

▪ The key word in the PFPS (Personal Fall Protection System) acronym is “SYSTEM”. The PFPS is a system of three (3) singular items working together to keep the worker safe. A PFPS shall consist of A B C:

The key components of everyPERSONAL FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM

A. Anchor Points - All temporary and permanent anchor points shall be approved prior to use. Effective anchor points rely on effective consideration of:

Types of anchors; Strength (capacity) of anchors; Compatibility of connection; and Location of the anchor


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Types of Anchors

Temporary AnchorA temporary anchor shall be installed in locations where a worker would perform work for a short duration that would not benefit from the installation of a permanent anchor (i.e., Beam clamps, beam strap and wire rope).

Permanent AnchorPermanent anchors shall be:

Approved by a professional engineer; Clearly identified as permanent anchors; and Installed in a location where a worker would regularly

perform work (providing the worker could not be protected by other means, including task redesign, guardrails etc.).

Permanent travel restraint systems must be permanently marked as being for travel restraint only.

Strength (Capacity) of Anchor Points Strength requirements for anchor points are listed below:

PFPS ForceTemporary Travel Restraint 800 lbsPermanent Travel Restraint 2000 lbsFall Arrest 5,000 lbs

Compatibility of Connection The size and shape of the anchor must be compatible with the snap hook or carabineer that attaches to it. Always consult the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm compatibility.

Location of PFAS Anchor PFAS anchor shall be positioned to:

Minimize the free fall distance to a maximum of 1.2 meters

Minimize the "pendulum" or "swing" fall effect

Be easily accessible from a safe location Facilitate effective rescue.

B. Body Support – A worker must wear a full body harness when using a personal Fall Protection System. A full body harness or a restraint belt when using a Personal Travel Restraint System. Both the full body harness and restraint belt must be CSA approved and comply with Sask OH&S Regulations.


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Full Body Harness Restraint Belt

C. Connecting Devices – All connecting devices must be CSA approved and comply with Sask OH&S Regulations. Consult the manufactures instructions for correct use of each device. Some connecting devices are:

Energy or Shock Absorber

Lanyards (shock absorbing is preferred)

Carabineers

D Rings

Lifeline

Rope Grabbing Device Self-Retracting Lines


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6. Fall Protection Plan:

▪ If a worker is in a location where workers are not protected by permanent guardrails, and from which a fall of 7.5 m or more may occur a written fall protection plan must be completed and approved by senior management before work can commence. This Fall Protection Plan must contain a detailed Rescue Plan. Refer to Western Sales Fall Protection Policy and Fall Protection Plan Record.

7. Pre-Use Inspection:

▪ All components of a fall arrest or travel restrictive systems require full inspection prior to use. If not CSA approved with illegible labels discard from use. Please use the following guidelines as well as Western Sales Fall Protection Equipment Inspection Checklist:

o Full Body Harnesses, Restraint Belt, Lanyards, Ropes/Lifelines and Shock Absorbers

a) Make sure hardware and straps are intact and not worn, with no twists or tears in the fabric

b) Ensure all moving parts are moving freely

c) Check the webbing to make sure tis free of burns, cuts, loose or broken stitching, frayed material and sign of heat or chemical damage.

d) Check hardware for rust, cracks or damage

e) Lanyards must be 16mm diameter nylon or equivalent.

f) Inspect the buckle for loose, distorted or broken grommets. Do not cut or punch additional holes in waist strap or strength members

g) Check belt without grommets for torn or elongated holes that could cause the buckle tongue to slip.

h) Inspect the buckle for distortion and sharp edges. The outer and centre bars must be straight. Carefully check corners and attachment points of the centre bar. They should overlap the buckle frame and move freely back and forth in their sockets. The roller should turn freely on the frame.

i) Check that rivets are tight and cannot be moved. The body side of the rivet base and outside rivet burr should be flat against the material. Make sure the rivets are not bent.

j) Inspect for pitted or cracked rivets that show signs of chemical corrosion.


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o Lanyards, Ropes, and Lifelines

a) Lanyards must be 16mm diameter nylon or equivalent.

b) Inspect entire rope/line for worn, broken fibres

c) Make sure all lanyards attaches securely to the D Ring on the harness

d) Check hardware for rust, cracks or damage

e) Check shock absorbing lanyards regularly. Look for any significant tears, wears or burns.

f) Check shock absorbing

attachments regularly. Look for anysignificant tears, wears or burns.

g) Inspect ropes with fuzzy, worn, broken or cut fibres.

h) Test retractable lifelines for smooth and proper retraction operation.

i) Inspect lifeline fibres and look for wears, tears, cuts, burns

j) Lifelines must be at least 16mm in diameter made of strong materials (polypropylene or other strong materials are recommended over nylon, which stretches more)

k) Check for deterioration caused by prolonged sun or chemical exposure.

o Buckles, D Rings, Carabineers, and other connecting attachments

a) Inspect for wear, tear, and cracks

b) Inspect for dents, bends, and signs of deformation or other defects. Replace the belt if the D Ring is not at a 90 degree angle and does not move vertically independent of the body pad or D saddle.

c) Inspect for rust, corrosion or chemical burns.

d) Make sure that any hardware is not cutting into or damaging the belt or harness.

e) Inspect tool loops and belt sewing for broken or stretched loops.

f) Check bag rings and knife snaps to see that they are secure and working properly. Check tool loop rivets. Check for thread separation or rotting, both inside and outside the body pad belt.

g) Inspect snaps for hook and eye distortions, cracks, corrosion or pitted surfaces. The keeper (latch)

should be seated into the snap nose without binding and should not be distorted or obstructed. The keeper spring should exert sufficient force to close the keeper firmly.

