OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Subpart M.

Fall Protection Requirements Competent Persons Construction Fatalities Fall Facts Fall Protection System Types

Use, operation, and inspection Installing, dissembling, and maintaining

One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter

BU

ILD

ING

BEN

EA

TH

TH

E S

UR

FA

CE

It takes most people about 1/3 of a second to become aware.

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

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

BU

ILD

ING

BEN

EA

TH

TH

E S

UR

FA

CE

Acceleration = 32 ft/sec²Deceleration = 0 ft/sec²

Force of Fall = Weight X Distance

= 200 lb. worker+20 lb. tools = 220 X 6’ Fall = 1,320 lb.

force

AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN ONE CONSTRUCTION WORKER DIES FROM A FALL EACH AND EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR (INCLUDES SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND HOLIDAYS)

A FULL 35% (428) OF CONSTRUCTION FATALITIES FOR 2006 ARE ATTRIBUTED TO FALLS!!!

151 OF THOSE WORKERS DIED FROM FALLING FROM A ROOF

67 DIED FROM FALLS FROM SCAFFOLDING

67 DIED FROM FALLING FROM LADDERS

35 DIED FROM FALLS FROM THE FLOOR, DOCK OR GROUND LEVEL.

19 DIED FROM FALLS THROUGH OPEN FLOOR HOLES

Stops an employee during a fall Limits the arresting force to 1,800 lbs. Restricts free fall to 6ft. or less & prevents

contact with a lower level Has an anchor point capable of

supporting 5,000 lbs. or 2 times the intended load

Supervised by a qualified person

Anchorage – a secure point of attachment for lifelines or lanyards capable of withstanding 5,000 lbs. of force or twice the intended load.

Connector – device used to connect parts of the personal fall arrest or positioning device systems together. Examples include carabiners, buckles, D-rings and snap hooks.

Inspect your harness before each use. Inspect all buckles, straps, Dee-rings,

for damage or wear. Contact your supervisor or safety and

remove equipment if defective or once involved in a fall. One time use ONLY!

Never tie knots in lanyards or lifelines as it reduces strength by over 50%. They will snap and you will

hit the ground!

Chest strap tightened at mid chest

Butt strap supports the load

Proper snugness shoulder to hips

Leg straps snug but not binding

“D” ring between shoulder blades

“Rules of Thumb”

• Be able to reach your D-ring with your thumb

• Maximum Four (flat) Fingers of Slack at the legs, straps as high as comfortably possible

• Ensure chest strap is across the chest/breastbone

• Have a buddy double check for twists, etc…

Positioning Device System - Full body harness system rigged to allow an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall, and work with both hands free while leaning. These devices shall be rigged such that an employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet

Y-hook re-bar assembly. Inspect all components prior to each and every use

Body Harness – straps which may be secured about the employee in a manner that will distribute the fall arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders with means for attaching it to other components of a personal fall arrest system.

Prevents a person from falling. The top edge of the guardrails must be 42 inches (+/- 3” inches) above the walking/working level. Mid-rail is also required. System capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 lbs. of outward or downward force.

Fall restraint assumes the employee cannot reach the edge.

He is basically on a short leash. If the employee could reach to the edge and

fall over the edge, he must be in fall arrest.

Restraint Line

Edge

Fall Arrest Slows down and stops a person

from falling to a lower working level. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, a full body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations of these.

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

All distances are approximate and shown for illustration only. It is critical to maintain the safety factor distance!

Very effective for vertical applications.

Designed to stop in 1 –2 feet, minimizing total fall distance and impact forces on the worker’s body

This worker is hooked to a retractable lifeline with his lanyard.

This can cause hook failures and affect the locking capability of the retractable.

The retractable should be attached directly to the “D” ring.

Swing Fall

Use short lanyard and secure it prior to moving any boom type lift equipment

Use only the manufacturer provided

anchor point Never stand on the

guardrail Secure loose material or

equipment within lift basket

Any hole 2” or greater must be protected with cover

Secure cover and mark “HOLE- DO NOT

REMOVE” Cover must support

twice the intended load For Vehicle loading,

design at 4 times the intended load

Safety Dept. & Competent Person will develop a Rescue Plan as part of the Pre-Task Plan

Common Approaches: Provide ladder for

person to access Access person with

aerial lift

Spread load across butt strap and belt strap if on the harness

Excess pressure here can cut blood flow to the legs

Some studies have indicated permanent damage to the lower extremities when the worker hangs for more than twenty (20) minutes