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Use
of Personal Fall Protection Systems |
Potential Hazards:
- Falls caused by failure to use fall
protection
- Injuries due to improper use of fall
protection equipment
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- When guardrails and other positive fall protection are not
available to protect from falls, workers must use personal fall
protection systems (such as harnesses, lanyards, lifelines). [1910.67,
1915.71,
1915.73,
and
1915.77]
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Figure 1. Worker protected with a retractable lifeline and body
harness. |
Training
- Before use, workers must be trained to understand [1915.159(d),
1915.160(d)]:
- The application limits (for example maximum permitted free falls, distance needed below to stop
before hitting lower levels or objects, minimizing swing falls,
etc.) of the equipment
- Proper hook-up, anchoring, and
tie-off techniques
- Proper use, inspection, and
storage of equipment
- Personal fall protection systems must not be used for other
purposes such as hoisting materials. [1915.159(c)(9)]
Inspection
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Anchorage
- Workers must attach to an anchorage of sufficient strength (5,000
pounds). [1915.159(a)(9)]
- Workers must use anchorage points independent of the scaffold
supporting system. [1915.159(a)(8)]
- Positioning device systems must be secured to an anchorage capable
of supporting at least twice the potential impact load of a worker's
fall. [1915.160(a)(3)]
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Lifelines and
Lanyards
- Each worker must be provided with their own separate vertical
lifeline. [1915.159(b)(1)]
- Horizontal lifelines must be designed, installed, and used under
the supervision of a qualified person. [1915.159(b)(5)]
- Workers must use systems that are rigged to prevent free fall of
more than six feet or contact with the lower level. [1915.159(b)(7)]
- Lifelines and lanyards must be protected against damage such as
cuts, abrasions, burns (hot work), acids, and solvents. [1915.159(c)(4)]
Snap Hooks and D-Rings
- Workers must use locking snaphooks. [1915.159,
1915.160(a)(4)].
- Snaphooks, unless designed for such connections, must not be
connected to: [1915.159(a)(6)]
- Webbing, rope or wire rope
- Other snaphooks
- D-rings to which other snaphooks
or connectors are attached
- Horizontal lifelines
- Other objects such as eye bolts
that are incompatible
Rescue
- In the event of a fall, prompt rescue of workers must be provided.
[1915.159(c)(7)]
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Figure 2. Worker protected with lifeline and shock absorber.
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Figure 3. D-Ring. |
Figure 4. Work being rescued from fall in enclosed
space. |
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Design Criteria for Personal Fall Protection Systems |
Potential Hazards:
- Falls due to anchorage or equipment
failure
- Injuries (for example damage to internal organs, fractures,
abrasions) due to the use of improper fall protection equipment
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- Personal fall protection systems must meet the design, strength, and
testing requirements for the equipment. [1915.159,
1915.160,
and
Subpart I Appendix
B]
- Design requirements include:
- Maximum permitted arrest forces
- Minimum system strength
- Maximum permitted stopping distances
- Component strength
- Proof testing
- Corrosion-resistant materials
- Compatibility requirements
Additional Resources:
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