Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fall Protection
Fall Protection
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PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION
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PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION
The system must be installed, inspected, and maintained Friction and abrasion – Normal movement may wear,
in accordance with the professional engineer’s design. abrade, or otherwise damage lifelines in contact with
sharp or rough surfaces. Protection such as wood
Before each use, the system must be inspected by a
softeners or rubber mats can be used at contact points to
professional engineer or competent worker designated by
prevent wear and tear.
a supervisor. A complete and current copy of the design
must be kept on site as long as the system is in use. Sparks or flame – Hot work such as welding or flame
CAUTION: The construction regulation requires that "a cutting can burn, melt, cut, or otherwise damage a lifeline.
horizontal or vertical lifeline shall be kept free from splices Ensure that material being considered for lifelines is
or knots, except knots used to connect it to a fixed flame-resistant or provide appropriate protection where
support." Knots along the length of either a horizontal or sparks or flame may be encountered.
vertical lifeline can reduce its strength by as much as 40%. Chemicals – Chemical exposure can burn or degrade a
3) Retractable Lifelines lifeline very quickly. Ensure that material being considered
Retractable lifelines consist of a lifeline spooled on a for lifelines will resist any chemicals encountered on the job.
retracting device attached to adequate anchorage. Storage – Always store lifelines separately. Never store
Retractable lifelines must comply with CAN/CSA- them where they may contact hazards such as sharp
Z259.2.2. objects, chemicals, or gasoline.
In general, retractable lifelines
Anchor Systems
- are usually designed to be anchored above the worker
- employ a locking mechanism that lets line unwind off There are three basic types of anchor systems for fall
the drum under the slight tension caused by a user’s protection:
normal movements 1) designed fixed support – load-rated anchors
- automatically retract when tension is removed, specifically designed and permanently installed for fall
thereby preventing slack in the line protection purposes as an integral part of the building
- lock up when a quick movement, such as that caused or structure (for example, roof anchors on high-rise
by a fall, is applied buildings)
- are designed to minimize fall distance and the forces 2) temporary fixed support – anchor systems designed
exerted on a worker’s body by fall arrest. to be connected to the structure using specific
installation instructions (for example, nail-on anchors
Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding
used by shinglers)
use, including whether a shock absorber is recommended
with the system. 3) existing structural features or equipment not
intended as anchor points but verified by a
Any retractable lifeline involved in a fall arrest must be professional engineer or competent person as having
removed from service until the manufacturer or a qualified adequate capacity to serve as anchor points (for
testing company has certified it for reuse. example, rooftop mechanical rooms, structural steel,
or reinforced concrete columns).
Lifeline Hazards
Ultraviolet light – Exposure to the sun may damage or Designed fixed support can be used to anchor a fall-arrest
weaken synthetic lifelines. Ensure that material being system, fall-restricting system, or travel-restraint system if
considered for lifelines is UV-resistant. the support has been installed according to the Building
Code and is safe and practical to use.
Temperature – Extreme heat can weaken or damage
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PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION
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PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION
✓ burns, cuts, or signs of chemical damage Check all connecting devices for
✓ loose or broken stitching ✓ damage, cracking, dents, bends, or signs of deformation
✓ frayed web material. ✓ connecting rings centred—not bent to one side or
Shock Absorbers otherwise deformed
✓ rust
- Shock absorbers absorb some of the force generated ✓ moving parts working smoothly
by fall arrest. Shock absorbers can be purchased as ✓ signs of wear or metal fatigue.
separate equipment or built into lanyards.
- One end of the shock absorber must be connected to Fall-Arrest Planning
the D-ring on the full body harness.
- In most cases the shock-absorbing component is Before deciding on a fall-arrest system, assess the
enclosed in a snug-fitting jacket to protect it from the hazards a worker may be exposed to in case of a fall.
user’s day-to-day activities. In a fall, the jacket tears Before the fall is arrested, will the worker "bottom out,"
open as the shock absorber deploys. that is, hit ground, material, equipment, or a lower level of
- Check the cover jacket for stress or tearing (many the structure? Will the pendulum effect cause the worker
shock absorbers have a tag on the jacket that tears if to swing from side to side, possibly striking equipment,
the unit is exposed to a shock load—make sure this material, or structure? In the event of fall arrest, how will
tag is intact). the suspended worker be rescued? Planning must take
- Ensure that a shock absorber built into a lanyard has into account these and other concerns.
a constant cross-section or diameter.
