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FALL PROTECTION GUIDELINE July 2001 2 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ..........

FALL PROTECTION GUIDELINE July 2001 2 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................3 CONTROL MEASURES............................................................................................................................................4 SURFACE PROTECTION.........................................................................................................................................4 FIXED BARRIERS .....................................................................................................................................................5 EXAMPLES OF GUARDRAIL.................................................................................................................................6 WARNING BARRIERS .............................................................................................................................................7 HANDRAILS ...............................................................................................................................................................8 SURFACE OPENING PROTECTION.....................................................................................................................8 TRAVEL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.........................................................................................................................10 FALL ARREST SYSTEMS......................................................................................................................................10 SLOPED-ROOF ARREST SYSTEM......................................................................................................................13 FIXED LADDERS.....................................................................................................................................................14 AERIAL DEVICES...................................................................................................................................................15 FALL CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS .......................................................................................................................16 STANDARDS REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................16 3 Introduction Falls account for approximately 15 percent of all lost time injuries and fatalities in Manitoba workplaces. Falls not only happen in traditionally hazardous occupations, such as construction work, but can occur in all types of workplaces. Categories of Falls Fall to work surface (i.e. slips) Fall against an object Fall from moving vehicle/equipment Fall from stairs, ramps and ladders Fall from one work level to the other Fall from edge of work level Fall into/through an opening Note: In Manitoba, an employer must ensure that a worker is protected from falling a vertical distance of 2.5 metres (8 ft.) or more, as required by regulations under the WSH Act. Evaluating the Risk When assessing the workplace for fall hazards, it is important to undertake a complete risk evaluation. This evaluation can be done in the form of a job hazard analysis, where the work task is broken down into a number of distinguishable steps. The steps are then analyzed to determine the hazards and identify preventative measures to protect against the hazards. (See CCOHS "Job Hazard Analysis" Guideline.) It is necessary to use a process such as this to determine where there is a risk of falls in the workplace. Once the hazards have been identified, preventative measures can be undertaken to protect against such falls. 4 Control Measures Fall Protection Systems Categories Surface protection (non-slip flooring) Fixed barriers (handrails,guardrails) Surface opening protection (removable covers, guardrails) Travel restraint systems (safety line and belt) Fall arrest systems (safety line and harness) Fall containment systems (safety nets) The selection of the particular fall protection system to control the hazard to the worker is dependent upon the circumstances and the job task. Ideally, the choice of a protection system will be one that removes the risk of falling entirely. For example, it is preferable to provide a fixed barrier to prevent a worker from falling, than personal protective equipment (safety harness and lifeline). In this way, the worker is never in a position where an actual fall may occur. Otherwise, the worker must rely on the personal protective equipment system to safely arrest the fall. Surface Protection Housekeeping In order to prevent slips and falls on the same surface, it is a matter of providing a work surface free from tripping and slipping hazards. This can be accomplished by ensuring that good housekeeping practices are instituted at the workplace. It is important to keep the work area free of equipment and materials that are not required for the task at hand. Non-slip floors Floors that may become slippery due to the work operations should be provided with a non-slip type surface or coating that will provide a secure walking surface. Footwear with special soles may be also required. Material spills must be cleaned up immediately, especially if it creates a slippery surface. 