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		TITLE:	ES&H Manual

DOCUMENT ID:	6131AppendixT1 Fall Protection Systems

1.0 Purpose

Employees may need to work in elevated situations. The tasks can be as simple as changing a light bulb or as difficult as repairing a crane. Both of these situations require fall protection for the employee while the job is being done. The impact from even four feet can be enough to cause serious injury.

2.0 Scope

Situation	Height
General Industry (Normal Operations) OSHA CFR 29 1910 Subpart F - 1910.66 app C
Open-sided floors & walkways, wall openings, etc. within 4 feet of the edge	4 feet and above
Working above or adjacent to dangerous equipment	Any Height
Construction OSHA 1926 Subpart M - Fall protection chapters 1926.500,501,502, and 503 App A,B,C,D, and E
Open-sided floors & walkways, wall openings, etc. within 6 feet of the edge	6 feet and above
Scaffolds (Width & length 45 inches)	10 feet and above
Steel Erection Unprotected sides of decks, floors	>15 feet above lower surface
Steel Erection Connecting (bolt-up) steel columns & beams	>30 feet above lower surface

NOTE: Employees who are exposed to fall hazards of 4ft. or higher through floor, wall, or other openings must be provided with, and must use, fall protection.

Fall protection systems selection

There are different types of fall protection systems available. In order to select the correct one for your work, you must first complete a Task Hazard Analysis (THA) (See ES&H Manual Chapter 3210 Appendix T2 Task Hazard Analysis (THA) Worksheet). In the THA, you shall identify the following:

height at which the task will be performed
type of movement required to perform the task, i.e., stationary, lateral
weight of the worker
location of anchor, or tie-off, points
other factors-rescue methods-length of time at the work station-number of workers needed-worksite conditions-other equipment/activities in the area that may pose a hazard to workers at elevated areas-environmental conditions

NOTE: As you develop your THA, look for opportunities to eliminate the fall hazard through the use of engineering controls. Moving the work to floor level or addition of platforms, railings, and toe boards are some examples

Fall protection systems are classified as either passive or active.

Passive fall protection

Passive fall protection consists of components and systems that do not require any action on the worker’s part. Passive fall protection systems include:

· general all-purpose nets

· personnel nets

· debris nets

These devices have a wide range of applications. Once properly installed, passive fall protection can protect the individual 100% of the time. However, they require a qualified person to design and inspect them.

Additional information is available in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 10.11-1989.

Active fall protection

Active fall protection is made up of components and systems that require some manipulation by the worker to make the protection effective. Active fall protection systems are divided into two general types, a positioning system or a fall arrest system. A positioning system restrains the elevated worker and prevents him from getting into a hazardous position where a fall could occur. The positioning system also has the added advantage of allowing hands-free work. A fall arrest system, is used when a worker is at risk of falling from an elevated position. Both systems have three components: anchor points, body harnesses or belts, and connection devices.

Just remember the ABCs:

A is for Anchor Point The critical component in all active fall protection--the anchor point--is the position on an independent structure to which the lanyard is securely attached. Supervisors and workers must analyze all hazards below and to the side of the anchor point to ensure that a falling worker does not strike or swing into any obstacles. The strength, location, and design must allow the worker enough mobility to perform the job.

Anchor points used for attaching personal fall arresting equipment have, depending on the equipment used, very specific criteria. Prior to designing, installing, or using such anchors, consult with your ESH&Q staff and Jefferson Lab’s Material Handling Equipment Representative. See ES&H Manual Chapter 2210 Appendix R1 Staff Assigned to ES&H Activities.

B is for Body Harness/Belt A body harness fits around the employee’s torso and is attached at the center of the wearer’s back to a lanyard and then to the anchor. A body harness is used in fall arrest systems. In the event of a fall, the body harness will distribute the force of the impact throughout the trunk of the body--not just the abdominal area. Belts are used in positioning system applications when you want to restrain the worker in position. This type of device shall not be used for any work in which a vertical free fall is possible.

C is for Connecting Device A connecting device attaches the body harness or belt to the anchor point. A connecting device can be a lanyard or a lifeline. Lanyards can be used in both fall arrest systems and positioning systems. Lanyards may also have a shock-absorbing feature built-in that reduces the potential fall arrest force.

Lifelines allow the worker to move along the length of the line rather than having to disconnect and find a new anchor point. Lifelines are usually used in conjunction with rope grabs. As long as tension is slack on the lifeline, the worker may move. If a fall occurs, the tension on the rope grab triggers an internal mechanism to arrest the fall.

