A Fresh New Means To Improve

Elimination and Fall Hazard

Control J. Nigel Ellis, CSP and John T. Whitty, PE

“Competent Person” “Qualified Person”

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Presentation Objectives

• Promote collaborative solutions to fall protection challenges via synergistic team involvement – it’s an effort between authorized, competent and qualified persons.

• Present four specific fall protection hazards to illustrate the outcome of the collaborative process:

– Opening/edge

– Standing on top – “No Anchorage”

– Aerial Work Platforms

– Truck Tarping

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What Function Best Describes Your Role Within Your Company?

A. Health and Safety

B. Engineering

C. Operations

D. Plant Maintenance

E. Management

F. Other

Health a

nd Safety

Engineerin

g

Operatio

ns

Plant Main

tenance

Managem

ent

Other

0% 0% 0%0%0%0%

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Are The Joists Shown Suitable For Anchorage?

A. Yes

B. No

YesNo

0%0%

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The Answer

• It Depends!!!

• Short free fall

• Overhead mounted SRL or

• RCD (remote connect/disconnect device)

• Arresting distance – small (activation + deceleration)

• What force to use (5,000 lbs or 2:1)

• Clearance and pendulum effects

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Rank YOUR Solution Best To Worst For An Air Handler Located Within 4’ Of An Unprotected Edge

A. Move the air handler more than 10’ away from the roof’s unprotected edge.

B. Add guard rail around the unprotected edge of the air handler – at least 6’ beyond the equipment in each direction required

C. Have anchorage points installed in and around the air handler suitable for one to anchor to.

D. Place a raised, flagged line area around the air handler.

Move

the air

handler more

than 10...

Add guard ra

il aro

und the unpro

te...

Have anchora

ge points insta

lled in

a..

Place a ra

ised, f

lagged lin

e area aro

...

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Any Structural Engineer Can Serve As A Qualified Person

A. True

B. False

True

False

0%0%

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All Anchorage Points Must Be Rated For At Least 5,000 Lbs Per Person Attached

A. True

B. False

True

False

0%0%

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The Goal!!! • Free from RECOGNIZED fall

hazards

• Proactive NOT Reactive

• Eliminating Fall hazards eliminates the need for:

– Training

– Preventive Maintenance

– Troubleshooting

– Safety By Design!!!

This facility shall be free from

all recognized fall hazards

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Recipe for Success • Follow the hierarchy

– Elimination

– Prevention

– Arrest

– Administrative

• Implement Z359.2 Guidelines for Manage Approach to Fall Protection

• Engage the input of those who will risk their quality of life when using systems implemented

Eff

ect

ive

ne

ss

Eliminate the Hazard (most desired)

Prevent the Hazard

Active Fall Protection:

Fall Restraint

Fall Arrest

Administrative

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Two Approaches To Fall Safety • Reactive – a response to an

adverse event

• Proactive – a systematic approach to identifying, evaluating and addressing fall hazards

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Fall Hazard Elimination • Bring the work down to chest level

• Needs engineering focus

• Easy to do on the drawing board

• The difference between pennies & REAL dollars

• Eliminate exposures, reduce durations

• Fall Hazards are best addressed by avoidance!

If you eliminate the hazard you eliminate all the training and maintenance challenges associated with it!

Keeping the worker’s feet on the ground.

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It’s NOT Just About Compliance • Are WE working safely or

just trying to meet the minimum standard???

• When in doubt, err on the side of safety

• What’s minimally required is not necessarily the safest

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What Are The Costs??? Per OSHA: • Falls from Elevations by roofers cost approximately

$106,000 each • Falls from Elevations by Carpenters cost over

$97,000 each • The average cost of a fall from elevation for all

other occupational classifications was under $50,000

• Falls from ladders or scaffolds by roofers cost approximately $68,000 each

• Falls from ladders or scaffolds by carpenters cost nearly $62,000 each.

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Plan the Work – Work the Plan! • It’s a systematic process

• Walk – recognize, document – Fall Hazard Analysis

• Plan & choose proper control measure

• Orient and Train

• Observe and Enforce

• Inspect and Maintain

• Audit

• Involve YOUR contractors!!!