5 Fixed Barriers A fixed barrier must be capable of stopping a worker from proceeding past the edge of a work level or into a floor opening. Barriers may be permanent or temporary, depending on the circumstances at the workplace. Types include: guardrails, handrails, ladder cages, fencing, warning barriers. Guardrail Generally speaking, a guardrail is a permanent or portable structural system consisting of a top rail, mid-rail and toe board secured to vertical posts intended to stop a worker from inadvertently stepping off a working level and falling to a level below. Guardrailing consists of a top rail at a height of between 900mm and 1060mm (36 to 42 inches) above the working surface with an intermediate rail midway between the top rail and bottom level. The guardrailing must be of capable of resisting a static load of 900 Newton's (200 pound force) at any point along the rails. When guardrailing is constructed of wood, all members shall be at least nominal 50 by 100mm (2" by 4") with a span of no more than 2.5 metres (8') between posts. Where there is a danger of materials or objects falling from the work surface to a working level below, a toeboard 125 mm (5 inches) in height is required to be secured to the guardrail posts. Guardrail posts must be capable of supporting any loads applied to the top rail. They must be securely attached to the base and braced where necessary to remain solid and secure. Posts are not to exceed a maximum spacing of 2.5 metres (8 feet) apart. There are many different variations of guardrails, including wood-slat, wire rope, steel frame, safety fencing, tube and clamp, perimeter netting and others. Any of these variations is acceptable, as long as the system meets the basic design characteristics as mentioned previously. For example, where wire rope (cable) is used for guardrailing, it must be tensioned to provide equivalent strength protection as a wooden guardrail system with a top and intermediate rail. 6 EXAMPLES OF GUARDRAIL 7 Prior to and during the installation of guardrailing, it is essential that a safety harness and an independent lifeline, properly secured to an adequate fixed anchor is used by each and every worker who may go near any open edge and may be exposed to the risk of falling a distance exceeding 2.5 metres (8 feet). Where a guardrail is temporarily removed, warning signs or warning tape should be used to mark off the hazard area. Warning Barriers A warning barrier is used to indicate to workers that they are approaching a hazardous work area, where a potential to falling exists. The warning barrier is used where it is not reasonably practicable to provide fixed barrier protection, or a guardrail has been temporarily removed from an area. This system may utilize a cable, rope, or a fence system which is set up at least 2 metres from the work surface opening or edge. The effectiveness of this type of system is increased when high visibility flagging or other means is used to mark the warning barrier. A warning system is not a substitute for guardrailing as it is usually of lesser strength and offers no protection to the worker who must go near the edge of a work area. Workers who are required to go beyond the warning barrier must use a travel restraint or fall arrest system. Lifelines must not be tied to the warning system or barricade. 8 Handrails On the open side of stairs, ramps and other similar means of access, proper handrails must be provided. These serve as both a physical barrier and a means of support to a worker moving up and down the accessway. Handrails should be designed the same as a guardrail, with a top rail, intermediate rail and a toe board where workers may be working below. Examples of handrails Surface Opening Protection Guardrails/ floor coverings Surface openings in floors and other walking surfaces where workers have access, must be protected by guardrailing or secured wood or metal covers. The covering must be capable of supporting all loads to which it may be subjected. The covering must also be identified to indicate that there is an opening below. When plywood is used to cover openings, the minimum thickness shall be 19mm (3/4") with proper support for the plywood. If work must be undertaken near unprotected openings from which a worker could fall 2.5 metres or more, access must be restricted to workers who are wearing full body safety harnesses and lifelines secured to proper anchorage. As soon as the necessary work is completed, the opening should be protected by guardrailing or adequate covering. REMEMBER: IF A FIXED BARRIER OR SURFACE COVER IS REMOVED FOR ANY REASON, PROPER TRAVEL RESTRAINT OR FALL ARREST SYSTEMS MUST BE PROVIDED FOR ANY WORKER WHO BECOMES AT RISK OF FALLING. 9 Surface Opening Protection 10 Travel Restraint Systems Example of travel restraint system A travel restraint system is intended to limit a worker's movement so the worker is unable to reach a location where there is a risk of falling. The restraint system is made up of a safety belt (or safety harness), lifeline and/or lanyard and anchor. The safety belt is secured to a lifeline having a fixed length which is attached to a secure anchor. The length of the lifeline is such that the worker can only proceed to within approximately 1 metre of an opening or edge. Under no circumstances should a travel restraint system be rigged so that a worker is in a position to fall. Seat belts A seat belt may be considered a "travel restraint system", since it serves as a device to limit movement when a force is applied to the user. The use of seat belts most often applies uploads/Voyage/ ffall-protection-guide.pdf