Fall Protection
SERENDIPITY MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
Fall Hazards
A fall hazard is
anything in the
workplace that
could cause an
unintended loss of
balance or bodily
support and result
in a fall.
Common Fall Hazards
Overhead Platforms
Overhead Runways
Elevated Work Stations
Source of photos: OSHA
Common Fall Hazards
Floor Openings/Pits
Wall Openings
Shelving Units
Source of photos: OSHA
Common Fall Hazards
Stationary Storage Tanks
Tanker Trucks
Industrial Production Units
Source: WVU Source: OSHA Source: OSHA
Fall Hazard Controls
Hierarchy of Fall Hazard Control:
First line of defense
Eliminate the fall hazard
Second line of defense
Prevent the fall
Third and last resort
Control the fall
Fall Hazard Controls
Eliminate fall hazards –
work from the ground
Gauge at top of tank
moved to ground level
Use drone, equipped
with camera, for
inspections at heights
Source: WVU
Fall Hazard Controls
Eliminate fall hazards – hole
covers/grates
Veryeffective way to
eliminate a fall hazard.
Designed to withstand
intended load.
Secured-bolted, hinged,
latched, locked
Source: WVU
Fall Hazard Controls
Prevent the fall –
guardrails
Standard railing
Top rail, mid rail, and posts
Height from upper surface of top rail
to floor level is 42” (+/− 3”)
Mid-rail height is 21”
Standard toeboard
Source: OSHA
3.5” high
Not more than ¼” clearance above
the floor
Fall Hazard Controls
Prevent the fall – fences and
barricades
Prevents unauthorized employee
exposure to fall hazard
Employer authorizes access
Authorized personnel must then be
protected from the fall hazards within
Source: WVU
Fall Hazard Controls
Prevent the fall –
personal all restraint
Prevent falls by keeping
worker from reaching fall
hazard
Comprised of a body
Source: OSHA
belt or body harness, an
anchorage, connectors
Often used when section
of guardrail or hole cover
is temporarily removed
Fall Hazard Controls
Know the A, B, Cs of Personal
Fall Arrest Systems
Anchorages
Body harness
Components
(connectors like snaphooks or
Dee-rings, connection points,
lanyards, deceleration devices,
lifelines, etc.)
Source: Honeywell/Miller; used with permission.
Installed, used, and maintained according to the
manufacturer
Fall Hazard Controls
PFAS – temporary anchorage
Fall Hazard Controls
PFAS – permanent anchorage
Fall Hazard Controls
PFAS – full-body harness
Body Harness Usage
The Chest straps should be
positioned in the chest so
that the Distribution of
Weight during fall will not
affect the internal organs .
Components of FBH
D-rings and snaphooks shall be
capable of sustaining a minimum
tensile load of 5,000 pounds(22.24
Kn)
D-rings and snaphooks shall be proof-
tested to a minimum tensile load of
3,600 pounds (16 Kn) without
cracking, breaking, or being
permanently deformed.
Fall Hazard Controls
PFAS – connecting components
Fall Hazard Controls
Control the fall –
positioning devices
Consists of a body belt
and connecting device
Keeps workers from
falling, while allowing
Source: OSHA
their hands to be free to
perform work
Fall Hazard Controls
Control the fall – safety net
systems
Consists of specially
designed mesh nets,
panels, and connecting
components
Must be designed,
installed and maintained
properly
Source: OSHA
Employer Requirements
Training – your employer must train you on the
following:
Fall hazards associated with your facility and
your work
Methods used to protect you from those hazards
Proper and safe use of any personal fall arrest,
positioning, or fall restraint systems
Applicable OSHA standards
Employer Requirements
Inspection
Your employer must inspect the:
workplace for existing and potential fall hazards
fall hazard controls used; such as guardrails,
covers, grates, and anchorage points
You must inspect your PFAS, Positioning and Fall
Restraint hardware before each use.
Employer Requirements
Rescue
Personal Fall Arrest
Systems require a rescue
plan
Employer must develop
and communicate the rescue
plan to all involved
Source: OSHA
AMENDING RULES 1414 ON
SCAFFOLDINGS OF THE 1989
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
STANDARDS, AS AMENDED
A fall protection equipment shall be used
when working in a height of 2 meters and
above. For work height of 10 meters,
workers are required to use fall arrest
equipment.
1414.12: Fall Protection.
For Supported Scaffold
Fall protection equipment shall be provided on any
scaffold 2m (6 feet) or more above ground.
Personnel performing work from a supported
scaffold shall be protected by guardrail from falling
from all open sides and ends of the scaffold.
12.2 For Suspended Scaffold
Fall protection equipment
shall be provided on any
suspended scaffold 2m (6
feet) or more above ground.
2.3 Erectors and Dismantlers
12.3 Erectors and Dismantlers
Employers shall provide fall protection for personnel erecting,
installing or dismantling scaffolds, where it is feasible and
when using it does not create a greater hazard.
12.4 Competent Person
The employer shall designate a competent person, who shall
be responsible for determining the feasibility and safety
of providing fall protection for personnel erecting,
installing or dismantling scaffolds.
ANY QUESTIONS???
