1. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Fall Protection MIOSHA Part 45 OSHA 1926 Subpart M Personal Fall Arrest

2. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Falls in Construction
Falls are the leading cause of death in construction
Falls from as little as 4 to 6 feet can cause serious lost-time accidents and sometimes death
Falls from 11 feet result in death 50% of the time
Every worker on a job site is at risk of a fall

3. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Defining the Fall
A free fall is defined as the act of falling before a personal fall arrest system begins to apply force to arrest the fall.
When a fall is experienced using a PFAS, the fall is referred to as a free fall up until the deceleration device starts to arrest the fall.
It’s similar to a parachute jumper pulling the ripcord to the parachute. The fall doesn’t stop, but the fall begins to stop once the rip cord is pulled.
MIOSHA rules allow no more than a ________ foot free fall distance.
Any additional distance the person falls beyond the free fall is added to the free fall distance and referred to as the total fall distance. This is the measurement of the fall from start to stop.

4. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Nine Types of Fall Protection
Guardrails
Safety nets
Personal fall arrest system
Covers
Conventional
Fall Protection Systems
Positioning device systems
Warning line systems
Controlled access zones
leading edge, precast concrete, overhand bricklaying
Safety monitoring
Fall protection plans
These 4 systems should be used for most situations
The other 5 systems are for:
Unique situations have unique fall protection methods
When and if conventional fall protection is infeasible
This slide show different types of fall protection. This presentation will focus on Guardrails.

5. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
PFAS: Fall Distance
How far can you fall?
How far down will your feet touch?
5’ = Measurement from feet to D-ring on your back
6’ = Length of your lanyard
+ 3.5’ = Length of the deceleration device when deployed
14.5’ = minimum fall clearance
If tied off at feet.
There is equipment now that keeps the force under 900 lbs. Using a 6 foot lanyard tied off at your feet.

6. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Fall Arrest Forces
Free fall distance
Force in pounds
Data from Miller (millerfallprotection.com/smart-solutions/faqs/faqs)
Using a web lanyard with a 220 lb weight.
This graph explains the rationale for limiting falls to 6’ and using a shock absorber.
When falls go from 6’ to 10’, the force goes from 870 to 1600 lbs (almost double!)

7. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
A system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level.
Anchorage
Connectors
Lifeline or Lanyard
Deceleration device
Body harness
= PFAS
+_____________

8. Personal Fall Arrest Systems

9. Personal Fall Arrest System
MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Personal Fall Arrest System
Inspected prior to each use (daily)
Must limit arresting force to 1800 lbs
Designed for a maximum of 310 lb worker
Removed from service if impact loaded
Must provide for prompt rescue in event of a fall
These are the rules applying to the entire PFAS.

10. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Anchorage
A secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices
The photos show many different means of creating anchor points.

11. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09

12. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Anchorage
Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be
independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms
Capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs OR
Shall be designed, installed, and used as follows:
As part of a complete fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two
Under the supervision of a qualified person
The photos show many different means of creating anchor points.

13. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Anchorage Cont.
“As part of a complete fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two”
“Under the supervision of a qualified person”
USE THE ABOVE RULE VERY SPARINGLY! THIS DOES NOT NEGATE THE 5000lb RULE!
The photos show many different means of creating anchor points.

14. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Harness
Must fit snug: 2 fingers tight
Must be worn properly
chest strap across chest
D – ring in center of back

15. Harness

16. MIOSHA Const - Part 45 Fall Protection
Revised 05/11/09
Shock Absorbing Lanyard
Single leg or double leg
Need double for 100” tie-off
Web, rope, or cable
Deceleration device = 42”
Limit arresting force to 900 lbs.

17. More Information
MIOSHA Fact Sheets
MIOSHA CSHD-COM-04-2R2