If I'm 10 feet in the air do I need a harness and do I need to tie off

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# Crane- and derrick-suspended personnel platforms (cont.) ## What is a fall protection system? (cont.) • Catch platforms. Though not covered in Subdivision 3/M, catch platforms, which consist of a stable platform and an attached standard guardrail, can protect workers when other systems or methods are not feasible. • Covers for holes. Simple and effective when they are capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, materials that may be imposed on the cover at one time, and are properly installed. Rigid covers prevent workers from falling through temporary holes, openings, and skylights in walking/working surfaces. - Fences and barricades. Use a fence or similar barricade to keep people away from wells, pits, and shafts or other similar excavation. ## What to consider when selecting a fall protection system Appropriate fall protection systems have the following characteristics: • They are affordable. • They offer the least interference with workers' tasks or activities. • They prevent falls or protect workers who do fall from serious injury and death. Wherever possible, eliminate fall hazards. Identify hazards that you can't eliminate and evaluate each one. The evaluation will help you determine appropriate fall protection systems for your worksite. Consider the following: • What is the fall distance from the walking/working surface to the next lower level? - How many workers are exposed to the hazard? • What tasks and work areas are associated with the hazard? • How will the workers move - horizontally, vertically, or in both directions to do their tasks? • Are secure anchorages available or can they be easily installed near the hazard? - Are there other hazards near the work area, such as overhead power lines? • How will workers be promptly rescued if they are suspended in a personal fall-arrest system? ## Personal fall-arrest systems A personal fall-arrest system (PFAS) generally consists of an anc…

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de securite au travail Fall Protection # Fall Protection - Fall Arrest Systems ## On this page What is meant by fall arrest system? What should be considered when using a fall arrest system? How can bottoming out be prevented? How is the total fall clearance distance calculated? What is the pendulum effect and how to reduce it? What is suspension trauma and how to address it? ## What is meant by fall arrest system? Fall arrest system is the name given to the group of equipment, components, and systems used to arrest (stop) a fall from height. These systems can be used to protect workers who that are working at heights. A fall arrest system should only be used when other methods of fall protection are not available or possible, including engineering controls (e.g., elevated platform), guardrails, safety nets, or travel restraint. Fall arrest systems should: - keep the free fall distance as short as possible, - minimize the forces of the fall experienced by the worker, - protect the worker from striking other surfaces while falling, and - protect the worker from the pendulum effect or swing falls. See other OSH Answers documents for more information on fall protection, including fall protection plan. Always use the type of fall arrest system(s) required by your local jurisdiction. and standards such as CSA Z259.17 "Selection and use of active fall-protection equipment and system", Z259.12 "Connecting components for personal fall arrest systems", Z259.16 "Design of active fall- protection systems", and others. NOTE that other requirements may be needed that are not discussed in this document. Always consult the legislation that applies in your situation and with your jurisdiction for complete information. ## What should be considered when using a fall arrest system? It is important to assess the hazards a worker may be exposed to if they fall, and the impact of…

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## Appendix C to Subpart I of Part 1910 - Personal Fall Protection Systems Non-Mandatory Guidelines (cont.) (n) Free fall considerations. Employers and employees should always be aware that a system's maximum arresting force is evaluated under normal use conditions established by the manufacturer. OSHA requires that personal fall arrest systems be rigged so an employee cannot free fall in excess of 6 feet (1.8 m). Even a few additional feet of free fall can significantly increase the arresting force on the employee, possibly to the point of causing injury and possibly exceeding the strength of the system. Because of this, the free fall distance should be kept to a minimum, and, as required by $ 1910.140(d)(2), must never be greater than 6 feet (1.8 m). To assure this, the tie-off attachment point to the lifeline or anchor should be located at or above the connection point of the fall arrest equipment to the harness. (Otherwise, additional free fall distance is added to the length of the connecting means (i.e., lanyard)). Tying off to the walking-working surface will often result in a free fall greater than 6 feet (1.8 m). For instance, if a 6-foot (1.8-m) lanyard is used, the total free fall distance will be the distance from the walking-working level to the harness connection plus the 6 feet (1.8 m) of lanyard. (o) Elongation and deceleration distance considerations. During fall arrest, a lanyard will stretch or elongate, whereas activation of a deceleration device will result in a certain stopping distance. These distances should be available with the lanyard or device's instructions and must be added to the free fall distance to arrive at the total fall distance before an employee is fully stopped. The additional stopping distance may be significant if the lanyard or deceleration device is attached near or at the end of a long lifeline, which may itself add considerable distance due to its own elongatio…

