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.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 209.

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!

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.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 124.

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!

Lifelines

The two major types of lifeline systems, vertical and horizontal, can function independently or be integrated to provide two-dimensional fall protection.  Lifeline systems are for emergency use only. They are never an excuse for not providing proper access or work platforms. For example, if a lifeline system is typically held by workers to support their balance, it is no longer being used as a lifeline; it is being used for work positioning.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection,4th Edition” page 228.

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!

Debris Netting

OSHA’s Subpart M requires guardrail and toeboard systems on all open-sided floors, platforms, runways, wall openings, holes, roofs, excavations, and machinery areas.  Additionally, when equipment or materials are piled higher than the top edge of a standard toeboard, debris netting must be installed from the toprail to deck level to provide overhead protection for employees working below.

When properly installed from a required toprail (cable) and secured directly to deck level, some nets satisfy OSHA requirements for midrail and toeboard protection as well as overhead protection, as defined above. Once the net is cut, for example to allow a load to be delivered, it loses its design integrity unless an eight foot section can be woven into the existing netting.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 169.

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!

Initial Training

The need for training cannot be overemphasized!  It is the first step toward increasing awareness and developing an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of available equipment. Initial training of the safety committee by a competent person is needed to ensure that the fall hazard analysis is properly performed. Then, supervisors or lead persons can be trained as competent persons, receiving instruction in fall protection principles, techniques and equipment performance.  The “training of the trainers” forms the basis of an in-house team that can provide live practice sessions.  Ongoing training is as critical as the initial overview. Periodic refresher instruction for competent person trainers and authorized persons, who are end-users of fall protection procedures and equipment, can serve to reinforce proper proper equipment use and care, as well as provide an opportunity to review new technology.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 438.

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!

Confined Space Rescue

Although some confined spaces are not appropriate for tripod use due to the size of their opening or to workplace geometry, lifelines and winches can be used, along with a variety of davits and brackets suited to the application, and appropriately designed into the workplace.

A mixture of rope rescue equipment coming from mountaineering, fire-rescue, and safety equipment manufacturers, needs clarification of its purpose in general industry and construction.

See “Introduction Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 362.

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!

Harness Design and Fit

It is also important to note that harness designs should keep the back D-ring high on the back between the shoulder blades during use.  Likewise, chest straps should remain high and taut and above the breast line. D-rings lower than midback and chest straps lower than the solar plexis could result in fall-out if a head first fall occurs.

Under no circumstances should any user punch extra holes in a harness leg strap or reduce it from its manfactured length.  Moreover, if the user can only pull the webbing through the buckle to the first grommet, than a larger belt should be requested.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 202.

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!

Wire Rope Systems

Wire-rope systems should be considered where accidental collisions with crane-suspended loads are foreseeable.  Bypass of intermediate supports, using the split-eyebolt concept, can be used in construction industry applications.  Automatic roll-by or slide-by devices can be used in general industry applications.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 242.

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!

The Problem with a Tie-Off Concept

The “tie-off” concept is the idea that fall arrest equipment is provided to a worker and the decision of where to anchor that equipment is left up to the worker to determine while moving about during the course of the work.  This situation is frequently encountered during construction activities where the workplace is constantly changing and proper fall protection methods are not identified at each stage of the work. The tie-off concept is often implemented by employers who want to appear as if they are in compliance with worker safety regulations, and frequently leads to a false sense of security which results in an even more hazardous workplace.

See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 93.

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!