identify when to use fall protection

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# OSHA FactSheet # Reducing Falls During Residential Construction: Installing Tile Roofs When workers install tile roofs they are at risk of falling. Using personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) is the most common way to control falls during residential construction. These systems are not the only way to protect a worker and there are other options. This fact sheet describes various steps that roofing contractors can take before and during roofing jobs to keep workers from falling. ## Workers Can Fall While Tiling Roofs Roofers installing tiles risk permanent injury or death from falls. Even experienced roofers are exposed to unpredictable fall hazards caused by uneven sheathing, sudden gusts of wind, loose roofing materials, and surfaces that become slick when wet. Taking appropriate fall protection measures can reduce these risks and save lives. The employer shall provide a training program for each worker who might be exposed to fall hazards. The program shall enable each worker to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each worker in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards. For fall protection training requirements, refer to 29 CFR 1926.503. ## Tiling Roofs Safely - Important Steps Before beginning the job, focus on identifying fall protection needs. Survey the roof to determine if there are pre-installed anchorages available that can be used. If not, then begin planning immedi- ately to identify those systems needed to protect workers from falls and have them available before the workers report to the job. ## Communicating Your Needs The contractor that is building and sheathing the roof structure will need fall protection equipment for workers performing these jobs. At a pre- construction meeting, or at the first meeting on the work site, ask the building contractor to leave roof anchors or other fall protection equipment in place after sheathing is completed. ## Using the Right Equipment Roofers must use fall protecti…

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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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# Contents (cont.) ## Fall restraint or fall arrest? Fall restraint systems prevent you from falling. Examples include: • Work-positioning systems using either safety belts or full body harnesses that attach you to an anchor and leave both your hands free to work • Travel-restriction systems of guardrails or personal fall protection equipment used to prevent you from travelling to an edge from where you may fall Fall arrest systems protect you after you fall by stopping the fall before you hit the surface below. Examples include: • Full body harnesses connected by lanyards or lifelines to secure anchors • Safety nets In choosing a fall protection system, you should first consider installing guardrails or barriers. They provide a high degree of protection once installed properly. However, installing guardrails or barriers at a work site is not always practical- that is when you may need personal fall protection equipment. ## Written fall protection plan A written fall protection plan is required prior to using a personal fall protection system for work with a potential fall hazard of 7.5 m (25 ft.) or more. The written plan should identify: • Potential fall hazards on the job • Types of fall protection systems to be used • Instructions to workers on how to safely use the equipment, and • Instructions on how to rescue a worker who has fallen and can't initiate self-rescue ## Safety belts ## When to use a safety belt You must never wear a safety belt in a fall arrest situation. If you fall into a safety belt, you could still suffer severe back and abdominal injuries. Restrict the use of safety belts to fall restraint systems only. If there's a chance you could fall, install guardrails or wear a full body harness in a properly configured personal fall protection system. ## Inspecting your safety belt Inspect your belt before each use. Check the buckle, the webbing, the D-rings, and the manufacturer's label for additional user information. If the…

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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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# Keep Your Workers Safe Any Fall Can Be Fatal or Debilitating! (cont.) ## The ABC's of PFAS A PFAS must meet specific requirements. Some of these are described below. *** ## A - Anchor Point The anchor point (tie-off point) is a secure point of attachment for the fall arrest system's lanyard or lifeline. • Anchor point locations should be planned out before work begins. • The anchor point should be attached to a substantial structural member, such as a beam, girder, roof truss or rafter. • The anchor point must support either 5,000 pounds per worker (the weight of two small cars) or twice the intended load. • When installing anchor points, follow the manufacturer's instructions. A Never use a pipe or vent as an anchor point. Never use sheetrock screws to install an anchor point. ## B - Body Harness A full-body harness is required for a PFAS. The body harness distributes the force of a fall to reduce the chance of bodily injury. It includes shoulder and thigh straps, and a D-ring. A Body belts should never be part of a PFAS. A Make sure that D-rings are larger than the snap hook. Note: The connecting D-ring in a properly fitted harness should be located in the center of the upper back. Locking snap hook Harness Rope D-ring grab Lanyard with shock absorber Lifeline Not all PFAS components are interchangeable. ## C - Connecting Device A retractable lifeline or shock-absorbing lanyard and its connectors are used to link a full-body harness to the anchor system. Never hook lanyards together unless manufacturer approved. ! Shock-absorbing lanyards and retractable lifelines are rarely compatible-do not connect. Different types of connectors include carabiners, snap hooks, D-rings, and rope grabs. Connectors must have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds. ## D - Descent & Rescue You must have a plan for rescuing a worker whose fall has been arrested. • The plan should be designed to raise or lower a worker to safety without any p…

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# Reducing Falls during Residential Construction: Erecting Exterior and Interior Walls (cont.) ## Guardrails Guardrail systems can protect workers framing walls around the perimeter and at floor openings. Framed exterior walls typically include openings for windows and doors. Workers can apply sheathing to the frame, and install guardrails across window and door openings, before raising wall sections so that the openings are protected when the walls are set into place. OSHA generally requires the top rail height to be 42 inches + 3 inches above the walking/working level. A midrail is also required between the top rail and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or parapet at least 21 inches high. For additional requirements for guardrails, refer to 29 CFR 1926.502(b). During multi-story construction many employers provide fall protection by installing guardrails on exterior wall sections prior to erecting them into place. This ensures perimeter protection before workers begin activities on each additional floor. ## Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) A PFAS is a tool available to workers who are framing and erecting walls. In fact, a PFAS is the system of choice for many workers who work at heights. However, a malfunction in any component of a PFAS could be disastrous for a worker. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on selecting, installing and using PFAS components correctly. Certain anchorage assemblies rotate or offer extension arms to improve mobility and prevent lifelines from contacting the floor surface. ## Personal Fall Arrest System A PFAS is designed to safely stop a fall before the worker strikes a lower level. The system includes three major components: A. An anchorage to which the other components of the PFAS are rigged. B. A full body harness worn by the worker. C. A connector, such as a lanyard or lifeline, linking the harness to the anchorage. A rip-stitch lanyard, or deceleration device, is typically a part of the syst…

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# Additional Information On-site Consultation Program Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (508) 616-0461 www.mass.gov/dols OSHA Regional Office JFK Federal Building- Room E340 Boston, MA [redacted postal code] (617) 565-9860 www.osha.gov The Center for Construction Research and Training Fall prevention safety materials and resources: www.cpwr.com ## MA FACE Project Occupational Health Surveillance Program Massachusetts Department of Public Health [redacted street address] Boston, MA [redacted postal code] (617) 624-5627 www.mass.gov/dph/FACE FACE is an occupational injury prevention project conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. FACE is not responsible for the enforcement of safety standards. FACE investigates workplace fatalities to identify risk factors that lead to fatal injury in order to prevent future deaths. The FACE Project is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Many thanks to the contractors and others who helped develop this brochure. Special thanks to the Arizona Construction Training Alliance for use of interior photos. # PFAS SAFETY: Personal Fall Arrest Systems For Residential Construction Contractors Last updated 11/2012 Massachusetts Department of Public Health Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Project PARTMENT # Keep Your Workers Safe Any Fall Can Be Fatal or Debilitating! ## When is fall protection required for residential construction workers? Fall protection must be provided to any employee working at a height of 6 feet or more above a lower level. The best fall protection is a passive system because it does not require active participation from the worker: these include guard rail systems and safety nets. But sometimes active fall protection is needed, such as a personal fall arrest system (PFAS). ## What is a PFAS? A PFAS (personal fall arrest system) consists of three major components: • a full-body harness; • a shock-absorbing lan…

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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…