Fall Protection Systems: Fall Protection Systems


This presentation will discuss:: This presentation will discuss: Why we need Fall Protection & The systems available to protect employees.


Why do we need fall protection?: Why do we need fall protection?


Anatomy of a Fall: Anatomy of a Fall It takes most people about 1/3 of a second to become aware. It takes another 1/3 of a second for the body to react. A body can fall up to 7 feet in 2/3 of a second. .33sec./2 feet .67 sec./7 feet 1 sec./16 feet 2 sec./64 feet


Statistics: Statistics How Can the Numbers Focus Our Efforts?


Falls: Falls Falls are one of the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. In 2005 there where approximately 469 fatal falls, with the trend on the increase. The cost of care for injuries related to falls is a financial burden for the entire industry.


What Is Fall Protection?: What Is Fall Protection? A series of reasonable steps taken to eliminate or control the injury effects of an unintentional fall while working at a height.


Philosophies of Fall Protection: Philosophies of Fall Protection Restraint/Positioning Guardrails Warning Lines Safety Monitors Controlled Access Zones Safety Nets Catch Platforms Fall Arrest Stop/Prevent The Fall Catch The Fall Controlled Decking Zones


Planning for Fall Protection: Planning for Fall Protection Best practice dictates that fall protection becomes an integral part of the project planning process, from constructability, to systems installation, to use and maintenance A project cannot be truly safe unless fall protection is incorporated into every phase of the construction process Planning will keep workers safe and minimize liability for all parties involved


Controlling Fall Exposures: • Select fall protection systems appropriate for given situations. • Use proper construction and installation of safety systems. • Supervise employees properly. • Use safe work procedures. • Train workers in the proper selection, use, and maintenance of fall protection systems. Evaluate the effectiveness of all steps Controlling Fall Exposures


Fall Protection Systems and Components.: Fall Protection Systems and Components.


Methods of Roof Fall Protection: Methods of Roof Fall Protection Safety Monitors Guardrails and warning lines Fall Arrest


Flat/Low Slope: Flat/Low Slope 4:12 Slope or Less Beyond the Use of Guardrails, OSHA Allows the Use of Warning Lines Safety Monitors Recommended: Guardrails or PFAS where feasible Limited use of lines and monitors on flat roofs only


Roof Warning Lines: Roof Warning Lines Must be 6 feet back from edges Warning lines must be maintained at 34 - 39” above the working surface


Safety Monitor: Safety Monitor Oversees work outside the warning lines. Establishes the procedure to protect. Workers must receive special training. Use should be extremely limited


High Slope: High Slope Over 4:12 Slope OSHA Mandates Guardrails Catch Platforms Nets Restraint Devices Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)


Roof Guardrails: Roof Guardrails Guardrails are a positive option on high slope roofs


Personal Fall Arrest Systems: Personal Fall Arrest Systems Anchorage Body Harness Connector Beam Wraps Lanyards Caribiners Rope Grabs Positioning Harnesses


Anchorages: Anchorages Must support 5000 lbs. per employee attached, Or as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two Or 3000 lbs. when using fall restraint or a Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL, Retractable, or “yo-yo”) which limits free fall distance to 2 feet Should always be at or above D-ring height


Roof & Deck Anchors: Roof & Deck Anchors Wood Roof Anchor Metal Roof Anchor Permanent Anchors


Use of Eye Bolts: Use of Eye Bolts Rated for loading parallel to the bolt axis. If wall mounted, the rating perpendicular to the axis must be good for 5,000 lbs. per employee Rated Needed


Girder Grip Anchorage Rings: Girder Grip Anchorage Rings These attachments can be mounted through bolt holes on steel members. They are rated at 5,000 lbs. in all directions


Slide23: Beam Clamps TIGHT PIN SET BEAM CLAMP Beam clamps can make an effective anchorage when used properly, and with the correct lanyard Be sure pin is inserted full length and clamp is tight.


Slide24: Beware of potential for pulling off of coped ends on filler beams!


