Fall PreventionFall Prevention

Provided By:Provided By:

Basin Environmental Basin Environmental 325 N. Portland Avenue325 N. Portland Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107

405.232.5737405.232.5737

Fall ProtectionFall Protection This program is designed to This program is designed to

help you meet the training help you meet the training requirements of OSHA 29 requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1926.500. CFR 1926.500.

This year, 150 to 200 workers This year, 150 to 200 workers will be killed in falls and 100,000 will be killed in falls and 100,000 more will be injured.  more will be injured.  – The Occupational Safety and Health The Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) created the Fall Administration (OSHA) created the Fall Protection Standard to prevent workers from Protection Standard to prevent workers from falling off, onto, or through working levels, and falling off, onto, or through working levels, and to protect workers from falling objects.to protect workers from falling objects.

Fall PreventionFall Prevention

Address the human and Address the human and equipment-related issues equipment-related issues in protecting employees in protecting employees from fall hazards. from fall hazards.

Protection for employees Protection for employees from being struck by from being struck by falling objects and from falling objects and from falling off, onto, or through falling off, onto, or through

working surfaces.working surfaces.

Fall HazardFall Hazard

Fall hazards vary from:Fall hazards vary from:

Slipping Slipping

Tripping on floors and Tripping on floors and other walking and other walking and working surfacesworking surfaces

Falling from elevated Falling from elevated locationslocations

Potential Fall HazardsPotential Fall Hazards

Floor opening, floor holes, wall Floor opening, floor holes, wall opening, chutes, dock platesopening, chutes, dock plates

Open-sided floors, platforms, Open-sided floors, platforms, runwaysrunways

Portable ladders or fixed laddersPortable ladders or fixed ladders

Manually-propelled ladders Manually-propelled ladders stands, mobile scaffoldsstands, mobile scaffolds

Mobile towersMobile towers

Stairs and stairwaysStairs and stairways

Potential Fall HazardsPotential Fall Hazards

Roofs and unguarded Roofs and unguarded elevated platformselevated platforms

Elevated work platformsElevated work platforms

Wet, slippery surfaces due Wet, slippery surfaces due to spills, weather or poor to spills, weather or poor housekeepinghousekeeping

Unsecured objects on the Unsecured objects on the floor such as extension floor such as extension cordscords

Fall Prevention General Fall Prevention General RequirementsRequirements

Fall restraint devicesFall restraint devices– Physical BarrierPhysical Barrier– HandrailsHandrails

Work practices Work practices – HousekeepingHousekeeping– Proper equipment useProper equipment use

Fall arrest systemsFall arrest systems

Fall Prevention Fall Prevention Program ElementsProgram Elements

Identify work tasks or Identify work tasks or activities with fall hazards. activities with fall hazards.

Select options that will Select options that will eliminate the fall hazards. eliminate the fall hazards.

Identify what employees Identify what employees perform the work tasks and perform the work tasks and activities.activities.

Train employees to Train employees to recognize fall hazards and recognize fall hazards and how to preventhow to prevent

Fall Prevention Program Fall Prevention Program ImplementationImplementation

Hazard assessment Hazard assessment – Selection of fall prevention Selection of fall prevention

proceduresprocedures– Selection of restraint equipmentSelection of restraint equipment– Selection of fall arrest systemsSelection of fall arrest systems– Selection of personal protective equipment (PPE)Selection of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Maintenance, inspection and operator Maintenance, inspection and operator training recordstraining records– Restraint SystemsRestraint Systems– Arrest systems and PPE training recordsArrest systems and PPE training records

Walking & Working SurfacesWalking & Working Surfaces StairwaysStairways GuardrailsGuardrails LaddersLadders ScaffoldingScaffolding Aerial Lifts and Aerial Lifts and

Elevated PlatformsElevated Platforms

Fall Restraint ElementsFall Restraint Elements

Prevent a Fall – Prevent a Fall – Walking and Working SurfacesWalking and Working Surfaces