▪ If any of the components do not pass inspection then they must be re moved from operation immediately. Speak to your supervisor for replacements.


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8. Calculating Fall Distance:

This must be calculated. The distance the worker would fall must be less than the distance to the nearest object/surface below the worker. Note: If using a lifeline and rope grab, the calculation will have to be from the grab location.

If unsure of the calculations please consult with your supervisor. DO NOT PROCEED if you cannot calculate the fall distance!


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9. Set-up:

a) How to Wear a Full Body Harness: First you need to know the components of a Full Body Harness. A full body harness

designed to arrest falls should have a back-mounted D-ring located between the shoulder blades, the letter “A” stenciled on each shoulder strap below the D-ring and an arrow stenciled above each letter “A” pointing up at the D-ring

A full body harness consists of straps passed over the shoulders, across the chest, and around the legs. In a fall, a full body harness protects you more than a safety belt, because it distributes the force of impact over a greater area of your body.

The arrows on the shoulder straps point to the only D-ring on the harness designed to safely arrest a fall.

This is a full body harness worn to arrest falls. Note that the D-ring is located between the shoulder blades.

Many full body harnesses have interlocking buckles called friction buckles.


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Then to properly wear a Full Body Harness you must follow the bellow 6 steps:

If t he equipment doesn’t fit properly t hen the fall protect ion s yst em c annot be used. Consult your supervisor for proper instruction for proper fitting. Keep all

loose straps t uck ed in s nugly so they don’t snag or c ause tripping.


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b) How to Wear a Restraint Belt:

When using a travel restraint method it is preferred to use a full body harness but if instructed to wear a Restraint Belt you must know the component of the belt.

Identification and wearer D-Ring for Travel instructions label Restraint (can be twoon either side of waist

Buckle

Fasten the belt snugly around your waist. Wear it high on your waist, not low around the hips or pelvic area. Position the belt buckle at the front of your body, and make sure the belt tail is secure in the belt loop and not hanging out loosely.

WARNING: A fall with a restraint belt on will usually cause internal injuries. A heavy person will probably tip over and fall head first out of the waist belt in a fall. These devices are just to restraint a worker from getting too close to a fall hazard. If a fall is a possibility then a fall arrest system must be used.

c) Connecting Harness or Belt to Anchor:

For a Fall Protection System to be fully effective you must properly connect the harness or belt to the anchor using your connecting pieces. A variety of methods can be used but all must include the following:

o Other connections could include the D Ring being connect to a rope grabber then the

Locking Snap Hook lifeline or D Ring connected to self-retracting lines.

D Ring o Also note that the lanyard can just be basicthen attached to a separate shock absorberor the two can be combined as one unit.

o If any rope/lanyard/life line is draped over ledge or around a rough corner a rope protector must be used.

o Keep lanyards as short as possible to reduce the distance you could fall. Try to arrange the lanyard to limit a free fall to no more than 1.2 m (4 ft.) in a fall arrest situation.

o When using a wire rope lanyard for fall Lanyard with arrest, a personal shock absorber must be Shock Absorber incorporated as part of your personal fall

protection system in order to keep the arrestforce at a safe level.


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10. Working on Elevated Equipment a) Guardrails and toe boards

Guardrails and toe boards for elevating work levels 3 metres (10 feet) or more above the ground or floor: Shall meet minimum regulatory requirements. Shall require a pre-use inspection prior to any usage of the scaffold.

Use extreme caution when using elevating equipment around power lines. A minimum distance of 10 feet should be maintained unless approved by the supervisor.

b) Elevating Work PlatformsElevating work platforms must meet the requirements of OH&S RegulationsAny personnel operating an Elevating Work Platform (e.g. JLG) must be trained and a holder of a valid certificate. The equipment must be inspected by the operator prior to use, using an inspection form designed for that particular piece of equipment. If deficiencies are found during the inspection, the equipment is to be tagged “Out Of Service” and the deficiency pointed out to the heavy duty mechanics immediately.

Follow the safe work procedure for Scissor Lifts Follow all warning instructions on the equipment. Pre-use inspection on the equipment. Use all available protective and safety devices. Use caution when fuelling. Cleanup the work site. Check the work area. Plan your work. Check for overhead clearance to obstructions and power lines. Use the fall arrest harness at all times. Be knowledgeable of the safe load for the work platform. Travel at speeds safe for the area. Place hi-vis safety cones to warn others.

c) LaddersLadders must meet the requirements of OH&S Regulations Proper use of ladders is essential in preventing accidents. Even a good ladder can be a serious safety hazard when used by workers incorrectly. Refer to Sae Work Procedure – Ladders and Stepladders.

