Introduction to Fall Protection with John Evinger CRSP (204)228-8277 INSERT YOUR LOGO HERE
Expected results of the day Today I will provide you with information to make you realize that you don t have enough
What does safety mean to you? Quality of your life Quality of family life Quality of life for those around you
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Fall protection reg. WSHR #14 14.1(1) This Part applies to every workplace where there is a risk of a worker falling (a) a vertical distance of 3 m or more; (b) a vertical distance of less than 3 m where there is an increased risk of injury due to the surface or item on which the worker might land; (c) into operating machinery or moving parts of the machinery; (d) into water or another liquid; (e) into or onto a hazardous substance or object; (f) through an opening on a work surface; or (g) a vertical distance of more than 1.2 m from an area used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment.
In 1 second your body will fall 5m (16ft) Good body reaction time = 0.5 seconds Travel time in 0.5 seconds = 2m (6.5ft) 64 ft = 2 secs 100ft = 2.5 secs 144ft = 3 secs 256ft = 4 secs INSERT YOUR LOGO HERE
Average height of falls causing injury is 3-20 feet FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY INSERT YOUR LOGO HERE
Responsibilities Employers are responsible for taking every precaution reasonable to protect workers by: Creating and enforcing safe work procedures, policies, and by providing training Ensuring that any required equipment, materials, or safety devices are available, properly maintained and used in accordance with manufactures or designers written instructions Provide competent people to supervise workers
Responsibilities Providing adequate training in a language that everyone can understand Responsible for taking every precaution reasonable to protect workers Must advise workers of any existing or potential hazards and ensure that each worker works in a safe manner
Responsibilities Must ensure that affected workers comply with requirements and use materials and equipment properly Provide proper and adequate instructions to workers regarding safety-related equipment and materials as well as specific procedures to follow
Responsibilities The worker must: Use all equipment and protective devices and follow all safe work policies and procedures Report to a supervisor any hazard and any defect in safety related equipment or material that workers become aware of Remember workers have the right to refuse work or any given portion of a task if they believe it could injure themselves or any other worker
INVESTIGATION PROVES DIFFERENT
What happening in the province What's happening in other provinces INSERT YOUR LOGO HERE
Hierarchy of Fall Protection 1. Hazard Elimination 2. Initial Fall Protection Guardrails 3. Fall Restraint Systems 4. Fall Arrest Systems 5. Work Procedures INSERT YOUR LOGO HERE
Hazard Elimination Any idea, equipment, process change or new technology that eliminates the need to work at height is considered Hazard Elimination. Hazard Elimination is the preferred method of controlling fall hazards.
Standard Guardrails Top Rail (40-44 in) Mid Rail Toeboards (5 in -.5 in) Vertical Uprights Maximum 8 feet spacing (or eng) Strength- Capable of withstanding a load of 150 lbs side load
Travel Restriction Method 400 lbs With a meter of the edge Anchorage Waist Belt 1 D-ring Lanyard
Fall Arrest Systems... Stop a worker s fall before the worker hits the surface below. Full body harnesses, connected by an energy an absorbing lanyard or lifelines to secure anchors
Full Body Harness Inspection History - check label for age, mfg. date - determine area of use and mechanism of damage D-Rings - check for deformity or damage - sharp edges, burrs, corrosion Webbing - physical damage - frays, cuts, pulled fibers - burns, melted areas - broken, pulled stitches - chemical or paint damage - UV damage - excessive soiling - broken dorsal pad or leg grommets
Full Body Harness Full body harnesses maintain the body in an upright position and direct forces to the sub-pelvic area. Harnesses must be worn properly for them to work. 1. Sub-pelvic under buttocks 2. Leg Straps snug 3. Shoulder straps not coming off shoulders 4. Dorsal D-ring between shoulder blades 5. No twists, excess webbing, cuts, etc.
Full Body Harness Dorsal D-ring Fall Arrest Frontal D-ring Ladder Climbing Hip D-rings Work Positioning D-rings on back of belt - Accessory
The total distance from the workers pre-fall level to the level where the worker finally comes to a complete stop Fall Distance
Free Fall The distance from the point where the worker begins to fall to the point where the fall arrest system begins to react A personal fall arrest system may not allow a worker to fall more than 4 feet or 1.2 meters
Calculate your clearance! Take a few seconds to make sure that you will not contact the ground or surrounding structure.