Inspections and Maintenance

Fall protection system devices (harnesses, belts, lanyards) shall be inspected prior to each use and defective equipment shall be removed from service immediately. In addition, personal fall arrest systems and their components that have arrested a fall must be removed from service and shall not be used again until inspected by Jefferson Lab’s Material Handling Equipment Representative.

Inspection of fall-protection body harnesses is mandatory by the ANSI standards for fall protection gear, by OSHA regulations, and by Lab policy. This applies to fall-arrest, fall-restraint, and retrieval harnesses.

Out-of Date Inspection or Past Service-Life End Date

Before you use a harness at Jefferson Lab, examine it to locate the12-month inspections recorded on a tag or decal on the harness. Also note if the harness has exceeded the service-life date printed on the label or decal.

Harnesses that have an inspection date 12 months or longer ago, or appear to have exceeded the service life date (date made or placed into use plus service-life duration) must be inspected by the Jefferson Lab Material Handling Services Coordinator (MHSC) at ext. 7406 or your division ESH&Q Safety Officer before use. In all cases the equipment failing the inspection shall be brought to the MHSC for disposal and replacement.

Manufacturer-Specified Service Life

If you wear a fall-protection harness, you want it to function as intended - saving your life or preventing serious injury. Manufacturers of harnesses and other fall-protection gear have very specific recommendations on the maximum service life of their products and how to detect indications of early deterioration because of harsh use and exposure conditions. No harness has an indefinite service life.

For example, a harness worn only indoors, or only a few times a month, and stored neatly in a closed cabinet, will have a much longer life than one worn outdoors every day. A harness exposed to the sun or welding arcs is likely to deteriorate more quickly due to the effects of UV light on the harness fabric. Ionizing radiation may cause the same effects. Ozone (atmospheric, from arcs, or high-potential electrical fields) also hastens fabric deterioration.

While inspecting a harness, any doubts regarding the condition of the harness should be brought to the attention of the Material Handling Safety Representative (MHSR) (ext. 7406). The MHSR can inspect and, if necessary, replace the harness. All faulty or substandard life support harnesses should be turned in to the MHSR for disposal.

Inspecting for Wear:

There are two complementary levels of inspection:

1. To ensure your harness will perform safely, it must be inspected prior to each use by its wearer - following the manufacturer’s recommendations and ESH&Q Manual guidance. This applies to all harnesses, whether designed for fall restraint, fall arrest, or rescue/retrieval. The inspection looks for evidence of mildew, wear, cuts, tears, abrasions, contact with fire, corrosives, solvents, and any other damage or deterioration. Defective components shall be removed from service.

2. The Jefferson Lab MHSC or a division ESH&Q Safety Officer shall inspect each harness each year on its anniversary date. This date should be recorded on a tag attached to the body harness for that purpose, or recorded in a logbook with the serial number of that harness. This level of inspection is performed by subject matter experts and safety professionals trained to look for more detailed indications of wear and material weakening.

Typical Inspection Items of any Harnesses Before-Use:

Inspect the harness to verify that it is in serviceable condition.
Examine the harness straps for severe wear, cuts, burns, frayed edges, abrasion, or other damage.
Examine stitching for any pulled, loose, or torn stitches.
Look for water damage (mold).
Look for chemical or sunlight damage (discoloration, faded portions of webbing, brittleness)
Examine buckles, rings and other metallic components for corrosion, cracks, or distortion. Do not use harness if inspection reveals an unsafe condition.
Read harness information labels.

Components (and their quantities) of a typical harness for annual inspection:

FABRIC (FIBROUS) PARTS

WEBBING (STRAPS)

1. Shoulder (2)

2. Thigh (2)

3. Sub Pelvic (1)

STITCHING

1. Shoulder straps (2)

2. Thigh straps (2)

3. Shoulder strap tips (2)

4. Thigh strap tips (2)

5. Label (2)

6. Sub Pelvic straps (2)

METALLIC PARTS

1. D-ring, back (1)

2. D-rings, hip (if present) (2)

3. Adjuster/buckle (2)

4. Thigh strap buckle (2)

PLASTIC PARTS

1. Back D-ring locator pad (1)

2. Chest strap guide (1)

3. Strap collar (4)

4. Label (1)

	ISSUING AUTHORITY	APPENDIX AUTHOR	APPROVAL DATE	EFFECTIVE DATE	EXPIRATION DATE	REV.
	ESH&Q Division	Manny Nevarez	03/10/2006	03/10/2006	03/10/2009	0

This document is controlled as an on line file. It may be printed but the print copy is not a controlled document. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the document is the same revision as the current on line file. This copy was printed on 10/13/2009.