Secure electrical cords from walkways

Use stepladder for overhead reaching

Clean spill immediately

Provide sufficient lighting

Keep walkway clear

Keep work area clean and uncluttered

Prevent a Fall – Prevent a Fall – Surfaces Stairs RequirementsSurfaces Stairs Requirements

Treads must be slip resistant Treads must be slip resistant Nosing must have non-slip finishNosing must have non-slip finish Rise height and tread width uniformedRise height and tread width uniformed Fixed StairsFixed Stairs

– Carry a load 5 times the load Carry a load 5 times the load capacitycapacity

– Moving concentrated load Moving concentrated load of 1,000 pounds of 1,000 pounds

Spiral StairsSpiral Stairs– Secondary access situationsSecondary access situations

Prevent a Fall – Prevent a Fall – GuardrailsGuardrails

As a general rule, any maintenance, As a general rule, any maintenance, construction, or operations work that construction, or operations work that could result in a fall of could result in a fall of six feetsix feet or more or more is considered a fall hazard and warrants is considered a fall hazard and warrants fall protection.fall protection.

Guardrails must be Guardrails must be 42 inches42 inches from the from the upper surface of the upper surface of the top rail to the floor, top rail to the floor, platform, runway, platform, runway, or ramp level. or ramp level. 

Ladder RequirementsLadder Requirements

Maximum lengthMaximum length– Single ladders - 30 feet longSingle ladders - 30 feet long– Extension ladders - 60 foot Extension ladders - 60 foot

longlong– Portable step ladders - 20 feet Portable step ladders - 20 feet

longlong Shall be equipped with metal Shall be equipped with metal

spreader or locking devicespreader or locking device

All ladders should be All ladders should be maintained in good maintained in good condition at all timescondition at all times

Prevent a Fall – Prevent a Fall – LaddersLadders

Placed with secure footing, or shall be latched Placed with secure footing, or shall be latched or held in positionor held in position

Always face forward and hold on with a least Always face forward and hold on with a least one hand, with both feet secure.one hand, with both feet secure.

Maintain four (4) to one (1) ratio when setting up Maintain four (4) to one (1) ratio when setting up an extension ladder.an extension ladder.

When reaching out from a ladder, keep your belt When reaching out from a ladder, keep your belt buckle or the midpoint of your body between the buckle or the midpoint of your body between the rails to prevent overreaching.rails to prevent overreaching.

Fixed Ladders RequirementsFixed Ladders Requirements

A ladder that is permanently A ladder that is permanently attached to a structureattached to a structure

Shall be equipped with a Shall be equipped with a cage or ladder safety device cage or ladder safety device if more than 20 feet longif more than 20 feet long

Landing platforms shall be Landing platforms shall be used when ascending over used when ascending over 20 feet20 feet

Maintained in safe condition Maintained in safe condition and inspected regularlyand inspected regularly

Scaffolding RequirementsScaffolding Requirements Use only the safe means of access that is Use only the safe means of access that is

provided.provided. Climb Safely Climb Safely

– Face the rungs as you climb up or down. Face the rungs as you climb up or down. – Use both hands. Use both hands. – Do not try to carry materials while you climb. Do not try to carry materials while you climb. – Be sure of your footing and balance before you let Be sure of your footing and balance before you let

go with your hands. go with your hands. – Keep one hand firmly on frame or ladder at all Keep one hand firmly on frame or ladder at all

times. times. Do not work on slippery rungs to avoid slipping. Do not work on slippery rungs to avoid slipping. Do not overload platforms with materials. Do not overload platforms with materials.