Ladders shall be inspected before each use and those which have developed defects shall be withdrawn from service for repair or destruction and tagged or marked as “Dangerous, Do Not Use”.

Use both hands when climbing or descending ladders - do not carry heavy or bulky objects that make climbing unsafe.

The worker shall always face the ladder when climbing up or down. Metal ladders shall never be used near electrical equipment.

Only one person should be on a ladder at a time and no work is to be done from the top two rungs of single or extension ladders, or from the top two steps of step ladders.

Fall protection is required when the ladder is positioned near an edge or floor opening that significantly increases the fall hazard.

Fall protection can be in the form of a lifeline attached to a fixed ladder, a full body harness with anchor above the ladder, or a body belt attached to a ladder hook which connects to one of the ladder rungs (this method only to be used if ladder is not in danger of tipping)

Always consult with your supervisor if unsure how to set up fall protection while working on a ladder.

d) Working Beside Unprotected Openings and Edges A worker must wear a full body harness with lanyard and shock absorber tied off to an

independent fixed support whenever the worker is more than 3 metres (10 feet) above the next level or whenever the worker is above operating machinery, hazardous substances or objects regardless of the possible fall height.


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e) Machinery It is best to use the manufactured access steps, platforms and support rails of the machine. If the above controls are not practicable, the preferred order of controlling the risk of

falling is to:

11. Rescue

i. Conduct servicing using fixed stairs, ramps and work platforms that comply with Sask OH&S Regulations.

ii. Use a portable ladder suitable for the purpose; refer to Safe Work Procedure – Ladders and Stepladders.

iii. Use of Personal Fall Protection System.iv. Have a written safe work procedure of how to work safety on a machine without

the use of the above controls. This procedure needs approval by management prior to beginning work. Safe Work Procedures can only be used as the method of fall protection when other conventional means are not practical. In some cases.

Before workers use any fall-arrest system on a project, the employer must develop written rescue procedures. If the risk of falling more than 7.5m then the rescue procedure must be written in the Fall Protection Plan.

The Recue Procedure should include the following:

o Pre-Work Information

▪ Rescue capabilities of the facility, internally (volunteer rescuers) and externally (emergency services)

▪ Hazards – confined space, vehicle maintenance, electrical hazard, chemical hazards, etc.

▪ Types of system used – travel restraint or fall arrest system, using self- retracting equipment or ladder climbing systems.

▪ Type of Equipment used – Ability to raise or lower the person requiring rescue, where the anchor is located, type of D-Rings, using self-retracting equipment, etc.

▪ Rescue Options – Elimination, Self-rescue, Assisted Rescue (ladder/lift or PPE), Response Rescue (fire department or high angle rope access) or Special Case (evacuation).

o During Use Information

▪ Any changes or alterations to the system or work being done

▪ Buddy System or Supervisor amendments

o Post Fall

▪ Status of person being rescued

▪ Emergency contact

▪ Completion of Rescue

▪ First Aid.

▪ Also note if a fall occurs then and incident investigation must be completed, please refer to Western Sales Incident Investigation Policy.


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A worker involved in a fall protection accident must be brought to a safe area as quickly as possible without causing injury or putting rescuers at risk. Maximum time limit for rescue is 30 minutes.

In many cases, the rescue plan can be simple. A ladder or elevating work platform can be used to reach suspended workers and get them down safely. Other workers may be hauled back up to the level from which they fell or pulled in through a nearby window or other opening.

In other cases, procedures may be more complicated. For instance, workers trapped on a failed swing stage, or hanging from it, may need to be rescued by specially trained and equipped personnel from the local fire department. Aerial ladder trucks or other high- reach equipment may be necessary. In extreme cases, the fire department may use rappelling techniques to reach trapped workers and lift or lower them to a safe level.

Plans should cover the on- site equipment, personnel, and procedures for different types of rescue.

Any off-site rescue services that might be required should be contacted and arranged in advance to familiarize them with the project.

. Site management must ensure that:

o Everyone on site is aware of the rescue plan

o Equipment and other resources are available

Designated personnel are properly trained

12. Storage and Maintenance

PFP Equipment shall be stored in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Examples of proper storage of equipment include:

o Full body harnesses and energy (shock) absorbing lanyards must be stored in a cool, dry clean environment out of direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays; and

o Self-retracting lifelines must be stored in a clean dry location and be fully retracted into the device when not in use.

Follow operator’s manual for maintenance and repair.

If equipment does not pass inspection remove/discard from operation. Notify your supervisor of inadequate equipment.

Keep the work area neat and tidy and watch out for tripping hazard.


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Forms Associated with this Policy

INSERT APPLICABLE OHS LEGISLATION HERE IF REQUIRED


No.



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Documents

Safe Work Procedure Template · Web view2021. 6. 11. · The key word in the PFPS (Personal Fall Protection System) acronym is “SYSTEM”. The PFPS is a system of three (3) singular