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BASIC FALL PROTECTION. OFFERED BY: CH BULL CO SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA. Falls Kill. Unrestrained falls from 10’ kill or disable 4 out of 5 victims Unrestrained falls from 11’ kill 4 out of 5. PHYSICS OF A FALL.
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BASIC FALL PROTECTION OFFERED BY: CH BULL CO SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Falls Kill • Unrestrained falls from 10’ kill or disable 4 out of 5 victims • Unrestrained falls from 11’ kill 4 out of 5
PHYSICS OF A FALL Elapsed Distance Velocity Speed MPH Force at Time of fall Ft. per second impact .25 1 Ft 8 5.5 400 Lbs .50 4 Ft 16 11 1600 Lbs .61 6 Ft 20 14 2400 Lbs .75 9 Ft 24 16 3600 Lbs 1.0 16 Ft 32 22 6400 Lbs 1.25 25 Ft 40 27 10,000 Lbs 1.5 36 Ft 48 33 14,000 Lbs 1.75 49 Ft 56 38 19,600 Lbs *calculations based upon a 200 pound worker including tools.
Construction • In 1995 1,048 people died on the job • 32% of fatal accidents involved falls
Key Areas of Concern • Falls from heights • Confined spaces • Lift equipment • Scaffolds
Eliminating the Risk • Don’t go there • Build a work platform • Implement a personal fall arrest system • Use alternative means
Fall Protection • A series of steps taken to reasonably lessen or eliminate the risk of falling in the work place
What Is Fall Protection? • Equipment? • Planning? • A culture change? • It is all of the above
Key Fall Exposures, Concerns • At heights • When positioned • Confined spaces • Lift devices
The Regulatory Environment • Employers have the GENERAL DUTY to provide a safe, healthy workplace
Hierarchy of Regulation • State or federal standards • Minimum acceptable • Manufacturer notices, warnings, instructions • Employer safety policy
Generally Speaking the Regs Require • Fed OSHA limits free falls to 6’ or less • Cal/OSHA limits free fall to 30” or more • Special criteria for confined space work • Fall protection in lift devices • Scaffold builders to be “tied off”
Specific Regulations • 29CFR1910 • 29CFR1926 • Multiple state regulations • CAL/OSHA of Regulations, Title 8 • Subchapter 7
Two Types of Personnel Are Described • Competent • Qualified
Competent Persons • Know application limits • Regulations • Able to “solve and resolve” problems • Have authority to take necessary actions
Qualified Persons • Degree or certificate of competency • PE • Vast experience • Skill necessary to “solve and resolve” technical problems
Personal Fall Arrest Systems • Must be in place when the risk is present • Must limit impact loads on the victim • Must ACTUALLY work in the environment in which they are used
When Positioned • A fall of NO MORE THAN 2 FEET • A minimum 3,000# anchor • All other hardware must meet PFAS requirements
Powered Lift Equipment • Confusing Scenario • Scissor lift • Boom lift or other device
Scissors Lift • Working surface
Boom Lift • Must be “tied off” • 29CFR1910.67(c)(2)(v) A full body harness shall be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift.
One More Look at Boom Lifts • Do you see any problems here? • Free fall potential? • Anchor strength? • Basket capacity?
Federal Regulatory Basis • OSHA • 29 CFR 1926 Sub R • Steel erection only • 29 CFR 1926 Sub M • Well documented • 6’ free fall
29CFR1926 Sub R • Significant changes • 1926.760(a) sets 15’ “trigger height” with exceptions • Specific training
What if Conventional Fall Protection Will Not Work • Fall protection plans are acceptable alternative • Very restrictive • Very specific
Fall Protection Plans • Require clear statement that “conventional” fall protection “is impractical or creates a greater hazard.” • Must clearly identify why conventional systems are not appropriate
Plans Must be Specific • Where it is to be implemented • Who is responsible for implementation • A qualified person must approve the plan and any changes • The plan must be maintained on site
Additional Actions May be Required for Compliance • Title 8§1671.1(a)(9) requires controlled access zones and safety monitoring when “no other alternatives measure has been implemented….”
Controlled Access Zones • Control line set not less than 6’ nor more than 25’ from unprotected or leading edge • Set with lowest point no less than 39” nor more than 45” above the working level • Must be clearly marked at not more than 6’ intervals
Safety Monitoring • Safety monitor must be competent person • Must always be in communication with employees being monitored • Monitor should have no other responsibilities diverting attention
Safety at Heights: A Simple Proposition • A - anchorage • B - full body harness • C - connectors • D - devices
Anchor Points • Basic - most common alternative • Engineered - meets 2:1 safety factor • Most common errors Assume anchor point is strong enough Somebody else tied off to this anchor point
Can You Recognize an Appropriate Anchor? • 5,000 lbs • 3,000 lbs • How about a rule of thumb?
Anchor Point Evaluation • Ford F-250 Extended Cab • 2 WD • 5,058 lb.
Anchorage Selection • 5,000 pound requirement • Set as high as possible • Cuts free fall • Use correct device • Cable or web sling • Carabiner, handgrip
Weight Limits • Most fall arrest equipment sold in the United States has a stated weight limit of 310 pounds. • Why? • Anchor quality
B: Body Harness • The only acceptable device for use in a fall arrest situation • Spreads load to minimize injuries • OSHA allows 1,800 pound impact load • ANSI Z359.1-1992 limits impact to 900 pounds • Positions victim for rescue
Harness Categories • General use • Specialized • Rescue, Climbing
Common Features • Ease of inspection • Improved labeling • Two-color design
Harness Fit Harness Fit • Legs closed tightly • Sub pelvic strap correctly positioned • D-ring positioned between shoulders
Harness Inspection • Webbing okay? • No burns, tears, discoloration • Hardware okay? • Properly positioned • No cracks
Connectors • Must be double locking • Must be compatible • Must be inspected prior to each use
Energy Absorbing Devices • Must absorb the energy built up during a fall • Must control energy imparted on both victim and anchor point • All get longer under load
Shock Absorber Types • Rip stitch • “Woof material” • Tearing • Self retracting lifelines
Inspection is Critical • Webbing undamaged? • Hardware functional? • Shock absorber okay?
Make Your Inspection COMPLETE! • Internal damage can be hard to detect • Tug on the lanyard legs to be sure they are attached
Falls Actually Don’t Kill…. The Stop Does the Damage • Contact with lower levels, dangerous equipment • Swings into structures
Fall Protection Math • Lanyard length + shock absorber length + victim height + elongation = REQUIRED CLEAR SPACE • 6’ + 6’ + 42” + 1’ = >15’ • Do you have this much distance?
Fall Protection: • 10% equipment • 90% rigging
Rigging Is Critical • Anchor set as high as possible • Lanyard attached properly to harness • Shock absorber clipped to back d-ring