FALL PROTECTION

IN THE
WORKPLACE
 FALL PROTECTION
IN THE
WORKPLACE
FALLS CAN BE FATAL
• In the blink of an eye we can hit the ground hard.
• Consequences of ignoring fall protection is obvious
• Falls on the job kill 11,000 people and cause more
than 200,000 disabling injuries per year
 FALL PROTECTION
IN THE
WORKPLACE
Fall Hazards
Ladders
Scaffolds
Buckets
Towers
Work Platforms
OR
From any other off ground situation
 FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

Keep Your SAFETY in Mind

Inspect equipment before use
• Get faulty equipment repaired before using it
• Follow safe work practices in all off-the-ground
situations
– (4 feet or more off-the-ground and 6 feet or more off-
the-ground in construction industry)
 FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

LADDERS
• Are the rungs in good condition?
• Use a three point climb (2 feet and 1 hand or 2
hands and 1 foot)
• Always face the front of the ladder
• Keep hands on side rails at all times
• Keep weight centered
 FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

LADDERS

• Are you using the belt buckle rule?

Keep your belt buckle between side rails of ladder at all times

DON’T RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

GUARD RAILS
• Designed to keep people from falling
• Around platforms or walkways
• May be temporary or permanent
• Rails must be able to support 200 lbs
• Rails must be 39 to 45 inches above surface
 FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

SAFETY NETS
• Used where guard rails are impractical or
impossible to install
• Personal nets are intended to catch people
• Debris nets are intended to catch tools and
debris
• Must be inspected regularly, generally weekly.
 FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEM

Used only when other types of fall protection cannot be
used
• Designed to tether a worker to an anchor point
• Used to protect workers climbing vertical distances
• Used to protect workers on horizontal surfaces high
above the ground.
FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEM

Contains the following components:

FULL BODY HARNESS
CONNECTING DEVICE
ANCHOR POINT (support 5,000 lbs)
 FALL PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE

PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEM

Inspection and Maintenance
• Frayed or broken harness straps
• D-ring securely attached and not bent
• Tears, missing stitches or damaged hardware
 FALL PROTECTION QUIZ
Circle TRUE or FALSE for each of the statements below:

1. Falls can cause about 11,000 on-the-job deaths each year.

TRUE FALSE

2. A three-point climb means a ladder must be attached at three points.

TRUE FALSE

3. Netting on a guard rail prevents people and items from falling.

TRUE FALSE

4. Personal fall protection systems include two items: A full body harness and a connecting device.
TRUE FALSE

5. Personal fall protection systems vary depending on the work being done but all include a full body
harness
TRUE FALSE

6. Fall protection systems may be connected to water or sewer lines or an electrical conduit.
TRUE FALSE