FALL SAFETY INFORMATION
The Vital Need for Fall Protection Products
Each year over 100,000 injuries and deaths are attributable to work-related falls. According to the National Safety Council, falls are one of the highest causes of death in the workplace. In addition to the lost lives and injuries caused by falls, businesses lose millions of dollars each year from significant increases in insurance premiums, workers' compensation claims, product liability costs, and other related expenses. In short, a comprehensive fall protection program not only saves lives and reduces injuries, but also saves money and makes good business sense.
Who's Responsible
Regulatory agencies make it quite clear that it is the employer's responsibility to develop a fall protection program that complies with mandated regulations. The most effective programs are those where employers work closely with their comprehensive fall protection program that either eliminates fall hazards or provides appropriate protection against them. It should be noted that regulatory agencies have steadily increased fines for noncompliance and negligence. Citations can be avoided however, by those employers who take an appropriate fall protection program.
Compliance is important, but even more important, a proper fall protection program can eliminate or seriously reduce on-the-job injuries and substantially reduce insurance costs and other related expenses.
Developing a Fall Protection Program
1. Understand Regulations and Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) enforces safe and healthful working conditions for general industry and construction in the United States. Under the Act, employers have the duty of providing their workers with a place of employment free from recognized safety and health hazards. It's the law.
Application of regulatory requirements depends on the specific location, industry, and operations of the workplace. In the event of an inspection, the company will be assessed on how well the operations meets the regulatory requirements of each particular job. Employers should obtain copies of the regulations that apply to their work activities.
2. Hazard Identification
A well conceived fall protection program begins with identification of all fall hazards in the workplace. As a general rule, anytime a worker is at a height greater than 4 feet, a fall hazard exists according to OSHA. Where a fall hazard exists, there are two acceptable options: (1) eliminate the hazard, or (2) provide protection against it. Ideally it is best to eliminate the hazard. Since that is often not possible, other measures such as the wearing of personal protection equipment (PPE) are required.
3. Written Fall Protection Program
Following hazard identification, a written program should be developed specifying how to deal with each hazard. If standardized safe-work practices and operating procedures can eliminate the hazard, then such procedures should be specified.
Where hazard elimination is impossible, the plan should state what fall protection measures are to be used, how they are to be used, and who is responsible for overall supervision and training. This program need not be elaborate, but should cover the basic elements of the plan. The program needs to be clearly conveyed and understood by all participants.
4. Product Selection
The employer must know the types of fall protection products that are available, and decide which would be most suitable for the workplace. Because all work environments differ, it is impossible for the manufacturer to determine exactly which fall protection products will provide maximum protection for each job. By understanding how fall protection products operate and knowing the differences in product functions, the employer can select products that are best suited for their workers.
5. Training
All workers must be trained in the proper use of fall protection equipment before using any fall protection products. Workers must be able to identify potential fall hazards, determine which products to use in specific work environments, demonstrate proper anchoring procedures, etc. Employees must also learn inspection and maintenance procedures and the proper wearing of fall protection equipment.
The ABC's of A Personal Fall Arrest System
Three key components of the Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) must be in place and properly used to provide maximum worker protection.
Anchorage/Anchorage Connector
Anchorage:
Commonly referred to as a tie-off point (Ex: I-beam, rebar, scaffolding, lifeline, etc)
Anchorage Connector:
Used to join the connecting device to the anchorage (Ex: cross-arm strap, beam anchor, D-bolt, hook anchor, etc.) Anchorages must be capable of supporting 5,000 points of force per worker. Must be high enough for a worker to avoid contact with a lower level should a fall occur. The anchorage connector should be positioned directly overhead to avoid a "swing fall."
Body Wear
There personal protective equipment worn by the worker (Ex: full-body harness). Only form of body wear acceptable for fall arrest is the full-body harness. Should be selected based on work to be performed and the work environment. Side and front D-rings are for positioning only.
Connecting Device
The critical link which joins the body wear to the anchorage/anchorage connector (Ex: shock-absorbing lanyard, fall limiter, self-retracting lifeline, rope grab, etc.)
Potential fall distance must be calculated to determine type of connecting device to be used.
Should also be selected based on work to be performed and the work environment.
Shock-absorbing lanyards expand 3-1/2 ft. when arresting a fall; attach lanyards to the harness back D-ring only; never tie a knot in a web lanyard - it reduces the strength by 50%
Four Functional Equipment Categories
Fall Arrest
As a general rule, it is recommended that a fall arrest system be used at working heights of four feet or more. This system consists of:
¤anchorage/anchorage connector ¤body wear (full-body harness) connecting device (shock-absorbing lanyards, self retracting lifelines
Positioning/Restraint
As positioning/restraining system is used to hold a worker in place while allowing a hands-free work environment at elevated heights and/or restrict the worker's movement to prevent reaching a location where a fall hazard exists. A typical positioning/restraining system consists of:
¤anchorage/anchorage connector ¤body wear (full-body harness or body belt) connecting device positioning lanyard
Suspension
Suspension systems are used widely in the window washing and painting industries and are designed to lower and support a worker while allowing a hands-free work environment. A typical suspension system would include:
¤anchorage/anchorage connector (anchor bolt, trolley, carabiner, etc.) body wear (full-body harness) connecting device (workline)
¤suspension device (bos'n chair)
Retrieval
The retrieval system is primarily used in confined space applications where workers must enter tanks, manholes, etc. and may require retrieval from above or should an emergency occur. A retrieval system typically consists of: anchorage/anchorage connector (tripod, davit) body wear (full-body harness) connecting device (retractable lifeline/ retrieval unit)
*The positioning and suspension systems are not designed for all arrest and therefore a back-up fall arrest system should be used.
When selecting connecting devices and anchorage connectors, it is important to understand how to calculate potential fall clearance distance. Fall clearance distance is defined as the height at which a worker must attach to an anchorage to avoid contact with a lower level.
Calculating Fall Clearance Distance Using a Shock-Absorbing Lanyard and D-Ring Anchorage Connector
First, add the length of the shock-absorbing lanyard (6 ft.) to the maximum elongation of the shock absorber during deceleration (3-1/2 ft.) to the average height of a worker (6 ft.).
Second, add a safety factor of 3 ft. to allow for the possibility of an improperly fit harness, a taller than average worker and/or a miscalculation of distance. The total, 18-1/2 ft. is the suggested safe fall clearance distance for this example.