Page 82 - OHS, October 2021

PPE: FALL PROTECTION
temporary beam straps or a temporary horizontal lifeline assembly. ThThese systems generally involve installing removeable station posts that clamp to steel I-beams or which can be bolted to concrete or steel beams. These anchor points can be used as a single tie-off anchor point or as part of a temporary horizontal lifeline system.
Body Wear
The next component of fall protection is body wear, or the equipment each worker wears to connect to the fall protection system. For fall protection in a facility setting, usually a standard full body harness is the appropriate safety solution.
Standard full body harnesses for fall protection include a back D-ring (dorsal ring) connection. The D-ring on a properly fitting harness should fall high in the center of the back, sitting between the shoulder blades. This positioning allows the harness to keep a fallen worker upright and distributes the force of arresting a fall safely through the sturdiest parts of the body.
In addition to a back D-ring, many fall protection harnesses also include a front D-ring. These are especially handy when used on fixed or portable ladders and in other applications where climbing is common.
New OSHA regulations that became effective in 2018 require a ladder safety or personal fall protection system on all new fixed ladders of 24 feet or taller, according to OSHA. Front D-rings allow a convenient and comfortable option for connecting to ladder-based fall protection systems while allowing workers the freedom to climb up and down.
A front D-ring should be centrally positioned at your sternum or breastbone to bestow the same protections as a back D-ring.
Although each type of D-ring may look superficially alike, its intended use should not be confused. Always make sure you use the correct D-rings for fall arrest tie-off. If you’re not sure which you need, contact your harness manufacturer.
Connectors
The final piece of the fall protection puzzle is the connectors you use to attach the worker’s harness to the anchor point. Typically, a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) is the best option for workers using fall
protection in facilities.
When selecting the SRL model, pay
attention to its listed class. Class A SRLs arrest a fall within 24”, whereas Class B SRLs arrest falls within 54”. Longer sized SRLs are most practical when the maximum free fall distance allows, such as when workers are tied off to a sufficiently high overhead anchor with enough
clearance to allow the unit to arrest a fall more gently.
Also note there are special SRLs designed for working on leading edges. Leading edge SRLs accommodate foot- level tie-off when working on leading or sharp edges, which commonly occurs in construction. However, most applications in facilities do not require these specialized
78 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2021
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