Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Fall Protection A user-friendly training module to help supervisors and workers:  Understand fall protection  Prevent injuries  Konecranes’ requirements The Business 21 Publishing Safety Training Series FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 About this Presentation By the end of this Business 21 presentation, you’ll be able to:  Understand the critical importance of fall protection to the maintenance of a safe workplace.  Spot dangerous violations.  Minimize the chances of serious injury or death. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 What is fall protection?  A system to protect workers from falls and injury (or death) when working at heights. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 What are the two physical forms of fall protection? 1.Fall prevention. This is a structure that limits a fall to the level the worker is on. 2.Fall arrest. This is equipment that limits injuries in case of a fall. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Fall prevention  Don’t defeat safety systems for reasons like easier entry and exit.  Don’t use a safety system that has been modified in a dangerous way. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Personal fall arrest equipment Three parts:  Anchor point  Body harness  Connector FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Anchor point Precautions:  Don’t use anything – like a beam or a projection – with sharp edges. It can abrade or cut your lanyard.  Don’t tie off to something tacked or patched to the structure, or to suspension devices. Look for an anchor point that is integral to the structure, or install an engineered anchor. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Body harness  You may have kept an old harness from a previous job. Don’t use it unless your safety supervisor checks it out and gives the OK.  You should inspect your employer-issued harness and lanyard(s) regularly for damage. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Connector  Non-standard lanyards can jerk a worker hard in case of a fall.  No lanyard will do you any good unless it’s properly hooked to the anchor. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Select the correct lanyard.  Lanyard must stop the fall within the available distance.  Fixed length lanyards may not stop fall before hitting the lower level.  Retractable lanyards limit fall distance.

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Safety nets  An alternate fall arrest system for larger jobs.  Seldom used by Konecranes. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Why even good workers ignore fall protection  They’re in a hurry.  They don’t think a situation is dangerous enough to require it.  They think they’re experienced enough to avoid injury. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Frequent fall risks – #1 Crane walkways and platforms.  It’s easy to forget where you are in the press of work.  Konecranes requires 100% tie-off. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Frequent fall risks – #2 Openings in catwalks or floors.  These openings may be covered with a provisional covering that gives the illusion of safety, but won’t hold you. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Frequent fall risks – #3 Ladders and stairways  Use the three-point contact technique.  If a ladder starts at elevation, a fall arrest system may be necessary.  Unfinished stairways need guardrails. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Frequent fall risks – #4  Scaffolds or lifts  Don’t tie off to the scaffold. It could fall, too. Instead use independent lifelines attached to a secure structure.  Don’t use lifelines or lanyards that are too long. A fall that is brought up short by a long lifeline or lanyard can cause extensive injury (or death). FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Frequent fall risks – #5 Slippery surfaces  Snow, rain, or work around lubricants can make surfaces slick and unreliable.  Make sure you’re wearing appropriate footwear. Nonskid soles with tread are best. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Frequent fall risks – #6 Platforms, bridges or other structures under demolition  As with scaffolding, you need to be tied off to something that isn’t going to come down with the object of demolition. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Frequent fall risks – #7  Materials-handling equipment  Forklifts and other such machines are not designed to give safe lifts to personnel.  Rather than use this kind of equipment, ask for a bucket truck or aerial lift where appropriate. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 After the fall – a special risk  Allowing an employee whose fall has been arrested to dangle for more than a few minutes. ( Suspension trauma.)  Have a predetermined rescue plan. FALL PROTECTION

Business 21 Publishing © 2006 Summary Ignore fall protection at your peril. Here’s what can happen if you do:  You can be seriously injured.  You may DIE!  You can be disciplined or fired, depending on how serious the safety violation was. FALL PROTECTION