Introduction to Fall Protection

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Introduction to Fall Protection
The University of Tennessee Office of
Environmental Health Safety
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What is Fall Protection?
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Fall Protection from an Historical Perspective
When one falls, it is not ones foot that is to
blame.

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Chinese proverb
For thousands of years man has used ropes and
various knots to help or secure objects against
the forces of gravity. Some of the earlier users
could be found on sailing ships, in church
steeple construction and maintenance, and in
tree-trimming trades. The use of ropes and some
type of body belt for restraint or work
positioning support found particular interest
during stormy seas and above the decks of ships.
I have always been told, Its not the fall that
hurts you its that sudden stop.
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Physics of a Fall
A body in motion (free fall) can cover vast
distances in a short period of time. Consider
this A body in free fall can travel 4 ft in 0.5
seconds A body in free fall can travel 16 ft. in
1 second A body in free fall can travel 64 ft. in
2 seconds
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Physics of a Fall

• Think of it this way
• We have a sports car that can go from 0 to 60
  mph in 4.7 sec.
• You fall from an elevation 0 to 60 mph in 3.0
  sec.
• Guess what? YOU WIN!
• It takes an average person ¾ of a second to
  react! In ¾ of a second you have fallen 10 feet.
  Now, are you ready for sky diving?

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Slips, Trips and Falls on same Level
and from Elevation
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Slips, Trips and Falls
Fall related injury reports related to falls are
commonly reported as a slips, trips and falls.
These are then divided into two groups Falls on
same level and falls from elevation. Of all
reported, falls from the same level are the most
common.
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Statistics

• Falls 33
• Struck By 18
• Electrical 17
• Caught In 18

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Statistics

• Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in
  the construction industry.
• 150-200 workers are killed each year and more
  than 100,000 injured as a result of falls.
• Overall (including general industry) falls are
  the number two biggest cause of fatalities in the
  U.S. (motor vehicle accidents are number one).

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The highest mortality rate is falls from roofing
followed by structure and then catwalks with
ladders a close fourth.
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What can I do to prevent falls?
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What can I do to prevent falls?

• Take time to inspect the work area, note hazards
  and eliminate if feasible.
• Engineering control redesign install guards,
  rails, cover open holes.
• Maintain good housekeeping.
• Establish a fall protection system.

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General RequirementsHousekeeping
Workplaces must be kept clean, orderly, and
sanitary Workroom floors must be maintained as
clean and dry as possible
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General RequirementsAisles and Passageways

1. Keep clear and move obstructions that could
   create a hazard
2. Mark permanent aisles and passageways
3. Aisles must be sufficiently wide where mechanical
   handling equipment is used

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General RequirementsCovers and Guardrails
Provide covers and/or guardrails to protect
workers from the hazards of open pits, tanks,
vats, ditches, and the like.
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Floor Opening
An opening measuring 12 inches or more in its
least dimension in a floor, platform, pavement,
or yard, through which persons may fall.
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Floor Opening
FLOOR OPEN MUST BE GUARDED! Standard railing.
Consists of top rail, mid rail, and posts.
Height from the upper surface of top rail to
floor level is 42 inches. Mid rail height is 21
inches. Standard toeboard. 4 inches high, with
not more than ¼-inch clearance above the floor.
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Stairway Floor Openings
Must be guarded by a standard railing on all
exposed sides (except at entrance).
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Ladderway Floor Openings
Guard with a standard railing with toeboard on
all exposed sides (except entrance) Guard the
passage through the railing with a swinging gate
or offset it to prevent someone from walking into
the opening
Example Drywell access, pipe chase, etc.
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Floor Hole
An opening measuring less than 12 in. but more
than 1 in. in its least dimension, in a floor,
platform, pavement or yard, through which
materials but not persons may fall.
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Floor Hole

• Every floor hole into which persons can
  accidentally walk must be guarded by either
• Standard railing with toeboard
• Cover

