2320 Fall Protection Flashcards
What are the 5 basic requirements found in most OHS regulation regarding fall protection?
Work done over a certain height requires fall protection.
Guard rails are first choice.
When guardrails are not practical, fall restraint must be used.
When fall restraint is not practical, fall arrest systems must be used.
All workers at risk of falling must be trained and supervised.
What is the hierarchy of fall protection?
Elimination of fall hazard. Guardrails or equivalent. Fall restraint. Fall arrest. Control zone.
Guardrail regulations are highly prescriptive. What 3 basic concepts are ensured with the regulations?
STRONG/HIGH/SUBSTANTIAL
guardrails should be strong enough to resist a stumbling worker
guardrails should be high enough to act as a barrier to an stumbling worker
guardrails should be substantial enough to prevent a stumbling worker from slipping between parts.
What is the BC OHSR guardrail height requirement?
102-112 cm.
What is the BC OHSR guardrail height requirement?
102-112 cm.
Discuss fall protection systems
fall restraint & fall arrest.
Must…
-be inspected by qualified person before each shift.
- be kept free of substances and conditions that contribute to deterioration
- be maintained in good working order
- consist of compatible/suitable components
- be sufficient to support the fall restraint/arrest forces
- meet and be used per CSA or ANSI standards from time of manufacture
- be removed from service after arresting a fall
- not be returned to service after removal until recertified by manufacturer, authorized agent, or professional engineer.
Discuss fall restraint.
Fall restraint is a type of fall protection that ensures a worker falls no further than the level that they are working on.
Some regulations require that system minimizes falls to 30cm or less (1ft).
There are various of fall restraint systems, but they must still meet CSA standards.
Discuss fall arrest systems.
Fall arrest systems stop a falling worker before they reach the ground.
Systems must meet CSA standards.
The MAF (maximum arrest force) must be less than 8kn and should be less than 4kn. Most fall arrest systems require shock absorbing technology to achieve this.
Full body harnesses should be used to distribute forces across the body instead of being focused in one area.
Discuss fall arrest systems.
Fall arrest systems stop a falling worker before they reach the ground.
Systems must meet CSA standards.
The MAF (maximum arrest force) must be less than 8kn and should be less than 4kn. Most fall arrest systems require shock absorbing technology to achieve this.
Full body harnesses should be used to distribute forces across the body instead of being focused in one area.
Lanyards may be attached to an anchor or a horizontal/vertical/retractable lifeline.
What are the typical components of a fall arrest system?
Full-body harness
Lanyard or restricted length, with shock absorbing elements
Adequate anchor point.
What are the typical components of a fall restraint system
- full body harness
- lanyard of restricted length
- adequate anchor point
Discuss anchors for fall-protection systems.
Temporary fall-restraint anchors must have a capacity of 3.5kN or four times the weight of the worker.
Temporary fall-arrest anchors must have a capacity of 22kN or two times the maximum arrest force.
Permanent anchors for restraint or arrest must have a capacity of 22kN.
All persons connected to an anchor must have an independent attachment.
What is a swing fall hazard?
A swing fall hazard is a hazaqrd that would cause a person to swing and potentially strike objects in the event of a fall.
These are often ideal locations for anchor points.
Risks are reduced by minimizing lanyard lengths and advising workers to work closely to their anchors.
Discuss lifeline systems.
When workers need more mobility than a fixed anchor provides, a lifeline can be used.
Horizontal lifelines are attached at two ends and the attachment can move freely along the line.
Vertical lifelines are attached at the top, and hang down. The worker is attached to the vertical line with a rope grab, which locks in place when a fall occurs.
Permanent lifelines must be certified by a professional engineer.
Temporary lifelines must be made for purpose, used following manufacturer instructions, installed following written instructions from a professional engineer, and meet requirements of regulatory body.
What are control zones and safety monitors in the context of fall protection.
Some employers (typically roofing industry) argue that the hierarch of fall protection is not practical for their work. (many workers, tangling lines, work at roof edge, processes that damage fall protection equipment)
Some jurisdictions permit control zones and safety monitors as an alternative method of fall protections.
Designated area of higher fall risk (at least 2m from edge), flagged and monitored by a worker that alerts others to fall dangers.
