Provided by
(Client Name)
(Client Address)
(Applies to all work locations.)
Risk Department
TITLE
FALL PROTECTION
FALL PROTECTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
PURPOSE ............................................................................................................... 3
REFERENCES......................................................................................................... 3
RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................ 3
PROCEDURES ........................................................................................................ 4
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FALL PROTECTION
1.
PURPOSE
1.1. To provide guidelines to ensure the safety of all employees involved in work
that presents a fall hazard.
1.2. (Client Company) will comply with OSHA, state and other regulatory agency
directives pertaining to fall protection.
2.
REFERENCES
2.1. OSHA 29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926
3.
RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1. The Safety Coordinator shall:
3.1.1. Enforce the Fall Protection Program in areas where fall protection is
needed.
3.1.2. Perform periodic inspections.
3.1.3. Verify that the requirements of this procedure are being followed.
3.1.4. Validating inspection reports and maintaining inspection records.
3.1.5. Verify (Client Company) workers have been appropriately trained.
3.2. The Supervisor/Foreman shall:
3.2.1. Enforce the Fall Protection Program in all areas where fall protection is
needed.
3.2.2. Ensure all fall restraint and fall protection equipment is provided, installed
and properly utilized.
3.2.3. Ensure that all fall restraint and fall arrest equipment is regularly inspected,
documented and complies with all applicable regulations.
3.2.4. Ensure that all employees under his/her control are trained in all applicable
fall protection procedures.
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FALL PROTECTION
3.3. All employees shall:
3.3.1. Know and adhere to the Fall Protection Program
3.3.2. Properly don and utilize fall protection equipment where required.
3.3.3. Report any unsafe conditions or deviations from the procedure to the
appropriate supervisor.
4.
PROCEDURES
4.1. Fall protection is required where fall hazards of six feet or greater exist. When
employees are exposed to a hazard of falling six feet or more in height, fall
restraint and/or fall arrest systems shall be provided, installed and implemented
according to the following requirements.
4.1.1. Fall restraint protection shall consist of and adhere to:
4.1.1.1. Restraint protection shall be rigged to allow the movement of
employees only as far as the sides and edges of the walking/working
surface.
4.1.1.2. All safety belt and lanyard assemblies shall be capable of
withstanding a tensile loading of 4000 pounds without cracking,
breaking or deforming.
4.1.1.3. Safety belts and/or harnesses shall be securely rigged to restraint
lines.
4.1.1.4. Anchorage points shall be capable of supporting four times the
intended load.
4.1.1.5. If warning line or safety monitor system is used, it must adhere to
OSHA 1926.500.
4.1.1.6. Components of fall restraint systems shall be inspected prior to
each use for mildew, wear, damage and deterioration; and defective
components shall be removed from service.
4.1.2. Fall arrest protection shall consist of and adhere to:
4.1.2.1.
Only approved Class III full body harnesses shall be used.
4.1.2.2. All safety lines and lanyards shall be protected against being cut or
abraded.
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FALL PROTECTION
4.1.2.3. Body harnesses shall be rigged to minimize free fall distance to a
maximum of six feet, and such that an employee will not contact a
lower level.
4.1.2.4. Lifelines and safety nets shall be used in accordance with all
OSHA, state and regulatory agency directives.
4.1.2.5. Not more than one snap hook shall be attached to any on D-ring,
nor shall snap hooks be connected to each other or loops made in
webbing-type lanyards.
4.1.2.6. Harnesses shall be secured to anchorages capable of supporting
5000 pounds per employee.
4.1.2.7. Lanyards shall have a minimum tensile strength of 5200 pounds.
4.1.3. Scaffolding shall consist of and adhere to:
4.1.3.1. Scaffolds shall be constructed to support at least four times the
maximum intended load without failure. Safe working loads of
scaffolds must never be exceeded.
4.1.3.2. Scaffolds must be erected level and plumb on a firm base.
Adjusting or leveling screws shall not be used on scaffolds equipped
with wheels. Adjusting screws should not extend more than 8 inches
of thread.
4.1.3.3. Platform planking must be placed with edges close together so no
space exists for tools or material to fall through. All planking must be
overlapped a minimum of 12 inches or secured from movement.
Planks must extend over end supports not less than 6 inches or more
than 12 inches.
4.1.3.4. When space permits, scaffold platforms 6 feet or more in height
must be equipped with standard guard rails and mid-rails, be decked
with safety planking or manufactured scaffold decking and have rigidly
secured toe boards on sides and ends.
4.1.3.5. Scaffolds should be tied to and securely braced, horizontally and
vertically, against the building or structure.
4.1.3.6.
Employees shall not work on scaffolds during storms or high winds.
4.1.3.7. Employees shall not work on scaffolds covered with ice or snow,
unless it is removed and the planking is sanded to prevent slipping.
4.1.3.8. Where personnel are required to pass under scaffolding, warning
signs of “WORK OVERHEAD” shall be posted and the scaffold shall
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FALL PROTECTION
be equipped with 18 gauge wire welded between the toe board and
the top rail to prevent falling tools or material.
4.1.3.9. When working on energized electrical circuits, non-conductive
scaffolds shall be used.
4.1.3.10. Before starting work on a scaffold, it must be visually inspected for
the following:
4.1.3.10.1.
Guardrails, toe board and decking are in place.
4.1.3.10.2.
All wheels are locked on movable scaffolds.
4.1.3.10.3.
Locking pins are in place at each joint.
4.1.3.10.4.
The scaffold is secure.
4.1.3.10.5. Personnel must wear safety belts with properly tied lanyards
if working on scaffold platforms 10 feet or more above the ground
and not equipped with standard guardrails.
4.1.3.10.6.
No employee shall be allowed to ride a moving scaffold.
4.1.3.10.7. Tools and materials on scaffold platforms must be properly
place to avoid creating a tipping hazard, or to avoid becoming
dislodged and falling. Before moving scaffolds, tools and material
must be removed or secured on the deck.
4.1.3.10.8. Employees shall not climb scaffold, guardrails, mid-rails or
brace members. Ladders or other safe means of access to
scaffolds shall be provided.
4.1.3.10.9. No alteration to any scaffold structure member by welding,
burning, cutting, drilling or bending shall be permitted.
4.1.4. Ladders shall consist of and adhere to:
4.1.4.1. Platform ladders are industry best practice and should be used
whenever possible.
4.1.4.2. Platform and step ladders shall be capable of supporting at least
four times the maximum intended load.
4.1.4.3.
The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.
4.1.4.4. Ladders shall not be tied or fastened together to provide longer
sections unless they are specifically designed for such use.
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FALL PROTECTION
4.1.4.5. Ladders used to access an upper landing surface shall be placed
with the two rails supported equally, and shall extend at least 3 feet
above the upper landing surface and shall be secured at its top to a
rigid support.
4.1.4.6. Non-self-supporting ladders shall be used at an angle such that the
horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is
one-quarter of the working length of the ladder (the distance along the
ladder between the foot and the top support).
4.1.4.7. Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless
secured to prevent accidental displacement.
4.1.4.8. Ladders placed in any location where they can be displaced by
workplace activities or traffic shall be secured to prevent accidental
displacement, or a barricade shall be used to keep the activities or
traffic away from the ladder.
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