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Wall Openings
Opening at least 30 in. high and 18 in. wide, in
a wall or partition, through which persons may
fall.
In addition wall openings from which there is a
drop of more than 4 feet must be guarded.
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Open-Sided Floors and Platforms
Open-sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more
above adjacent floor or ground level must be
guarded by a standard railing (or equivalent) on
all open sides, except where there is an entrance
to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder
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Open-Sided Floors and Platforms
A toeboard is required when, beneath the open
sides a person can pass there is moving
machinery, or there is equipment with which
falling materials could create a
hazard. Regardless of height, a standard railing
and toeboard must be used to guard - open-sided
floors - walkways - platforms, or - runways above
or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or
galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, and similar
hazards.
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Stairways
Flights of stairs with four or more risers must
have standard stair railings or handrails.
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Portable Ladders

1. Ladders used to gain access to a roof or other
   area must extend at least 3 feet above the point
   of support.
2. Withdraw defective ladders from service and tag
   or mark "Dangerous, Do Not Use
3. Never use ladders in a horizontal position as
   scaffolds or work platforms
4. Never use metal ladders near electrical equipment

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Ladder AnglePortable Rung and Cleat Ladders
Use at angle where the horizontal distance from
the top support to the foot of the ladder is ¼
the working length of the ladder (length along
ladder between the foot and top support).
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Fixed Ladders
Permanently attached to a structure, building or
equipment

1. Cages or wells required if longer than 20 ft. to
   a maximum unbroken length of 30 ft.
2. Ladder safety devices may be used on tower, water
   tank and chimney ladders over 20 ft. in unbroken
   length instead of cage protection (example
   Intramural lights).

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ScaffoldingGeneral Requirements

1. Must be capable of supporting four times the
   maximum intended load
2. Do not alter or move while in use
3. Protect workers on scaffolds from overhead
   hazards
4. If higher than 10 ft., use guardrails, midrails
   and toeboards
5. Use wire mesh between the toeboard and guardrail
   if people work or pass underneath
6. Must be equipped with access ladder or equivalent

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Fall Protection Systems
Fall protection systems can consist of devices
that arrest a free fall or devices that restrain
a worker in a position to prevent a fall from
occurring.

1. Fall protection is required when one or more
   employees have exposure to falls of six feet or
   greater to the lower level. 4-ft. in General
   Industry and 10-ft. from Scaffolding.
2. Surfaces must be inspected before the work
   begins.
3. Employees are only permitted to be on surfaces
   that are strong enough to support them.

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A Fall Arrest System
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Full-body Harnesses and Belts
Full-body harnesses wrap around the waist,
shoulders and legs. A D-ring located in the
center of the back provides a connecting point
for lanyards or other fall arrest connection
devices.
Belts are used in positioning system
applications. These belts have two side D-rings,
and are used only for restraining a worker in
position.
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Attachment Location
OSHA Standard 1926.502(d)(17)
The attachment of the body harness must be
located in the center of the wearer's back, near
the shoulder level, or above the head.
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Body Harness
Never use a body harness to hoist materials.
Body harnesses are designed to minimize stress
forces on an employee's body in the event of a
fall, while providing sufficient freedom of
movement to allow work to be performed.
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Body Harnesses
As of January 1, 1998, body belts are not
acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest
system, because they impose a danger of internal
injuries when stopping a fall.
Never use for personal fall arrest
OSHA Standard 1926.502(d)(18)
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Administrative Rules and Fall Arrest Maintenance
When fall protection of any kind is provided, the
projects competent person must teach workers the
limitations to that systems effectiveness.

• All employees exposed to fall hazards must
  receive training by a competent person that
  addresses
• The nature of fall hazards in the work area
• Procedures for erecting, maintaining,
  disassembling and inspecting fall arrest
  equipment
• Use and operation of fall arrest equipment

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NIOSH ALERT!
Fatal falls may result from failure to provide
appropriate guarding and fall protection for work
around skylights,
Skylight openings, and other roof openings.
Scene of a skylight accident where a worker fell
to his death
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Quiz
To complete the Introduction To Fall Protection
Training Module, please click here for the quiz