Transcript Building a Fall Protection Program
Building a
Why Use Fall Protection?
In 1995, 1,048 construction workers died on the job, with 32%, or 335 of them, resulting from falls. Each year, falls consistently account for the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry, and are always a major concern in other industries. Events surrounding these types of accidents often involve a number of factors, including unstable working surfaces, misuse of fall protection equipment, and human error. Studies have shown that the use of guardrails, fall arrest systems, safety nets, covers, and travel restriction systems can prevent many deaths and injuries from falls.
Why Use Fall Protection?
Falls are the 2nd leading cause of death in industry. Navy statistics of falls demonstrate falls actually do occur! Required By Federal Law! 29 CFR 1910, 1915 or 1926
120 100 80 60 40 20 0
CNO N45 Fall Statistics FY 96 through FY 99
105 Civilian on Shore 33 69 Military on Shore Military on Ships Loss Time Cases
CNO N45 Fall Statistics FY 96 through FY 99
33.5
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 7.3
11.1
Average Height Of Employee Fall Civilian on Shore, 105 Cases TTL.
Military on Shore, 33 Cases TTL.
Military on Ships, 69 Cases TTL.
Types Of Fall Protection:
Traditional:
Standard Guardrails Ladder Cages Hand rails Scaffolding Lifelines
Non Traditional
Safety Harnesses Lanyards Carabiners Self Retracting Lifelines Tie-Off Adapters
Common to both methods: An Engaged Brain is required
Program Elements Hazard Analysis Equipment Policy Training Inspection Rescue
Hazard Analysis
What Equipment And Conditions Do You Already Have!
Qualify Equipment?
Condition?
Controls?
Usability?
Quantify Exposure Tasks?
Hazard?
How controlled?
Is the Hazard Unique?
Are The Fall Hazards Controlled With Adequate Equipment For The Tasks Performed?
Identify the Tasks
Those That Do The Work Know the Tasks!
ASK Them!!!
WHERE SHOPS USE FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT When working 5 feet or more above a level surface Pulling shafts, screws(props),rudders, fairplanes On top of Conex boxes or portable buildings w/o life lines Working on Submarine Enclosure roofs Rigging Hull sections Working on Hull sections
WHERE SHOPS USE FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT Rigging machinery pier side, on trailers and in railcars Attaching rigging to staging above 5 feet Staging work above 5 feet Removing/installing masts, antennas, waveguide, etc.
Working on hulls w/ missing deck sections; no guard rails
WHERE SHOPS USE FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (CONT.) Working from crane suspended box or basket/cage, or JLG Working in tanks Working aboard vessels in tall compartments (Includes multi-deck shafts, high vertical ladders, deck edge elevators, hangar deck overheads, machinery space upper levels, etc.)
WHERE SHOPS USE FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (CONT.) Rigging newly manufactured barge sections Installing tarps on roofs, tall structures, equipment, etc.
Rigging sub roofs Working on cranes (indoors and outdoors)
When should you use fall protection?
“Click on the correct answer button” 1. When working 5 feet or more above a level surface.
2. Working on cranes (indoors and outdoors).
3. On top of Conex boxes or portable buildings 4. Working from crane suspended box or basket/cage 5. All of the above
Determine What Equipment is Currently Available at Your Facility.
Quantity and Quality of Equipment
1693 Safety Belts ( 1094 c/o) 329 Harnesses (111 c/o) 787 Shock absorbing lanyards (324 c/o) 1424 Lanyards w/o Shock Absorber (995 c/o) No inspection criteria No maintenance criteria Majority of labels not legible No major replacement in 15 years
Survey the Work Force
Use a Few Simple Questions Designed to Identify: Exposure to fall hazards.
Effectiveness of current equipment.
Survey can also collect data on the stature of the work force.
Results of Hazard Analysis
Exposure to the Fall Hazards!
The Quality of the Hazard Control.
Suitability of Equipment.
The probability of occurrence and the extent of regulatory compliance can be estimated.
Use The Hazard Analysis To Determine Extent of Remaining Program Elements.
