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TITLE |
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DOCUMENT ID |
6131
Appendix T2: Active Fall
Protection Systems |
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Active
fall protection systems require workers to wear or use fall protection
equipment. This document describes the types, components, inspections, care and
maintenance of active fall protection systems used at Jefferson Lab.
The following
types of active fall protection systems are used at Jefferson Lab:
· Fall Restraint Systems
· Fall Arrest Systems
Use of active fall protection systems is governed by a work control
document: either an OSP, TOSP, or Fall
Protection Permit.
This
appendix is written in coordination with ES&H Manual Chapter 6131
Fall Protection Systems.
Note: Management authority may be delegated to a
task-qualified TJNAF employee at the discretion of the responsible manager.
3.1
Employees Using Active Fall
Protection Systems
· Maintain current training,
applicable to use of active fall protection systems, and work control documents.
·
Collect
active fall protection system components from the Material Handling Manager (MHM).
·
Conduct
a pre-use inspection of active fall protection system equipment.
·
Wear
the appropriate active fall protection equipment for the job.
·
Do
not use any equipment which fails a pre-use inspection or is past due for a
formal inspection. Remove from service
and notify supervision.
·
Transfer
any active fall protection system component that fails a pre-use inspection, is
past due for a formal inspection, or has arrested a fall, to the MHM.
· Review, sign, and abide by hazard mitigation methods outlined in work control documents.
3.2
Supervision
·
Ensure
that work control documents are completed
and approved prior to start
of work, and workers have been trained.
·
Ensure
walking/working surfaces can support maximum loads.
· Ensure
anchorages for active fall protection systems have been evaluated and approved
by a qualified person.
·
Ensure
that proper active fall protection is being employed by workers.
·
Ensure
all active fall protection system components are available for formal
inspection by the MHM.
·
Ensure
active fall protection equipment is stored appropriately to prevent damage from
operations, the environment, or other work activity.
3.3
Material Handling Manager (MHM)
·
Conduct
formal inspections of all active fall protection system components annually or in
accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, whichever is more frequent.
·
Purchase
and issue active fall protection system equipment.
·
Maintain
inspection records of active fall protection system components.
·
Dispose
of defective or otherwise unusable active fall protection system components.
·
Conduct
harness fitting for affected personnel and certify individuals have
demonstrated proper donning/doffing of active fall protection system gear.
· Approve
use of crane hooks as anchor points.
3.4
ES&H Fall Protection Subject Matter Expert
(SME)
·
Establish
and maintain training programs for active fall protection systems.
· Conduct pre-work walk-downs of
jobsite prior to approval of
work control documents.
·
Provide
oversight on the implementation of active fall protection systems.
· Approve
use of crane hooks as anchor points.
3.5
Anyone at Jefferson Lab
·
If
the integrity or load-bearing capacity of a walking/working surface is
questioned, suspend work, secure the area, and notify supervision.
4.0
Types of Active Fall Protection Systems
Note: Active fall protection system components must be used exclusively for employee fall protection and shall not be used for any other purpose such as hoisting equipment or materials. |
4.1
Fall
Restraint Systems
· Fall
restraint systems prevent workers from being exposed to fall hazards by
limiting their movement and are preferred over fall arrest systems.
· Restraint
systems consist of anchorages, anchorage connectors, lanyards, and full body
harnesses.
·
Restraint
system components must meet the same criteria as fall arrest components.
· Fall arrest systems are used to limit fall distances so that a
worker does not free fall more than 6 ft. A free fall may exceed 6 ft. only if
the fall arrest system has been designed, tested, and rated for the increased
free fall distance, and limits arresting forces on worker to a maximum of 1,800
lb.
· Fall arrest systems limit fall distances so that a worker neither
contacts a lower level nor dangerous equipment.
· Fall arrest systems consist of anchorages, anchorage connectors,
lanyards, and full body harnesses.
5.0
Active Fall Protection System Components
5.1
Anchorage
· Anchorages are secure points for attachment of lanyards or
connecting devices.
·
All anchorages must be evaluated and
approved by a qualified
person.
o FM&L Division
must approve use of building structures (including alterations or additions) as
anchorages for fall protection.
o Crane hooks may be used for anchorage only with the prior approval
of the Fall Protection Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Material Handling
Manager (who serves as the qualified
person).
· Anchorages must be capable of supporting, without failure:
o
At least 5,000 lbs.
per person attached;
OR
o
Designed, installed,
and used under the supervision of a qualified
person as part of a fall protection system, which
maintains a factor of safety of at least 2.
A qualified
person is
one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional
standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has
successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating
to the subject matter, the work, or the project. |
·
Tie-off adaptors
(cross-arm straps), beam clamps, beam trolleys, and eye-bolts are examples of
anchorage connectors.
·
Anchorage
connectors must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs. (for connection
of one person). Workers should consult with the Fall Protection SME if
questions arise regarding the selection of an appropriate anchorage connector
for a specific application.
