Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Post-Tensioning Cable Inspection, Testing, and Handling

This document outlines the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for ensuring safety during the inspection, testing, and handling of post-tensioning cables. It includes measures for preventing injuries from cable failure or the sudden release of tension. This guidance is based on industry best practices and regulatory requirements to minimize risks associated with these tasks.

General PPE Requirements

The following PPE is generally required for all inspection, testing, and handling activities involving post-tensioning cables:

• Head Protection: Wear protective headwear (hard hats) that meets CSA Group Standard Z94.1 or ANSI Standard Z89.1 if there is a risk of head injury. The employer must ensure appropriate protective headwear is worn.
• Eye and Face Protection: Use eye and face protection equipment that meets the requirements set out in Annex A of CSA Group Standard Z94.3 if there is a risk of injury to the eyes or face.
• Hand Protection: Wear protective cut-resistant gloves when using cutters or handling cables.
• Foot Protection: Wear protective footwear that meets the requirements set out in CSA Group Standard Z195 if there is a risk of foot injury or electric shock. If there is a risk of injury due to slipping, ensure slip-resistant footwear is worn.

Specific PPE Considerations

The following PPE considerations are specific to the hazards associated with post-tensioning cables:

• Full Body Harness: If working at heights (usually 3 meters or more), a full body harness is required as part of a fall arrest system. Ensure the harness meets CSA standard Z259.10-18 (R2023).
• Lanyards and Energy Absorbers: Use personal energy absorbers and lanyards that meet CSA standard Z259.11-17 (R2021) as part of a fall arrest system.
• Connecting Components: Use connecting components for personal fall-arrest systems (PFAS) that meet CSA standard Z259.12-16 (R2021).

Cable Cutting and Handling

• Cutting Tools: Use the proper cutter for the job, designed for the specific type, hardness, and size of material.
• Safety Glasses/Goggles/Face Shield: Always wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) when using cutters.
• Cut-Resistant Gloves: Wear protective cut-resistant gloves when using cutters.

Working at Heights

• Fall Protection Equipment: When working at heights, use approved safety belts, lifelines, and leather gauntlet gloves.
• Fall Arrest Systems: Use a fall arrest system designed to catch the worker in the event of a fall.
• Travel Restraint Systems: Use a travel restraint system to restrict workers' movements in the fall hazard area.

Emergency Procedures and Rescue

• Rescue Plan: Develop and implement emergency procedures for rescuing fallen workers, including those hanging in midair by their harness.
• Competent Person: Ensure a trained and competent person is available for rescue operations.

Additional Safety Measures

• Regular Inspections: Inspect all PPE before each use. Replace defective equipment immediately.
• Training: Ensure all workers are properly trained on how to use the equipment safely.
• Hierarchy of Controls: Follow the hierarchy of controls for fall protection, implementing the most effective measures first, such as eliminating the need to work at heights altogether, if possible, or installing barriers.
• Written Records: Keep written records of inspections and approvals for all fall arrest equipment.

Detailed Safety Procedures

Pre-Use Inspection of Fall Protection Equipment

Webbing Inspection

Inspect the entire surface of webbing for damage. Beginning at one end, hold the body side of the webbing toward you, grasp the belt with your hands six to eight inches apart and bend it in the shape of an upside down "U". Repeat this for the entire length of the webbing.

• Watch for frayed edges, broken fibres, pulled stitches, cuts, or chemical damage. Broken webbing strands generally appear as tufts on the webbing surface.
• Replace according to manufacturers' guidelines.

Buckle Inspection

Inspect for loose, distorted, or broken grommets. Do not cut or punch additional holes.

• Check any belt without grommets for torn or elongated holes that could cause the buckle tongue to slip.
• Inspect the buckle for cracks, breaks, distortion, and sharp edges. The outer and center bars must be straight. Carefully check the corners and attachment points of the center bar. They should overlap the buckle frame and move freely back and forth in their sockets. The roller should turn freely on the frame.
• Check that rivets are tight and cannot be moved. The body side of the rivet base and outside rivet burr should be flat against the material. Make sure the rivets are not bent.

Safe Use of Cutting Tools

Material Stabilization

Use a vise, clamp, or another method to hold the material stable while cutting.

• Cut materials straight across - keep the material being cut at right angles to the cutting edges of the jaws.
• Prevent injury from flying metal by wrapping a burlap bag, cloth or rag around the cutting jaws. Metal can fly when cut. The harder the metal, the farther it will fly.
• Warn those in the area to take precautionary measures to avoid possible injury from flying metal pieces.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with all applicable occupational health and safety regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR86-304) and any provincial or territorial regulations.

The employer must ensure that appropriate protective headwear is worn if there is a risk of head injury in a workplace. [1]

If there is a risk of foot injury or electric shock in a work place, the employer must ensure that protective footwear that meets the requirements set out in CSA Group Standard Z195, Protective footwear is worn. [1]

If there is a risk of injury to the eyes or face in a work place, the employer must provide every person who is granted access to the work place with eye or face protection equipment that is selected by the employer in accordance with Annex A of CSA Group Standard Z94.3, Eye and face protectors, and that meets the require- ments set out in that standard. [1]

When using cutters, wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) and protective cut-resistant gloves. [3]

If you are at risk for falling 3 metres (10 feet) or more at your workplace, you should wear the appropriate fall protection equipment. [2]

The wearer should inspect their equipment before each use. [2]

Use the right equipment for the job. Refer to the series of CSA Standards Z259, including: Z259.1-05 (R2024) "Body belts and saddles for work positioning and travel restraint", Z259.2.3:16 (R2020) "Descent devices", Z 259.10-18 (R2023) (R2016) "Full Body Harnesses", Z259.11-17 (R2021) "Personal energy absorbers and lanyards", Z259.12-16 (R2021) "Connecting components for personal fall-arrest systems (PFAS)", Z259.17:21 "Section and use of active fall-protection equipment and systems", and any other standards or legislation that may apply. [4]

Every piece of fall arrest equipment should be inspected and certified at least yearly or more often by a trained and competent person. Keep written records of inspections and approvals. [6]

Use shock absorbers if the arresting forces of the lanyard alone can cause injury (unless doing so can cause the wearer to hit the ground or an object after falling). [6]

Always know how to properly use the equipment, slinging procedures before attempting the lift operation. Inspect the slings and accessories before use for any defects. [5]

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