What information should your Hazard Analysis provide?
The probability of occurrence and the extent of regulatory compliance Exposure to fall hazards.
Data on the stature of the work force Inspection criteria, Maintenance criteria None of the Above All of the Above
Equipment Selection
The Equipment
Safety Harness Lanyards Heat Resistance Equipment
The Equipment
SRL’s Rope Grabs Horizontal Lifelines Ladder Climbing Devices Beamers Special Devices
Equipment Selection:
Evaluate each task individually.
Determine what equipment meets the need.
Become the expert; cause no one else is.
Look for equipment that matches multiple tasks.
Use all sources available to you.
Vendors Federal Stock System Manufacturers Trade Shows The Workers You are Trying to Protect
Body harnesses OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(18) Body harnesses are designed to minimize stress forces on an employee's body in the event of a fall, while providing sufficient freedom of movement to allow work to be performed.
Do not use body harnesses to hoist materials.
As of January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system, because they impose a danger of internal injuries when stopping a fall.
Attachment of the body harness • OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(17) The attachment of the body harness must be located in the center of the wearer's back, near the shoulder level, or above the head.
Vertical Lifelines/Lanyards Self-retracting vertical lifelines and lanyards that automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet or less must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3,000 pounds when in the fully extended position. If they do not automatically limit the free fall to 2 feet or less, ripstitch lanyards, and tearing and deforming lanyards, must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds when in the fully extended position.
Webbing
• OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(14) Webbing are the ropes and straps used in lifelines, lanyards, and strength components of body harnesses. The webbing must be made from synthetic fibers.
Anchorages
•
OSHA Standard:1926.502(d)(15) Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms, and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached.
Horizontal Lifelines/Lanyards
OSHA Standard: 1926.451(g)(3)(ii) • OSHA Standard: 1926.451(g)(3)(iii) • OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(7) • OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(8) Horizontal lifelines are to be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person, and as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two.
On suspended scaffolds or similar working platforms with horizontal lifelines that may become vertical lifelines, the devices used to connect to a horizontal lifeline must be capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline.
Connectors
• OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(1) Connectors, including D-rings and snaphooks, must be made from drop-forged, pressed or formed steel, or equivalent materials. They must have a corrosion-resistant finish, with smooth surfaces and edges to prevent damage to connecting parts of the system.
D-Rings
D-Rings must have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds, and be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3,600 pounds without cracking, breaking, or becoming permanently deformed.
Snaphooks
Snaphooks must have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds, and be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3,600 pounds without cracking, breaking, or becoming permanently deformed. They must also be locking-type, double-locking, designed and used to prevent the disengagement of the snaphook by the contact of the snaphook keeper with the connected member.
Snaphooks
Unless it is designed for the following connections, snaphooks
must not
be engaged: •Directly to webbing, rope, or wire. •To each other. •To a D-ring to which another snaphook or other connector is attached. •To a horizontal lifeline. •To any object which is incompatibly shaped in relation to the snaphook such that the connected object could depress the snaphook keeper and release itself.
• OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(9) Vertical lifelines or lanyards must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds, and be protected against being cut or abraded. Each employee must be attached to a separate vertical lifeline, except during the construction of elevator shafts, where two employees may be attached to the same lifeline in the hoistway, provided: •Both employees are working atop a false car that is equipped with guardrails. •The strength of the lifeline is 10,000 pounds (5,000 pounds per employee). •All other lifeline criteria have been met.
Involve the Organizations That Use It!
What Fall Protection Equipment do Shops need to support the tasks identified?
Typical Answer (universal response):
Safety Belt and Lanyard, or Fall Protection Is Not Possible !
Now You Know:
What the specific tasks are where employees are exposed.
What equipment is suitable to abate the Hazard.
Which types are correct examples of Fall Arrest system equipment ?
Body Harnesses, body belt, vertical lifeline, lanyards, anchor points, lifelines, d-rings.
Body Harnesses, snap rings, vertical lifeline, lanyards, anchor points, horizontal lifelines, d-rings, webbing.
