FALL PROTECTION PLAN

INDEX

1. Scope
2. Purpose
3. Reference
4. Definitions
5. Responsibilities
6. Procedure
7. Attachments
1. SCOPE

To achieve a safe working environment for personnel working at heights in accordance with
the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 in particular the Construction
Regulations.

2. PURPOSE

To provide guidelines necessary for the provision of maximum fall protection for all
personnel working in elevated heights.

3. REFERENCES

Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and in particular the Construction
Regulations.

4. DEFINITIONS

Client:
Project:

Safety, Health and Environment:

5. RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 The SHE Department shall have full authority to enforce all aspects of the procedure,
approve any and all systems to be used, and provide the necessary advice to
management and field supervision.

5.2 Scaffold, Framework and Support Work Inspectors and Supervisors shall inspect all
scaffolding, framework and support work systems prior to use, analyse risks and
disseminate toolbox talks and pre-task instructions to the workers. They shall ensure
that Contractors comply with this document and where necessary seek the advice of
the Safety Department.

5.3 Rigging and Structural Departments shall be responsible for the provision,
installation, testing and maintenance of all lifeline systems i.e. Wires, nets, toggle
connectors, tie off points, etc. Man cage, baskets and other aerial lifting equipment is
the responsibility of rigging personnel and the structural section. The Scaffolding,
Framework and Support Work Erectors and Supervisors shall ensure the provision of
any temporary access ways, working platforms and walkways.
6. PROCEDURE

6.1 Instructions:

6.1.1 All personnel, on this project shall wear an approved full body harness fitted
with a double lanyard.

6.1.2 Shall make use of maximum primary fall protection systems such as
scaffolds, etc. These systems shall be equipped with complete working and
walking surfaces free of floor openings, standard guardrail systems fitted and
safe means of access and egress installed.

6.1.3 Personnel travelling or working in elevated areas where a fall exposure

exists shall make use of secondary fall protection in securing their safety
lanyard at all times to a structure, lifeline or approved fall arresting device
capable of supporting 1000 kg.

6.1.4 Personnel hoisting devices shall also properly secure their safety lanyards as
noted in point 6.6.

6.1.5 Fall protection devices such as lifelines, safety harness lanyards system, etc.
shall be inspected daily for damage and or deterioration. Defective
equipment shall be removed from service and given to the Safety
Department.

6.1.6 Fall protection devices and systems shall not be used for any other purpose
other than employee safeguarding.

6.1.7 Contractors shall comply with the requirements in this program as a

minimum for fall protection.

6.2 Fall Protection Device:

6.2.1 Primary Fall Protection System:

6.2.1.1 These systems provide walking and working surfaces in elevated

areas that are free from floor openings and are equipped with
standard guardrail systems on all open sides and with closure
apparatus for ladder openings. These systems include but are not
limited to scaffolds, pencil boards, aerial lifts (JLG scissors lifts,
manifolds, etc.) and other approved personnel hoisting devices.

6.2.1.2 Standard guardrail systems and other work platforms and surface
protection shall be in accordance with the Construction
Regulations.
 6.2.1.3 Floor opening / hole covers are used to close openings and holes
in floors, platforms and walkways. These covers must be capable
of supporting the maximum potential load of 100 pounds per
square foot. The cover must completely cover the opening, the
hole and be secured against accidental displacement. These
covers must be marked “HOLE COVER - DO NOT REMOVE”.

6.2.2 Secondary Fall Protection Systems - Safety Harness.

6.2.2.1 Lanyard systems:

6.2.2.1.1 This system shall be worn and used as a backup to

primary fall protection systems noted above and in the
absence of primary systems. The fall protection
lanyard shall be attached to the D-ring located in the
middle back of the safety harness.

6.2.2.1.2 D-ring located at the waist shall only be used for

positioning and with rail type ladder climbing devices.

6.2.2.1.3 Work positioning lanyards are to be attached to D-ring

at the waist belt location. Positioning lanyards need
not be of shock absorbing type and shall not be used
for fall protection. The positioning lanyard shall always
be backed up by a properly secured shock absorbing
fall protection lanyard when available.

6.2.3 Lifelines:

6.2.3.1 Lifeline systems are points of attachment for fall protection

lanyards and must be capable of supporting at least 1000 kg.
Lifelines may be mounted either vertically or horizontally and are
generally intended to provide mobility to personnel working at
elevated areas.

6.2.3.2 Horizontal lifelines must be of at least three eight of an inch (3/8”)

wire rope cable properly supported to withstand at least 1000 kg
impact. Softeners shall be used.

