SMARCA Roy Brown, Safety Director Fall Protection SMARCA Roy Brown, Safety Director

He walked off the roof A deadly walk It’s an ordinary day for Jerry He just needed to measure a couple of places It would only take a minute Jerry focused on his measuring He walked off the roof

A Huge Cost Over 900 workers die each year in falls Over 150,000 injured 550 injuries a day (5 day work week)

It’s Not Optional OSHA required fall protection if you’re working: 4 feet or higher (general industry) 6 feet or higher (construction industry)

Where Fall Protection is Required Unprotected Sides / Edges Hoist Areas Hole / Openings Ramps, Runways, Walkways Excavations Sloped Roofs Scaffold / Aerial Lifts

Who’s Responsible for What? Employers Must Assess work site Provide fall protection as needed Maintain a written program Provide fall protection training Employee Must Use fall protection as needed Inspect before using Follow safe work practices Report any fall hazard immediately and correct (if possible)

How Fast You Fall 2 seconds: = 3 seconds: = 1 second: = 64 feet 45 mph DOES IT MATTER

Types of Fall Protection Fall Prevention System Guardrails Fences Barricades Fall Arrest System Body Harnesses Lanyard Connector / Anchor What / When to use?

Guardrails

Guardrails: Advantages/Disadvantages Low cost and easy to install Well known purpose Passive system - provides real barrier between worker and fall hazard May interfere with work Easily removed and often not reinstalled Guardrails are a good choice for fall prevention. They are part of 100 percent fall protection in most work environments.

Used only on low-sloped roofs. Warning Lines Barrier on roof to warn workers approaching the edge. Used only on low-sloped roofs. Defines area where mechanical work can be done without conventional fall protection. Used only on low-sloped roofs. Consists of ropes, wires, or chains, and stanchions erected around all sides of the roof. Placed no closed than 15 feet from the edge of the working surface. High-visibility flags not more than 6 feet apart. Line is no more than 39” and no less than 34” from surface.

Safety Monitoring System When other systems can not be used or create a greater hazard (last option). Must have a written Site Specific Safety Plan. Unauthorized work are not allowed in the monitoring area Monitor’s Duties Trained to recognize fall hazards At the same level as workers Closed enough to be heard

Fall Arrest System Stop falls in progress Elements Body Harness Lanyard Anchor

Total 18.5’ below anchorage point Total 9.5’ below anchorage point Fall Clearance 6’ Lanyard Length 3.5’ Deceleration Device 5’ From D-Ring to Worker’s Feet 3’ Safety Factor (stretch, bounce, etc.) Total 18.5’ below anchorage point Note: All distances are approximate and shown for illustration only. This is why it is critical to maintain the safety factor distance. Total 9.5’ below anchorage point

The Body Harness Connector Snap-hook Harness should fit snugly Body belt can not be used Body Belt Back Pad Shoulder Pad Reflective Sleeve D-Ring

Body Harness Inspection Inspect before every use Check for: Cracking and deformation Hooks and buckles working properly Damaged, defective, overstretched and worn lanyards or straps Other defects or irregulars Remove from use if any defects are found

Positioning/Restraint The Lanyard Links the body harness to the anchor point Shock-Absorbing Lanyard Tie-Back Lanyard Personal Fall Limiter Self-Retracting Lifeline Rope Grab Positioning/Restraint

Protecting the Lanyard No knots Keep away from: Sharp objects Flames / excess heat Wet conditions

Lanyards are useless if they are not anchored Always Stay Connected Lanyards are useless if they are not anchored

Choosing an Anchor Point An anchor point must be: Structurally sound Capable of supporting 5000 pounds as fall arrest / 1000 pounds as a positioning device Free from sharp or jagged edges Bad anchor points: Electrical conduits Water / gas lines Guardrails Scaffold

Anchor Point Positioning Keep the drop zone clear Look for anchor points at shoulder height Not attached to guardrails or scaffold

Positioning Device Limits your travel distance to edge of work surface Elements Body Harness Retractable Lanyard Rope with Rope Grab Anchor Determine proper length before beginning work

Self-Retracting Lifeline Do not hook lanyards to retractable: The retractable should be attached directly to the D-ring. Various anchorage connectors Load indicator – indicates when unit must be removed from service and repaired Internal shock absorber: consistently reduces fall forces to 900 lbs./f (4kN) or less

Limit free falls to 2 ft. (.61 m) or less and Self-Retracting Lifeline Limit free falls to 2 ft. (.61 m) or less and shall be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3,000 lbs. (13.3 kN) applied to the device in the fully extended position.

Hole Covers Any opening in a working surface greater than 2 inches. Must be: Secure Identified as a “hole” Able to withstand twice the intended load

Lift Equipment Aerial Lifts Must: Wear Personal Fall Arrest and secured to the aerial lift so no contact with the ground occurs if you fall No ladders or other elevation equipment allowed Both feet must be keep on the floor of the lift

Lift Equipment Scissor Lifts Must: No ladders or other elevation equipment allowed Keep both feet on the floor of the lift If guardrail are down you need to wear Personal Fall Arrest and secured to the scissor lift so no contact with the ground occurs if you fall

If You Fall If someone fall, the clock is ticking Push your legs against an object Raise your legs if possible Use leg straps if possible The Risk --- Suspension Trauma Pooling of blood in the legs, limiting blood flow to the brain If attempting rescue, you must be trained

Summary Fall protection is needed is your work surface is: You must: 4 feet for general industry 6 feet for construction industry You must: Take personal responsibility Report all fall or near falls Always use proper fall protection Inspect worksite / Personal fall arrest before beginning work Remain tied off at all times Never take shortcuts

IT’S UP TO YOU QUESTIONS THANK YOU