Body Harnesses, snap rings, vertical lifeline, lanyards, anchor points, webbing, horizontal lifelines, d-rings, body belt.
Self-retracting vertical lifelines which automatically limit free fall distances have what limits placed on them?
3 feet or less free fall, and 2000 pounds 2 feet or less free fall, and 5000 pounds 1 foot or less free fall, and 2000 pounds 4 feet or less free fall, and 5000 pounds 2 feet or less free fall, and 3000 pounds None of the above
Which is the correct anchorage point to use in the following situation?
Three workers are working on a roof, and have one anchor point to use between them. The anchor point has been tested to 1485 pounds support. The workers weigh 185, 192, and 155. All three workers may tie off at the anchor point, because of their 532 pound combined weight. There is no need to tie off, because they are on a roof. Only workers 1 and 3 may tie off because of their combined weight. Only 2 workers may tie off because you require at least 5000 pounds per employee attached.
D-Rings and Snap hooks must meet which of the following requirements.
Made from drop-forged, pressed or formed steel, or equivalent materials. They must have a corrosion resistant finish, with smooth surfaces and edges to prevent damage to connecting parts of the system and have a minimum tensile strength of 3,000 pounds, and be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 2,600 pounds without cracking, breaking, or becoming permanently deformed Made from drop-forged, pressed or formed steel, or equivalent materials. They must have a corrosion resistant finish, with smooth surfaces and edges to prevent damage to connecting parts of the system and have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds, and be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3,600 pounds without cracking, breaking, or becoming permanently deformed
Qualified Person
One with a recognized degree or certificate and with extensive knowledge and experience, capable of evaluating and developing the design, analysis, specifications, associated with the components of a Personal Fall Arrest System.
Competent Person
One capable of identifying hazards associated with the use of Personal Fall Arrest Systems and the authority to take prompt corrective measure to eliminate hazards.
Qualified / Competent Person
Read more about Qualified / Competent Person by “clicking below…………….
Policy
Building a Policy
Must include applicable regulatory requirements.
Must be simple and understandable.
AND
Building a Policy
Must apply each of the tasks identified.
Must be universal within your activity.
Must be reasonable!
AND
Must be Possible!
With the equipment you identify.
A Policy
WHEN IS FALL PROTECTION REQUIRED?
Specific Situations: Aerial Work Platforms, (JLG’s, Scissor Lifts) Ladders with Ladder Climbing Devices Crane Suspended Personnel Platforms
Policy (continued)
Rule #1: When working at heights greater than five feet and not protected by a standard guardrail.
Work excluded from this rule: Working from a sloping ladder (step ladder or extension ladder).
Climbing a fixed ladder that does not have a ladder climbing device.
Personnel erecting or dismantling staging (when tie-off points are not achievable).
Policy (continued)
Rule #2: There is no minimum job duration allowed which excludes the fall protection requirement.
If a two-minute job requires 15 minutes to establish fall protection, then spend the 15 minutes!
Exclusion: 1st Person Up Rule:
If a fall protection anchorage point has not previously been established, the first job of the first person exposed to the fall hazard is to establish fall protection for themselves, and all persons that follow.
Policy (continued)
Rule #3: There is no minimum acceptable distance from an unguarded edge*.
Warning systems and Safety Monitors are not allowed.
A physical barrier, such as rope, chain, closed hatch, or closed door, which prevents employees from approaching an unguarded edge* is acceptable. Barrier tape is not considered a physical barrier.
*
Unguarded Edge: Edge with a fall hazard greater than 5 feet, not guarded by a standard guardrail or a parapet at least 34 inches high.
Policy (continued)
Areas excluded from Rule #3
: Piers, Quay walls, Flooded Dry Docks - LIFE RINGS ARE STAGED and PFD requirements apply. However, working at the edge of a pier, quay wall, or flooded drydock five feet or more above a solid surface, (e.g., camel, barge, ice), requires fall protection.
Not
e: U-Bars placed at Submarine hatches, Shipboard accesses to tanks, voids, and similar areas are acceptable by OSHA interpretation (These are Ship’s equipment items).