Horizontal Life Lines: Horizontal Life Lines Provide maneuverability. Must be designed, installed and used under the guidance of a qualified person


Line Stanchions: Line Stanchions The connection of the line stanchion to the flange must support the bending moment applied to the base.


Body (Harnesses): Body (Harnesses) Need to be inspected frequently (daily before use by the worker, at least monthly by a Competent Person) Should never be modified Should be taken out of service immediately if defective or exposed to an impact


Harness Fitting: Harness Fitting Harness must be sized for the worker Chest strap tightened at mid chest Butt strap supports the load Proper snugness shoulder to hips Leg straps snug but not binding “D” ring between shoulder blades


Proper Adjustment Is Key: Proper Adjustment Is Key “Rules of Thumb” Be able to reach your D-ring with your thumb Maximum Four (flat) Fingers of Slack at the legs, straps as high as comfortably possible Ensure chest strap is across the chest/breastbone Have a buddy double check for twists, etc…


Harness Pressure Points: Harness Pressure Points Spread load across butt strap and belt strap if on the harness Excess pressure here can cut blood flow to the legs Some studies have indicated permanent damage to the lower extremities when the worker hangs for more than twenty (20) minutes


Connectors (Lanyards): Connectors (Lanyards) Should be inspected before each use Should not be tied back to themselves (unless specifically designed for such use) Should be worn with the impact absorber/shock pack at the d-ring Should have the appropriate clip for the intended anchorage points Do not use large climbing/rebar/ladder hooks with “beamers”


Free Fall Distance: Free Fall Distance How far a worker falls before shock absorbing or deceleration equipment begins to take effect Affects both impact forces and total fall distance Anchorage point location in relation to D-ring height Below the D-ring allows excessive falls Above the D-ring minimizes free fall to less than 6’


Impacting Structures Below (Total Fall Distance): Impacting Structures Below (Total Fall Distance) Consider: anchorage point location in relation to D-ring height lanyard length, harness elongation, shock absorber opening length, body below D-ring body viscosity (soft tissue injuries!)


Impacting Structures Below (Total Fall Distance): Impacting Structures Below (Total Fall Distance) All distances are approximate, and shown for illustration only. This is why it is critical to maintain the safety factor distance!


Retractable Lifelines: Retractable Lifelines Very effective for vertical applications. Will normally lock up in 1 –2 feet, minimizing total fall distance and impact forces on the worker’s body


Do Not Hook Lanyards to Retractables!: Do Not Hook Lanyards to Retractables! This worker is hooked to a retractable lifeline with his lanyard. This can cause hook failures and affect the locking capability of the retractable. The retractable should be attached directly to the “D” ring.


Positioning Systems: Positioning Systems Positioning Devices Provide Hands-free Work Additional Fall Protection (tie-off) may be required to move or access


Fall Restraint: Fall Restraint Fall restraint assumes the employee cannot reach the edge. He is basically on a short leash. If the employee could reach to the edge and fall over the edge, he must be in fall arrest. Restraint Line Edge


Slide39: Use of Restraint Cables RESTRAINT CABLE Example of restraint cables used during deck anchoring.


Wood Guardrail Construction: Wood Guardrail Construction Proper Height Midrails Toeboards Adequate Strength


Use of Braces for Guardrails: Use of Braces for Guardrails Brace can be used as a Top Rail.


Use of Braces for Guardrails: Use of Braces for Guardrails Brace can be used as a Mid Rail 20 - 30" < 48" Install Top Rail Platform


Braces as Guardrails: Braces as Guardrails The guardrails are in compliance using a 2x4 as one rail and the brace as the other rail. May not be the safest way


Use of Safety Nets : Use of Safety Nets Assumes the fall will occur Assumes adequacy of the system (or requires testing)


Nets: Nets


Slide46: Sky Web


Planning For Rescue: Planning For Rescue Worst-case Scenario?


When All Works!: When All Works!


Rescue Plan Put Into Motion: Rescue Plan Put Into Motion


Safe: Safe


On The Ground And Still Alive!: On The Ground And Still Alive!


Any Questions?: Any Questions?