Solutions for Safety at Heights Risk Assessment Consult AS/NZS 1891.4 HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS, these are; IDENTIFY all potential fall hazards. ELIMINATE the need to access the potential hazard area. SUBSTITUTION of the potential hazard area, e.g. walkways. ISOLATION, by enclosing or barracading the hazard area. FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT shall be provided which prevents a fall, or reduces the risk of an injury as a result of a fall. Note: The order of control should be from top to bottom. Hierarchy of fall protection options Physical Controls Supplementary Administration Controls Total Restraint Fall protection measures that prevent the user from reaching a point where a fall is possible. Restraint Technique Fall protection equipment that allows an operator to adjust as necessary to reach a point where a fall is possible. Exclusion Area Demarcation zones e.g. Painted lines to inhibit access to potential fall hazard areas. Work Positioning The use of work positioning devices such as elevating work platforms (EWP) swing stages + building maintenance units (BMU) or by means of industrial rope across systems that reduce the fall risk. Safe Systems of Work Allow only trained competent operators to access the hazardous areas. Limited Free Fall Arrest / Restrained Fall Arrest Fall protection equipment that will not prevent a fall but will limit the fall distances. Provision for Rescue Make advance provision for the rescue of operators in the event of a fall. Free Fall Arrest Equip operators with fall arrest equipment that will not prevent a fall but will limit the fall distance. 141
Making Safety as Easy as 1, 2, 3... Fall Protection 1 HARNESS 2 LANYARD 3 What do I want? Comfort. You want the perfect fit. To ensure a perfect fit, harnesses are available in different sizes. A standard size will fit most workers. See sizing selection chart to determine the best size for you. Ease of Use. You want a harness that is easy for you to get into and adjust. Harnesses are available in primarily two styles: Parachute style (vest style). A Vest type harness is put on like a jacket. Crossover (cross-chest). A crossover harness is put on over the head, similar to putting on a jumper. The choice on style is a matter of personal preference.there are also different types of leg and shoulder strap connections available on a harness: Qwik-Fit (traditional mating buckle) or Klik Connect (auto lock double action unlock) Both styles offer fast and easy connection and adjustment. The choice of leg strap connections is a matter of personal preference. FACTORS TO CONSIDER You also have a choice of D-Ring configurations Anchorage on a harness: (Min.15Kn) Rear D-rings, Full Body Harness Side D-rings, or chest D-rings (or web loops). D-ring usage is Rescue as follows: Plan Chest D-ring Clearance (or web loops). Distance Under (see chart) the new AS/NZS 1891.1:2007 standard. This chest frontal attach point is the preferred point RESCUE of attachment METHODS for all fall arrest applications. Rear D-Ring. This is also an approved attachment point for fall arrest. It can also be used as a rescue attachment. Side D-rings. Used for work positioning How do I know which to choose? There are two primary types of lanyards: SOLUTIONS FOR SAFETY AT HEIGHTS TYPICAL FALL SITUATION AND RESCUE Connection Means (Shock Absorbing Lanyard or SRL) Shock-absorbing lanyards used when the free fall distance (fall hazard) can exceed 600mm Restraint or positioning lanyards used only when free fall distance (fall hazard) can be limited to 600mm or less (note: a shock absorber must still be used in the lanyard) In choosing the correct lanyard, you must keep the application in mind. Make certain the lanyard is the proper length to allow the necessary worker movement/positioning. Make certain that the right material type is chosen (depending on your work environment). Cable works best in high heat environments or around sharp edges. Rope or Webbing works best in most other applications. Make certain you have calculated your total fall distance. See diagram below for more information. You also need to consider the compatibility of the system components. Components produced by different manufacturers may not be interchangeable. The best way to ensure compatibility is to purchase all components from the same manufacturer. Note: If a lanyard assembly 2.0 is not suitable then use of 1.8 a self retracting lifeline (SRL) device is recommended. Using the unique MSA Rescue Pole