Figure 1: Worker with safety harness.
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OSHA hierarchy of controls is:
-
Engineering Controls
-
Administration Controls
-
Personal Protective Equipment
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When workers are exposed to fall hazards while working at
elevations of more than five feet, fall protection is required. Typically,
guardrails or other barriers are used to protect workers. In
situations where guardrails are not practical, or when working from
two-point suspended scaffolding, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) (such
as safety harnesses,
lifelines, lanyards) are required. In some situations, positioning device
systems such as restraint (tether) lines or aerial lifts are used to
provide protection from falling off an unguarded edge. Personal fall
protection systems must:
- Prevent a worker from falling (positioning device systems), or
- Arrest the fall of workers without
causing injuries.
- Prevent workers from striking or falling to a lower level
(PFAS).
Worker trauma from falls
from elevated work surfaces can be minimized by the proper selection and
use of personal fall protection systems.
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Use of Personal Fall Protection Systems
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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]
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
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)]
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 a retractable lifeline and body
harness.
Figure 3: Worker protected with lifeline and shock absorber.
Figure 4: D-Ring and Snap-hook.
Figure 5: Work being rescued from fall in enclosed
space. |
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Design Criteria for Personal Fall Protection Systems
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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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