Inspection & Maintenance

Establish Policy & Develop Rules

Walk; Document! Conduct Fall

Hazard Analysis

Orientation & Training Program

AUDIT

B. Arrest Select Personal Fall Arrest Equip System

Eliminate using Eng. Controls OR

Observation, Enforcement

Plan & Choose Appropriate Hazard

Control Measure

A. Prevention e.g. floors, walls

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What Are You Looking/Asking Us For? • Training (30%)

• Fall Hazard Assessment Surveys (25%) – Safety Assessment

– Engineering Assessment

• Engineering (20%) – anchor point surveys most common request

• Installation (25%)

• General Industry clients (85%)

• Construction clients (15%)

• Average Height of Hazard 30 ft

• 10% Reactive approach to a violation, citation, safety audit, injury/fatality

Construction is a LARGE driver in fall protection statistics – low contact in this area

Sell the SOLUTION – don’t sell A PRODUCT

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What Do We See? • Severe lack of Qualified Persons on staff

• 40% of “recognized” fall hazards exist without resolution

• Inadequate levels of worker/supervisor training

• Fall protection plans/policies that do not adequately address Z359 provisions

• No “real” plans for rescue

• Systems that are not “effective”

• Fall arrest control measures are still most utilized

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What Do We See? • Not enough ELIMINATION

• System FAILURES – resulting in injury or death

• Consistent rising/levels statistics of injury and fatality

• Incorrect usage of PPE

• Lack of CP/QP involvement or supervision

When “WE” leave – you have a NEW beginning!!!

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Grab The Low Hanging Fruit? • Ladders (20%)

• Roofs (18%)

• Same level Falls (15%)

• Non moving vehicles (12%)

• Statistics indicate 65% of the persistent problem areas!!!

• Focus on these areas!!! (65% of fatal falls)

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What Does the Qualified Person Bring To The Table? • Already trained to the Competent Person Level

– Knows the work involved – means/methods

– Familiar with Fall Protection PPE, systems – use, limitations, inspection, etc.

– Can stop the work and implement corrective measures

• Can take loadings associated with fall protection systems – quantify, design/analyze, validation

• Up to date with latest methods/systems, etc.

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Recognized

Hazard /

Solutions

Eliminate Guard Safety

Factor

Redundancy Reliability

List

Hazard

Safety

Sol’n

List

Hazard Safety

Sol’n List Hazard Safety

Sol’n List

Hazard

Safet

y

Sol’n

Admin

Natural Human Factors.

Ergo

Falls, Water

Sequence

Structural/

Mechanical

Electrical Lightning

Chemical Corrosion

RadiantEnergy Fire, uv,

microwave,

nuclear

Biological Virus

Artificial Intelligence

Computers

Software

Failure Rate

A Tool to recognize ALL Worksite Hazards

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Openings and Edges • Skylights – an opening in a roof surface –

synthetic materials susceptible to weakening under sustained environmental exposure

• Critical issue – all skylights degrade!

• Good – wire screens/protectors

• Better – perimeter railing

• Best – skylights properly rated to resist same level falls!!!

• 20 year lifetime goal…

• 300 lbs – lead shot, 10” dia 3’ drop

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Recognized

Hazard /

Solutions

Eliminate Guard Safety Factor Redundancy Reliability

List Hazard Safety Sol’n List Hazard Safety

Sol’n

List Hazard Safety Sol’n List Hazard Safety Sol’n Admin

Gravity Fall Remove sky

light

Fall Screen or

curb at 42”

Fall Stronger

skylight Fall Guardrail &

cover

Planning &

surveys

Structural/

Mechanical*

Collapse Cover &

secure

collapse Burglar

bars

collapse Test for

97%ile male

weight

Fall Through Screen & bars Inspect

Strength

report

Radiant Energy UV

Degrad’n

Firefighter

Access

Screen 20 yrs

or

Less than 12”

gap

Crazing

at screw holes

Screen

And

Replace

leaks Test for 20

yrs,

Replace

Exposure to

replace

Use change-

out tool

Test Miami

Dade 5 yrs

*Attractive

nuisance

Sit on screen Bounce* Trampoline

Guard rail Stand on screen Two person screen Add warnings

*Burglar entry Burglar

access

Secure access

& Grill under

dome

Fill opening Add grill Screws

remove

Larger w/tool Two hazards Screen & bars Evaluatburgl

ar method

*Maintain

skylight/screen

Replace

skylight

Use change

out tool

No barrier Use DBI

net frame

Weak structure

Alum. Ribs in

skylight

Not enough

protect

Add PFAS to

Burglar B

Design

screen

limited

opening

Use Tool to recognize Skylight Fall Hazards

Natural Hazards include Gravity

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Openings and Edges

• Gable/eave edges of buildings

• Important to use the right equipment for the job

• Know the limitations – Z359.14 can help

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Standing On Top – “No Anchorage” • After You GET UP THERE – tie off!!!

• Common on roofs (20% of fatalities)

• Using the right equipment for the job

• Preplanning is key

• There is always a way to be protected

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Standing On Top – “No Anchorage”

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Aerial Work Platforms • Ejection Protection – not FP

unless intended for that purpose

• Proper tethering inside the basket is crucial – use the right arrangement

• Transfer from platform to walking/working surface must be accomplished using 100% FP

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Aerial Work Platforms • Is tethering inside a scissor required?