· Anchorage
connectors are issued by JLab’s
Material Handling Manager (MHM).
·
Lanyards are flexible
ropes, wire ropes, or straps, typically with connectors (such as snaphooks) at
both ends, for attachment of full body harnesses to anchorages or anchorage connectors.
·
Lanyards may be fixed
length, have a shock-absorbing feature (deceleration device) and/or be of
a self-retractable design. Snaphooks must be of the self-closing and locking type,
and, unless designed by the manufacturer for the following connections, shall
not be connected:
o
Directly to rope or
webbing
o
To each other
o
To a D-Ring in which
another snaphook or connector is attached.
·
Tying knots in
lanyards reduces their strength - this practice is prohibited.
· Lanyards, including lines used for fall restraint, must have a
minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs. JLab’s
Material Handling Manager (MHM) issues lanyards to
workers.
5.4 Full
Body Harness
· Body harnesses consist of a series of straps secured around a
worker in order to distribute fall arrest or restraint forces over the thighs,
pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders, containing a means, such as a D-ring, of
connecting it to a lanyard or other component of a fall protection system.
Note: Use of safety belts is prohibited at Jefferson Lab. |
· Workers must receive, and be fitted for, full body harnesses by JLab’s
Material Handling Manager (MHM). The D-rings and straps for full body harnesses
must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.
Note: Fall protection equipment used by Jefferson Lab personnel (including term and contract employees) shall be issued by JLab’s MHM. |
Use of active fall
protection, including both fall restraint and fall arrest, requires work to be
performed in accordance with one of the following work control documents:
· Operational Safety
Procedure (OSP)
· Temporary
Operational Safety Procedure (TOSP)
· Fall Protection
Permit
Active fall
protection system components are inspected by workers prior to use, along with
a formal inspection conducted by the MHM. Any component failing a pre-use
inspection, past-due for a formal inspection, or otherwise whose integrity is
suspect, shall not be used, but immediately transferred to the MHM.
7.1
Formal Inspection
The MHM shall conduct a formal inspection
of all fall protection components annually or in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations; whichever is more frequent.
7.2
Pre-Use
Inspection
Workers shall perform a pre-use inspection of their active fall protection system components. Unacceptable conditions include, but are not limited to:
·
Cuts,
tears, burns, abrasions, frayed fibers, chemical attack, mold, broken or
missing stitching, or other deterioration
·
Missing,
distorted, corroded, or otherwise damaged components
·
Excessive
wear (thinning or stretched components)
·
Alteration
or modification of components
·
Improper
fit
·
Evidence
that fall protection system components have previously arrested a fall
·
Any
other condition causing the integrity of the component to be questioned
·
Last
formal inspection date beyond 12 months
8.0
Care and Maintenance
8.1
Cleaning
· Hand-scrubbing
is an effective method of cleaning active fall protection system components.
· Use a
solution of water and mild laundering detergent (bleach-free) as a pre-soak and
cleaning agent.
· Once
cleaned, rinse the components with water and hang to air dry in a
well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.
· Do not
use high pressure washers or steam cleaners, as these devices may damage fall
protection components.
· Do not
directly apply heat to the components in order to lessen drying time.
8.2
Storage
·
Active fall protection system components are stored
in isolated areas, such as lockers or closets, where they are not subject to
moisture or sunlight.
·
Storage areas should be selected to protect
components from damage due to facility operations, work activities, chemical
exposure, or from other stored items (such as sharp objects).
9.0 Rescue
In the event a worker has
experienced a fall and requires assistance, dial 9-1-1 immediately and request
response from the Newport News Fire Department. If a cell phone is used to dial
9-1-1, contact Jefferson Lab security at 757-269-5822 so that they may direct
the first responders to the jobsite (security is automatically notified if 9-1-1
is dialed via a Jefferson Lab land-line phone).
10.0 Revision Summary
Revision 2.4 –
11.08.2023 – Changed TPOC from GPerry to CBailey; extended review date due
to staffing and transition of duties; updated header and footer hyperlinks
Revision 2.3 – 04/28/2020 –
Periodic review; align
with T1, T3, and T4 and to include permit and qualified persons.
Revision 2.2 – 06/13/18 – Minor updates for clarification per
TPOC
Revision 2.1 – 09/13/16 – Clarification of THA documentation
in Section 6.0
Revision 2.0 – 12/01/15 – Periodic
Review; updated
procedure to address action plans resulting from self-assessment
Revision 1.3 – 03/18/15 – Technical POC updated from
B.Manzlak to G.Perry per B. Rainey
Revision 1.2 – 10/27/14 – Technical POC updated from N.Walker
to current SME B.Manzlak
Revision 1.1 – 12/04/12 – Qualifying
periodic review; No
substantive changes required
Revision 1.0 – 12/23/09 – Content updated to reflect current
laboratory operations.