Falls Kill
• Unrestrained falls from 10’ kill or disable 4 out of 5 victims
• Unrestrained falls from 11’ kill 4 out of 5
PHYSICS OF A FALL
Elapsed Distance Velocity Speed MPH Force at
Time of fall Ft. per second impact
.25 1 Ft 8 5.5 400 Lbs
.50 4 Ft 16 11 1600 Lbs
.61 6 Ft 20 14 2400 Lbs
.75 9 Ft 24 16 3600 Lbs
1.0 16 Ft 32 22 6400 Lbs
1.25 25 Ft 40 27 10,000 Lbs
1.5 36 Ft 48 33 14,000 Lbs
1.75 49 Ft 56 38 19,600 Lbs
*calculations based upon a 200 pound worker including tools.
Eliminating the Risk
• Don’t go there
• Build a work platform
• Implement a personal fall arrest system
• Use alternative means
Fall Protection
• A series of steps taken to reasonably lessen or eliminate the risk of falling in the work place
Hierarchy of Regulation
• State or federal standards– Minimum acceptable
• Manufacturer notices, warnings, instructions
• Employer safety policy
Generally Speaking the Regs Require
• Fed OSHA limits free falls to 6’ or less• Cal/OSHA limits free fall to 30” or more• Special criteria for confined space work• Fall protection in lift devices• Scaffold builders to be “tied off”
Specific Regulations
• 29CFR1910
• 29CFR1926
• Multiple state regulations– CAL/OSHA of Regulations, Title 8– Subchapter 7
Competent Persons
• Know application limits
• Regulations
• Able to “solve and resolve” problems
• Have authority to take necessary actions
Qualified Persons
• Degree or certificate of competency– PE
• Vast experience
• Skill necessary to “solve and resolve” technical problems
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
• Must be in place when the risk is present
• Must limit impact loads on the victim
• Must ACTUALLY work in the environment in which they are used
When Positioned
• A fall of NO MORE THAN 2 FEET
• A minimum 3,000# anchor
• All other hardware must meet PFAS requirements
Boom Lift
• Must be “tied off”– 29CFR1910.67(c)(2)(v)
A full body harness shall be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift.
One More Look at Boom Lifts
• Do you see any problems here?– Free fall potential?
– Anchor strength?
– Basket capacity?
Federal Regulatory Basis
• OSHA– 29 CFR 1926 Sub R
• Steel erection only
– 29 CFR 1926 Sub M• Well documented• 6’ free fall
29CFR1926 Sub R
• Significant changes– 1926.760(a) sets 15’ “trigger height” with
exceptions– Specific training
What if Conventional Fall Protection Will Not Work
• Fall protection plans are acceptable alternative– Very restrictive– Very specific
Fall Protection Plans
• Require clear statement that “conventional” fall protection “is impractical or creates a greater hazard.”
• Must clearly identify why conventional systems are not appropriate
Plans Must be Specific
• Where it is to be implemented
• Who is responsible for implementation
• A qualified person must approve the plan and any changes
• The plan must be maintained on site
Additional Actions May be Required for Compliance
• Title 8§1671.1(a)(9) requires controlled access zones and safety monitoring when “no other alternatives measure has been implemented….”
Controlled Access Zones
• Control line set not less than 6’ nor more than 25’ from unprotected or leading edge
• Set with lowest point no less than 39” nor more than 45” above the working level
• Must be clearly marked at not more than 6’ intervals
Safety Monitoring
• Safety monitor must be competent person
• Must always be in communication with employees being monitored
• Monitor should have no other responsibilities diverting attention
Safety at Heights: A Simple Proposition
• A - anchorage
• B - full body harness
• C - connectors
• D - devices
Anchor Points
• Basic - most common alternative• Engineered - meets 2:1 safety factor• Most common errors Assume anchor point is strong enough Somebody else tied off to this anchor point
Anchorage Selection
• 5,000 pound requirement
• Set as high as possible– Cuts free fall
• Use correct device– Cable or web sling
– Carabiner, handgrip
Weight Limits
• Most fall arrest equipment sold in the United States has a stated weight limit of 310 pounds.
• Why?
• Anchor quality
B: Body Harness
• The only acceptable device for use in a fall arrest situation
• Spreads load to minimize injuries– OSHA allows 1,800 pound impact load
– ANSI Z359.1-1992 limits impact to 900 pounds
• Positions victim for rescue
Harness Fit
• Legs closed tightly• Sub pelvic strap
correctly positioned• D-ring positioned
between shoulders
Harness Fit
Harness Inspection
• Webbing okay?– No burns, tears,
discoloration
• Hardware okay?– Properly positioned
– No cracks
Energy Absorbing Devices
• Must absorb the energy built up during a fall
• Must control energy imparted on both victim and anchor point
• All get longer under load
Make Your Inspection COMPLETE!
• Internal damage can be hard to detect
• Tug on the lanyard legs to be sure they are attached
Falls Actually Don’t Kill…. The Stop Does the Damage
• Contact with lower levels, dangerous equipment
• Swings into structures
Fall Protection Math
• Lanyard length + shock absorber length + victim height + elongation = REQUIRED CLEAR SPACE
• 6’ + 6’ + 42” + 1’ = >15’
• Do you have this much distance?
Rigging Is Critical
• Anchor set as high as possible
• Lanyard attached properly to harness– Shock absorber clipped
to back d-ring
Self Retracting Lifelines
• Must be positioned over work area– Minimize swing fall
potential
• Cuts anchor requirement– 3,000 lbs.... Vs. 5,000 lbs..
Temporary Horizontal Lifelines
• Ideal for steel, bridge, and decking
• Anchored correctly
• Check vertical clearance– Nearly 20’ may be needed
Engineered Fall Arrest/Protection Systems
• Fall arrest – there may be fall from an exposed edge
• Fall restraint – prevents personnel from reaching an exposed edge
Summary- Engineered Systems
• Definition• Standards• Hazards and Solutions• What are the benefits of an Engineered
System?
Inspection Intervals
• Title 8 Sec 1670 (19) requires that PFAS “shall be inspected not less than twice annually” by a competent person
• Inspection date must be documented
Rescue: The Final Challenge
• Most falls are self rescued
• If rescue is required it– Must be timely, per OSHA– Must be within 15 minutes, per ANSI
• Must be part of the plan
A Safety Reminder
• Even if you were born to do a job, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to automatically do it safely.…You know what you're doing, its what you've been trained to do your whole life. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right???
• Think again!