Fall Protection Program
6. Program Components
6.1 The following work situations are covered by the University's program for fall protection:
- Ladders - fixed, free standing, temporary, or roll away type
- Elevating Personal Platforms – scaffolds, aerial platforms, scissors lifts, forklift-mounted platforms, cherry pickers, etc.
- Elevated Surfaces – roofs (closer than 6 feet to the edge), catwalks, skylights, boilers, chillers, etc.
- Vertical Opening - ground level entry into excavations, trenches, holes, pits, vessels, and other confined spaces.
6.2 Fall protection is required whenever work is performed in an area 6 feet above its surroundings and can generally be provided through the use of fall protection systems including:
- Guardrails - Standard guardrails consist of a top rail, located 42 inches above the floor, and a mid-rail. Screens and mesh may be used to replace the mid-rail, so long as they extend from the top rail to the floor.
- Personal Fall Arresting Systems - Components of a personal fall arresting system include a body harness, lanyard, lifeline, connector, and an anchorage point capable of supporting at least 5000 pounds.
- Positioning Device Systems - Positioning device systems consist of a body belt or harness rigged to allow work on a vertical surface, such as a wall, with both hands free.
- Warning Line Systems - Warning line systems are made up of lines or ropes installed to structural vertical members around a work area on a roof. These act as a barrier to prevent those working on the roof from approaching it edges.
- Covers - Covers are fastened over holes in the working surface to prevent falls.
6.2.1 Where it can be clearly demonstrated that the use of these systems is infeasible or creates a greater hazard, alternative fall protection measures may be implemented. Such an alternative fall protection measure is as follows:
- Edge Proximity Warning Systems – Edge Proximity Warning systems are an alternate means of protection, and are made up of non-structural vertical elements and horizontal warning elements of light rope or warning tape installed around a work area on a roof, and offset from the edge at least 6 feet.. These act as a warning to prevent those working on the roof from approaching it edges. This alternate means may be used only when other forms of fall protection are not feasible, or by using those methods, would create a greater hazard. Use of this method must be approved by the manager or supervisor assigning work at the location.
6.3 Following are guidelines for University employees using specific equipment:
6.3.1 Employees who work on ladders with a working height of 6 feet or more shall be knowledgeable of the following:
- How to inspect ladders for visible defects
- How to use ladders properly
Additional information on ladder safety can be found in the Ladder Safety Job Safety Analysis.
6.3.2 Employees who use personal fall arresting systems to control fall hazards in their work area shall be knowledgeable of the following:
- The application limits of the equipment .
- The proper hook-up, anchoring and tie-off techniques including determination of elongation and deceleration distance.
- Methods of use, inspection, and storage of equipment.
Additional Employee Requirements - Personal fall arrest components including harnesses and lanyards shall be inspected prior to each use for mildew, wear, damage and other deterioration. Defective components shall be removed from service. All rope used for rope access, confined space entry and rescue, or employee safety lines shall be certified for single rope technique (SRT) use by acceptable national consensus standards such as NFPA 1983 Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services ,2006 Edition. All ropes shall be inspected per the manufacturers specifications prior to and following each use, and shall be retired from use as an employee safety rope, confined space entry or rescue rope, or rope access component after five years of service, whether or not the rope has been used. Ropes used for employee safety lines, confined space entry and rescue or rope access shall not be used for any other purpose.
Fall arrest systems including harnesses shall be inspected at least twice each year or according to manufacturers recommendations. The date of the most current semi-annual inspection shall be recorded on an inspection tag which shall be attached to the harness. In addition, records shall be kept and maintained showing date of purchase, dates when attachments were renewed, and dates when the entire harness assembly was inspected and by whom.
6.3.3 Employees who use aerial lifts shall be knowledgeable of the following:
- The manufacturer's operating instructions .
- Received classroom training and functional operations training on the specific aerial lift they are assigned to use.
- Pre-start inspection of the lift .
- Inspection of the work area for dangerous conditions such as uneven surfaces, overhead obstructions such as power lines, or other hazards
- Load capacities of the equipment
- How to safely move the equipment
- How to prevent falls and use appropriate fall protection personal protective equipment
- Minimum safe approach distances to energized power lines
6.3.4 University employees who work on scaffolds shall be knowledgeable of the following:
- The nature of any electrical hazards, fall hazards, and falling object hazards in the work area
- The correct procedures for dealing with electrical hazards and for erecting, maintaining, and dissembling the fall protection systems and falling object protection systems being used
- The proper use of the scaffold, and the proper handling of materials on the scaffold
- The maximum intended load and the load carrying capacities of the scaffolds
6.3.5 All University employees should be aware of guidelines to minimize slips, trips and falls on the same elevation of walking/working surfaces.
- To prevent slipping, tripping and falling, all work environments including passageways, storerooms, and service areas must be kept clean, orderly and in a sanitary condition
- The floor of every work area will be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, dry condition
- Where wet processes are used, drainage will be maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing places are provided where