Fall Accidents

Fall to a work surface

Fall against an object
Fall from moving vehicle/equipment
Fall from stairs, ramps and ladders
Fall from edge of work level
Fall into/through an opening
Fall from one work level to the other
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Falling Object Protection

Hard hats required

Protect employees below
Barricade
Toe boards at edge of platform
Provide Canopies

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 Fall Protection System
Categories
Guard Rail Systems
Surface Opening Protection
Work Positioning Systems
Travel Restraint Systems
Fall Arrest Systems
Rescue Systems
Suspension Systems
Fall Containment Systems

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Guard Rail Systems

Department of Labor and Employment

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Wooden guardrail with
midrail and toeboard

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Guardrail System

Department of Labor and Employment

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Handrails

Department of Labor and Employment

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Surface Opening Protection

Department of Labor and Employment

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Common Pieces of Equipment
Shock Absorbing
Lanyard Self Rope &
Retracting Cable
Lifelines Grabs

Cross-
Carabiners Arm Strap

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Work Positioning Systems

These systems are designed to hold and sustain

the user at a work location and limit the free fall
to two feet or less, as in rebar work or tree
trimming. These are examples of typical
components of a work positioning system:

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Work Positioning Systems

Body Support: Full Body Harness

Connecting Component: Chain or web
rebar assembly, rope or web lanyard
Anchorage Connector: Carabiner or
snap hook
Anchorage: Rebar or Support Structure

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Restraint Systems

These are systems designed to prevent the user

from reaching an area where free-fall could occur
so no free-fall is possible, as in leading edge roof
work. Here are some elements and examples of
restraint systems:

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Restraint Systems
Body Support: Full Body Harness or
Body Belt
Connecting Component: Rope or
web lanyard
Anchorage Connector:
Carabiner,Tie-Off Adapter, Roof
Anchor
Anchorage: Beam or Support
Structure

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Travel Restraint Systems

Department of Labor and Employment

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Restraint Systems

Department of Labor and Employment

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Fall Arrest

These systems are designed to stop a free-fall of

up to 6 feet, and limit the maximum forces of a
user to 1800 pounds or less, as in steel erection or
elevated maintenance work. The following are the
four elements of a fall arrest and some examples:

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Fall Arrest Systems

Department of Labor and Employment

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Fall Arrest

Department of Labor and Employment

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Fixed static line with a shock absorber for use with
safety harnesses and lanyards

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Required minimum clearance below
the level of the line anchorages

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A Typical Fall Arrest Arrangement

 Consists of:
 Anchorage Connector
 Shock Absorbing
Lanyard
 Full Body Harness

 The anchorage connector

must be attached to a
suitable and strong
attachment point
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Requirements for Personal
Fall Arrest System

Limit maximum arresting force of a worker to

900 pounds (4 KiloNewtons) when used with a
body belt;
Limit maximum arresting force of a worker to
1,800 pounds (8 KiloNewtons) when used with a
body harness;
Be rigged so that a worker can neither free fall
more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) nor contact any
lower level;

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Requirements for Personal
Fall Arrest System
Bring an employee to a complete stop and limit
maximum deceleration distance a worker travels
to 3.5 feet (1.07 meters); and
Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the
potential impact energy of a worker free falling a
distance of 6 feet (1.8 meters) or the free fall
distance permitted by the system, whichever is
less.

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Rescue Systems

These systems which are designed to raise or

lower a user to safety in the event of an
emergency, so no free-fall is possible (i.e.
confined space work). The following are the
four elements of a rescue system and examples
of each:

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Rescue Systems

Body Support: Full Body Harness

Connecting Component: Lifeline
(winch, self retracting lifeline) and Y-
lanyard
Anchorage Connector: Tripod, Davit
Arm
Anchorage: Support Structure or
Surface

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Suspension System

These systems support and suspend the

user while being transported up or down
vertically and will not allow a free fall.
Here are some elements and examples of
suspension systems:

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Suspension System

Body Support: Full Body Harness

and a Boatswain’s Chair
Connecting Component: Lifeline
(rope, rescue positioning device)
rope or web lanyard
Anchorage Connector: Carabiner,
Tripod, Davit Arm,Tie-off Adapter
Anchorage: Beam or Support
Structure or Surface
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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.

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Dee-Rings and Snap Hooks

Dee-rings and snap hooks must have a minimum

tensile strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2
KiloNewtons).
Dee-rings and snap hooks shall be proof-tested
to a minimum tensile load of 3,600 pounds (16
KiloNewtons) without cracking, breaking, or
suffering permanent deformation.

Department of Labor and Employment

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Fall Containment System

Department of Labor and Employment

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Safety Net

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
Installed so that it extends 2.5m (8 ft) beyond the
edge of the work area and not further than 7.5m
(25 ft) below the working surface

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Safety Mesh
Provides fall protection for roof installers,
maintenance and repair works
Used in conjunction with appropriate edge
protection,guardrails or fall arrest systems and
devices
Should not be used for access to or egress from a
work area or as a working platform

Note: When installing safety net or safety mesh,

elevating working platforms, scaffolding or fall
arrest systems should be used.
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Means of installing safety mesh across the
roof prior to fixing it in position.

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Additional Training

Extensive training is needed to fully

understand and utilize much of the fall
protection equipment available.
A competent person must evaluate work
conditions to insure safety when working in
elevated locations.
Most manufacturers provide very extensive
programs in fall protection.

Department of Labor and Employment

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 Department of Labor and Employment
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