Fall Protection Training

- Falls remain the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry.

FALL PROTECTION FACT!!!

Duty to Have Fall ProtectionOSHA 1926.501

Fall protection is required when one or more employees have an exposure to a fall of six feet or greater to the lower level or ground on construction sites.

Work surfaces must be inspected for debris and obstructions before the work begins.

Employees should only be permitted to be on surfaces that are strong enough to support them.

Duty to have Fall Protection

The following areas require fall protection when employees are exposed to falls six feet or greater:

-Leading edges-Residential construction-Hoist areas (note: fall protection shall not

be used when entering a hoist)-Wall openings (greater than 18 inches

wide) and floor openings

- Mezzanines/elevated storage areas in warehouses

Anatomy of a “Fall”

It takes most people about 1/3 of a second to realize they have fallen

It takes another 1/3 of a second for the body and mind to react to the fall

In that 2/3 of a second the body falls approx. 7 feet. In that 7 feet, the body will be traveling at approx.

15mph.

Physics of a Fall

CAN IT HAPPEN?…..IT HAS!!!!

Scenario: Employee fell from third floor resulting in major injuries due to not wearing his fall protection equipment.

Hazard Identification

Hazard Identification

Hazard Identification

Hazard Identification

Hazards while working on roofs

Hazard Identification:Inspection of Guardrail Systems

Hazard Identification

What is Fall Protection?

A series of reasonable steps taken to eliminate or control the negative effects of falling while working at heights.

Types of fall protection Passive Systems:

Guardrails, hole covers, warning lines Active Systems:

Fall Restraint, Fall Arrest, Safety Nets

Floor Hole Covers

-Any floor opening greater than 1 inch shall be covered. (OSHA Regulation)

-How could this affect our delivery?

Guardrails

(1) Wire rope shall be secured to each support and taut at all times.

(2) The wire rope shall be free of sharp edges, burrs, or projections which may be a hazard.

(3) The maximum deflection of the top rail when a load of 200 pounds is applied in any direction at any point on the top rail shall not exceed 3 inches in one direction which includes the free hanging sag in the wire rope.

(4) Guardrails must be 39 -45 inches in height and must have a mid-rail (approx. 21 inches high).

Our policy: 42in high

Commercial Guardrails

Residential Guardrails

Is this a proper guardrail?

Stocking over guardrail system

Other Fall Protection Options

What are other options if we cannot boom material over guardrail systems, or guardrails are not present:

– Window gate– Fall Restraint– Fall Arrest

Fall Protection Option

Window Gate – must be installed according to

manufacturers recommendations.

Other fall protection must be in place while taking window out/in

Video – Surviving the Fall

Fall Restraint

Fall restraint anchor must be able to hold 2 times employee’s weight plus force from falling

Must keep employee from being physically able to step over edge.

Fall Restraint System Components

Fall Arrest

A personal fall arrest system is one option of protection for workers on construction sites who are exposed to vertical drops of 6 feet or more.

– Limit maximum arresting force to 1,800 pounds. – Be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall

more than 6 feet nor contact any lower level.– Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum

deceleration distance to 3½ feet.– Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact

energy of a worker free falling a distance of 6 feet, or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less

ANCHOR POINTS for Fall Arrest

Different than Fall Restraint Must be capable of holding 5000lbs for fall arresting

devices Only one worker per anchor. Anchor point must be located directly above or behind

theWorker’s “D-ring” to reduce the distance of free fall to 3.5feet and to reduce potential swing.

Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet.

Anchor Points

Anchor Points on Commercial Jobsites

(Always pre-inspect the provided anchor strap).Never use ladders to access these straps when on the edge of the building.

ANCHOR POINTS ON COMMERCIAL JOBSITES CONTINUED..

Cross-arm strap around column/I-beam

The height of the danger tape must be between 34 – 45 inches, and must not have openings.

Recap – Proper Steps to set up Fall Protection Equipment

1) Determine anchor point

2) Set-up Controlled Access Zone (CAZ) Establish a 15ft perimeter from the fall hazard

3) Inspect equipment & partners equipment

4) Set-up Fall Restraint/Fall Arrest equipment

5) Remove guardrail(s)

6) Stock material

7) Replace guardrail/window/

8) Disengage equipment

Some Misconceptions About Fall Protection:

• If you are more than six feet away from an unprotected or unguarded edge you are not required to wear fall protection equipment. - this is false.

• When pulling drywall, you do not have to wear fall protection equipment since the opening is blocked by the crane forks and drywall. - this is false.

• Fall protection equipment does not have to be used on residential jobsites. – this is false.

Railcar Fall Protection

Always maintain three points of contact when climbing up and down the ladder.

Railcar Fall Protection

Top view of railcar showing prior to removal of cables.

Railcar Fall Protection

Connect your lanyard into the chain hole on the far-side of the railcar. This will minimize the fall distance and allows for removal of the near-side chain.

Railcar Fall Protection

Connect your second lanyard to the next far-side chain hole prior to disconnecting the first lanyard. This ensures 100% tie-off while removing

all chains on the near-side of the car.

Railcar Fall Protection

Be aware that the lanyards can create a hazard when climbing up and down the ladder.

Railcar Fall Protection

The lanyards must be clipped to a keeper(s) on the harness near the chest area of the harness. The slack in the lanyard must be tucked into the harness when climbing up and down the ladder to eliminate the slack hazard shown on the previous slide.