Page 43 - OHS, October 2022

ThThe heights vary depending on the industry. According to a safety and health topic page on OSHA’s website, “OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, fifive feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in longshoring operations. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.”3
While engineering safety controls are a better solution, they’re not always possible. In that case, PPE in the form of a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) should be considered. A PFAS consists of:
■ An anchorage point and connectors
■ A full body harness (safety belts are no longer allowed for fall arrest, only positioning)
■ A lanyard
■ Deceleration device
■ Lifeline
■ A suitable combination of these components
The lanyard may be of a fixed length with the deceleration
device (shock absorber) integral to it or with the capability of connecting a shock absorber to it. A self-retracting lanyard (SRL) is often used since it is less restrictive for movement, but still provides the required deceleration and stopping distances in the event of a fall. If working near drop offs, such as roof edges, it’s recommended to use an SRL designed for use around leading edges. They’re constructed to withstand the swaying movement inherent in falls over an edge.
Any component, including the full body harness, involved in a fall arrest must be taken out of service immediately. It’s done its job, time to retire it. SRLs, however, often can be repaired or refurbished by qualified technicians, manufacturer reps in most cases.
While monthly equipment inspections should be carried out by competent, trained personnel, it’s important that the user inspects the gear before using it and during the course of the work shift. They should be trained in what to look for, particularly the stitching on the harness itself.
The folded straps on a harness are there for a reason. And the decorative stitching is not just for looks. These components of a harness are part of the mechanism used to slow down the wearer during a fall. When the worker reaches the impact point, the stitches give way and the folds unfurl to provide a bit of a slowdown effect before a hard stop.
If any damaged stitching or webbing is noticed, the harness should not be used and should be tagged as out of service.
Make sure your team knows how to properly don a safety harness. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen them worn improperly. Loose leg straps, twists in the webbing and similar improper donning procedures put the wearer at risk of extreme bodily damage in the event of a fall.
Consider purchasing suspension trauma safety steps, either with or without carabiner attachments. When a person is suspended in a full body harness after a fall, the leg loops will apply pressure to blood vessels in the legs, impeding or stopping blood flow. This can lead to orthostatic intolerance. According to a joint paper written by the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA (SHIB 03-24-2007, updated 2011), “Prolonged suspension from fall arrest systems can cause orthostatic intolerance, which, in
turn, can result in serious physical injury, or potentially, death. Research indicates that suspension in a fall arrest device can result in unconsciousness, followed by death, in less than 30 minutes.”
You’ve probably felt a mild form of orthostatic intolerance if your foot or leg has ever “fallen asleep.” ThThe blood flflow was cut offff and you experienced a mild tingling sensation. In a fall event, the effects are much worse, even life-threatening.
That’s why a quick recovery of the worker is necessary, even mandated. Suspension trauma safety steps are stirrup-like attachments that allow the suspended team member to alleviate pressure on the legs, and even “pump” them to get the blood flowing.
Fall Protection Training
Fall protection for working at heights is an important issue on the construction site or any other venue where workers are exposed to the danger of falling so much so that OSHA has a standard written specifically for training in fall protection. And remember, it’s number six on the most frequently cited violations for 2021.
The requirements are set forth in 1910 Subpart D “Walking- Working Surfaces” and is outlined in 1910.30 “Training Requirements.” 1910.30(a)(1) states, “Before any employee is exposed to a fall hazard, the employer must provide training for each employee who uses personal fall protection systems or who is required to be trained as specified elsewhere in this subpart...”4
The standard states that the bare minimum an employee must be trained in are the nature of fall hazards and how to recognize them; the procedures used to minimize the hazards; and how to install, inspect, operate, maintain and disassemble any personal fall protection systems. That includes hook-up, anchoring and tie-off procedures.
The actual hazards will vary by the jobsite. Most companies have a team that’s trained in recognizing them and can point them out in inspections done before the work commences. But anyone using the fall protection equipment, including full-body harnesses and related equipment, must be trained in how to inspect, use, care for and store it.
The last part of the standard states that the employer must provide information and training to each employee in a manner that the employee understands. That’s important. My recommendation is to contact the equipment manufacturer. They often have skilled trainers that can work with your employees. And they can “train the trainer” (one on your team) to conduct additional classes in the future.
Steve Maurer, IME has been an industrial electrician, maintenance mechanic, and Safety Instructor for lockout/tagout, fall protection, confined space entry, Haz-Mat, and respiratory gear use for over 36 years.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.osha.gov/data/commonstats
2. https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/citedstandard.naics?p_naics=236&p_
esize=&p_state=FEFederal
3. https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection
4. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/ standardnumber/1910/1910.30
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OCTOBER 2022 | Occupational Health & Safety 39