Introduction to Fall ProtectionThe University of TennesseeOffice of Environmental Health & Safety

What is Fall Protection?

Fall Protection from an Historical PerspectiveWhen one falls, it is not ones foot that is to blame. - Chinese proverbFor thousands of years man has used ropes and various knots to help or secure objects against the forces of gravity. Some of the earlier users could be found on sailing ships, in church steeple construction and maintenance, and in tree-trimming trades. The use of ropes and some type of body belt for restraint or work positioning support found particular interest during stormy seas and above the decks of ships. I have always been told, Its not the fall that hurts you its that sudden stop.

Physics of a FallA body in motion (free fall) can cover vast distances in a short period of time.

Consider this:A body in free fall can travel 4 ft in 0.5 secondsA body in free fall can travel 16 ft. in 1 secondA body in free fall can travel 64 ft. in 2 seconds

Physics of a FallThink of it this way:

We have a sports car that can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 sec.

You fall from an elevation 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 sec.

Guess what? YOU WIN!

It takes an average person of a second to react! In of a second you have fallen 10 feet. Now, are you ready for sky diving?

Slips, Trips and Falls on same Leveland from Elevation

Slips, Trips and FallsFall related injury reports related to falls are commonly reported as a slips, trips and falls. These are then divided into two groups: Falls on same level and falls from elevation. Of all reported, falls from the same level are the most common.

StatisticsFalls 33%

Struck By 18%

Electrical 17%

Caught In 18%

StatisticsFalls are the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry.

150-200 workers are killed each year and more than 100,000 injured as a result of falls.

Overall (including general industry) falls are the number two biggest cause of fatalities in the U.S. (motor vehicle accidents are number one).

The highest mortality rate is falls from roofing followed by structure and then catwalks with ladders a close fourth.

What can I do to prevent falls?

Take time to inspect the work area, note hazards and eliminate if feasible.Engineering control redesign install guards, rails, cover open holes.Maintain good housekeeping.Establish a fall protection system.What can I do to prevent falls?

General Requirements HousekeepingWorkplaces must be kept clean, orderly, and sanitary Workroom floors must be maintained as clean and dry as possible

General Requirements Aisles and PassagewaysKeep clear and move obstructions that could create a hazardMark permanent aisles and passagewaysAisles must be sufficiently wide where mechanical handling equipment is used

General Requirements Covers and GuardrailsProvide covers and/or guardrails to protect workers from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, and the like.

Floor OpeningAn opening measuring 12 inches or more in its least dimension in a floor, platform, pavement, or yard, through which persons may fall.

Floor OpeningFLOOR OPEN MUST BE GUARDED!

Standard railing. Consists of top rail, mid rail, and posts. Height from the upper surface of top rail to floor level is 42 inches. Mid rail height is 21 inches.

Standard toeboard. 4 inches high, with not more than -inch clearance above the floor.

Stairway Floor OpeningsMust be guarded by a standard railing on all exposed sides (except at entrance).

Ladderway Floor OpeningsGuard with a standard railing with toeboard on all exposed sides (except entrance)Guard the passage through the railing with a swinging gate or offset it to prevent someone from walking into the openingExample: Drywell access, pipe chase, etc.

Floor HoleAn opening measuring less than 12 in. but more than 1 in. in its least dimension, in a floor, platform, pavement or yard, through which materials but not persons may fall.

Every floor hole into which persons can accidentally walk must be guarded by either:Standard railing with toeboard CoverFloor Hole

Opening at least 30 in. high and 18 in. wide, in a wall or partition, through which persons may fall.Wall OpeningsIn addition: wall openings from which there is a drop of more than 4 feet must be guarded.

Open-Sided Floors and PlatformsOpen-sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level must be guarded by a standard railing (or equivalent) on all open sides, except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder

Open-Sided Floors and PlatformsA toeboard is required when, beneath the open sides: a person can pass; there is moving machinery, or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.

Regardless of height, a standard railing and toeboard must be used to guard:- open-sided floors- walkways- platforms, or- runwaysabove or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, and similar hazards.

StairwaysFlights of stairs with four or more risers must have standard stair railings or handrails.

Portable LaddersLadders used to gain access to a roof or other area must extend at least 3 feet above the point of support.Withdraw defective ladders from service and tag or mark "Dangerous, Do Not UseNever use ladders in a horizontal position as scaffolds or work platformsNever use metal ladders near electrical equipment

Ladder Angle Portable Rung and Cleat LaddersUse at angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is the working length of the ladder (length along ladder between the foot and top support).

Fixed LaddersPermanently attached to a structure, building or equipmentCages or wells required if longer than 20 ft. to a maximum unbroken length of 30 ft.Ladder safety devices may be used on tower, water tank and chimney ladders over 20 ft. in unbroken length instead of cage protection (example: Intramural lights).

