Fall Protection Basics Today We Will Standards Hierarchy

Fall Protection Basics

Today We Will: • Standards • Hierarchy of Control • Components • Special Systems – Connectors – Anchorages – Lanyards – Harnesses • Confined Space • Rescue Systems • Training – Rope Grabs – Lifelines – Ladder Systems

Regulations • 57. 15005 • 57. 9200 e 1 • 57. 16002 c • 57. 7004 • General statement • Car droppers • Bins & silos • Drill masts

3 Blinks = 1 Second • First blink 18” from start • Second blink 6’ from start • Third blink 16’ from start

Types Of Falls • Same surface falls – Slips – Trips (very common, not very severe) • Falls on stairs – More severe than same surface falls • Falls from heights – Lower frequency, but most severe

Falls From Heights • A Few Examples: – From machinery – From overhead cranes – Working on conveyors – From silos – Working at roof edges and openings – From scaffolding

Phases of a Fall • • • Onset Free fall Deceleration Rebound Suspension

The Fall. . . On a 5 foot platform, you slip…. • Fall 2 feet, arrester locks & applies stopping force to your body • Time of fall is 1/3 of a second • Stopping force is applied to strong bones & muscles under buttocks • You decelerate to complete stop • You hang until rescued

3 -2 -1 STOP!! • In a 3’ fall a 200 pound person will generate enough speed & inertia that it will take almost 1 ton of energy (2000 foot pounds) to stop

Hierarchy of Controls • Remove fall hazard through engineering redesign • Implement collective fall protection measure • Implement personal fall protection & arrest system

Fall Arrest Components • Full body harness • Connectors • Lanyards • Anchorages • Mechanicals

Preventing Injury • Use full body harness with fall arrester prior to climbing (with built-in shock absorber) • Connect arrester to harness d-ring on back between shoulder blades • Fall arrester connected to anchor

Connectors • • D-rings Carabineers Locking snap-hooks Oval rings

Connectors • Most frequently used part of system because of worker movement • Used to connect different parts of system • Also called “hardware”

Snaphooks

Carabineers • • • Trapezoid or oval shaped Gate opens to connect Different sizes (width) Aluminum or alloy steel Pulling force of 5000 lbs Normally independent component, but may be attached

D-rings • Used on lanyards, lifelines, & anchorage points • Attachment element on harness • Made of steel • Minimum strength of 5000 lbs • Corrosion resistant • Max on harness is 6

Anchorage Connectors • Permanent – Remains in place for long time • Temporary – Removed once use is completed

Lanyards • Wire rope • Web • Synthetic rope

Lanyards • Used for fall arrest and positioning and personal restraint • Incorporate an energy absorber when used for fall arrest • Most common connector is the snap-hook

Lanyards • Wire rope lanyards – High heat applications – Only fixed lengths – Less “stretch” • Rebar lanyard – At least 9/32 inch diameter – Snaphooks at each end attached to hip d-rings

Dyna-Brake Lanyards ® • • Fixed or adjustable lengths Shock absorber limits fall arrest forces Twin leg for continuous connection Polyester or nylon material

Rope & Wire Lanyards • • Rope available in nylon Fixed or adjustable lengths Shock absorber limits fall arrest forces Available in twin leg model

Shock Absorbing • Elastic material reduces possibility of trips and snags • Available in twin leg model • Shock absorber limits fall arrest forces

Tie-Back Lanyard ™ • • • Nylon material Shock Absorber Twin leg style available Integral D-ring Meets ANSI regulations

Mechanicals • • • Self-retracting Lanyards Hoists Rope grabs Ladder grabs

Self-Retracting • Minimizes freefall distance & fall arrest forces • Arrests fall within inches • Meets ANSI A 10. 14 regulations

Self-Retracting • Contains a drum- would line • Slowly extracted or retracted from housing • Connects to fall arrest attachment on harness • Device locks drum at onset of a fall

Self-Retracting • SRL with emergency retrieval capability • Able to be reset from retrieval mode to fall arrest mode • Unique “key” feature, enables only authorized people to reset • Used with Lynx Tripod or Ropod • Does not replace Dynevac II

Remote System • Telescoping pole allows for connections up 20’ overhead • Connect before leaving ground • System includes pole, AC strap, strap tool, connect/disconnect tool, and carrying bag

Full Body Harness • • Nylon or polyester Webbing Metal d-rings Highest level of protection and force distribution

Full Body Harnesses • Preferred for most applications • Highest degree of protection • Distribute forces to strongest part of human body • Better for suspension • Straps color coded for easy identification

Straps • Thigh straps • Sub pelvic straps – Under the buttocks – Strongest part of body – Natural seated position during suspension • Shoulder straps

Fall Arrest Attachment • Usually a d-ring • Dorsal (back) d-ring – Between shoulder blades – Adjustable

D-Rings • Shoulder – Retrieval from confined spaces • Chest – Personnel riding, climbing – Not for positioning – Not used in fall arrest • Hip – Positioning – Personal restraint

Materials • • Nylon Polyester Back pads Comfort pads

Pullover Harness • Single point of adjustment • Easy donning and doffing • Nylon or polyester • Sub-pelvic support strap • Color coded straps

Vestype Harness ™ • Three shoulder strap adjustment points • Nylon or polyester • Sub pelvic support strap • Color coded straps

Tradesman ™ • 6” wide back pad with hip d-rings • Tool belt support straps • Permits hands-free climbing Harness

Rope Grab • Device which travels on a lifeline & will automatically engage lifeline to arrest a fall • Classified by horizontal or vertical lifeline style

Rope Grab • Hands free operation while ascending or descending • Versatile, lightweight, and economical • Easy to install • Limits free fall distance to 6’ or less

Horizontal Lifeline • • Below beam system Stanchion system Continuous connection Shock absorber reduces fall arrest forces • Versatile

Descender • Rescue & evacuation device • Automatically controls rate of descent to ground • 50’ or 105’ wire rope • Descent rate of 6. 5’ per second

Descender • • Rescue & Evacuation Device User controls rate of descent Versatile 50’, 100’ or 150’ rope

Dyna-Glide™ System • Permanent system • Vertical or horizontal • Hands-free climbing, work positioning, travel restriction, and fall arrest • Mounted to existing ladders or structures • Used by more than one person at a time

MSA President’s Promise • A fall is experienced – Harness & lanyard • One time use • Contact MSA/distributor – Complete incident report • MSA will replace at no charge