Fall Protection

Training
 Fall Protection Training
Agenda
1. Definitions
2. When and where.
3. Situations that may require
fall protection.
4. Using equipment.
5. Set up, inspection, operation,
use and maintenance.
6. Proper above-floor work
practices.
7. Demonstration.
8. Rescue operations.
Personal Fall Protection
Definitions
Fall Protection includes:
1. Fall Arrest (harness)
2. Fall Restraint (harness)
3. Guardrails
4. Above-Floor Work
 1. Fall Arrest
• Process and
equipment
used to stop a
person from
hitting the floor
or other
objects after a
fall has
started.
 2. Fall Restraint
• Process and
equipment used to
prevent a person
from falling by
limiting the range
of mobility to
acceptable work
zones.
• (shorter rope)
 3. Guardrails
Guardrails can
provide fall
protection too!
• Guardrails provide a
barrier along an open
edge
• 42" high with middle
rail halfway up
• Toeboard or kickplate
• Capable of
withstanding a load of
not less than 200
pounds applied in any
direction.
 3. Guardrails cont.

Notice appropriately
installed guardrails
at 42”, 21” and a 4”
toeboard
4. “Above floor” Work
Work performed:
• in an unguarded
area, 4 feet or
more from nearest
floor,
• on aerial lifts,
• where a fall hazard
may exist.
Personal Fall Protection

Proper work practices

 Personal Fall Protection
Proper work practices
• Seek to move work
to floor level and
eliminate work at
heights.
• Consider relocating
controls, providing
floor-level extension
tools or ultimately
redesigning the work
to allow for floor level
to be performed
instead.
 Use of Personal Fall
Protection
When working in an unguarded area 4
feet or more above the nearest floor,
– or where a fall hazard reasonably exists.
– or in any aerial lift.

Where?
– on company property or on company
business.
Who?
– employees, contractors and vendors
When is Fall Protection Required?
START
Is the area < 4' from
the nearest floor?

NO
YES

Is the area properly

guarded?
NO

Install guardrails or
No fall protection
Yes use personal fall
requirements.
protection.
STOP
STOP
• The following photos depict examples
of areas which may require some type
of fall protection if employees will be
exposed to 4’ or greater fall hazard.
 Situations Which Require Fall
Protection
Problem: If employees have
to access this area, there’s a
fall risk.

Solution options:
1. Restrict employee access
2. Install guard rails, or
3. Install safety netting, or
4. Require personal fall protection.
 Situations Which Require Fall
Protection

Problem: If employees have to

access this area, chain does
not prevent falls.

Solution options:
1. Restrict employee access
2. Install guard rails, or
3. Install safety netting, or
4. Require personal fall protection.
 Situations Which Require Fall
Protection

Working near
roof edge. What
is near? Within 6
feet of the edge -
mandatory
 Situations Which Require Fall
Protection
Plastic will not prevent a fall.

Solution options:
1. Restrict employee access
2. Install guard rails, or
3. Install safety netting, or
4. Require personal fall protection.
 Situations Which Require Fall
Protection
Chain will not prevent a fall.

Solution options:
1. Restrict employee access
2. Install guard rails, or
3. Install safety netting, or

4. Require personal fall protection.

Situations Which Require Fall
Protection

All work on aerial lifts and scissors lifts requires personal

fall protection.
Situations Which Require Fall
Protection

Working on flatbed trailers requires personal fall protection.

Situations Which Require Fall
Protection

Working on bulk rail cars requires personal fall protection.

Situations Which Require Fall
Protection

Order pickers whenever they are raised 4’ above ground.

Situations Which Require Fall
Protection

What about the narrow aisle lifts and WAVE© lifts?

 Situations Which Require Fall
Protection

Attachment point.
Note: 30” maximum
lanyard

Answer – Yes, whenever the lift is raised above 4’ above the platform fall
protection is required (per manufacturer)
Fall Protection is now required:

All new fixed ladders installed after November 17, 2018 require fall protection
provision. All existing installations will require fall protection systems by 2036
 Fall Protection is not required:

Fall protection is NOT required on portable ladders, but ladder safety is required.
Areas/Activities in our plant
that require fall protection:

Insert list and/or pictures here

Personal Fall Arrest System

Parts of the Fall Arrest

System
Harness
• Flexible webbing
that is worn for
fall protection.
• The harness is
connected to a
lanyard at the
upper back D-
ring.
 Harness
• Arresting forces are
on thighs, pelvis,
waist, chest and
shoulders
• D-rings position and
uses:
– Upper back for fall
arrest
– Sides for positioning
– Front for rescue or
suspension
 Lanyard
• Flexible line of rope or
strap that has a
connector at each end.
• Used to connect the
harness to a lifeline or
an anchorage.
• Shock absorbing
lanyards stretch or tear
to help absorb shock of
a fall, and prevents
bouncing to reduce
arresting forces.
• Never make knots in
lanyards or wrap around
sharp objects.

Note: Shock absorbing lanyards must be disposed after activation from a fall
Self Retracting Lifeline
• Suitable for any types of
work at heights, when
affixed to an appropriate
anchor a self-retracting
lifeline can stop a fall in a
matter of inches, whereas a
traditional fixed lanyard can
take up to several feet.
• Not only this, but the
retractable nature of the
lanyard means there is
reduced tripping or
snagging of the line while it
is in use.

