1
Session Objectives:
1. Enumerate the sources of fall hazards;
2. Discuss the appropriate methods of fall
prevention and protection;
3. Discuss the difference between fall restraint
and fall arrest;
4. Outline the elements of fall arrest system;
5. Learn how to inspect the parts of fall arrest
system;
6. Discuss the fall containment system; and
7. Identify the training needs in fall protection.
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Fall Protection
Page 1
HOW LONG DOES IT
TAKE TO FALL
4 FT? 16 FT? 64 FT?
• a body in free fall can travel 4 ft. in 0.5 second
• a body in free fall can travel 16 ft. in 1 second
• a body in free fall can travel 64 ft. in 2 seconds
Fall Protection
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FALL HAZARDS
1. Falls from elevation
➢ Scaffolds
➢ Ladders
➢ Roof
➢ Elevated
workplaces
➢ Floor openings
➢ Leading edges
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FALL HAZARDS
2. Fall on the same level
➢ Slipping and tripping hazards
3. Being struck by falling objects
➢ Objects that are:
- improperly stored
- improperly disposed of
- mishandled at elevation
Fall Protection
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APPROPRIATE METHODS
OF PROTECTION
Elimination
Prevention
Control
ELIMINATING THE FALL HAZARD
Requires careful assessment of the
work to be done and how to safely
accomplish that work
Develop a different way of performing
the work
Design safety into the construction
process
Fall Protection
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Preventing employee
exposure
Fall prevention methods
➢ Providing proper access to elevated
work area
➢ Protecting unguarded openings and
leading edges
➢ Practicing good housekeeping
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Fall Protection
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STAIRS AND LADDERS
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Handrails – Assists balance
Fall Protection
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GUARDRAIL
A barrier erected to prevent employees from
falling to lower levels
Work locations requiring guardrail protection:
▪ Elevated work platforms (such as form work)
▪ Scaffolds
▪ Openings/holes in bridge decks, floors or other
unprotected surfaces
▪ Unprotected sides of ramps/stairways/platforms
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Guard Rail Systems
Top Rail
Mid- Rail
Toeboard
Guard rails at least 1 m tall
Toeboards at least 15 cm high
Fall Protection
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Unprotected sides & edges
Unprotected sides and edges must
have guardrails.
Fall Protection
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Wall opening
If you work near wall openings 6 feet or more above
lower levels you must be protected from falling
Walkways and Ramps
Guard ramps, runways and other walkways
Fall Protection
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This 1/4" nylon rope alone is not a proper
way to guard this open side.
2 0
SURFACE OPENING
PROTECTION
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Fall Protection
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Floor Holes
Improperly
Covered
➢ Cover completely and securely
➢ If no cover, can guard with a guardrail
Sky lights and Other
Openings
➢ Holes more than 6 feet high must be protected
➢ This opening could be made safe by using a
guardrail, or strong cover
Fall Protection
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Fall Protection
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Good
housekeeping
can reduce
hazards of
falling objects.
You should
keep your
workplace
clean and tidy
daily.
CONTROLLING THE FALL
Should only be considered after
determining that the fall hazard cannot
be eliminated or the possibility of
falling prevented
Least desirable method of protection
because it minimizes the
consequences of a fall rather than
preventing its occurrence
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Fall Protection
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Fall Restraint
Or
Fall Arrest?
2 8
Travel Restriction Systems
Use to prevent the user from reaching an
area where free-fall could occur (e.g.
leading edge roof work)
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Fall Protection
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USE OF BODY BELTS
Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are
prohibited as a fall arrest device. (OSHA)
Body belts can still be used as a
positioning device.
3 0
D-rings
Remember: DO NOT USE SAFETY
BELTS THAT SHOW SIGNS OF
DAMAGE!!!
