Fall Protection

Types of falls

Falls from same level ◦ Slips◦ Trips◦ High frequency rate◦ Low injury severity

rate

1a

Types of falls

Falls from an elevation◦ Relatively low

frequency rate◦ High injury

severity rate

Specific potential fall hazards

1b

Common fall protection systems Guardrail systems

and toeboards

Handrail and stair rail systems

Designated areas Hole covers

Safety net systems

Ladder cages Ramps and bridging devices

Slip-resistant floors

Effective housekeeping

2a

A person loses balance, and unintentionally moves from an upright to a prone/semi prone position

Free-fall velocity at impact when falling 12 feet is nearly 20 M.P.H.

Person hits the ground in less than one second from this distance…we fall fast

What happens during a fall?

3b

Falls are dangerous because of three primary elements:

The free-fall distance the worker falls

The shock absorption at impact

The body weight of the worker

Why falls are dangerous

4a

The uncontrolled length of travel before a worker hits the floor, ground, or before fall arrest equipment activates

Measured from the foot level before the fall, to the foot level after the fall

Should be controlled as much as possible. Keep it at a minimum

Free-fall distance

5a

Shock absorption at impact

Varies according to the types of fall protection equipment used

Shock-absorbing lanyards (Rope threaded through a pair of deadeyes) reduce the probability of injury

6a

Falls have more severe impact on heavy workers

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

Heavy workers may have larger waistlines, preventing fall arrest equipment from fitting properly

Body weight of the worker

7a

Fall arrest systems

Used when engineering controls are not feasible or sufficient to eliminate the risk of a fall

Fall arrest systems:◦ prevent a worker from falling more

than 6 ft◦ prevent a worker from contacting any

lower level during arrest of a fall◦ Should not consist of body belts and

non-locking type snap hooks

8b

Fall arrest systems should:◦ limit the maximum arresting force on an

employee to 1800 pounds when a worker uses a body harness

◦ bring a worker to a complete stop◦ limit the deceleration distance a worker travels to

3 1/2 feet◦ 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 less

Fall arrest systems

8c

Personal fall protection

Personal fall arrest systems that as a minimum consist of body wear, connecting device and anchorage connector

Positioning device system

Personal fall protection system for climbing activities

9a

Controlled Access Zones

Controlled access zones are areas where certain work may be done without the use of guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or safety nets.

However, unlike a warning line, which is barrier that cannot be crossed, a controlled access zone establishes a boundary that can be crossed, but only by a specifically designated employee.

10a

Conventional fall protection

Key systems within this group include:

Guardrail Systems Hole Covers (For holes over 1” in size) Safety Nets Personal Fall Arrest Systems Positioning Systems Personal Fall Restraint Systems for

Climbing Activities

10a

Training

Equipment inspection

Application limits

Methods of use

Donning, doffing, adjusting equipment

10a

Anchoring and tie-off techniques

Emergency rescue plans and implementation

Maintenance procedures

Storage techniques

Training

10b

Vendor/Supplier information Comprehensive

instructions for fall arrest system use and application, provided by the supplier, should consist of:

11a

The force measured during the sample force test

Maximum elongation measured for lanyards during the force test

Deceleration distance for deceleration devices measured during the force test

Caution statements on critical-use limitations

Application Limits

Proper hook ups

Anchoring tie-off techniques

Proper climbing techniques

Basically everything you should know. Read the supplier information.

Vendor/Supplier information

11b

Employees will not experience repercussions from reporting hazards

Employees should report unsafe equipment, conditions, procedures

Equipment repair must receive top priority

Under no circumstances will defective equipment be used

Reporting fall hazards

12a

Equipment repair must receive top priority

Under no circumstances will defective equipment be used

Reporting fall hazards

12b

When fall conditions exist:◦ Take short steps◦ Keep toes pointed out◦ Walk on the whole foot when crossing rough or

slippery surfaces◦ Avoid making sharp turns◦ If you fall, protect your head and neck

Reporting fall hazards

12c

Reporting fall hazards

Employees can be exposed to disciplinary actions for failure to use fall protection equipment

12d

Our company’s safe work practices regarding fall protection include the use of appropriate harness.

If a fall does start to happen, the best way to deal with it is to relax, go limp, and not resist the fall.

Remember, this is for your safety, so if you fall, don’t panic. Keep calm, and let the harness do the rest.

Our Facility

Housekeeping

Effective housekeeping prevents falls

Keep high work areas free from:◦ Tools◦ Materials◦ Debris◦ Liquids

13a