Work on elevated lift equipment can Work on elevated lift equipment can also be a fall hazard, including:also be a fall hazard, including:– Cherry pickers. Cherry pickers. – Scissor lifts. Scissor lifts. – Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating

work platforms.work platforms. Personnel working on elevated Personnel working on elevated

equipment must be trained on the equipment must be trained on the specific fall restraint requirements specific fall restraint requirements for that equipmentfor that equipment

Aerial Lifts & Elevated Platform Aerial Lifts & Elevated Platform RequirementsRequirements

Fall Arrest SystemFall Arrest System

The equipment that makes up The equipment that makes up a fall arrest system includes:a fall arrest system includes:– a full-body harness, a full-body harness, – a lanyard that connects the a lanyard that connects the

harness to a deceleration harness to a deceleration device, device,

– a lifeline, or some other secure a lifeline, or some other secure anchorage point.anchorage point.

Consideration must also be Consideration must also be given to the health hazards of given to the health hazards of using a fall arrest system using a fall arrest system 

AnchorsAnchors Anchorage points are the foundation Anchorage points are the foundation

of the fall arrest system.  of the fall arrest system.  OSHA requires the anchorage to be a OSHA requires the anchorage to be a

secure point capable of supporting at secure point capable of supporting at least least 5,000 pounds5,000 pounds.  . 

Good anchorage points include steel Good anchorage points include steel pipes, structural I-beams, and pipes, structural I-beams, and concrete-encased anchor bolts.concrete-encased anchor bolts.

Never use guardrails, plastic pipe, and Never use guardrails, plastic pipe, and electrical conduit as anchorage points.electrical conduit as anchorage points.

A StandardPick-up weightsapprox. 5,000 lbs When you use

an anchor for fall prevention, remember that it must hold this much weight.

LanyardsLanyards

The lanyard on the harness is designed to The lanyard on the harness is designed to break your fall before you hit something.  break your fall before you hit something.  – The lanyard should be made of 1/2 inch nylon The lanyard should be made of 1/2 inch nylon

rope or its equivalent and must meet ANSI rope or its equivalent and must meet ANSI Standards.  Standards. 

– Regular sizes are two, four, and six feet long.Regular sizes are two, four, and six feet long. The lanyard must be The lanyard must be

attached to the harness attached to the harness on one end and the on one end and the anchorage point on anchorage point on the other.the other.

Choosing a lanyardChoosing a lanyard

Realize that you Realize that you need to choose the need to choose the lanyard length that lanyard length that fits your situation. fits your situation.

For example, A 6 ft For example, A 6 ft Lanyard will Lanyard will accommodate a accommodate a 16.5 foot fall 16.5 foot fall minimum.minimum.

Full Body HarnessFull Body Harness To put on a full-body harness, first To put on a full-body harness, first

pick up the harness by the D-ring pick up the harness by the D-ring and shake out the straps.and shake out the straps.

Notice that the top and bottom of the Notice that the top and bottom of the harness are colored harness are colored differently.  differently.  – The top has two arm The top has two arm

openings.  openings.  – Put the harness on like a Put the harness on like a

shirt and then buckle the shirt and then buckle the chest strap loosely. chest strap loosely.

Full Body HarnessFull Body Harness Next, fasten the leg straps.  Next, fasten the leg straps. 

Make sure they are tight and Make sure they are tight and equally fitting on each leg.equally fitting on each leg.

Put the loose ends of the leg Put the loose ends of the leg straps into the strap loops or straps into the strap loops or store them underneath the store them underneath the harness straps.harness straps.

Then, adjust the shoulder Then, adjust the shoulder straps until tight and store straps until tight and store the excess strap ends under the excess strap ends under the plastic clips.the plastic clips.

Full Body HarnessFull Body Harness

Finally, check that the D-ring is in a Finally, check that the D-ring is in a comfortable position midway between comfortable position midway between your shoulder blades.your shoulder blades.

When connecting the lanyard, pick an When connecting the lanyard, pick an anchorage point that is located so that anchorage point that is located so that you will not hit something if you fall.  you will not hit something if you fall.  – One way to minimize your free-fall One way to minimize your free-fall

distance is to attach the lanyard at distance is to attach the lanyard at shoulder level or higher.shoulder level or higher.

