Fall Protection Safety Measures

This document outlines the required safety measures for fall protection, including the use of personal fall arrest systems and guardrail requirements, to prevent worker injuries from falls from heights. It is essential to implement these measures to ensure a safe working environment and comply with safety regulations.

General Requirements

Fall protection systems are required when it is impractical to provide adequate work platforms or staging. Employers must ensure that fall protection systems are used by all workers exposed to the hazard of falling. [2]

Fall protection is required when working at heights that could result in injury from a fall, typically at 3 meters (10 feet) or more. Always refer to your jurisdiction's legislation for specific requirements. [4] [14]

Hierarchy of Controls

The hierarchy of controls for fall protection should be followed, implementing the most effective measures first. This includes eliminating the need to work at heights if possible, or installing barriers. [4]

Conditions Requiring Fall Protection

Fall protection is required when a worker is exposed to the hazard of falling from a work area that is: [2]

• 3 meters or more above the nearest safe surface or water.
• Above a surface or thing that could cause injury if the worker were to fall on the surface or thing.
• Above an open tank, pit, or vat containing hazardous material.

[2]

Acceptable Fall Protection Measures

Acceptable measures include:

• Providing a fall arrest system.
• Constructing or installing a guardrail.
• Installing a personnel safety net.
• Constructing or installing temporary flooring.
• Providing another means of fall protection that offers an equal or greater level of safety than a fall arrest system.

[2] Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

A fall arrest system is a group of equipment, components, and systems used to stop a fall from a height. It should only be used when other methods of fall protection are not available or possible, including engineering controls, guardrails, safety nets, or travel restraint. [1] [1]

Key Considerations for Using a Fall Arrest System

• Minimize the free fall distance.
• Minimize the forces of the fall experienced by the worker.
• Protect the worker from striking other surfaces while falling.
• Protect the worker from the pendulum effect or swing falls.

[1]

Components of a Fall Arrest System

• Anchorage point
• Lanyard
• Full body harness
• Connecting components

Anchorage Points

Anchorages for personal fall arrest equipment must be independent of any anchorage used to support or suspend platforms. They must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached or designed with a safety factor of at least two under the supervision of a qualified person. [11]

The anchor point should ideally be directly above the worker to reduce the swing fall distance. CSA Standard Z259.16:21 recommends limiting the swing-drop distance to 1.2 meters or less when obstacles are present. [8] [8]

Lanyards

Lanyards should be attached to an anchorage point or lifeline above the shoulder of the worker, where practicable. They must comply with CSA Standard Z259.11 [5]

Full Body Harnesses

A full body harness must be used and adjusted to fit the user, complying with CSA Standard Z259.10. [5]

Connecting Components

Connecting components must comply with CSA Standard Z259.12. [5]

Performance Criteria for PFAS

• Limit maximum arresting force to 1,800 pounds (8 kN) when used with a body harness.
• Be rigged such that an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m).
• Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance to 3.5 feet (1.07 m).
• Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.

[13]

Inspection and Maintenance of PFAS

Personal fall arrest systems must be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration. Defective components must be removed from service. [3]

PFAS subjected to impact loading must be immediately removed from service and inspected by a competent person to determine if they are undamaged and suitable for reuse. [12]

Rescue Plan

Employers must provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or ensure that employees are able to rescue themselves. [3]

A written fall protection plan is required, specifying procedures for assembly, maintenance, inspection, use, and disassembly of the fall arrest system or personnel safety net, as well as procedures for rescuing a worker who has fallen and is suspended but unable to self-rescue. [7]

Suspension Trauma

Suspension trauma, also known as orthostatic intolerance, can occur when a worker is suspended after a fall. Blood pools in the legs, reducing oxygen to the brain and other organs. An effective rescue plan is crucial to rescue suspended workers quickly. [6] [6]

Guardrail Requirements

Guardrails are a system of vertical and horizontal members that warn of a fall hazard and reduce the risk of a fall. [10]

Training Requirements

Workers must complete a training program on fall protection before using fall protection equipment. [2]

Additional Considerations

Bottoming Out

Bottoming out occurs when a worker hits the ground or any material, equipment, or lower level of the structure before the fall is arrested. To prevent this, the fall arrest system should be designed to minimize the free fall distance. [1] [1]

Pendulum Effect

The pendulum effect, or swing fall, occurs when a worker swings from side to side while falling, potentially hitting equipment, material, or the structure. To reduce swinging, the anchor point should be directly above the worker. [1] [6]

Calculating Fall Clearance Distance

To determine the total fall clearance distance, consider the length of the lanyard, the length of the energy absorber when deployed, the length of the harness and other equipment when stretched, the location and strength of the anchor point, the worker's height, vertical and horizontal clearances, the potential for pendulum or swing falls, and a safety factor distance. [9]

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