TITLE

ES&H Manual

 

DOCUMENT ID

6131 Appendix T2:

Active Fall Protection Systems

 

1.0           Purpose

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.

2.0           Scope

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.

3.0           Responsibilities

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.

4.2        Fall Arrest Systems

·       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.

5.2            Anchorage Connector

·       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). 

5.3            Lanyard

·       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.

6.0           Work Control Documents

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

7.0           Inspections

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.

 

 

ISSUING AUTHORITY

TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT

APPROVAL DATE

NEXT REVIEW DATE

REVIEW CYCLE

rev

 

 

ES&H Division

Chad Bailey

04.28.2020

04.28.2024

3 years

2.4

 

This document is controlled as an online 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 online file.  This copy was printed on 11/30/2023.