Not
e: When working on flat roofs of permanent buildings that have unguarded edges*, employees must have fall protection equipment on site and utilize the equipment when near an unguarded edge*. Pitched roofs (pitch greater than 4 inches) with unguarded edges* require fall protection at all times.
What 3 rules should you base your policy on?
When working at heights greater than five feet and not protected by a standard guardrail; protection requirement; there is no minimum job duration allowed which excludes the fall there is no minimum acceptable distance from an unguarded edge .
When working at heights greater than seven feet on any platform, including ladders; any job 10 minutes or less excludes the fall protection requirement; minimum acceptable distance from an unguarded edge is 1 foot, if you are farther than 1 foot from a edge, no fall protection is required .
Training
Training
Required by OSHA Required by ANSI Z359.1
Required by all reasonable Competent Persons.
HOW MUCH TRAINING IS ENOUGH?
Typical Training Formats
2-8 hrs: Familiarization 8 hrs: Fall Protection for Managers/Engineers 8-16 hrs: Full User Certification.
5 Days: Competent Person Certification 8 - 10 Days: Qualified Person Certification 10 - 12 Days: Trainer Certification
User’s Course:
In-House Training:
Can Be Very Equipment Specific Shorter Training Times Least Effective More training required if equipment changes
Commercial Courses:
Usually, the Best Overall Training Typically Includes Extraneous Information Expensive
For the Competent Person, Qualified Person, and Train the Trainer.
Use External Training Sources
NAVOSHENVTRACEN Course A-493-0084 for Competent Person
Who Should Be Trained:
Each User, Supervisors and Work Leaders Suitable Number of Technical/Spec Writers The Competent Person Additional personnel, as needed Qualify at Least One Engineer as a “Qualified Person” Or get access to one, you will need them!
Training
Each User, Supervisors and Work Leaders, Suitable Number of Technical/Spec Writers, The Competent Person, at Least One Engineer. Safety Manager, All Supervisors and Work Leaders, safety inspectors, The Competent Person, at Least One Engineer, Commanding Officer or executive officer. Safety advisor, All new personnel arriving onboard, All planners and designers, the contracting authority.
Inspection
Pre-Use Inspection
Each User Needs to Be to Be Trained to Perform
Webbing
Stitching Metal Components Overall Condition Detailed Inspection Documentation.
Periodic Inspection
Typically Interpreted as Annual Performed by the Competent Person Or by instruction from the Competent Person Detailed, documented, traceable component by component.
Most manufacturer’s have guidelines.
Specialized equipment must be returned to the manufacturer for this inspection.
Who must perform inspections inspections?
Safety Manager Subject matter expert Competent Person Fall protection program manager Workcenter supervisor
Rescue
People That Use Fall Protection Equipment Fall More Often Than People That Don’t!
A Means of Rescuing an Individual, suspended after a fall is
Absolutely Crucial!
Self Rescue
Users must be trained in what they can do to rescue themselves and
WHAT THEY, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES MUST NOT DO!
Rescue Team
Highly Specialized Beyond Knowledge of Competent and Qualified Emergency Personnel Usually Considered the Source
DO NOT ASSUME YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS TRAINED AND CAPABLE OF THIS FUNCTION!
VERIFY!
A Few Things to Worry About
Anchorage Points:
Will They Fail During a Fall?
Should they be: Certified and Designated?
or Improvised?
How much is 5000 pounds?
Free Fall Distance
How Far Can You Fall and be Safe: 4 Feet?
5 Feet?
6 Feet?
8 Feet?
(29 CFR 1910) (29 CFR 1915) (29 CFR 1910) (29 CFR 1915) (ANSI Z359.1) (29 CFR 1926)
Maximum Arresting Force (MAF)
By OSHA and ANSI: 1800 pounds.
Injury Threshold: 2700 pounds.* Based upon medical research in France and U.S.