Life Line for Travel – HorizontalLife Line for Travel – Horizontal

In some work In some work situations, freedom of situations, freedom of movement is critical.  movement is critical.  – In these situations, the In these situations, the

lanyard can be attached lanyard can be attached to a lifeline that is to a lifeline that is securely anchored at securely anchored at each end.  each end. 

– As the worker moves, As the worker moves, the lanyard slides freely the lanyard slides freely along the lifeline.along the lifeline.

Life Line for Travel – VerticalLife Line for Travel – Vertical Lanyards can also be Lanyards can also be

equipped with a self-equipped with a self-retracting device that first retracting device that first stops the fall and then stops the fall and then lowers the worker to the lowers the worker to the ground at a safe rate of ground at a safe rate of descent.  descent. 

This design is often used This design is often used for climbing protection.  for climbing protection. 

During a fall, the lanyard During a fall, the lanyard latches onto the cable and latches onto the cable and the climber tends to roll the climber tends to roll away from the ladder.away from the ladder.

Swing Fall Hazard Swing Fall Hazard Swing fall is a pendulum-like Swing fall is a pendulum-like

motion that can occur when motion that can occur when a worker moves in a a worker moves in a horizontal direction away horizontal direction away from a fixedfrom a fixedanchorage, and then falls. anchorage, and then falls. – While the force generated in a While the force generated in a

swing fall is the same as the swing fall is the same as the force in a vertical fall, there is force in a vertical fall, there is a potential hazard of colliding a potential hazard of colliding with a structure such as a with a structure such as a building or platform. building or platform.

Health Hazards of Health Hazards of Arrest SystemsArrest Systems

When you use fall arrest equipment, be aware When you use fall arrest equipment, be aware of of suspension trauma.  suspension trauma.  – Suspension trauma occurs when you remain Suspension trauma occurs when you remain

suspended in a harness.  suspended in a harness.  – When you are suspended, your legs are held very When you are suspended, your legs are held very

still, and gravity pulls the blood supply into your still, and gravity pulls the blood supply into your lower legs, leaving less blood to return to the lower legs, leaving less blood to return to the heart.  heart. 

– This can result in unconsciousness after only five This can result in unconsciousness after only five minutes.  minutes. 

– In fact, suspension can result in unconsciousness In fact, suspension can result in unconsciousness and death in less than 30 minutes. and death in less than 30 minutes.

Falls Specific to Fumigation Falls Specific to Fumigation ActivitiesActivities

Under the gun – Cal-OSHAUnder the gun – Cal-OSHA

Highlights of FatalityHighlights of Fatality

What happened?

The victim slipped on roof tiles while carrying a tarp, and then fell two stories to the ground below

Highlights of FatalityHighlights of Fatality

Who died? The employee was born in Mexico He had more than 10 years of

experience working for structural fumigation companies

He was the only provider for his wife and two children who live in Mexico

Cal OSHA WarningsCal OSHA Warnings

Fumigation companies should be aware that workers who tent buildings can be seriously injured or die from a fall

If their ladders shift If they are pulled off balance by the

tarps If they slip off roofs

Cal-OSHA Cal-OSHA RecommendationsRecommendations

Companies that fumigate buildings should have an injury and illness prevention program (IIPP) that includes

Employee personal fall protection Training about fall hazards

Cal-OSHA Cal-OSHA RecommendationsRecommendations

Employers should consider:

Providing employees with non-skid boots or shoes that can prevent sliding

Securing ladders to prevent movement Using boom lifts or scaffolds to lift and

secure tarps

Fumigation Field ChecklistFumigation Field Checklist

Ensure Fall Protection is complete Ensure Fall Protection is complete and that each element is well and that each element is well understood by ALL employeesunderstood by ALL employees

Know the principals of all knots and Know the principals of all knots and anchor equipmentanchor equipment

All employees should be able to All employees should be able to demonstrate proper knots and demonstrate proper knots and anchoringanchoring

