By: Chou Lor, Safety Coordinator

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Fall Protection
UW-Eau Claire
FPM

• By Chou Lor, Safety Coordinator

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Fall Protection

• Training Objectives
• Types of Falls
• Fall Protection Systems
• Guardrails Systems
• Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

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Types of Falls

• Falls from same levels
• Cause of same level falls
• Slips When oil, grease, water
  or any liquids on the floor.
• Trips Loose materials, welding leads, etc.
  lying across walkways, stairs or in congested
  areas.
• Falls from an elevation
• A fall in which you drop from one surface to a
  lower surface or elevation.
• Work at elevated areas Roofs, Scaffolds, Ladders
• Openings Floor Openings, Wall Openings,
  Ladderway Openings.

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Fall Protection Systems

• Fall Protection measures
• All walking and working surfaces must be strong
  enough to safely support employees.
• All employees exposed to falls of 6 feet or more
  to lower levels must be protected by a
• Guardrail Systems
• Safety Net System
• Personal Fall Arrest Systems
• Others Options Include
• Warning Line Systems
• Safety Monitoring Systems

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Guardrail Systems

• The top edge height of top rails must
  be between 39 inches 45
  inches above the walking
  and working
  level.

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Guardrail Systems

• Mid rails, screens, mesh, or intermediate
  vertical members are needed when there is no wall
  or parapet wall at least 21-inches high

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Guardrail Systems

• Guardrail systems must be able to withstand the
  forces specified in OSHAs standard
• Steel or plastic banding cannot be used as top
  rails or mid rails

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Guardrail Systems

• Top rails and mid rails must have a diameter of
  at least 1/4-inch
• If wire rope is used for top rails, it must be
  flagged with high-visibility material at least
  every 6 feet
• Top rails or mid rails made from manila, plastic
  or synthetic rope must be inspected frequently
• The guardrails surface must be smooth enough so
  it does not cause lacerations or other injuries,
  or snag clothing

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Guardrail Systems

• Ramps, runways, and other walkways have
  guardrails along each unprotected side or edge
  when employees could fall
  6 feet or more

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Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

• Anchorage, connectors, body belt or body harness
• Anchor at least 5000 lbs strength
• May include a deceleration device
• Maximum arresting force 1800 pounds (body
  harness)
• No free fall over 6 feet
• Bring employee to a complete stop
• Maximum deceleration distance 3.5 feet
• Inspect prior to each use, remove defective
  components from service
• Body belts for fall arrest prohibited after
  Jan. 1, 1998

No
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PFAS Cont.

• Anchorage, connectors, body belt or body harness
  Cont.
• Dee-rings and snap hooks
• 5000 pounds minimum strength, proof tested to
  3600 pounds
• Only locking snaphooks after Jan 1, 1998
• Horizontal Lifelines
• Designed, installed and used under the
  supervision of a qualified person
• Vertical Lifelines

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PFAS Cont.

• Anchorage, connectors, body belt or body harness
  Cont.
• Connecting Device
• This connects the Body Harness to the Anchor
  Point. Example, Shock Absorbing Lanyards, or Self
  Retractable Lifelines

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PFAS Cont.

• Anchorage, connectors, body belt or body harness
  Cont.
• Lanyard to attach on harness between employees
  shoulders
• Do not tie back on same lanyard
• Do not shorten with knots
• Self retracting lifelines must stop a fall in 2
  max.

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Any Questions
??
Please visit FPM Website
(www.uwec.edu/facmgt./index.htm)
for additional information.