• Not to be used with a

lanyard. Attached directly to
the back D-ring.
 Connectors

• Snaphooks must
be self-locking
• Do not link similar
connectors together
• Never tie a knot for
a connection
Anchorage points
• Secure points of attachment
• Best if located directly above
you…
– To avoid swinging
– Allow a clear drop zone
• Can withstand 5,000 pounds of
force or 2x the fall impact.
• Don’t use guardrail or other item
that may break
• Ask a supervisor or your safety
representative if you are unsure
about proper anchor points
 Personal Fall Protection
• Tie off site
examples
Lifeline
• Flexible line for
connection to at least 2
anchorages.
• Used when mobility is
necessary.
• Rope or webbed material
• Can hang vertically from
one anchor point
or
• Stretch horizontally
between two anchors
 Deceleration Device
• Dissipates a
substantial amount
of energy during a
fall arrest
• Examples:
– Rip-stitch, tearing, or
stretching lanyard
– Retracting lifelines
or lanyards

Note: Deceleration devices must be disposed after activation from a fall

 Fall Protection
Audience
participation

• Try on harnesses.
• Try out lanyards and
other equipment.
 Fall Protection

Proper work practices

 Above-Floor Work
Practices
• Only trained and authorized employees may work
in Above-floor areas.
• Stay away from edges unless you are working
there.
• Always walk when working above floor
• Use a personnel lift only if you’re authorized.
• Keep work space orderly to avoid tripping over
tools, materials, etc.
• Listen for verbal warnings.
 Above-Floor Work
Practices 2
• Do not carry tools in hands when
getting into position.
– store tools in belt, or
– use rope to haul them up in a
closed container after you are
secured.
• Don’t leave tools or materials
where they might be kicked over
the edge or tripped over
• Don’t throw items over the edge
 Equipment Inspection
Inspect the fall protection equipment
before every use for:
• Cuts, tears, abrasions, stitches coming
out
• Cracks or burrs
• Parts move freely
• No alterations
• Appropriate labels
 Personal Fall Protection
Setup and Use
Supervisor will:
ensure:
– Training is
completed
– Access to
equipment
– Use of all
required fall
protection
equipment.
 Personal Fall Protection
Setup and Use
The Employee using personal fall protection will:
1. Set up signs, barricades, tape, and/or other warning
devices.
2. Inspect area for anchorage points.
3. Inspect and set up fall protection equipment and/or put
on harness.
4. While performing above-floor work, employees will
follow all fall protection procedures AND AT ALL
TIMES have at least one lanyard or the lifeline
attached to an anchorage point or a rigged cable
(sometimes this will mean using 2 lanyards).
 Work on Roofs
• For any work on an unguarded roof, employees must at all times
maintain at least 6 foot distance from the edge unless properly
safeguarded (i.e. guardrails, barriers, tied off).

• When information becomes available that an employee MAY need to

work on the roof in an area less than 6’ from the edge, follow the steps
below:
1. Evaluate and document the work/areas where work must be performed less
than 6’ from the roof edge.
2. Determine if the work can be completed by any other means (remote meter
reading, aerial lift from ground, etc.)

• If ultimately the employee MUST work in an area less than 6’ from the
edge:
1. Investigate the installation of permanent railings or barriers in these areas.
2. Locate lanyard/lifeline attachment points that meet this program’s
specifications.
3. Require use of the shortest usable harness and lifeline/lanyard when the
employee must work in these areas.
4. Train employees on new requirements. Document with signatures of
attendance.
 Fall Rescue
• Review site fall
rescue plan
• Limit hanging/
suspension time
 Summary
• Understand and recognize potential fall hazards
• Inspect your equipment before each use
• Utilize guardrails when possible.
• When using personal fall protection, ALWAYS,
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, have at least one lanyard
attached to an anchorage point or lifeline when
working above floor.
• Keep tools and materials organized.
• Never work unattached.
 Remember

Falling is not painful.

Hitting the floor is.

Behind a guardrail OR
100% tied off when
Above-Floor

Always.
Fall Protection

The End
 FALL PROTECTION QUIZ
1. Fall protection is required when
a. Employees, vendors, contractors who work in an unguarded area at least 4 feet (1.2
meters) above the nearest floor
b. On an aerial lift device
c. Both A & B

2. Personal fall arrest systems will generally consist of:

a. A full body harness
b. A lanyard (and possibly deceleration device, i.e shock absorber)
c. A D-ring connector
d. All of the above

3. The tie-off point for fall restraint must be able to withstand a force of least 40 pounds
a. True
b. False

4. For any work on an unguarded roof, employees must at all times maintain at least 6 foot distance from
the edge unless properly safeguarded (i.e. guardrails, barriers, tied off)
a. True
b. False

5. If ultimately the employee MUST work in an area less than 6’ from the edge:
a. Investigate the installation of permanent railings or barriers in these areas.
b. Finally, locate lanyard/lifeline attachment points that meet this program specs, then require
use of the shortest usable harness and lifeline/lanyard when the employee must work in these
areas.
c. Train employees on new requirements. Document with signatures of attendance.
d. All of the above
 FALL PROTECTION QUIZ

Answers:
1–C
2–D
3–B
4–A
5–D