3 1
Fall Protection
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FALL ARREST SYSTEMS
Protect you AFTER you fall by stopping the fall before
you hit the surface below
Purpose:
▪ Stop the fall
▪ Distribute the impact energy experienced during
the fall arrest
Includes:
Full body harness
Safety nets
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Fall Protection
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Elements of a Fall Arrest System
1. Anchor Point
2. Lifeline
3. Lanyard or Rope
4. Full-body Harness
ANCHORAGE
A secure point of attachment for
lanyards, lifelines, or deceleration
devices capable of withstanding the
anticipated forces applied during a fall
Shall be located above the worker to
avoid unnecessary swing in the event
of a fall
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Fall Protection
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Anchoring Non-Anchorages
Devices/Points ▪ Guardrails
▪ Structural Members ▪ Railings
▪ Anchors/Fasteners ▪ Ladders/Rungs
▪ Eyebolts ▪ Scaffoldings
▪ Imbeds ▪ Ductworks/Pipe
▪ Turnbuckles Vents
▪ Shackles ▪ Conduit/Plumbing
▪ Slings ▪ C-Clamps
▪ Retractables ▪ Roof stacks, vents,
▪ Cross Arm Straps fans
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LIFELINE
- is an independent length of
synthetic fiber or steel wire rope
attached to a point of anchorage at
one or both ends. It is used to guide a
fall arrest device.
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Fall Protection
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HORIZONTAL LIFELINE
• Consists of a fixed rail or
synthetic fiber rope or
wire rope rigged between
two substantial anchor
points
• Allows a worker to move
horizontally
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VERTICAL LIFELINE
An independent length
of synthetic fiber or steel
wire rope attached to a
point of anchorage. It is
used to guide a fall
arrest device.
It allows a worker to
move vertically on an
aerial lift device.
Fall Protection
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LANYARD
Flexible line of webbing or a synthetic or wire
rope used to secure a safety belt or full body
harness to a lifeline or anchor
Inspect the lanyard
before each use
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SHOCK ABSORBER
A shock absorber slows and
cushions the fall, reducing
the force of stopping the fall.
Warning: The shock absorber
may increase the length of
the lanyard by as much as
1.2 m (4 ft)during a fall. Allow
for this extra fall distance
when you include a a shock
absorber in your personal fall
protection system.
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Fall Protection
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FULL BODY HARNESS
Wear a full body harness if you are at risk of
falling
It consists of straps passed over the shoulders,
across the chest, and around the legs. In a fall,
a full body harness protects you more than a
safety belt, because it distributes the force of
impact over a greater area of your body.
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INSPECTING YOUR FULL BODY HARNESS
Inspect your harness before each
use.
Buckle
Webbing
4 3
Fall Protection
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D-rings
Look for bent, cracked, nicked, or
gouged rings.
Remember: IF THE HARNESS IS
DAMAGED OR WORN, DO NOT
WEAR IT!!
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SWING FALL HAZARD
Be careful not to tie
off to an anchor in
such a way that if
you fall, you’ll
swing into an
obstruction
A swing fall can be
as harmful as
falling to the ground
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Fall Protection
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AFTER A FALL
Immediately remove from service all
equipment used to arrest the fall. You
cannot use the equipment again until it
has been inspected and approved by the
manufacturer or other approved agent, or
by a professional engineer.
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FALL CONTAINMENT SYSTEM
Fall Protection
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SAFETY NET/MESH
Constructed of materials of sufficient strength
to catch a falling person or debris
Sufficient tension and clearance to prevent a
falling person against contacting any surface
or structure below the net
Inspected at least once a week for wear,
damage and other deterioration
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Fall Protection
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✓ You should use overhead shelter and
follow the designated passageways
✓ Do not take short cut to save time as you
may hit by falling objects when you do not
follow the designated passageways.
Overlay net is important because it protects
workers and public from being hit by falling objects
When entering or
leaving a building,
you must make use
of designated entry
point.
Fall Protection
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Training
Employers must provide fall protection
training which may cover:
➢ Fall hazards
(recognition and
minimization)
➢ Fall protection
systems
➢ Use of fall protection
devices
SUMMARY
If you can fall more than 6 feet, you must be
protected.
Use fall protection on:
➢ walkways & ramps, open sides & edges,
holes, concrete forms & rebar,
excavations, roofs, wall openings and
bricklaying
➢ Protective measures include guardrails,
covers, safety nets, and Fall Arrest
Systems
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Fall Protection
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END OF MODULE.
5 4
Fall Protection
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