Unified Fall Protection Requirements for Construction Module 5

Unified Fall Protection Requirements for Construction – Module 5 (Part 1) Personal Fall Arrest Systems September, 2020 Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 1

Fall Protection – Personal Fall Arrest Systems A personal fall arrest system that is worn by a worker to arrest a fall from elevation. Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA The worker is secure to an anchor through the use of a body harness, connectors, lanyard, and other system components. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 2

Personal Fall Arrest Systems The following types of work require a personal fall arrest system when other equivalent type of fall protection is not provided: Unguarded locations: ü Dismantling safety nets ü Swinging scaffolds ü Other unguarded locations Work on skips and platforms used in shafts by crews when the skip or cage does not obstruct the opening to within one foot of the sides of the shaft, unless cages are provided. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 3

Personal Fall Arrest Systems A personal fall arrest system is effective in protecting you from fall hazards if you understand how the components connect correctly to work together properly. Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA Roof Anchors Cross-over style full body harness Self-locking snap hooks Self-retracting lifeline device Rope grab system components Note: Positioning device and personal fall restraint systems use many of the same components (such as hardware, lanyards, anchors, etc. ) as for personal fall arrest systems. However, because of their specific usages, their design and performance requirements differ. Therefore, it is important that the correct system and components are selected for the job at hand. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 4

Personal Fall Arrest Systems What fall protection system does the job at hand require? Personal Fall Restraint System Positioning Device System Personal Fall Arrest System Prevents the fall from occurring Supports worker Stops the worker after falling Max. free fall distance = 0’ Max. free fall distance = 2’ Max. free fall distance = 6’ Minimizes the arrest force Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 5

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Full body harness vs. body belt – distribution of fall arrest force (Note: Body belt are no longer useable) Before when using a body belt around the waist, the force on a worker’s body was concentrated in the mid-section and could injure a worker internally when stopping a fall. In comparison, the full body harness consists of straps that distribute fall arrest, force over the thighs, waist, chest, shoulders, and pelvis. If you fall, the high force of the fall is concentrated at your waist rather than the 6 points of a full body harness. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 6

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Components Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 7

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Styles Full body harnesses come in many styles, but a harness cannot be made from *natural fibers. It must include a back D-ring for attaching lifelines, lanyards or retractable devices, and a back pad for support. Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA *natural fibers deteriorate more easily than synthetic materials. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 8

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Use Remember the following when you use a full body harness: • Make sure that the full body harness meets the requirements specified in ANSI Z 359. 1. • The attachment point of a body harness for fall protection must be located in the center of the wearer’s back about shoulder level, or above the head. • Use only body harnesses approved for commercial work. Do not use recreational climbing harnesses. Photo courtesy of DBI/SALA Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 9

Photo courtesy of DBI/SALA Personal Fall Arrest Systems Lanyards A lanyard is a specially designed rope, flexible strap, or webbing that connects a full body harness to an anchor, a deceleration device, or a lifeline. Lanyards must be made of synthetic materials and not from natural fibers, which deteriorate. Lanyards come in variety of designs, including deceleration devices (see following pages), which reduce fall impact forces. Lanyards must have a minimum tensile strength of 5, 000 pounds when used for fall arrest Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 10

Personal Fall Arrest System Deceleration Devices A deceleration device reduces fall impact forces on an anchor (and on you) by dissipating some of the force or limiting the force imposed on a worker when stopping a fall (fall arrest). Such devices include: • Shock-absorbing lanyard • Self-retracting lanyard or lifeline • Rope grab Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 11

Personal Fall Arrest System – Shock-absorbing Lanyard: Types include rip-stitch, tearing, or deforming lanyards that absorb some of the shock energy through deformation, friction, tearing of materials, or breaking of stitches. Photo courtesy of DBI/SALA A shock-absorbing lanyard is a flexible line of webbing, cable, or rope used to secure a full body harness to a lifeline or anchorage point that has an integral shock absorber. Shock-absorbing lanyard that absorbs shock energy through deformation (stretching) Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 12

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Rope Grab Devices: A fall arrester that is designed to move up or down a lifeline suspended from a fixed overhead or horizontal anchorage point, or lifeline, to which the full body harness is attached. The vertical lifeline is suspended from a fixed overhead or horizontal anchorage point, or lifeline. Photo courtesy of DBI/SALA If you fall, the rope grab automatically locks onto the lifeline rope through compression to arrest the fall. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 13

Personal Fall Arrest Systems – Rope Grab Devices Rope grab devices Photo courtesy of DBI/SALA Photo courtesy of OR-OSHA Note: Rope grab devices cannot be used for fall restraint unless they are specifically designed for such use by the manufacturer, and used according to the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions. This is because you cannot be sure that the grab will lock before the person goes over the edge. Also, you want your worker to make an adjustment for length that will prevent a fall. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 14

Personal Fall Arrest System Self-retracting Lanyard: A self-retracting lanyard or lifeline contains a drum-wound line that may slowly unwind from, or retract onto, the drum as a worker moves. If the worker falls, the drum automatically locks and arrests the fall by limiting free fall. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA 15

Personal Fall Arrest System – Deceleration Devices Note: Always read and follow the manufacturers’ instructions when you use deceleration devices. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 16

Personal Fall Arrest System Connectors couple the components of a personal fall protection system. They may be an independent component of the system (such as a carabiner) or an integral component sewn into the harness or lanyard. Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA Carabiners Ring sewn into harness Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 17

