Fall Prevention Program

[SAMPLE] CORPORATION

FLEET AUTO HYDRAULIC MECHANICS/TECHNICIANS

O C TO B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 4

Golden Rule

The golden rule of [corporation’s] fall prevention program is unit positioning to prevent working from height!

What does this mean?

This is the process of positioning the unit so that we reduce or eliminate the possibility of a fall from height, thus removing the need to use fall

prevention PPE.

Examples

Articulating the aerial unit to be able to work from the ground or an approved platform, rolling ladder, or the cargo area between the bins.Backing the unit to a loading dock, or other type platform that has proper railing and toe boards.

Introduction

What is Fall Prevention?

A stepped approach to prevent injury to [corporation’s] Auto Hydraulic Mechanic/Technician’s due to falls from elevated positions while maintaining or repairing [corporation’s] vehicles and equipment.

Why Fall Prevention

Over the course of 10 years at [corporation’s] and at other bench marked companies, Auto Hydraulic Mechanics/Technicians have experienced several falls resulting in serious bodily injury. Fall protection and other mitigating actions to reduce the possibility of injury must be used to ensure safety.

Fleet Management Fall Prevention Program

Fall Prevention Action

A system of policies and actions that reduce the likelihood of a fall. Ex: Housecleaning, work rules, fall prevention policies.

Head Protection

OSHA approved hard hat that meets or exceeds ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2009, Type II, Class E & G type II protection - impact protection for the top, front, back and side of the head. Helmet chin strap must be fastened at all times.

Unit Positioning

The process of articulating the aerial unit to the ground, or dock area; or use mobile platform, rolling ladder to avoid working from the bed of the equipment.

Worker Restraint System

The use of body belt or personal fall arrest harness with side “D” rings and adjustable positioning lanyard, and approved fall prevention hard hat with chin strap fastened. Lanyard shall be adjusted to prevent worker from reaching the edge of the work surface.

Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

Includes a body harness equipped with a safety relief step device installed with a retractable lanyard/personal fall limiter. The fall limiter is a retractable lanyard and must be attached to a ratchet anchor or approved secure point of attachment. The fall limiter retractable lanyard attachment point must be above the employee’s head at a vertical angle for proper operation.

Fall Prevention Equipment Maintenance and Inspection

All equipment used for fall prevention e.g. PFAS, work positioning belts and lanyard, ladders, and platforms will be inspected before each use by the worker. PFAS harness shall be inspected annually and documented by a Competent Person. PFAS harnesses should never be modified marked on or painted unless material is approved for use by the manufacturer. Harnesses should be taken out of service immediately if defective or exposed to an impact.

Fleet Management Fall Prevention Program

Anatomy of a Fall from Height

• It takes most people about 1/3 of a second to become aware a fall is taking place.

• It takes another 1/3 of a second for the body to react to that fall.

• 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

• Approved fall prevention Helmet with chin strap fastened

• Body belt or personal fall arrest harness with side “D” rings and adjustable positioning lanyard

• Personal fall arrest system harness (w/stirrups)• Fall limiter retractable lanyard/ yoyo • Attachment equipment • Proper attachment point above work surface

Basic Fall Prevention Equipment

•House Keeping • Communication

• Fleet Management will communicate with the field and outline the expected fall prevention requirement’s.

• Work Rule

• Auto Hydraulic Mechanic shall not work on vehicles or equipment until all debris that may interfere with their ability to maneuver safely in the work zone is removed. This would include any debris that could result in a slip, trip or fall. If obstacles can not be removed appropriate mitigation step shall be taken.

•Tool Carrier • Description

• To reduce the need to climb on and off the unit and to reduce the need for multiple trips to and from the work position. Mechanic will be provided with a job tool bag.

• Work Rule

• Auto Hydraulic Mechanic shall use tool bag to reduce trips on and off the unit from the work zone.

Fall Prevention Action

Fall Prevention Action

New Work Rules (Basic Requirements)

• Auto Hydraulic Mechanics/Technicians when working at a height above four feet and unable to maintain three points of contact or when not able to work within the confines of the unit body shall use all resources necessary to avoid working at heights in an unsecured position.

• All upper boom or bucket repairs will be made by articulating the aerial unit to the ground, mobile platform or dock area to avoid working from the bed of the equipment.

• When working on the side of a unit; such as, removing street side boom cover to access slide tubes the equipment shall be positioned towards the dock or other stationary object to eliminate the potential of a fall.

Unit Positioning Examples

New Work Rules (cont.)