Kit, Rescue Safe Retrieval System or The Skylotec Milan rescue devices, allows a rescue to be carried out without putting a rescuer in danger by requiring them to climb down to the fallen worker, these rescue devices allow a rescue to be performed within 5 to 10 minutes with a regular training activities to sessions allow the on the worker techniques. to have their hands free to perform work, using pole strap. Height ANCHORAGE How do I know which to choose? Anchorage selection is driven primarily by application. You will need to carefully consider your work environment, in particular the type of structure where the connector will be attached. Examples include: Roof Scaffold Steel Beam Concrete Column Rail Weight should also be a consideration if a worker will need to carry the connector around during the work day. You will also need to consider the number of workers required to attach to the anchorage. Most MSA connectors are rated for two person use with a 22.2kN minimum breaking strength. Anchorages are required, under AS/NZS 1891.4, to have a minimum breaking strength of 15kN for 1 person attached. An anchorage rated to greater than 21kN is suitable for use by no more than 2 people. Harness Sizing Chart LARGE STANDARD 1.5 SMALL 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 Body Weight (kg) CALCULATING TOTAL FALL DISTANCE CLEARANCE DISTANCE WORKING HEIGHT CLEARANCE TO NEXT SURFACE OR OBSTACLE Anchor Point 2m Length of Lanyard 1.75m Extension of Absorber 1.8m Height of Person 1m Safety Factor TOTAL FALL CLEARANCE REQUIRED = 6.55m Drawing only representational. NOT TO SCALE Customer Service: 1300 728 672 Website: www.msa.net.au New Zealand Customer Service 0800 441 335 142
Solutions for Safety at Heights As easy as - A + B + C + R A = Anchorage Selection of the anchorage point should be to a minimum rating of 15kN, regardless of the work application. Note: The MSA range of anchorages are all rated to a minimum of 15kN but in most products to 22kN which allows 1 or 2 persons to be attached the same anchor. B = Body Support Full Body or lower body harness, general height work, work positioning / suspension, confined space applications. You must select the harness applicable to your work application. Note: MSA does not recommend a lower body harness for use in industrial fall protection applications. C = Connection Means R = Rescue What is needed between the anchorage and harness? As a minimum, a lanyard assembly (shock absorbing lanyard). Possible configurations are; Fixed Length Lanyards Adjustable Lanyard Tie back lanyard Twin-tail lanyard All available in 11mm Kernmantle Rope, 22mm webbing or PVC covered stainless steel wire rope. Also available is the MSA range of self retracting lanyards, both webbing and wire rope. Typically the forgotten term in a PPE selection plan. Suspension trauma can occur in as little as 5 minutes after a person has fallen in a harness. Do not rely on local rescue authorities to be on site within 5 minutes. MSA has a range of simple to use rescue products to assist you in performing a quick, safe and successful rescue. Consult your MSA specialist for advice on all of the above. 143
SOLUTIONS FOR SAFETY AT HEIGHTS TYPICAL FALL SITUATION AND RESCUE FACTORS TO CONSIDER Anchorage (Min.15Kn) Full Body Harness Connection Means (Shock Absorbing Lanyard or SRL) Rescue Plan Clearance Distance (see chart) RESCUE METHODS Using the unique MSA Rescue Pole Kit, Rescue Safe Retrieval System or The Skylotec Milan rescue devices, allows a rescue to be carried out without putting a rescuer in danger by requiring them to climb down to the fallen worker, these rescue devices allow a rescue to be performed within 5 to 10 minutes with a regular training sessions on the techniques. CLEARANCE DISTANCE WORKING HEIGHT CLEARANCE TO NEXT SURFACE OR OBSTACLE Anchor Point 2m Length of Lanyard 1.75m Extension of Absorber 1.8m Height of Person 1m Safety Factor TOTAL FALL CLEARANCE REQUIRED = 6.55m Drawing only representational. NOT TO SCALE SUSPENSION TRAUMA THE MAJOR REASON FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTING A QUICK RESCUE RESPONSE Customer Service: 1300 728 672 Website: www.msa.net.au New Zealand Customer Service 0800 441 335 144
