Introduction
Fall Protection
EM 385-1-1 Section 21
Welcome
Basic guidelines and methods for fall protection in the
construction industry as required by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) & Naval Facilities Engineering Command
(NAVFAC).
Introduction
Course Objectives
•Upon completion of this course, students will be
– exposed to standards and requirements for fall
protection under EM 385,
– able to answer questions regarding standard
requirements and prohibitions of this section,
– able to recognize and use different types of acceptable
fall protection measures,
– able to specify requirements for equipment inspections
and training, and
– able to identify requirements for rescue planning and
implementation.
Introduction
Course Objectives
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This course is not a substitute for industry safety and
health standards.
Employers and employees should know and comply with
the standards, rules, and regulations that apply to their
work.
Safety Tip
Most deaths from falls occur in the construction industry.
Introduction
Subject areas covered
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General guidelines
Training
Fall protection program
Controlled access zones
Fall protection systems
Hole covers
Safety nets
Personal fall arrest
Ladder climbing systems
Scaffolds & lifts
Warning lines
Safety monitors
Rescue plans
Work over water
Safety Tip
References USACEEM 385-1
• OSHA, ANSI, NIOSH, others.
• OSHA requirements, various sections of:
– 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry).
– 29 CFR 1926 (Construction).
– 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M – Fall
Protection.
• American National Standards Institute
(ANSI).
• National Institute of Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH).
• Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers.
• Others. </TIP>
Introduction
Death/Serious injury statistics
Construction = highest % of fatalities from falls
Falls are the #1 cause of disabling injuries in construction
Overwhelming pain & suffering
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) fall
study: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls/
TIP
Falls are the second-leading cause of work-related fatal injuries and falls from
elevation are the leading cause of fatalities among construction workers
accounting for 38% of all fatalities.
In 2007, falls accounted for 442 construction deaths.
More than 100,000 workers are injured in falls at construction sites each year.
Introduction
Competent person
A person capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards
in
• the surrounding area, and/or
• working conditions that are unsanitary or dangerous, and
has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate such hazards.
Introduction
Qualified person
One, who by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or
professional standing; or by extensive knowledge, training, and
experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or
resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the
project.
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Fall Protection
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Competent person
• A person capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the
surrounding area, and/or working conditions that are unsanitary or dangerous,
and has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate such
hazards.
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Qualified person
• One, who by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional
standing; or by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully
demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject
matter, the work, or the project.
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EM 385 requires three important written elements related to fall protection:
• Fall protection plan
• Activity hazard analysis
• Rescue plan
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Under EM 385, the trigger height for fall protection is 6 feet - no
exceptions for normal on-the-ground construction or renovation
projects.
Fall protection duty covers:
• access ways,
• work platforms,
• dangerous operations,
• sheet piling,
• flat and steep roofs, and
• skylights/leading edges.
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Fall Protection Hierarchy of controls:
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Eliminate
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Prevent (barriers/isolation)
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Work platforms
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Personal fall protection
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Administrative controls
Steel erection requires 100% fall protection.
Special issues
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Stilts allowed - Increase guardrail height by height of stilts
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Inspection services require fall protection, no exceptions
Impalement protection should be used on all impalement hazards (such as protruding
reinforcing steel) onto and into which employees could fall. Use approved devices.
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Competent person must train all exposed workers in fall
protection.
Site-specific fall protection plans are required as part of the
project accident prevention program.
EM 385:
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provides an exception to fall protection for the individual (first-manup) who installs anchors or lifelines.
controlled access zones are prohibited.
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Standard guardrails – toprail (42 in- 200# load) midrail(150#
load), toeboard(50# load)
Wood(2X4 rails), pipe(1.5 in rails) or steel(2X2 angle iron) need
posts @ 8’
Wire rope for top rail ¼ in minimum(no synthetic or fiber)
Hole covers for any hole 2 in. or greater and support 2X intended
loads of people or vehicles and marked with “Hole, Do Not
Remove” or “Danger, Roof Opening- Do Not Remove” or
Red/Orange Xs
Nets maximum distance to net 25 feet. Remove any debris ASAP.
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Personal fall arrest systems (Inspect before each use by user):
• Full body harness (No body belts for fall arrest)
• Shock-absorbing lanyard (5000 #, no knots, 6 foot max)
• Double-action locking snap hooks (non-locking not
allowed)
• Anchorage points (5000 # per worker)
• Rigged to stop fall in 6 ft. or less
• Limit arrest forces to 1800#
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Lifelines:
• Vertical lifelines – one per worker, independent
anchorage, support 5,000 #, have a rope-grab device
operating in only one direction.
• Horizontal Life line systems designed by a qualified
person as part of a complete fall arrest system. Off shelf
OK or can use or job built(but require registered
professional engineer).
• Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards that limit free fall
distance to 2 ft. or less must be able to sustain a
minimum load of 3,000 lb.
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Positioning equipment:
• limit fall to 2 ft.
• Anchorages capable of 3,000 lb.
• requires separate system for fall arrest
Fall restraint systems:
• Keep workers from edge.
• Rear D-ring body belt acceptable.
• Anchor 3,000 lb. or 2x foreseeable force (need qualified person)
Suspended staging requires:
• Guardrails
• Independent lifeline for each worker
• Full body harness
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Other Equipment
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Scissor lift, need guardrails, use anchors if provided
Boom lift tie off with harness is mandatory
Aerial Bucket anchor to bucket or basket
No tie off to adjacent pole or structure unless safe device for 100%
tie-off used for transfer.
Safety monitors
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Prohibited as a stand-alone protective system.
May only be used in conjunction with other fall protection systems
least protective method of fall protection
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Drawbacks of alternate systems
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Provide employees no physical protection.
Rely primarily on visual contact.
Create a false sense of security.
Rescue plan & procedures - plan for rescue; written plan required and need details.
Excavations:
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Edges and walkways 6 feet or more need fall protection (guardrails, etc.)
Protection to keep vehicles/equipment out.