• When the hydraulic mechanic/technician can not meet the BASIC requirements a helper must be utilized to mitigate the risk. (Example: Removal of Cat Track, Boom cylinder, Boom section, or aux functioning valves on DM47 etcetera)

❖Helper is defined as a [corporation’s] employee on site that can assist with lifting or can standby to assist if needed

Fall Prevention Action

Platform

• Mechanics require access to booms and other areas that are not normally traversed by an operator. The platform is to reduce unnecessary climbing on the unit or equipment.

• Platforms shall only be used when the equipment being worked on cannot be lowered to a safe working height from ground level or pulled into a dock. The Mechanic should make every effort to minimize their exposure.

• Example of typical job task such as boom tip repairs, cylinder exchanges and hose repairs. The mechanic using this equipment will wear the appropriate PPE including type II helmet. All gates must remain in the closed positions when mechanic is operating from the platform.

Fall Prevention System

Rolling Ladders

• Rolling safety ladders of 8’ with hand rails will be used to perform preventative maintenance and general inspection of the boom and other elevated devices on equipment.

• Rolling safety ladders shall only be used when the equipment being worked on or inspected cannot be lowered to a safe working height from ground level. The Mechanic should make every effort to minimize their exposure. The mechanic using this equipment will wear the appropriate PPE including type II helmet. Heavy lifting or prolonged repairs will not be performed from the Rolling safety ladder. Platform must be used when heavy lifting, pulling, hammering, etc. is required.

• Example of typical job task – greasing boom, inspection.

Fall Prevention System

Worker Restraint System

• An adjustable lanyard with the body belt or personal fall arrest system harness with side “D” rings will be used when a rolling platform, ladder or relocating the truck avoid the potential of a fall is not possible. An adjustable lanyard should be used to secure the employee from reaching edge of the work surface, eliminating the potential of fall from height. This system can only be used for restraint restricting the employee from the fall hazard. If employee can reach a fall hazard then personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is required.

New Work Rule

• Worker Restraint Systems (adjustable lanyard) shall only be used when the equipment being worked on or inspected cannot be lowered to a safe working height from ground level; parked next to a stationary object to eliminate the potential of a fall; when a platform and ladder is not available or suitable for the work. The Mechanic should make every effort to minimize their exposure. The mechanic using this equipment will wear the appropriate PPE including type II helmet.

Worker Restraint System

Worker Restraint System Examples

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

PFAS

• When fall mitigation can not be obtained by utilizing unit positioning, or worker restraint system, Auto Hydraulic Mechanic will utilize personal fall arrest harness with yoyo positioned overhead so that the rigging extends from the body harness straight up (a vertical angle). This is the preferred method when a personal fall arrest system harness is required.

• Should only be used when other fall prevention means can not be used or are not feasible.

• Used to protect an employee from hitting a lower level once they have fallen.

• Components include:

• An anchorage point (must be above work surface)

• Deceleration devices

• Body harness

• Connectors – lanyards, rope grabs, anchorage connectors

New Work Rule

• When fall mitigation can not be obtained by utilizing unit positioning or worker restraint system, Auto Hydraulic Mechanic/Technician will utilize a personal fall arrest system body harness, retractable fall limiter/personal fall limiter (yoyo) and lanyards positioned accordingly. Attachment points will be above employee.

• When the mechanic must use the PFAS an employee must be in this work area during the repair to provide assistance if needed. A written rescue plan will be documented .

• When PFAS must be utilized mechanic/technician must consult with management to insure attachment points are sufficient. A qualified person may be needed.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

• Whenever working with the potential of hanging by a personal fall arrest system harness, a rescue plan must be in effect.

• A written hazard analysis must be done and employees must be trained on the plan.

Planning For A Rescue

• The rescue plan must be written in the hazard analysis

• The goal is to rescue the employee as soon as possible and limit the hanging time to no more than fifteen minutes.

• Plan for a worker that is unconscious.

• Ensure all the rescue equipment in the vicinity

• Call 911 whenever someone has been in a fall arrest situation

Planning For A Rescue

Fall Prevention Equipment Maintenance and Inspection

• All equipment used for fall prevention e.g. PFAS, work positioning belts and lanyard, ladders, and platforms will be inspected before each use by the worker.

• PFAS harness shall be inspected annually and documented by a Competent Person.

• PFAS harnesses should never be modified marked on or painted unless material is approved for use by the manufacturer.

• Harnesses should be taken out of service immediately if defective or exposed to an impact.

Personal Protection Equipment