Introduction Introduction Fall Protection Fall Protection I n the Telecommunications I n the Telecommunications I ndustry I ndustry Why Fall Protection? Why Fall Protection? Why Now? Why Now?
Anatomy Anatomy .33sec./2 feet of a Fall of a Fall .67 sec./7 feet � It takes most people It takes most people � 1 sec./16 feet about 1/3 of a second about 1/3 of a second to become aware. to become aware. � It takes another 1/3 of It takes another 1/3 of � a second for the body a second for the body to react. to react. � A body can fall up to 7 A body can fall up to 7 � feet in 2/3 of a second. feet in 2/3 of a second. 2 sec./64 feet
Acceleration = 32 ft/sec² Deceleration = 0 ft/sec²
2003 Most Frequently Cited 2003 Most Frequently Cited Construction Standards Construction Standards Fall protection – unprotected sides and edges 501(b)(1) 1908 Scaffolds - fall protection 451(g)(1) 1415 PPE - hard hats 100(a) 1377 Fall Protection - residential construction 501(b)(13) 1244 Scaffolds - access 451(e)(1) 1202 Excavation - Protection of employees 652(a)(1) 1180 Aerial lifts - Fall protection 453(b)(2)(v) 1087 Scaffolds - platform construction 451(b)(1) 1051 Training & education 21(b(2) 952 Ladders -three foot above 1053(b)(1) 885 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Plus 1,192 General Duty Clause Citations
Philosophies of Fall Protection Philosophies of Fall Protection Stop/Prevent The Fall Catch The Fall Restraint/Positioning Fall Arrest Guardrails Safety Nets Warning Lines Catch Platforms Controlled Access Zones Do these stop/prevent Controlled Decking Zones the fall? Safety Monitors
Controlling Fall Exposures Controlling Fall Exposures • Select fall protection systems appropriate for given • Select fall protection systems appropriate for given situations. situations. • Use proper construction and installation of safety Use proper construction and installation of safety • systems. systems. • Supervise employees properly. Supervise employees properly. • • Use safe work procedures. Use safe work procedures. • • Train workers in the proper selection, use, and Train workers in the proper selection, use, and • maintenance of fall protection systems. maintenance of fall protection systems. � Evaluate the effectiveness of all steps Evaluate the effectiveness of all steps �
By the Numbers By the Numbers Some of the Applicable Triggers Some of the Applicable Triggers
Falls onto dangerous equipment Falls onto dangerous equipment � 0 0’ ’ Allowable Fall Allowable Fall � Distance Distance � (You Must Be (You Must Be � Protected) Protected)
ENVI RONMENTAL CONDI TI ONS
Ladders Ladders � Extension Extension � � Step Step � � Vertical Fixed Vertical Fixed � � Job Job- -built built �
Ladders Ladders � Extension Extension �
Aerial Work Platforms Aerial Work Platforms � Boomlifts Boomlifts � � Scissorlifts Scissorlifts � � Boom Trucks (Cherry Boom Trucks (Cherry � Pickers) Pickers) � Mast Climbers Mast Climbers �
Personal Fall Arrest Systems Personal Fall Arrest Systems Primary Concerns Primary Concerns � Impact Force to the Body Less Than Impact Force to the Body Less Than � 1800# (with a harness) 1800# (with a harness) � Maximum 6 Maximum 6’ ’ Free Fall Distance Free Fall Distance � � May Not Hit Structures Below May Not Hit Structures Below � � Maximum Weight of Individual w/Tools of Maximum Weight of Individual w/Tools of � 310# 310#
Impact Force Impact Force � Minimize Fall Distance Minimize Fall Distance � � Tie off at or above D Tie off at or above D- -ring height wherever ring height wherever � possible possible � Use Shock Absorbers Use Shock Absorbers � � Choose appropriate harnesses, and wear Choose appropriate harnesses, and wear � them properly them properly
Impacting Structures Below Impacting Structures Below (Total Fall Distance) (Total Fall Distance) � Consider: Consider: � � anchorage point location in relation to D anchorage point location in relation to D- -ring ring � height height � lanyard length, lanyard length, � � harness elongation, harness elongation, � � shock absorber opening length, shock absorber opening length, � � body below D body below D- -ring ring � � body viscosity (soft tissue injuries!) body viscosity (soft tissue injuries!) �
Minimizing Free Fall Distance or Minimizing Free Fall Distance or “Vertical Displacement Vertical Displacement” ” “ Maximum 2’ extension 6’ Lanyard Length (usually within inches) 3.5’ Deceleration Device Tie to anchor Or use a above the D-ring retractable Using an anchorage above the D-ring and a standard lanyard may still allow an employee to fall a distance that may be difficult to rescue from. Using a retractable minimizes forces on the body, and may make rescue easier (and therefore more timely) All distances are approximate, and shown for illustration only. This is why it is critical to maintain the safety factor distance!
