Get arrested!

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Monday, February 11, 2019

Don’t Fall for it,

Get arrested!

Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Jameson Berry

INSafe Construction Safety Consultant


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Today’s Topics

• The anatomy of a fall

• Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) components

• The proper inspection, donning, maintenance and use of a PFAS

• Calculating total fall distance

• Techniques to safely rescue a fallen worker


2017 - Falls, Slips and Trips

• Indiana

• 20 reported workplace fatalities

• An increase of 51% from 2016 (13)

• Nationally - highest level in the 26-year history of the CFOI

• 887 = 17 % of worker deaths.

• An increase of more 4% from 2016 (38)


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Fatalities


National totals; Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fatal occupational injuries for selected events or exposures 2013-17 (www.bls.gov/)

Anatomy of a Fall

• Approximately 1/3 of a second to become aware.

• Another 1/3 of a second for the body to react.

• A body can fall up to 7 feet in 2/3 of a second.


0.33sec./2 feet

0.67 sec./7 feet

1 sec./16 feet

2 sec./64 feet

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Duty to Have Fall Protection

• Provide protection for each employee exposed to fall hazards.

• Surfaces must be inspected before work.

• Employees only permitted on surfaces that are strong enough

• Must arrest a fall before the employee can hit the ground.


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• Before exposure

• By a qualified person

• Nature of fall hazards

• Procedures to minimize hazards

• Correct procedures: installing, inspecting and removing

• Correct use of fall protection system

Training - General Industry (1910.30)


FALLS!!

Training – Construction(1926.503)


• All employees exposed

• Nature of fall hazards

• Correct procedures for installing, inspecting and removing

• Proper use and operation of fall protection systems

• Each employee’s role

• The standard

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The ABC’s of a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

• Anchorage

• Body Harness

• Connecting Devices

• Descent and Rescue of a fallen worker


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Anchorage


Anchorage Capacity Requirements

• 5,000 pound capacity for tie off for an unrated anchor

• 3,600 pound capacity for an rated anchor

• ANSI Z359.1 requires a PFAS to limit the maximum arresting force to 1,800 lbs. (2X safety factor)


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Multiple Users on a PFAS

• Number of employees using the system?

• 5,000 lbs. per user

• Chain reaction

• Damage from each shock load


YES: 55,000 lbs. capacity

1 2 3 4 5 6 87 109 11

What does 5,000 pounds look like?

It’s approximately the same weight as:

• A pickup truck

• 500 – gallons of paint

• 800 – traditional bricks

• 125 – cinder blocks

• 500 – 2”x4”x8’ studs

• 2 – JLG 19’ Scissor lifts


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Types of Anchor Connectors


Anchor Testing


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Other Anchorage Considerations

• Damage to system

• Will the system be exposed to preventable damages?

• Capable of withstanding the unpreventable damages?

• Installation

• Per manufacturers directions?

• Correct quantity and type of anchors/fasteners/torqued?

• What direction is it designed to arrest from?


Swing Fall:Where is the best place for the anchor?

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• Harness must fit and be worn properly!

• Size and Adjustment

• Type and purpose

Body Harness


What’s Wrong?


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Connecting Devices


Connector Requirements


• Make sure it’s rated!!

• Many connecting devices are rated in kilo-Newtons:

• 1 kN = ~225 lbs of FORCE

• 22.2 kN = 5,000 lbs.

• Gates rated for 3,600 lbs.

• Know your sources

• Fakes and imitations

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What’s Wrong?


A Requirement of PFAS

• Must reduce arresting forces to not more than 1,800 lbs.

• (French Study from 1970’s) 2,700 lbs. is the threshold for significant injury due to a fall for physically fit individuals

• Canada then elected to establish an 1,800 lb. limit.

• Since then, there have been no reported deaths or serious injuries associated with the arresting of accidental falls.


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Shock absorbing lanyards


Self Retracting Lifelines (SRL)


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Horizontal Lifelines

• Has its own ANSI (Z359.6)

• Shall have drawings and/specifications prepared by or under the direction of an engineer.


Vertical Lifelines


Definition: A component, element or constituent of a lifeline system consisting of a vertically suspended flexible line and along which a fall arrester travels.

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Ladder Safety Systems


Material Handling vs. Safety1926.502(d)(18): Body belts, harnesses, and components shall be used only for employee protection (as part of a personal fall arrest system or positioning device system) and not to hoist materials.


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Calculating Fall Distance


3’ Lanyard

6’ Free Fall

3.5’ Elongation

Stretch of Rope (4’ in this example)

Height of employee (5.5” in this example)6+3.5+5.5+4=

19’

Additional Considerations


~ 1’

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Descent, Rescue, and Retrieval

• Don’t assume the fire department will be able to rescue you in a timely manner!!

• 1926.502 – OSHA requires employers to "provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall"


How Prompt is Prompt?

• …”results of an Air Force study in which volunteers suspended in harnesses experienced adverse health effects in as little as 12 to 15 minutes.”

• …"suspension in a fall arrest device can result in unconsciousness, followed by death, in less than 30 minutes."

Source: EHS Today


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How do I get more time?

• May not be possible!

• Step attachments for emergencies

• Rope Ladder

• Be prepared!!


Types of Rescues/Techniques

Self Rescue

Manual

Winch

Ascending/Descending Devices

Outside Services

Heavy Equipment


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Rescue Devices


Practice!!


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What if…?


Environmental


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Sharp edges


• Excessive soiling

• Cracks/deformation

• Rust/corrosion/burns

• Worn/broken webbing

• Abrasions/sharp edges

• Illegible or missing markings

• Improper operation/alterations

• Any type of damage or wear that could reduce the effectiveness of the system

• Absence of any element that may affect the equipment form, fit, or function

Inspecting your PFAS

Inspect all components before each use!


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Other Inspection Requirements

• Equipment shall be inspected by a competent person other than the user annually.

• Some equipment may require inspection by the manufacturer on a periodic basis.


Maintenance

• Check with MOM (Manufacturer Owner’s Manual)

• Inspection schedule

• Self Inspections

• Manufacturer inspections

• Equipment which is in need of or scheduled for maintenance shall be tagged as “unusable” and removed from service.


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Cleaning

• Clean gear works better and lasts longer

• Most items: mild dish detergent and water

• Moving and/or metal parts avoid oils and other lubricants

• Attracts dust and dirt.


Consult with manufacturer

Storage


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More information:

• ANSI Z359

• OSHA 1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection

• OSHA 1910 Subpart D – Walking-Working Surfaces


What’s Wrong?


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This is only the beginning

• Swing Fall

• Calculating Fall Distance

• Rescue equipment

• Scaffolding

• Ladders

• Safety Monitors

• Deceleration Devices

• Boom Lifts

• Man Baskets

• Spider Basket Lift

• Rope Access Work

• High Angle Rescue

• Developing the Rescue Plan


• Confidential* and cost-free• On-site consultation• Full or limited-scope audit• Air and noise sampling

[email protected](317) 232-2688

www.in.gov/dol/INSafeConsultation

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Jameson BerryINSafe Safety Consultant

(317) [email protected]

www.in.gov/dol

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Get arrested!

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