Fall Protection

A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) anchorage point must be capable of handling ___ pounds

5,000 lbs

PFAS Components

Connecting-Components

PFAS Body Harness

Full Body Harness

Unless working on a ladder, scaffold or scissor lift

OSHA requires fall protection when exposed to a 4-foot fall or greater.

PFAS Anchorage

Temporary Permanent

A worker is required to remove a section of guardrail in order to receive materials from a fork truck; which of the following provides the best protections to prevent a fall?

Use a fall restraint system

Know the A, B, Cs of Personal Fall Arrest Systems

•Anchorages •Body harness •Components (connectors like snap-hooks or Dee-rings, connection points, lanyards, deceleration devices, lifelines, etc.) (PFAS)

Slips, trips, and falls make up the majority of general industry accidents

•Are second only to motor vehicle crashes

Control the fall - positioning devices

•Consists of a body belt and connecting device •Keeps workers from falling, while allowing their hands to be free to perform work

Control the fall - safety net systems

•Consists of specially designed mesh nets, panels, and connecting components •Must be designed, installed and maintained properly

Training - your employer must train you on the following

•Fall hazards associated with your facility and your work •Methods used to protect you from those hazards •Proper and safe use of any personal fall arrest, positioning, or fall restraint systems •Applicable OSHA standards

Hierarchy of Fall Hazard Control

•First line of defense -Eliminate the fall hazard •Second line of defense -Prevent the fall •Third and last resort -Control the fall

Eliminate Fall Hazards - work from the ground

•Gauge at top of tank moved to ground level •Use drone, equipped with camera, for inspections at heights

Common Fall Hazards

•Overhead Platforms •Overhead Runways •Elevated Work Stations •Floor Openings/Pits •Wall Openings Shelving Units •Stationary Storage Tanks •Tanker Trucks •Industrial Production Units

Rescue

•Personal Fall Arrest Systems require a rescue plan •Employer must develop and communicate the rescue plan to all involved

Prevent the fall - personal all restraint

•Prevent falls by keeping worker from reaching fall hazard •Comprised of a body belt or body harness, an anchorage, connectors •Often used when section of guardrail or hole cover is temporarily removed

Prevent the fall - fences and barricades

•Prevents unauthorized employee exposure to fall hazard •Employer authorizes access •Authorized personnel must then be protected from the fall hazards within

Prevent the fall - guardrails

•Standard railing -Top rail, mid rail, and posts -Height from upper surface of top rail to floor level is 42" (+/− 3") -Mid-rail height is 21" •Standard toeboard -3.5" high -Not more than ¼" clearance above the floor

Eliminate fall hazards - hole covers/grates

•Very effective way to eliminate a fall hazard. •Designed to withstand intended load. •Secured-bolted, hinged, latched, locked

Inspection

•Your employer must inspect the: -workplace for existing and potential fall hazards -fall hazard controls used; such as guardrails, covers, grates, and anchorage points •You must inspect your PFAS, Positioning and Fall Restraint hardware before each use.