Scaffolding General RequirementsMust be capable of supporting four times the maximum intended loadDo not alter or move while in useProtect workers on scaffolds from overhead hazardsIf higher than 10 ft., use guardrails, midrails and toeboardsUse wire mesh between the toeboard and guardrail if people work or pass underneathMust be equipped with access ladder or equivalent

Fall Protection SystemsFall protection systems can consist of devices that arrest a free fall or devices that restrain a worker in a position to prevent a fall from occurring. Fall protection is required when one or more employees have exposure to falls of six feet or greater to the lower level. 4-ft. in General Industry and 10-ft. from Scaffolding. Surfaces must be inspected before the work begins.Employees are only permitted to be on surfaces that are strong enough to support them.

A Fall Arrest System

Full-body Harnesses and BeltsFull-body harnesses wrap around the waist, shoulders and legs. A D-ring located in the center of the back provides a connecting point for lanyards or other fall arrest connection devices.Belts are used in positioning system applications. These belts have two side D-rings, and are used only for restraining a worker in position.

Attachment Location 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.

Body Harness Never use a body harness to hoist materials. 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.

Body Harnesses OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(18)

Never use for personal fall arrestAs 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.

Administrative Rules and Fall Arrest MaintenanceWhen fall protection of any kind is provided, the projects competent person must teach workers the limitations to that systems effectiveness. All employees exposed to fall hazards must receive training by a competent person that addresses:The nature of fall hazards in the work areaProcedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling and inspecting fall arrest equipmentUse and operation of fall arrest equipment

NIOSH ALERT!Scene of a skylight accident where a worker fell to his death

Fatal falls may result from failure to provide appropriate guarding and fall protection for work around skylights, Skylight openings, and other roof openings.

QuizTo complete the Introduction To Fall Protection Training Module, please click here for the quiz

*Fall protection is the backup system planned for a worker who could loose his or her balance at height, in order to control or eliminate injury potential.

*For thousands of years man has used ropes and various knots to help or secure objects against the forces of gravity. Some of the earlier users could be found on sailing ships, in church steeple construction and maintenance, and in tree-trimming trades. The use of ropes and some type of body belt for restraint or work positioning support found particular interest during stormy seas and above the decks of ships. I have always been told, Its not the fall that hurts you its that sudden stop.

*Look at it this way:We have a sports car that can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 sec. You fall from an elevation 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 sec.Guess what? YOU WIN!

It takes an average person of a second to react! In of a second you have fallen 10 feet.*Fall related injury reports related to falls are commonly reported as a slips, trips and falls. These are then divided into two groups: Falls on same level and falls from elevation. Of all reported, falls from the same level are the most common.

*Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry.

150-200 workers are killed each year and more than 100,000 injured as a result of falls.

Overall (including general industry) falls are the number two biggest cause of fatalities in the U.S. (motor vehicle accidents are number one).

*The highest mortality rate is falls from roofing followed by structure and then catwalks with ladders a close fourth. *Take time to inspect the work area, note hazards and eliminate if feasible.Engineering control redesign install guards, rails, cover open holes.Maintain good housekeeping.Establish a fall protection system.

**FLOOR OPEN MUST BE GUARDED!

Standard railing. Consists of top rail, mid rail, and posts. Height from the upper surface of top rail to floor level is 42 inches. Mid rail height is 21 inches.Standard toeboard. 4 inches high, with not more than -inch clearance above the floor.

*Must be guarded by a standard railing on all exposed sides (except at entrance).

*Example: Drywell access, pipe chase, etc. *Every floor hole into which persons can accidentally walk must be guarded by either:Standard railing with toeboard Cover

*In addition: wall openings from which there is a drop of more than 4 feet must be guarded.

*A toeboard is required when, beneath the open sides: a persons can pass; there is moving machinery, or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.

Regardless of height, a standard railing and toeboard must be used to guard:- open-sided floors- walkways- platforms, or- runwaysabove or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, and similar hazards.

*Flights of stairs with four or more risers must have standard stair railings or handrails.

*Use at angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is the working length of the ladder (length along ladder between the foot and top support).

*Cages or wells required if longer than 20 ft. to a maximum unbroken length of 30 ft.Ladder safety devices may be used on tower, water tank and chimney ladders over 20 ft. in unbroken length instead of cage protection (example: Intramural lights).

**Fall protection is required when one or more employees have exposure to falls of six feet or greater to the lower level. 4-ft. in General Industry and 10-ft. from Scaffolding. Surfaces must be inspected before the work begins.Employees are only permitted to be on surfaces that are strong enough to support them.

*A fall arrest system is employed when a worker is a risk of falling from an elevated position.*A belt is not to be used for any vertical free fall protection For free fall protection a full-body harness must be used. *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.

*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.*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.

*All employees exposed to fall hazards must receive training by a competent person that addresses:The nature of fall hazards in the work areaProcedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling and inspecting fall arrest equipmentUse and operation of fall arrest equipment

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