Personal Fall Arrest Systems Personal Fall Arrest Systems � Anchorage Anchorage Caribiners � Harnesses � Body Body � � Connector Connector Rope � Grabs Beam Wraps Lanyards Positioning
Anchorages Anchorages � Must support 5000# per employee attached, Must support 5000# per employee attached, � � Or as part of a complete personal fall arrest Or as part of a complete personal fall arrest � system which maintains a safety factor of at system which maintains a safety factor of at least two least two � Or 3000# when using fall restraint or a Self Or 3000# when using fall restraint or a Self- - � Retracting Lifeline (SRL, Retractable, or “ “yo yo- -yo yo” ”) ) Retracting Lifeline (SRL, Retractable, or which limits free fall distance to 2 feet which limits free fall distance to 2 feet � Should always be at or above D Should always be at or above D- -ring height ring height �
Horizontal Life Lines Horizontal Life Lines � Provide maneuverability. Provide maneuverability. � � Must be designed, installed Must be designed, installed � and used under the and used under the guidance of a qualified guidance of a qualified person person � This could be interpreted as This could be interpreted as � requiring the use of requiring the use of manufactured systems, which manufactured systems, which is recommended recommended is
Safe Climb Devices
Body (Harnesses) Body (Harnesses) � Need to be inspected frequently (daily Need to be inspected frequently (daily � before use by the worker, at least monthly before use by the worker, at least monthly by a Competent Person) by a Competent Person) � Should never be modified Should never be modified � � Should be taken out of service Should be taken out of service � immediately if defective or exposed to an immediately if defective or exposed to an impact impact
Harness Fitting Harness Fitting Chest strap tightened at mid chest “D” ring between shoulder blades Proper snugness shoulder to hips Leg straps snug but Butt strap not binding supports the load � Harness must be sized for the worker Harness must be sized for the worker �
Connectors (Lanyards) Connectors (Lanyards) � Inspect before each use Inspect before each use � � Not tied back to themselves (unless Not tied back to themselves (unless � specifically designed for such use) specifically designed for such use) � Worn with the impact absorber/shock Worn with the impact absorber/shock � pack at the d- -ring ring pack at the d � Have the appropriate clip for the intended Have the appropriate clip for the intended � anchorage points anchorage points
Retractable Retractable Lifelines Lifelines � Very effective for vertical Very effective for vertical � applications. applications. � Will normally lock up in 1 Will normally lock up in 1 – –2 2 � feet, minimizing total fall feet, minimizing total fall distance and impact forces distance and impact forces on the worker’ ’s body s body on the worker
Positioning Systems Positioning Systems � Positioning Devices Positioning Devices � Provide Hands- -free free Provide Hands Work Work � Additional Fall Additional Fall � Protection (tie- -off) off) Protection (tie may be required to may be required to move or access move or access
Restraint Devices Restraint Devices � Provide Access but Prevent the Fall Provide Access but Prevent the Fall � � Limit anchorage requirement to 3000# Limit anchorage requirement to 3000# � � May be more suitable for loading areas, May be more suitable for loading areas, � scaffold erection and dismantling scaffold erection and dismantling � Should be installed and used under the Should be installed and used under the � supervision of a Competent Person supervision of a Competent Person
Recommend
More recommend