New Fall Protection Standard Fall Protection AS/NZS 1891.1:2007 Introduction A new fall protection standard AS/NZS 1891.1; 2007 COVERING HARNESSES AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT was released in August 2007. The changes made are significant and did require changes to the MSA (Aust.) range of harnesses, belts & shock absorbing lanyards. As far as manufacturing of our current product range is concerned the Classic range will be removed and replaced by the Workman range of harnesses. By 30 August 2008 all our harnesses, belts and shock absorbing lanyards will have to be manufactured to the new requirements. The changes are as follows. Harnesses Full body harnesses must now offer at least one frontal attachment point at the waist or chest and be certified as a free-fall arrest attachment point. A rear dorsal or second centre frontal attachment point may be provided. Side attachment points, if provided, shall be for pole strap attachment and be marked as such. These side attachment points will be tested Restrained Fall Arrest. Belts The use of belts for any purpose has been removed from the standard. This will have an effect on Pole Workers Belts, Restraint Belts and Miners Belts. Lanyards There is no longer a definition for restraint lanyards. It has been removed from the scope of this standard. Single leg shock absorbing lanyards. The traditional shock pack style shock absorbing lanyards has not changed. This will include the diamond single leg version. Diamond Twin Leg. Has been stock deleted due to the fact that with shock absorption in both legs it will not meet the new test requirements. Workman twin leg shock absorbing lanyard. A new Workman twin leg with single shock pack has been developed and certified. Launch is scheduled for July 2008. Definitions Restraint. Work to be conducted in restraint applications will need to use fall arrest equipment, such as an energy absorbing lanyard with the slack removed, so there is no risk of a fall. Free-Fall, Free-Fall Arrest. A fall or the arrest of a fall, where the fall distance before the fall arrest system begins to take any loading is in excess of 600mm, either vertically or on a slope on which it is not possible to walk without the assistance of a handrail or hand line. Limited Free-Fall, Limited Free-Fall Arrest. A fall or the arrest of a fall occurring under the conditions described for a FREE-FALL ARREST, except under reasonably foreseeable circumstances the fall distance will not exceed 600mm. Restrained fall, Restrained Fall Arrest. A fall or the arrest of a fall where the person suffering the fall is partially restrained by a restraining device, such as a pole strap under tension. Frequently Asked Questions: Once the new AS/NZS 1891.1: 2007 is fully effective, is equipment made to the old standard still useable? Yes! Harnesses, shock absorbing lanyards, belts (Pole Workers, Restraint and Miners) and other textile products detailed under the old AS/NZS 1891.1:1995 are useable for the 10 year life of the product from date of manufacture. Is there a change over time specified in the new standard? There is no specific change over time mentioned in the new standard. SAI Global has accepted that the products can be manufactured to the previous standard for 12 months after the publishing of the updated standard. This expires on 30 August 2008. What are the effects of the proposed changes on the MSA (Aust) Fall Protection products? We have a range of product that is already compliant with the new AS/NZS 1891.1: 2007 Standard. The Gravity Crossover and Gravity Tower Rescue harness are certified to the new requirements for the frontal fall-arrest attachment points. We have designed a new range of products called the Workman to replace the Classic and New Classic range of harnesses. The Workman range will be released in July 2008. The new Workman range of shock absorbing lanyards is certified to the new standard, as is the Diamond single leg. Will the selection use and maintenance standards (AS/NZS 1981 Part 4) be changing and when? AS/NZS 1891.4: 2000 is in draft review stage to reflect the changes in AS/NZS 1891.1: 2007. This refers to the use of sit Harnesses and the recommendations referring to restraint and restraint applications. Does the updating of the standard affect fall arresters, Anchorage lines, Inertia reels, static lines or any of the installed fall arrest systems? The only products affected by the proposed changes will be Harnesses and Lanyards. None of the other products are affected. The only exception to this will be the practice of designing Static Line Systems for Restraint. All static lines should now only be designed around the principle of Fall Arrest. Greg Single, Product Marketing Manager - Fall Protection Products Email: Greg.Single@MSAnet.com Ph: +61 (02) 9688 0368 Mobile: +61 0418 428 150 145