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# Crane- and derrick-suspended personnel platforms (cont.) ## Anchorage strength is critical, but is not the only factor to consider. (cont.) The full-body harness. The full-body harness has straps that distribute the fall arrest forces over the thighs, waist, chest, shoulders, and pelvis. Full-body harnesses come in different styles, many of which are light and comfortable. Before you purchase harnesses, make sure that they fit those who will use them, they're comfortable, and they are easy to adjust. A full-body harness should include a back D-ring for attaching lifelines or lanyards and a back pad for support. Never use a body belt as part of a personal fall-arrest system. Keep the following in mind when you buy a full-body harness: • The harness must be made from synthetic fibers. ●It must be appropriate for the user's body size and weight (including tools worn) - It must have an attachment point, usually a D-ring, in the center of the back at about shoulder level. • Use only industrial full-body harnesses (not recreational climbing harnesses). ●It should meet ANSI and CSA standards and the manufacturer should have ISO 9001 certification, which shows the manufacturer meets international standards for product design, development, production, installation, and service. Lanyards. A lanyard is a specially designed flexible line that has a snap hook at each end. One snap hook connects to the body harness and the other connects to an anchorage or a lifeline. Lanyards must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds. They come in a variety of styles, including self-retracting types that make moving easier and energy-absorbing types that reduce fall-arrest forces. Don't combine lanyards to increase length or knot them to make them shorter. Deceleration devices. Deceleration devices protect workers from the impact of a fall and include energy- absorbing lanyards and self-retracting devices. How to estimate total fall distance with a energy-absorbing l…

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# Fall Protection - Fall Arrest Systems (cont.) ## How is the total fall clearance distance calculated? (cont.) The pendulum effect, or swing fall, occurs when a worker swings from side to side after the fall has been arrested. When there is swing, there is a danger of the worker hitting the ground (vertical impact), or equipment, materials, or the structure (horizontal impacts). The greater the swing, the harder the worker will hit objects in their path. The swinging movement may also cause the lanyard or lifeline to break when these lines are in contact with rough or sharp edges. To reduce swinging, the anchor point should be directly above the worker. Options also include to use a second anchor point at the same time, change anchor points to keep the lanyard or lifeline perpendicular (directly above) as work progresses, or use a horizontal lifeline, where appropriate. ## What is suspension trauma and how to address it? Suspension trauma, also known as orthostatic intolerance, occurs when a worker is suspended. While they remain suspended (hanging), the worker may not be able to move, and the pressure from their body weight against the harness will result in the blood pooling in their legs. As a result, there will be less blood (and oxygen) available to the brain, kidneys or other organs. Light-headedness, nausea, unconsciousness, serious injury, or death may result. This trauma can occur in minutes and death may occur in less than 30 minutes. Workers with head injuries or who are unconscious are more likely to experience severe health effects. An effective rescue plan will outline the procedures needed to rescue suspended workers as quickly as possible. While a worker is suspended, a relief strap or a loop tied to the harness that a worker can put their feet into may help relieve the pressure. These measures will not be helpful if the worker is unconscious (from the fall, or from suspension trauma). Workers waiting to be rescued can also try to "pump" thei…

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# I.D. Fall Restraint Systems and Positioning Devices (cont.) ## II. Fall Arrest Systems Fall arrest systems are designed to prevent or reduce injuries when a worker falls from an elevated height. ## II.A. Safety Net Systems Safety net systems (see Figures 12 and 13) are an option when workers are working at elevated heights with hazardous vertical drops (see Table 2). Safety net systems are commonly used during work on bridges and large structures. The nets are available in various sizes and materials, including materials resistant to ultraviolet deterioration. <table><tr><th colspan="2">Table 2. Safety Net System Dimensions</th></tr><tr><td>Vertical Distance from Working Level to Horizontal Plane of Net</td><td>Minimum Required Horizontal Distance of Outer Edge of Net from Edge of Working Surface</td></tr><tr><td>Up to 5 feet</td><td>8 feet</td></tr><tr><td>More than 5 feet, up to 10 feet</td><td>10 feet</td></tr><tr><td>More than 10 feet, up to 30 feet</td><td>13 feet</td></tr><tr><td>More than 30 feet</td><td>Safety net not permitted</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">as fall protection See Div 3/M,1926.502(c)(1), (c)(2)</td></tr></table> Figure 12. Safety net system Figure 13. Safety net system ## II.B. Personal Fall Protection Equipment for Personal Fall Arrest Systems A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) is a system with components that work together to protect workers when they fall from elevated heights. PFAS components include an anchorage, connectors, and a full-body harness, and may include a shock-absorbing lanyard, a retractable lifeline, and/or a deceleration device (see Div 3/M, 1926.500(b)). Section V/Chapter 4 - Page 16