Fall Protection Systems

OSHA recognizes falls as the number one work-related fatality in the construction industry, with almost 40% of injuries occurring due to an employee falling. A personal fall arrest system or PFAS is a common type of protection intended to protect a person from falling or to safely arrest a person falling, and it is one of the main components of a workplace fall protection safety program. Designed for use when other types of fall protection are not feasible at a specific location, a personal fall arrest system can keep a person from hitting a lower level or other objects in the event of a fall. Because it is an integral part of a fall protection program, it is critical to become familiar with the three main components of your PFAS, what each one does, and why a personal fall arrest system must be inspected for damage.  

 

The Three Components of a Personal Fall Arrest System

Every personal fall arrest system is composed of three elements; a full body harness, a connector, and an anchorage point. Each of these components plays a critical role in preventing a fall. A PFAS can only be used under the supervision of a Competent Person, and it must: 

 

  • Limit the maximum force on a worker falling from heights to 1,800 pounds when used with a harness.
  • Be rigged so that a worker can’t free fall more than 6 feet or come in contact with any lower level.
  • Bring a worker to a complete stop and limit the maximum arresting distance to 4 feet.
  • Have enough strength to withstand twice the potential impact of a worker free falling a distance of 6 feet or the free fall distance permitted by the system.
  • It is crucial to remember that a personal fall arrest system must be inspected for damage before each use to maintain its integrity and service as a life-saving device. 
  • A personal fall arrest system must be taken out of service after a worker is subjected to a fall.

 

A personal fall arrest system consists of these three components to keep workers at heights safe and compliant while working on the job site. It is best to integrate fall protection within a structure at the time it is designed.

 

Introduction to Fall Protection Systems With Ellis Fall Safety Systems 

At EFSS, our team can assist with fall protection systems to make your workplace safer. Our company of fall safety professionals is experienced in all facets of protection engineering, with a centralized focus on developing safety solutions that aid our clients in learning the best safety methods and preventative steps needed when working from heights. Whether you have questions like “What does a personal fall arrest system consist of” or are interested in having us evaluate your worksite for compliance and safety, you can contact us today at 302-571-8470. Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 5th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post-construction maintenance. Click to find out more!Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!

Roofing Fall Protection

When considering a fall protection system for roofing, it is extremely important to realize that each building is unique and requires a site-specific plan for the identification of the roofing fall hazards. For example, if hot asphalt, built-up roofing system is specified for a building with no parapet wall, a personal fall arrest system is not feasible.  The asphalt would immediately damage any lanyards or harnesses that contact the material, unless an anchorage point is designed to keep the lanyard or harness from contacting the hot asphalt.  The wearing of harnesses and lanyards around a mop cart containing hot asphalt (especially in roofing applications) has contributed to serious burns of roofers.  A better system for protection of workers must be considered.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 331.

Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!

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.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 208.

Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!

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.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 126.

Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!

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.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 416.

Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!

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.

In the Philadelphia area, the author has found the strength of 1/2 inch nylon twisted ropes degrades by 50% in two years from handling and dirt, although the strength of 5/8 inch ropes degrades more slowly.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 235.

Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!

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.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 162.

Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!

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.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 102.

Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today.  This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!

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, Futuristic_Fall_Protection_Now.