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Connectors D-rings and snap hooks are the most common types of connectors. The D-ring is an integral component of body-harnesses and lanyards. D-rings must have a minimum breaking strength of 5, 000 pounds. Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 18

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Connectors used for fall arrest must also follow these design and performance requirements: • Connectors must: ü Be drop-forged, pressed, or made from formed steel or an equally strong material. ü Be corrosion-resistant ü Have smooth surfaces and edges Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA that won’t damage other parts of the personal fall arrest system. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 19

Personal Fall Arrest Systems – Snap Hooks The snap hook consists of a gate which, when depressed, opens to receive a connecting component and when released, automatically closes. The locking types have a self-locking keeper (or gatekeeper) that will remain closed until it is manually unlocked. To open the gate, you must deactivate the keeper and then depress the gate. Only locking type snap hooks can be used as part of a fall arrest system to minimize roll out (accidental disengagement of the snap hook). Snap hooks must have a minimum breaking strength of 5, 000 pounds. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA 20

Personal Fall Arrest Systems – Snap Hooks Snap hooks and D-rings cannot be used for the following connections, unless they are designed for them: ü Snap hooks cannot be connected to loops made in webbing type lanyards ü Snap hooks cannot be connected to rope, wire rope or directly to a lifeline ü Two snap hooks cannot be connected together ü Two or more snap hooks (or other connector) cannot be connected to one D-ring unless they are the double locking type or specifically designed for such a connection ü A snap hook cannot be connected to D-rings or other connectors that are not *compatible with the dimensions of the snap hook. “Compatible” means that no matter how the D-ring is positioned with the snap hook attached, the D-ring cannot open the keeper. A way to make sure that the D-ring or connector is of compatible size with the snap hook is to see if you can put the snap hook through the opening of the D-ring or connector. If it cannot go through, then you should select a D-ring with a larger diameter. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 21

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 1 Positioning devices limit the distance a worker can fall to …. . q 0 feet q 4 feet q 2 feet q 6 feet Personal fall arrest systems limit the distance a worker can fall to …. . q 0 feet q 4 feet q 2 feet q 6 feet Personal fall restraint systems limit The distance a worker can fall to …. . q *0 feet q 4 feet q 2 feet q 6 feet *Since fall restraint systems prevent a fall from occurring, the fall distance is 0 feet. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 22

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 1 Positioning devices limit the distance a worker can fall to …. . q 0 feet q 4 feet q 2 feet q 6 feet Personal fall arrest systems limit the distance a worker can fall to …. . q 0 feet q 4 feet q 2 feet q 6 feet Personal fall restraint systems limit The distance a worker can fall to …. . q *0 feet q 4 feet q 2 feet q 6 feet *Since fall restraint systems prevent a fall from occurring, the fall distance is 0 feet. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 23

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 2 Personal fall arrest systems are required when working on unguarded locations that have no equivalent type of fall protection, such as: q. Dismantling safety nets q. Swinging scaffolds q. Skips and platforms used in shafts when no cage is provided q. All of the above Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 24

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 2 - ANSWER Personal fall arrest systems are required when working on unguarded locations that have no equivalent type of fall protection, such as: q. Dismantling safety nets q. Swinging scaffolds q. Skips and platforms used in shafts when no cage is provided q. All of the above Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 25

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 3 A full-body harness minimizes potential injuries to a workers body that may result from stopping a fall by distributing the fall arrest forces over the thighs, waist, chest, shoulders, and pelvis. q True q False Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 26

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 3 - Answer A full-body harness minimizes potential injuries to a workers body that may result from stopping a fall by distributing the fall arrest forces over the thighs, waist, chest, shoulders, and pelvis. q True q False Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 27

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 4 Where is the attachment point of a body harness for fall arrest protection located? q. A q. B q. C q. D Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 28

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 4 - Answer Where is the attachment point of a body harness for fall arrest protection located? q. A q. B q. C q. D Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 29

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 5 Deceleration devices reduce fall impact forces by dissipating some of the force or limiting the force imposed on a worker during fall arrest. Match the picture with the fall arrest system. q Shock-absorbing lanyard q Rope grab q Self-retracting lanyard q Restrictive device Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 30

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 5 - Answer Deceleration devices reduce fall impact forces by dissipating some of the force or limiting the force imposed on a worker during fall arrest. Match the picture with the fall arrest system. q Shock-absorbing lanyard q Rope grab q Self-retracting lanyard q Restrictive device Photos courtesy of DBI/SALA Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 31

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 6 A connector is a device which is used to connect parts of the personal fall arrest system and positioning device systems together. Which of these statements below is true? q. Snap hooks can be connected to other connectors, rope or loops in lanyards, as long as the gate can be closed. q. Only locking type snap hooks can be used for fall arrest. q. Snap hooks and D-rings must have a minimum breaking strength of 1000 pounds q. None of the above Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 32

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Question 6 - Answer A connector is a device which is used to connect parts of the personal fall arrest system and positioning device systems together. Which of these statements below is true? q. Snap hooks can be connected to other connectors, rope or loops in lanyards, as long as the gate can be closed. q. Only locking type snap hooks can be used for fall arrest. q. Snap hooks and D-rings must have a minimum breaking strength of 1000 pounds q. None of the above Only locking type snap hooks can be used for fall arrest to minimize roll out (accidental disengagement of the snap hook) Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 33