fall protection in construction

Fall Protectionin Construction

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Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:• Recognize fall hazards and identify when

fall protection is needed• Use basic fall protection systems• Prevent objects from falling• Inspect personal fall arrest systems• Rescue yourself and others from falls


Fall Statistics• Leading cause of construction industry

fatalities• 700 workers killed each year• 100,000 workers injured each year• 40% of construction industry injuries are

related to falls


Fall Protection Regulation29 CFR 1926.500 to 1926.503• Construction sites• All workers who might be exposed to fall

hazards• Recognize fall hazards and follow training

procedures to minimize fall hazard• Scaffolds, cranes and derricks, steel

erection, tunneling, electrical transmission, and ladders and stairways not covered here


Employer Requirements• Assess site conditions• Select fall protection• Install fall protection

systems• Follow safe work

procedures• Train workers


Recognize Free Fall Hazards• Edges• Sloping surfaces• Ladders• Holes or openings• Tools and equipment

Image credit: State of WA-WISHA Services


When Is Fall Protection Needed?• 6 feet or more above a

lower level• Hazard of falling into

dangerous equipment• Specific areas or

activities• While walking and

working surfaces are being inspected


Fall Hazards—Any Questions?• Do you understand the

hazards of falls and fall protection requirements?


Fall Protection Systems• Fall prevention

(restraint) systems• Fall arrest systems


Fall Prevention—Safe Work Practices• Keep area clean• Look• Listen• Use fall protection• Avoid dropping objects• Never run


Fall Prevention Systems and Practices• Positioning device system—harness• Guardrails• Warning line systems• Safety monitoring systems• Controlled access zones (CAZs)• Covers• Protection from falling objects


Positioning Device System—Harness• Harness connected by

a lanyard to an anchor as fall restraint

• Allows movement around worksite

• Prevents going over the edge



Guardrail Systems• Most common

protection to restrain workers from falls

• Top rail withstand 200-pound force

• Midrail withstand 150-pound force

• Toeboard withstand 50-pound force


Guardrail Systems (cont.)

• Smooth, no projections• Fall arrest system

required when guardrails are removed

• Guards unprotected openings, excavations, and ramps



Warning Line System• Warns workers to stay

away from fall hazards• Consists of ropes,

wires, chains• Flagged every 6 feet• Must be 34-39 inches

above working surface• Erected around all

sides of roof work area at least 6 feet from edge


Warning Line System (cont.)

• Stanchions must not tip over easily• Workers must be trained to stay out• Work outside the line requires another fall

arrest system


Safety Monitor System• Monitors and warns

workers• Recognizes fall

hazards• Communicates with

workers• No other duties• Keeps unauthorized

workers away• Workers must comply

with safety monitorImage credit: State of WA-WISHA Services


Controlled Access Zones• Regulated work areas without conventional

fall protection systems• Combination warning line and safety

monitor systems• Limited access to qualified employees• Allow leading edge work without fall

protection systems• Designated and clearly marked work areas• Lines run the length of the unprotected edge


Hole Covers• Prevents worker or worker’s body part from

penetrating a walking or working surface• Required for all holes equal or greater than

2 inches wide• Twice the load of people or equipment• Secured to prevent accidental displacement• Color-coded, or marked with “HOLE” or

“COVER”


Prevent Objects From Falling• Use screens or panels to prevent tools or

equipment from falling on workers• Store materials 4 feet from edge• For roofing work, store material 6 feet from

edge• Use canopies strong enough to prevent

collapse and prevent penetration• Keep areas barricaded where objects are

likely to fall


Prevent Objects From Falling (cont.)

• Use toeboards• Keep tools, materials, and debris picked up• Don’t throw objects down to lower levels• Wear a hard hat


Fall Prevention—Any Questions?• Do you understand

basic fall restraint systems: guardrails, harnesses, controlled access zones, warning lines, hole covers, safety monitoring, or preventing objects from falling?


Fall Arrest—Safety Net System• Nets intended to catch falling workers• Installed under working surface• 30 feet or less below workers• Inspect regularly• Sufficient clearance • Remove fallen items


Personal Fall Arrest System—Harness• Harness distributes

arresting forces • Harness for fall arrest,

positioning, or suspension

• Body belt is not part of a fall arrest system


Effective Personal Fall Arrest System• Maximum arresting force of 1,800 lbs• Free fall no more than 6 feet• Avoid contact with a lower level• Max deceleration distance of 3.5 feet• Designed to withstand twice the impact

forces


Fall Arrest System— Connectors • Connectors (snaphooks and rings) attach

the lanyard to the anchor and harness• Ensure that snaphooks lock in place• Non-locking snaphooks are prohibited


Fall Arrest System— Connectors (cont.)

Snaphook don’ts:• Webbing or rope• Another snaphook• D-ring with another

snaphook attached• Horizontal lifeline• Object incompatible in

shape or dimension



Fall Arrest System— Lanyard• Flexible line with connector that connects

harness to the anchor• Often contains a deceleration device• No knots or wrapping

around sharp objects


Fall Arrest System— Lifeline• Lifelines connect personal fall arrest

system to anchor• Vertical—hang from one anchor point• Horizontal—stretched between

two anchor points• Ropes and straps made of synthetic fibers• Protect against being cut or abraded


Fall Arrest System— Deceleration Device• Dissipates energy

during fall arrest• Rip-stitch, tearing,

or stretching lanyard• Rope grab device• Retracting lifelines

or lanyards• Lanyard required

where there is no deceleration device


Fall Arrest System— Anchors• Secure point of

attachment for lifeline, lanyard, or deceleration device

• Withstand 5,000 pound force per person

• Anchor point above you

• Ask if unsure about proper anchor points


Inspect Personal Fall Arrest Systems• Inspect before each use• Check D-rings• Check ropes, straps, tongue-buckle• Ensure that parts move freely• Remove defective components


Rescue Plan• Safely rescue worker in the shortest time

possible• Blood pulls in legs when suspended, leading

to fainting• If suspended in a harness

• Push legs against objects for blood flow

• Raise legs if possible


Questions?• Do you understand the

information on fall arrest systems?


What’s Wrong Here?• Identify the fall hazards• What fall protection is

missing?


Key Points to Remember• Recognize fall hazards• Use and operate fall protection systems• Implement safe work practices• Inspect fall protection systems• Protect from falling objects• Rescue

fall protection in construction

Documents

falls business legal

objects business legal

edge business legal

fall hazardscaffolds

fall prevention systems

fall restraintallows

fall hazardsconsists

fall hazardsany questions