Total Fall Distance is the distance required to fully arrest a
Connecting Devices fall. It consists of
Locking Snap Hook – has a spring-loaded keeper across - Free Fall Distance, which should be kept to 1.5
the opening of the hook that cannot be opened unless the metres (5 feet) or less, plus
locking mechanism is depressed. - Fall Stopping Distance, which includes stretch in the
lanyard (minimal) and lifeline, slack in the harness
Karabiner (D-Clip) – designed not to open under twist (maximum 30 cm or 1 foot due to allowable
loads. To open the gate or keeper requires two separate adjustments for user’s comfort), and deployment of
actions: 1) twisting the locking mechanism and (2) pulling the shock absorber (maximum 1.1 metres—or 42
the locking mechanism back. When released, the spring- inches).
loaded locking mechanism flicks back into the locked
position. Free Fall Distance is measured from the D-ring of a
worker standing on the work surface down to the point
Rope Grab – used to connect lanyard to lifeline. These
where either the lanyard or the shock absorber begins to
devices can be moved up and down the lifeline when a
arrest the fall. It is strongly recommended that this
steady force is applied but will lock when a sharp tug or
distance be kept as short as possible.
pull is applied. They will remain locked on the lifeline until
the applied force is released. To minimize free fall, workers should tie off to an anchor
overhead and use as short a lanyard as the work will allow.
Each rope grab is designed and manufactured for use
with a specific diameter and type of lifeline. Rope grab Where a worker is
and lifeline must be compatible. Specifications are connected to a vertical
usually listed on the housing. lifeline by a rope grab,
the rope grab should
The rope grab must also be attached to the lifeline in the be positioned as high
correct direction—not upside down. On most rope grabs above the D-ring as
an arrow indicates the direction in which to orient the the work will allow. By
device. In addition, each rope grab is designed for use doing this, the worker
with a specific length of lanyard, normally two or three feet minimizes not only the
maximum. Free Fall Distance but
also the Fall Stopping
Distance required to
completely arrest a fall.
Bottoming Out
Bottoming out occurs
when a falling worker
hits a lower level, the
ground, or some other
hazard before the fall
is fully arrested.
This occurs when Total
Fall Distance is
greater than the
distance from the work
Bottoming Out
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PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION
surface to the next level, the ground, or some other hazard department. Aerial ladder trucks or other high-reach
below. equipment may be necessary. In extreme cases, the fire
department may use rappelling techniques to reach
Fall-arrest systems must be planned, designed, and
trapped workers and lift or lower them to a safe level.
installed to prevent any risk of bottoming out.
Plans should cover the on-site equipment, personnel, and
Pendulum Effect
procedures for different types of rescue. Any off-site
The farther you move sideways from your anchor point, rescue services that might be required should be
the greater the chance of swinging if you fall. This is contacted and arranged in advance to familiarize them
known as the "pendulum effect." And the more you swing, with the project. IHSA’s Emergency Response poster
the greater the force with which you’ll strike columns, (P103) can be used to indicate the nearest hospital and
walls, frames, or other objects in your path. the phone numbers of fire, ambulance, and police
Swinging may even cause your taut lanyard or lifeline to services.
break where it runs over rough or sharp edges. Site management must ensure that
Swing Fall or Pendulum Effect - everyone on site is aware of the rescue plan
- equipment and other resources are available
- designated personnel are properly trained.
Conclusion
Employers, supervisors, and workers all have responsibilities
in reducing or eliminating falls in construction.
This section has provided guidelines for fall protection,
including both fall prevention and fall arrest. But the
information means nothing unless employers, supervisors,
and workers apply it on the job.
To minimize pendulum effect, workers should keep
lanyard or lifeline perpendicular from edge to anchor. Workers who have any questions about fall hazards or fall
Where work extends along an open edge, anchor points protection should ask their supervisor. When it comes to
can be changed to keep lanyard or lifeline perpendicular fall protection, make sure you know how the equipment
as work progresses. works and how to use it. Your life depends on it.
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