6.2.3.3 Horizontal lifelines should be positioned so as to provide points of

attachment at waist level or higher or personnel utilizing them.

6.2.3.4 Lifelines shall not be used for any purpose other than fall
protection.
 6.2.3.5 Horizontal lifelines shall be installed and maintained by the
Rigging and Structural Department or a competent person.

6.2.3.6 Vertical lifelines are used for personnel fall protection when
vertical mobility is required and may be comprised for static
lifelines made of cable which is equipped with approved sliding
rope grabs or they may consist of self retracting reel type lanyard
and lifelines which are attached directly to safety harness.

6.2.3.7 Sliding rope grabs approved for the size of wire rope used are the
only methods for securing a safety lanyard to vertical lifeline.
Lanyard shall not be attached to lifelines by means of knots
or loops.

6.2.3.8 Rope grabs shall be positioned on the lifeline at least above the
shoulders of the user.

6.2.4 Other devices which can be used are:

6.2.4.1 Safety Nets - Safety nets may be used in some situations as

secondary fall protection. Use and installation of nets when
required will be done with approval of the Safety Department. The
Rigging and Structural Department is responsible for the net
installation when required.

6.2.4.2 Connectors Toggles - Those devices lock into structural steel

boltholes to provide an attachment point for a safety lanyard.
Structural steel connectors and bolt up personnel should use
these devices during steel erection.

6.2.4.3 Concrete Form Tie-off - These devices attach to patented

concrete forms to provide an attachment point for safety lanyards.
These devices should be used when placing concrete forms at
elevations where a fall exposure exists.

6.2.5 Lifeline placement installation.

6.2.5.1 Horizontal Lifelines:

6.2.5.1.1 All horizontal lifelines placed in skeletal steel

structures (e.g. pipe racks, etc.) shall be three - eight
(3/8”) cable as a minimum and shall be secured on
each end by at least two (2) cable clamps.
Intermediate support shall be adequate to minimize
 sag and vertical deflection under loading and
softeners shall be used.

6.2.5.1.2 Horizontal lifelines shall be installed and maintained

by the Rigging and Structural Department or an
appointed competent person.

6.2.5.1.3 Priority shall be given to lifeline placement as

structures are erected.

6.2.5.1.4 Lifelines shall be arranged to proved adequate

mobility in all areas of the structure while maintaining
100 % fall protection for personnel.

6.2.5.1.5 Lifelines should be arranged to provide tie off points at

least waist height for personnel using them.

6.2.5.1.6 Lifelines shall not be used for any purpose other than
fall protection.

6.2.5.1.7 Personnel installing lifelines shall be protected from

falls at all time by tying off to structural steel, etc.

6.2.5.1.8 The Rigging and Structural Department or appointed

competent person shall schedule regular documented
inspections of all lifelines at least weekly.

6.3 Vertical Lifelines and Retractable Lifelines

6.3.1 Vertical lifelines and retractable lifelines will be used as follows:

6.3.1.1 Static Wire Rope:

6.3.1.1.1 Lifelines shall be of wire rope approved by the Safety

Department.

6.3.1.1.2 Lifelines shall be used with approved rope grabs for

lanyard attachment.

6.3.1.1.3 Lifelines must be anchored at the top by means

capable of supporting 1000 kg.

NOTE: SOFTENERS SHOULD BE USED WHERE LIFELINES

CONTACT SHARP EDGES SUCH AS BEAM FLANGES.
6.3.2 Retractable Reel Lifelines if applicable:

6.3.2.1 Retractable lifeline devices shall be attached to support capable of

withstanding 1000 kg impact loading.

6.3.2.2 Retractable lifeline devices shall be secured by means of shackles

and wire rope chokers. Rope (Synthetic or natural fibre) shall not
be used to secure these devices.

6.3.2.3 Each retractable lifeline device shall be equipped with a rope tag
line for extending the device to elevations below the point of
attachment.

6.3.2.4 Retractable lifelines where considered necessary shall also be

used to provide fall protection to structural steel workers during
erection prior to installation of other fall protection systems.

6.4 Ladders:

6.4.1 All ladders will be of sound construction and will be properly

maintained and in accordance with the Occupation Health and
Safety Act 1993.

6.4.2 Ladders will be inspected and logged once per month. They shall
be inspected before and after use and any observed defect
remedied at once.

6.4.3 The best angle for easy use and security is about 75 degrees to
the horizontal, i.e. one meter out of for each four meter up.

6.4.4 COLMAN TUNNELING shall train the workers to detect defects in

wooden and metal ladders.