Initial Lanyard Length 6 Worker Harness / Stretch Personal Energy Absorber Deployment 1 3.5 Height of Worker 5 Margin of Safety 2 Total Required Clearance = 17.5 Feet (from the anchor)
Energy absorbing lanyard
Vertical Lifelines and Fall Arrestors Vertical Lifelines and Fall Arrestors (rope grabs) are very common. The system typically consists of vertical lifeline (rope), energy absorbing lanyard (3 max), fall arrestor, and full body harness.
Automatic Fall Arrestors Automatic fall arrestors travel along the lifeline without having to be opened manually. Automatic fall arrestors can significantly increase fall distances. Automatic fall arrestors should be parked overhead upon reaching the work area.
Ladder Climbing Systems Ladder climbing devices are an alternative to cages and the preferred system to protect permanent ladders. A sleeve travels along a pipe, cable or rail that is bolted to the ladder itself.
D-Ring height above Fall Arrestor Calculate your clearance! Take a few seconds to make sure that you will not contact the ground or surrounding structure.
Dynamic Elongation of Lifeline D-Ring height above Fall Arrestor Activation Distance of Fall Arrestor Initial Lanyard Length Free Fall Distance >6 (3+3+activation) Worker / Harness Stretch Personal Energy Absorber Deployment Deceleration Distance 1 3.5 Height of Worker 5
Retractable Lifeline (SRL)
Self-Retracting Lifeline Inspection History - check label for age, mfg. date, last service - determine area of use and mechanism of damage Self-Retracting Lifeline - examine impact indicator - examine housing for damage and loose parts - inspect entire length of cable or webbing - inspect connection to snap hook for worn wires See webbing and snap hook / carabineer sections for inspection guidelines of associated components.
Calculate your clearance! Take a few seconds to make sure that you will not contact the ground or surrounding structure. 10
Total Required Clearance = 7.5 Feet Worker s Initial Location 1 Harness Stretch 4.5 Free Fall / Deceleration 10 2 Margin of Safety
Vertical Lifeline or Lanyard Temporary Anchor Fall Restraint Fall Arrest Load capacity of at least 3.5 kilonewtons (400-800 pounds) Load capacity of at least 22 kilonewtons (5,000 pounds) Permanent Anchor Fall Restraint and Arrest Load capacity of at least 22 kilonewtons (5,000 pounds), and Certified in writing by a professional engineer Note: Not for H.L.L. use
Horizontal Lifeline Temporary Anchor Permanent Anchor Fall Restraint Fall Arrest Fall Restraint and Arrest End anchor capacity must be based on an ultimate load of 3.5 kn (800 lb.) per worker applied perpendicular to the span of the line at the critical location. 800 lb. End Anchor End anchors must have load capacity of at least 71 kn (16,000 lb.), or* Certified by a professional engineer Certified in writing by a professional engineer * If the ability of the structure to resist 71 kn is questioned, an engineer s certification may be required.
Permanent Anchor
Control Zone and Safe Zone Falling Edge Control Minimum 2m (6.5 ft.) Zone Warning Line Minimum 2m (6.5 ft.) Safe Minimum 2m (6.5 ft.) Zone Control Minimum 2m (6.5 ft.) Zone
First Consideration Fall Protection Hierarchy Second Consideration Third Consideration Fourth Consideration
Fall Protection Plan is Required JHA When work procedures are used Where the Province directs because of the possibility of a fall involving an unusual risk of injury Plan fall protection for every job. Complete the plan before work begins! Communicate the Fall Protection Plan to all workers. Train workers in the use of equipment, systems and methods outlined in the plan.
Fall Protection Plan Specifics A Fall Protection Plan must be In written form Specific for the work site Available at the place of work and must specify Fall hazards in each work area Fall protection systems to be used Rescue procedures from elevated work areas
Suspension Trauma How Long Have You Got?? In testing; uninjured volunteers felt dizzy in as little as 3 minutes Typically 5 to 20 minutes Loss of consciousness in as little as 5 minutes Typically 5 to 30 minutes It is difficult to put a timeline on deaths, however from research it is clear that death can result in as little as 10 minutes, more typically between 15 and 40 minutes post-suspension. Death is more rapid with existing injuries but can happen to anyone. Anyone immobilised in an upright posture is in immediate danger of death
Ladder safety
Scaffolding
Fall protection is Summary Full day of training (minimum), including hands on practical Standards are out there Full assessment documented Fall protection plans are out there Inspections environment, equipment, site and people