– Not per OSHA?

– When the platform is extended

– When anchorages are provided

– More restrictive company directive

– When chains are NOT deployed?

– What about chains?

– When one’s elbows extend beyond the protective railing

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Recognized

Hazard /

Solutions

Eliminate Guard Safety Factor Redundancy Reliability

List

Hazard

Safety Sol’n List Hazard Safety Sol’n List Hazard Safety Sol’n List Hazard Safety Sol’n Admin

PrePlan

Gravity Fall out

while

reaching

Restrain Fall while step

up on midrail

Screen up to

42”

Fall while

transfer

Wishbone

connect, follow

procedure

Fall hazard

and rescue

Guardrail &

PFAS, training

Train to stay

if rocking

Structural/Mechanical Collapse

due to

bearing

failure

Regular

maintain

check the

certs

Ejection: Auto

impact at base

PFAS and

self-rescue

Collapse

boom or tip

over

Check

outrigrs fully

out & PFAS

Bucket

inverts

Restraint and

PFAS &

rescue

method

Inspect

Strength

report

Structural/Mechanical Lean on

controls

near

ceiling

Lock-out &

design of

controls

Duck under

rail: head

injury

Use swing

gate access

Lift does not

respond to

controls

Bleed

hydraulics

and/or

descent

device

Anchor Pt

too low in

bucket

Anchor Pt on

bucket at 5 ft

and or boom

Train: instrns

for proper

use

Structural/Mechanical Walk

mast

Prevent

access

Tip over Outriggers Stalls w/ load

& angle

Higher

capacity lift

Tip over Guard and

PFAS

Add alarm &

warnings

Biological Attack by

bees

Remote

distance tools

Attack by bees PFAS

Control

Descent

Descent not

fast enough

Increase

descent

speed

Attack by

bees

Add suit and

headgear

Electrical Touch

power

line

Keep 10’

distance per OSHA & alarm

Touch while

on ground

Training stay

away or

jump

Conduct’n Use

insulatdremo

te tools

Other hazards

Increase

insulated

equip’t tools

David MacCollum: Construction Safety Engineering Principles

Use Tool to recognize Aerial Lift Fall Hazards

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• Access to elevated loads

• Tarping required for transport

• Involves worker elevated access over 4+ feet up to approximately 13’

• Prevention means involves the use of platforms and guard rail systems

– Reducing gaps/holes/tripping hazards

– No access required atop/on the load

Truck Tarping – 1 of 3

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• May incorporate combination systems of platforms AND active fall protection systems

• Overhead rigid rail systems – no flexible systems for flat bed level

• Active systems can be used in other forms of truck access

Truck Tarping – 2 of 3

Owner’s liability for driver/operator

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Truck Tarping – 3 of 3 • Elimination

– Retractable Tarp systems

– Rolling systems

– Flip systems

• Tarping methods

– Over the rear (along length)

– Perpendicular (across trailer)

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Workplace Design Solutions - NiOSH

• Prevention through the design of embedded safety features

• Stresses importance of design safety reviews – Don’t import fall hazards

• Examples such as: – Embeds for guard rails

– Embedded roof anchorages

– Straps embedded in concrete

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Workplace Design Solutions - NiOSH • Specific recommendations

– During retrofit or new projects perform a safety design review – identify tasks that could involve fall hazards over the life of the facility

– Consult with professional engineer to install new features or retrofit older buildings with permanent embedded safety features

– In new construction have a qualified person prepare a drawing indicating locations of anchorage points

– Ensure competent person inspection prior and during use

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Workplace Design Solutions - NiOSH • Specific recommendations

– Have any existing embedded fall arrest systems field tested by a qualified testing entity.

– Ensure a competent person inspects and evaluates fall arrest systems regularly for damage.

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Escalators Free Standing in Malls and Airports

An unrecognized Hazard is in our midst!!!

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Escalator Picture 2

Belt speed 18”/sec

17

X

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Escalator Picture 3

40 ft

Hidden from self-supported Escalator owners in North America & labeled as “Misuse”

Involuntary Hoisting

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In Conclusion • Fall Hazards have and continue to be the

leading cause of death and injury in the workplace

• Embrace the Fall Protection Code – Z359

• Employ a Managed Approach Fall Protection

• Follow the hierarchy

• Make Elimination Priority ONE!!!

• Leverage the Competent and Qualified Person relationship to maximum program effectiveness and success

• Fall Hazard reduction is the KEY!!!

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Questions???

• www.fallsafety.com

• Nigel Ellis – dsc@fallsafety.com

• John Whitty – john@fallsafety.com

Thank You!!!