Complete Fall Protection Complete Fall Protection SystemSystem

Consists of:Consists of:– Anchors (5,000 lb minimum holding Anchors (5,000 lb minimum holding

capacity)capacity)– Anchor connectionsAnchor connections– Safety LinesSafety Lines– Positioning LanyardPositioning Lanyard– Safety HarnessSafety Harness– Rope AscenderRope Ascender

One worker on a line maximumOne worker on a line maximum

Over the roof, ground to ground – top view

Over the roof, ground to ground – side view

Horizontal Life Line on ground – top view

Horizontal Life Line on ground – side view

Over the roof, ground to ground

Horizontal Life Line on ground

Anchor SystemAnchor System

Single LineSingle Line Horizontal Horizontal

LineLineTo:To: TreeTree VehicleVehicle ConcreteConcrete BoulderBoulder Tie-down Tie-down

AnchorAnchor

Tie-down anchorsTie-down anchors

When no natural anchors exist…When no natural anchors exist… When vehicles aren’t available…When vehicles aren’t available… Tie-down anchors are the alternativeTie-down anchors are the alternative

IMPORTANTIMPORTANT – – BEFORE YOU USEBEFORE YOU USE– Call Dig Alert to mark Underground Utility Call Dig Alert to mark Underground Utility

LinesLines– Check with building owner about Check with building owner about

underground sprinklers, landscape lines, underground sprinklers, landscape lines, etc.etc.

Tie-down anchorsTie-down anchors

Ensure anchor is appropriate for the soilEnsure anchor is appropriate for the soil– Measured with a soil test kit (need not be Measured with a soil test kit (need not be

used at every jobsiteused at every jobsite Avoid all underground linesAvoid all underground lines Use Drive Motor to sink anchors so the Use Drive Motor to sink anchors so the

heads are 2 to 3 inches above the heads are 2 to 3 inches above the groundground

Attach dogbone anchor straps to the Attach dogbone anchor straps to the heads using slot boltsheads using slot bolts

Soil Test KitSoil Test Kit

Drive Motor & AnchorsDrive Motor & Anchors

Drive Motor in ActionDrive Motor in Action

VideoVideo

Anchor Systems for Fumigation Anchor Systems for Fumigation ActivitiesActivities

Understand that fall protection is required for EVERY job – regardless of roof type.

Demonstrate: – Figure 8 knot– 8-on-a-bite knot (for rope anchor) – Overhand knot– Fisherman’s knot (for Prusik lines loops) – Water knot (for webbing)– Prusik knot (for tensioning lines)

Figure 8 KnotFigure 8 Knot

Figure 8-on-a-Bight KnotFigure 8-on-a-Bight Knot

Anchor KnotsAnchor Knots

Knots VideoKnots Video

Start – 3:33Start – 3:33

Overhand Safety KnotOverhand Safety Knot

Double Fisherman’s KnotDouble Fisherman’s Knot

Fisherman’s Knot for Prusik Fisherman’s Knot for Prusik LineLine

Knots VideoKnots Video

3:33 – 6:473:33 – 6:47

Water Knot (for webbing)Water Knot (for webbing)

Water Knot for Web Anchor Water Knot for Web Anchor with vehicle as anchor pointwith vehicle as anchor point

Knots VideoKnots Video

7:29 – 12:307:29 – 12:30

Prusik KnotPrusik Knot

Prusik Knot for tensioning Prusik Knot for tensioning Anchor LineAnchor Line

Knots VideoKnots Video

12:30 – 18:4612:30 – 18:46

The System in Action – Tie Offs The System in Action – Tie Offs & Ascenders & Rope Bags& Ascenders & Rope Bags

VideoVideo KnotsKnots

– 18:46 – 25:2518:46 – 25:25 FieldField

– 44:06 – 44:5744:06 – 44:57

Questions ?Questions ?

Fall PreventionFall Prevention

Provided By:Provided By:

Basin Environmental Basin Environmental 325 N. Portland Avenue325 N. Portland Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107

405.232.5737405.232.5737