Tree-Trimming Harnesses
Harnesses and fliplines and lanyards and lifelines should follow the ANSI Z133.1 standard. Use of aerial lifts is encouraged in lieu of tree climbing. Aerial lifts should be well maintained, and fall protection should be provided. Platforms should be equipped with escape devices in case bees are disturbed while cutting trees and bushes and there is an immdiate need for a speedy controlled descent.
Step Ladders
By their nature, stepladders have a stable angle and are self-supporting when properly used but offer very little opportunity to be secured from tipping. Therefore, the height limitation for such usage should be minimized, possibly to a maximum working height of 6 feet (or an 8-foot stepladder). Railed stepladders with depressible casters offer more opportunity for safe access to heights. These ladder stands should be replaced by elevating platforms to reduce training and observation burdens.
Fall Hazard Elimination
The search for fall hazard elimination begins during construction or renovation with the architect/engineer in charge. No other professional can do this work. It is incumbent upon the design professional to become aware of fall hazards so that the hazards can be eliminated or controlled during construction, maintenanc, and demolition. In this context, elimination means that the design substitution or sequence of work does not include fall hazards.
Rope Strength
Rope Strength. Only approved, synthetic ropes should be used with rope grabs since natural fibers dry out or rot too quickly and because strength loss below 5,000 lbs. in any rope is not obvious. As a guide, periodically pull-test end samples of lifelines, no matter what rope is used.
Guardrails as Anchorage Points
Do not use guardrails as anchorage points for fall arrest equipment unless a structural engineer approves them for that specific purpose. There must be an engineering drawing that indicates which specific locations are suitable as anchorage points; what equipment, by rating, may be used; and how that equipment is to be attached. Anchorage points should be labeled as such.
Safety Signs
Signs placed next to fixed ladders, next to scaffold access points, and on suspended scaffolds can provide a continuous message to workers to use fall protection. They function as a form of repeat training until the safety practice becomes second nature. Signs are always secondary; except for emergency alerts, they should never be used as long-term, primary protection.
Dr. Ellis Presentation at ASSE 2013
Dr. J. Nigel Ellis was a guest speaker at the American Society of Safety Engineers Congress and Expo on June 26, 2013 in Las Vegas. Dr. Ellis’ presentation was entitled, “Futuristic Fall Protection Now”. The slides from this presentation are available here.
Dr. Ellis Presentation at ISFP 2013
Dr. J. Nigel Ellis was a guest speaker at the June 2013 International Society of Fall Protection Symposium in Las Vegas. Dr. Ellis’ presentation was entitled, “Three-Point Control: Analysis and Recommendations”. The slides from the presentation are available here.
Fall Arrest vs. Fall Restraint
Fall arrest is designed to catch a person once he or she falls, whereas restraint systems are designed to keep the free fall from occurring in the first place. A restraint is intended to be a leash, reasonably preventing access to a fall-hazard zone. In practice, this is extremely difficult, especially if the system is moved. It is far better to treat it as a fall arrest system meeting fall arrest requirements.
Ladder Rung Grip
Only ladder rungs meeting OSHA and ANSI standards should be held while climbing. Because of the narrow climbing surface, the hands must grip securely to avoid a fall. Only on horizontal bars are the hands reliable for holding the body weight for a brief time (sufficient for the feet to regain the rung). However, a near-vertical bar cannot be held securely in any fall situation. Sloped rails have been shown to be appropriate up to a certain pitch.