6.4.5 For all electrical work, non-conductive ladders will be used.

6.5 Temporary work platforms and walkways:

6.5.1 Temporary work platforms and walkways shall be made to ensure

all are equipped with solid decks free of openings with scaffold
grade planks and standard guard rail systems.

6.5.2 Every temporary work platform or walkway must be provided with

a safe means of access and egress.

6.6 Permanent structures, stairs and ladders:

 6.6.1 All workers are required to wear an approved full body safety
harness with double lanyards.

6.6.2 Personnel working or travelling in incomplete permanent

structures where fall risks exist, such as floor openings and open
sided floors, shall be properly tied off when in close proximity of
the edges or sides.

6.6.3 Priority shall be given to installation and securing of permanent

floors and walking surfaces and all guard rails and other
permanent fall protection devices.

6.6.4 When required temporary guardrails and floor covers shall be

installed to eliminate fall exposure.

6.6.5 Only authorised personnel are allowed on elevated floors with fall
exposures, such as floors openings or open sided floors.

6.6.6 Permanent stairs when completed shall be used to access or

egress elevated work areas. Personnel climbing ladders shall
keep both hands free of any material at all times. One foot and
one hand shall be on the ladder at all times while climbing.

6.7 Scaffold / Formwork and Support Work erection:

6.7.1 Personnel erecting Scaffolding / Formwork / Support Work shall

achieve 100 % fall protection through use of safety harness.

6.7.2 Access to Scaffolding / Formwork / Support Work shall be

obtained by means of a proper staircase.

6.8 Reinforcement Steel / concrete Form work:

6.8.1 Personnel working on rebar walls, piers and on concrete form

walls must have fall protection 100 % of the time when working on
elevated areas.

6.8.2 This fall protection can be achieved through the use of retractable
lifelines, lifeline and rope grabs or use of full body harness with
double lanyards.

6.8.3 On vertical rebar walls the safety lanyard shall be secured at a

point above the workers head, either to a lifeline or a horizontal
section.
 6.8.4 Formwork personnel shall use patented construction from tie-off
attachments or lifelines to secure their safety lanyards.

6.9 Rigging, Crane Assembly and Dismantling:

6.9.1 Crane assembly - dismantling operations create a challenge to the

100% fall protection program. Fall protection shall be utilized
during these operations with the use of safety harnesses with
double lanyards and minimizing movement in elevated areas by
using ladders and in some cases baskets.

6.10 Reinforcement Steel / Concrete Form work:

6.10.1 All fall prevention items (e. g. harnesses, lanyards, retractable

lifelines, etc.) shall be inspected daily.

6.10.2 Supervision shall be responsible for this inspection, if there is any

worn, torn, cut, broken etc. places on a fall protection item, then it
shall be taken out of service and given to the Safety Department
immediately. DO NOT USE!

7. ATTACHMENTS

Inspection of fibre ropes

Note:
COLMAN TUNNELING has prohibited the use of safety belts for fall arrest for any and all
projects.
 GENERAL INSPECTION FOR FIBRE ROPES - FALL PROTECTION INFORMATION

1. Base your estimate of a rope’s condition on the section showing the most deterioration.

2. Check outside for broken fibres and yarns.

2.1 Cuts, nicks, burn and signs of abrasion or un laying are indicative of deterioration and
possible loss of critical strength.

Note: Item 1 above, and determine the extend of possible strength loss (see point
4).

3. A rope must be condemned if:

3.1 Strands are excessively loose (High stranding).

3.2 Internal wear dusting is evident.

3.3 If yarns can be pulled out at the interior.

3.4 If any long fibres can be broken by hand.

3.5 If the rope has lost it’s elasticity.

3.6 Any other major strand damage is evident.

4. Inspections should be carried out by experienced personnel, since each portion of wear
and tear is a judgment call as to the rope’s ability to perform it’s function.
5. Educated and experience judgments will always lean to unserviceable ability should
there be an element of doubt in any rope’s condition.

Note: Safety lanyards are not normally subject to high stranding, loss of elasticity or the
production of wear dusting because they are almost never subject to overloading or
excessive internal wear during their lifetime.
6. Training:
6.1 Since training is probably the most important element in any fall protection system it
is essential that:

6.1.1 The basics are covered first - even with experienced work forces.

6.1.2 Learning to don harnesses and adjustments of shoulder straps, waist belt
and leg straps.

6.1.3 Understanding the proper use and function of the “D” ring.
6.1.4 Understanding the need to tie off and the proper selection of anchor
points.

6.1.5 Documentation is recorded identifying the employee, the trainer, training

conducted and the date.

6.1.6 Certification should be issued to reflect the training received.