BLR’s Safety Training
Presentations
Fall Protection in Construction
29 CFR 1926.500-503
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Goals
 Fall hazards and basic fall protection systems
 Guardrails and personal fall arrest systems
 Quiz
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Construction Fall Statistics
 Leading cause
of construction
industry fatalities
 150-200 workers
are killed from
falls each year
 100,000 are injured
from falls each year
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Protecting Workers from
Fall Hazards
 Assess where fall
protection is needed
 Select fall
protection systems
 Properly install fall
protection systems
 Follow safe
work procedures
 Train construction workers
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
When Is Fall Protection Needed?
 6 feet or more above
a lower level
 Hazard of falling into
dangerous equipment
 Specific areas or activities
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Safe Work Practices
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Pick up tripping hazards
Be aware of your location
Always use fall protection
Avoid dropping objects
Never run
Listen for verbal warnings
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Warning Line System
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Consists of ropes, wires, chains
Must be flagged every 6 feet
Must be 34-39 inches above working surface
Stanchions must not tip over easily
Must be erected at least 6 feet from
the fall hazard
 Workers must be trained to stay out
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Safety Monitoring System
 Competent person monitors safety of workers
 Recognizes fall hazards
 Warns workers of
fall hazards and
unsafe work practices
 Keeps unauthorized
workers out of work area
 Workers promptly comply with safety monitor
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Controlled Access Zones
 Keep unauthorized workers out
 Allow leading edge work without
fall protection systems
 Are designated and clearly marked work areas
 Lines run the length of the unprotected edge
 Lines are 6-25 feet away from
unprotected edge
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Safety Net System
 Installed under walking/working surface
 <30 feet below workers
 Inspected for
wear, damage
 Installed with
sufficient
clearance
 Items that fall
into the net removed
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Goals
 Fall hazards and basic fall protection systems
 Guardrails and personal fall arrest systems
 Quiz
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Guardrail Systems
 Top rails must be 39-45 inches above the
walking or working surface
 Top rails must withstand
200 lb force
 Mid-rails must be between
top rail and working surface
 Toe boards must
be 3.5 inches
 Screens must be installed
from top rail to working surface
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Guardrail Systems
 Openings must be 19 inches or less
 Rails must be smooth with no projections
 When guardrails are
removed at hoisting
areas, personal fall
arrest systems shall
be used
 Holes, excavations,
and ramps must
be protected
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Prevent Falling Objects
 Use screens or panels
 Store materials 4 feet from edge
 For roofing work, store material
6 feet from edge
 Use canopies strong enough to prevent
collapse and prevent penetration
 Keep tools, materials, and debris picked up
 Don’t throw objects down to lower levels
 Wear a hard hat
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Uses for Personal Fall Arrest
Systems
 6 feet above
a lower level
 Worker positioning
 Worker restraint
 Climbing ladders,
scaffolding, rebar
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Effective Fall Arrest System
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Maximum arresting force of 1,800 lb
Free fall no more than 6 feet
Avoid contact with a lower level
Max deceleration distance of 3.5 feet
Designed to withstand twice the impact forces
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Harness vs. Body Belt
 Body belt not used for
fall protection since
January 1, 1998
 Body belt may be used
as worker restraint
 Harness distributes
arresting forces
 Harness can be used for
fall arrest, positioning,
or suspension
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Connectors and Snaphooks
 Snaphooks lock in place
 Nonlocking snaphooks are prohibited
 Do not engage snaphooks to the following
–Webbing or rope
–Another snap hook
–D-ring with another snaphook attached
–Horizontal lifeline
–Object incompatible in shape or dimension
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Lanyards
 Connect harness
to lifeline or anchor
 Stretching or tearing
system absorbs shock
 Prevent bouncing to
reduce arrest forces
 No knots or wrapping
around sharp objects
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Lifelines
 Lifelines connect personal fall arrest
system to anchor
 Vertical—hang from one anchor point
 Horizontal—stretched between
two anchor points
 Ropes and straps made of synthetic fibers
 Protect against being cut or abraded
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Deceleration Device
 Dissipates energy
during fall arrest
 Rip-stitch, tearing,
or stretching lanyard
 Rope grab device
 Retracting lifelines
or lanyards
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Anchor Points
 Anchors used only for
personal fall arrest systems
 Anchors support 5,000 lb
per person
 Located directly above you
 Do not tie to a guardrail
 Ask if unsure about
proper anchor points
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Inspecting Personal Fall Arrest
Systems
 Inspect before each use
 Check D-rings for
cracking, breaking,
deformation
 Check straps for cuts,
tears, abrasions, torn stitches
 Ensure that parts move freely
 Remove defective components
from service
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Rescue Plan
 Limit suspension time
 Suspension trauma
occurs when legs are
immobile in an
upright position
 Push legs against
objects
 Get legs up to head
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Goals
 Fall hazards and basic fall protection systems
 Guardrails and personal fall arrest systems
 Quiz
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Summary
 Learn to recognize and minimize fall hazards
 Be able to erect, maintain,
and disassemble fall protection
 Use and operate fall protection systems
 Inspect fall protection systems
 Protect others from falling objects
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz
1. When is fall protection required?
2. How tall is the top rail of a guardrail system?
3. When do items that have fallen into safety nets
need to be removed?
4. Warning lines must be flagged at 6-foot
intervals.
True or False
5. What type of work is commonly done in a
controlled access zone?
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz (cont.)
6. Name two things you can do to prevent objects
from falling to a lower level.
7. What do you look for when inspecting your
harness and lanyard?
8. Your personal fall arrest system must limit free
fall distance to 8 feet.
True or False
9. How do lanyards reduce arresting forces from
a fall?
10. Guardrails make effective anchor points for
personal fall arrest.
True or False
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz Answers
1. Working 6 feet above a lower level
2. 39-45 inches above working surface
3. As soon as possible and at least before the
next shift
4. True
5. Overhand bricklaying
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz Answers
6. Screens, store materials 4 feet from edge,
canopies, toe boards, pick up tools and debris
7. Check straps for tears, abrasions, loose stitches;
check D-rings for cracks, deformities
8. False, 6 feet
9. Stretching or tearing system absorbs shock
and prevents bouncing
10. False, only use anchors that are designed for
personal fall arrest systems.
11017100/0309 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.