Comparison: Opening a parachute after free fall: 2250 pounds* 30 MPH head on car crash into a test barrier with a 3 point safety belt: 3000-6000 pounds* *Fundamentals of Fall Protection; Andrew C. Sulowki; 1991
Maximum Arresting Force (MAF) Shock Asborbing Lanyard - DBI/SALA Model 3300P6 3500 3000 2500 Four Foot Freefall Six Foot Freefall Nine Foot Freefall 2000 1500 1000 500 0 224 252 280 308 336 364 392 Body Weight in Pounds (Rigid Test Weight X 1.4) 420
Total Fall Distance
Free Fall Distance + Shock Absorber Length + Body Length + Stretch
Pendulum Effect
The velocity developed during a Vertical Free Fall can be translated into a horizontal velocity.
Hitting a vertical wall with 800 pounds of force is same as hitting the floor with 800 pounds of force.
Rescue Time
After approximately 30 minutes of suspension, physiological effects become significant.
Actual time depends upon age, health,physical condition and sex of individual.
Safety Factors for the Program Manager
Safety Factor to Injury
Injury Force: 2700 pounds Regulated MAF: 1800 pounds Actual Arresting Force: 800-900 pounds Regulated Safety Factor: 1.5 : 1 Actual Safety Factor: 3 : 1 Equipment and Individual dependent
Single Point Improvised Anchorage
Capable of Supporting 5000 pounds without failure.
1800 Pounds Maximum Arresting Force 800 - 900 Pounds typical Actual Arresting Force Regulated Safety Factor - 2.7 :1 Actual Safety Factor - 5.5 : 1 Equipment Specific
Engineered Single Point Anchorage
Capable of supporting 3600 pounds without failure • Regulated MAF: 1800 pounds Actual Arresting Force: 800 - 900 Regulated Safety Factor: 2 : 1 Actual Safety Factor: 4 : 1
Engineered Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)
Regulated Safety Factor of 2 Actual Safety Factor - Engineer Dependent Example: Horizontal Lifelines
Scaffolding
Scaffolding An estimated 2.3 million construction workers, or 65% of the construction industry, work on scaffolds frequently. Protecting these workers from scaffold-related accidents would prevent 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths every year, at a savings for American employers of $90 million in workdays not lost. In a recent BLS study, seventy-two percent of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the accident either to the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object. All of these can be controlled by compliance with OSHA standards.
Read more about Scaffolding by “clicking” below…………….
Legal Stuff
Get To Know Your Activities Legal Counsel
Some Hints and Tricks
Identify Those Individuals That Can Help:
Procurement Personnel
Specification Writers.
Tool Room Supervisors Training Personnel Engineering Union Let them be part of the effort and decisions:
They can work in their management structure more effectively than you.
Don’t let the issue be about compliance or money. Stay above those arguments.
Keep the issue safety of the worker for processes they perform. Acquire a set of equipment you’ve identified that is needed.
Collect representative samples of bad stuff. Get or make a Roll-Out Lanyard Develop a short show and tell talk about the equipment.
Perform this talk at every opportunity to any group greater than one that will stand in one place long enough to hear it:
All Levels of Management
Stand-up Safety Meetings Union Meetings Anywhere and Everywhere Encourage Workers and Supervisors to Call You.
Make the set of equipment available to anyone that thinks they need it for a job or wants to try it.
This ones hard, cause you have to be there.
Eventually (after lots and lots of work) You will not be able to handle the requests for help using the equipment you have.
The result will be:
Workers will be complaining they can’t get the stuff they need to do their job.
Supervisors will begin complaining jobs are being delayed.
And Before You Know It:
It’s All Your Fault!
Managers get involved. Allocate funding, ask the procurement personnel to buy the identified equipment Specifications are written, Training is developed (or external training identified).
The group of individuals that you identified at the beginning all the sudden become folks with the answers in their organization.
At this point, ownership is taken by all the right people. There will always be naysayers.
Once people believe that they CAN DO IT THEY WILL DEMAND IT .
Then write your instruction and KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Continue to Evaluate Your Program!
You are guaranteed to find… NEW AREAS OF CONCERN!
Keep Yourself Up On……….
New or Specific Training Methods.
New Equipment.
Innovative Techniques.