Introduction to falls

:World Health Organisation defines a fall as •

•
An event which results in a person coming“ •
to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor
.”or other lower level
 ?What is fall protection
Fall protection is the backup system planned for
a worker who could lose his or her balance at
a height, in order to control or eliminate injury
.potential
 Fall Prevention Safety Theme at Work

above 1.8 m (6 ft) requires fall protection in the form of a

fixed fall protection system or a personal fall arrest
.system (PFAS)

When a complete fall protection

system, i.e., a guardrail with
toprails, midrails and
toeboards, is not in place, a
.PFAS must be used
 What You Need to Know
Fixed Fall Protection Systems
.Never climb on or over guardrail systems
Never use fixed fall protection systems that are being erected, unless
.you are part of the erection work party and wearing the correct PFAS
 What You Need to Know
Fixed Fall Protection Systems
.Never climb on or over guardrail systems
Never use fixed fall protection systems that are being
erected, unless you are part of the erection work party
.and wearing the correct PFAS
: Personal all Arrest Systems consist of
.Full-body harness with stirrups
.1
.Shock-absorbing lanyard OR self-retracting lifeline .2
Approved anchor point(s) .3
?Why is fall protection important
Falls from heights, such as ladders, scaffolds, work •
platforms, roofs, pipe racks, tops of tanks and tanker loading
platforms, claim many lives each year worldwide. They are
the leading can cause serious injury or death to workers in
the construction industry; all other industries, including oil
and gas, also suffer their share of fall related deaths and
serious
.Injuries
Let’s take a closer look at the basic facts of fall protection. It
can mean the difference between your employees going
home at the end of the day, or ending up in the hospital
Full Body Harness
Lanyard
Self-retracting Lifeline (inertia reel)
Connect directly to the full-body harness D-ring,
.never to a lanyard
 Anchor point(s)

Use only approved anchor points that safely

` kg (5,000 Ib) dead weight, i.e.,support 2,268
.approximate weight of a car
Anchor points are NOT guardrails, standpipes,
electrical conduit, etc., or any structure that
.cannot hold the specified dead weight
 :When using a PFAS, you must
Be trained for work at heights (equipment, procedure, •
.emergency rescue)
Inspect PFAS equipment prior to use to ensure there is no •
.damage
.Use approved anchor points only •
.Be 100% tied off (connected) at all times •
Never use PFAS equipment that has stopped a fall remove •
.it from service immediately
Never use a safety belt (body belt) as part of the system. •
All PFAS equipment must be to ANSI Z359.1 specifications.
Never be unconnected-maintain 100% tie-off all of the
!time
Thank you for listening!
?Any questions
 Fall prevention

A fall from heights can be fatal or cause •

serious injuries. Hazards are evidert when
conducting work at heights on equipment
such as ladders, scaffolds, work platforms,
.roofs, or the tops of tariker trucks
 Fall risks
Personnel working at a height of 1.8 m (6 ft), or •
above, are most at risk and must be protected by a
:fall protection system. Personnel must
.Recognize fall hazards • •
.Receive comprehensive fall prevention training • •
Know how to use a personal fall arrest system • •
.correctly
.Use a personal fall arrest system when required • •
 Training
Personnel carrying out work at heights must be trained and •
:Competent to do so. Training ensures personnel understand
.The risks of working at heights • •
The actions needed to be taken in order to minimize risks. • •
Personnel performing work at heights and their supervisors
must be trained to recognize potential fall hazards, which
include the safe use of ladders and scaffolds; and how to
use, inspect, maintain, and wear personal fall arrest systems,
and fall protection equipment. They must also: Demonstrate
.competency through written and practical tests
Undergo refresher training at least every three years • •
 Planning for work at heights
To eliminate work-related fall injuries, tasks should ideally be conducted at •
ground level. However, this may not always be practical. A hazard assessment of
the area and task is made to evaluate if working at heights is necessary, the
probability and severity of a fall, and if the work can be performed in a safer
location (i.e., at a lower height or on the ground). Planning ensures effective fall
prevention control is achieved through: Elimination of hazards. • Engineering
controls. • Administrative controls. • Use of fixed and personal fall arrest
systems. If working at heights is necessary, a fall protection plan must be
developed and include: • Fall hazaras of the job. • Specific tasks that require the
use of a fall arrest system. • Methods of access to elevated work areas (e.g.,
ladder, Scaffold). • Fall protection systems and equipment to be used. •
ldentification and fitting of correct fall protection equipment for the task. •
Selection of appropriate anchor points (i.e., anchorage). • Methods for securing
lanyards and lifelines. • Protection from falling objects. • Storage, inspection and
.maintenance of fall protection equipment. • High elevation rescue procedures
 Fall protection systems
Personnel working at a height of 1.8 m or more, as measured •
from the grade, floor, or lower surface, must be protected by
:an approved fall protection systen that is either

A fixed fall protection system, such as temporary scaffolding •

or permanent platforms with a complete guardrail system. …
A personal fall arrest system. The system used must be
selected according to the work required. When a fixed fall
protection system is not in place, or is incomplete (e.g.,
scaffold being constructed), a personal fall arrest system
.must be used
 Rescue plans
A rescue plan must be developed and practiced with •
site workers to ensure a rescue independent of
emergency response services is possible. Health risks
can occur if a worker remains suspended and it is
critical that a rescue be made as soon as possible. The
initial rescue must take place within 20 niriutos t ewer
iaing, and first aid given until emergency responders
artiv. A rescue plan may include the use of site access
equipment, such as a mobile elevating work platform
.or crane with a manbasket to facilitate a rescue
 Fall prevention •
Fall risks •
Training •
Planning for work at heights •
Fall protection systems •
Rescue plans •
References •
 References
Saudi Aramco Construction Safety Manual •
(CSM) • Volume Il, Chapter l-2, Scaffolding •
Volume ll, Chapter ll-3, Ladders and
Stepladders • Volume Il, Chapter ll-5, Fall
Protection Saudi Aramco General Instructions
(Gis) • GI 7.027 Crane Suspended Personnel
Platform (Manbasket) Operations • GI 8.001
Safety Requirements for Scaffold Saudi Aranco
Safety Handbook