TITLE

ES&H Manual

 

DOCUMENT ID

6131 Appendix T4:

Fall Protection Permit Instructions

 

1.0           Purpose

A work control document is required to govern the use of active fall protection systems (fall arrest or fall restraint).  Unless work is performed in accordance with an Operational Safety Procedure (OSP) or Temporary Operational Safety Procedure (TOSP), a Fall Protection Permit must be completed and approved to satisfy the work control document requirement.

This appendix provides instruction for completing a Fall Protection Permit to authorize use of active fall protection systems.

2.0           Scope

Jefferson Lab requires fall protection if personnel may fall 4 ft. or more to a lower level, or come into contact with dangerous equipment regardless of fall distance. The Fall Protection Permit may be used, if work is not covered by an OSP or TOSP, as a temporary work control document for application of active fall protection systems.

Fall Protection Permits are applicable only to JLab staff, and are valid for a maximum of 30 calendar days beyond their issue date.

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 Fall Protection Systems

·       Maintain current training, applicable to use of active fall protection systems.

·       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 equipment that fails a pre-use inspection or is past due for a formal inspection. Remove from service and notify supervision.

·       Transfer 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 Fall Protection Permit.

3.2            Supervision

·       Complete Fall Protection Permits and obtain necessary approvals prior to start of work.

·       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 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            ESH 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 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 activity, secure the area, and notify supervision.

·       If the integrity of fall protection systems is questioned, or observed to be deficient, suspend work activity, secure the area, and notify supervision.

4.0           Fall Protection Permit Preparation

4.1       General Requirements

·       The Fall Protection Permit form may be accessed at:

Click

for

Fall Protection Permit

·       The permit form is to be completed by the supervisor of those performing work using active fall protection (work supervisor).

·       Fall protection permits are valid for a maximum of 30 calendar days beyond the issue date.

·       The completed permit form is to be posted in the immediate vicinity of the jobsite.

·       All person(s) using active fall protection must be current in the following training courses:

o   SAF 202 – Personal Fall Protection

o   SAF 202A – Harness Fitting

o   SAF 202B – Fall Protection (Site Specific)

4.2            Specific Requirements

Note:  Complete all other sections of the permit form, including authorization signatures, prior to entering Issue and Expiration Dates.

·       Issue Date:  Date the permit form has been satisfactorily completed, and all signatures obtained.  This is the date of the first day which active fall protection may be used in accordance with the permit.

·       Expiration Date:  The date of the last day in which the permit is valid, not to exceed 30 calendar days beyond the issue date.  If the duration of work exceeds 30 days, a new permit shall be completed, approved, and posted at the jobsite.

·       Building:  Indicate the building at which work will be performed (indoors or outdoors), or the building closest to the work.  Use either the building description (e.g., Test Lab) or building number (e.g., Bldg. 58) or both.

·       Area:  Identify the specific location, within or outside the building, at which work will be performed.

·       Work Supervisor:  Record the full name of the supervisor of the individual(s) using active fall protection, as well as the cell phone number at which they can be reached.  If multiple work groups are involved, a single individual must be identified/designated as the Work Supervisor (point-of-contact), or as an alternative, post a separate permit for each work group.

·       Fall Exposure(s): Identify all locations representing a hazard to personnel of falling 4 ft. or more to a lower level, or contacting dangerous equipment.

·       Fall Arrest vs. Restraint:  Check appropriate box by the type of active fall protection being used, either fall arrest (which limits fall distances) or fall restraint (which prevents workers from being exposed to fall hazards).

·       Working Surface:  Briefly identify/describe the following:

o   What means will be used (such as, a portable ladder, roof hatch, etc.) to access the work site;

o   The walking/working surface(s) which will be used by personnel;

o   The maximum intended load(s) on the working surface;

The person evaluating the working surface(s) must record their name, sign and date the permit.

·       Anchorages

o   Identify what is being used for fall protection anchorage;

o   Check appropriate box to answer the following two questions:

Note:  At least one of the two responses must be marked ‘Yes’ as being applicable.

§  Are anchorages capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs. per person attached?  If this is marked ‘Yes’, a qualified person must record their name, sign and date the permit.  Otherwise, mark ‘N/A’.

§  Are anchorages designed, installed, & used under the supervision of a qualified person, with a minimum safety factor of 2?  If this is marked ‘Yes’, a qualified person for each phase (design, installation, and use) must record their name, sign and date the permit.  Note: horizontal lifelines must have a safety factor of at least 2, and require a qualified person to supervise their design, installation, and use.  Otherwise, mark ‘N/A’.

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.  A list of lab staff may be located at Qualified Persons for Fall Protection.

·       Cranes:  Check the appropriate box to indicate if a crane hook is being used for anchorage of the active fall protection system.  If ‘Yes’, the Material Handling Manager (MHM) must record their name, sign and date the permit.  If ‘No’, mark ‘N/A’.

·       Fall Protection Components:  Record the manufacturer, model no., and/or a brief description of the following active fall protection system components, making note of any specific features necessary for its successful use, and its latest annual inspection date (marked on the equipment):

o   Anchorage Connector;

o   Lanyard;

o   Full Body Harness.

·       Authorizations:  The Work Supervisor and ESH Fall Protection SME (or assigned designee) must record their name, sign and date the permit.

·       Person(s) Using Fall Protection:  Personnel performing work using active fall protection systems must review identified requirements, then record their name, sign and date the permit.

4.3       Additional Requirements

·       Upon conclusion of work covered by the Fall Protection Permit, the form shall be removed from the jobsite and forwarded by the Work Supervisor to the ESH Division, Fall Protection SME.

·       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).

5.0           Revision Summary

Revision 0.1 – 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 0.0 – 04-28-2020 – Initial content to support associated chapter and appendices changes

 

 

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

0.1

 

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.