Fall Protection Information
Background:
Falls remain the number one killer of workers in the construction industry and the number two killer of workers in private industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"In 1995, 1,048 construction workers died on the job in the United States, with 32%, or 335 of them, resulting from falls. Each year, falls consistently account for the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry, and are always a major concern in other industries. Events surrounding these types of accidents often involve a number of factors, including unstable working surfaces, misuse of fall protection equipment, and human error. Studies have shown that the use of guardrails, fall arrest systems, safety nets, covers, and travel restriction systems can prevent many deaths and injuries from falls." (Source: OSHA http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html).
The first line of defense in addressing a fall hazard is to identify and eliminate the hazard. If a fall hazard cannot be eliminated, the second consideration would be to assess the workplace and process and implement an effective permanant means of providing fall protection. If a fall hazard cannot be eliminated and changes to the workplace cannot adequately ensure the prevention of falls, the last line of defense should be to control the fall.
Types of Fall Protection Systems
There are two types of fall protection systems: "active" and passive".
Passive fall protection systems include:
- Aerial Lifts and Platforms
- Guardrails
- Safety Nets
- Safety Monitors
- Barricades
Active Fall Protection systems include:
- Life lines
- Work positioning
- Personal Fall arrest equipment
What are the components of a "personal fall arrest system"?
A personal fall arrest systems consists of the following:
- Full-body harness
- Body Belt
- Lanyard
- Lifeline
- Snaphooks
A full-body harness consists of nylon and/or polyester straps that encompass the chest, chest and waist or full body. In the event of a fall, a full body harness distributes the fall arrest force over the pelvis, thighs, waist and shoulders. The attachment of the body harness must be located in the center of the wearer's back, near the shoulder level, or above the head.
* OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(17)Self-retracting vertical lifelines and lanyards that automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet or less must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3,000 pounds when in the fully extended position. If they do not automatically limit the free fall to 2 feet or less, ripstitch lanyards, and tearing and deforming lanyards, must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds when in the fully extended position. * OSHA Standard: 1926.502(d)(9)
Connectors, including D-rings and snaphooks, must be made from drop-forged, pressed or formed steel, or equivalent materials. They must have a corrosion-resistant finish, with smooth surfaces and edges to prevent damage to connecting parts of the system.
D-Rings must have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds, and be proof-tested to a minimum tensile load of 3,600 pounds without cracking, breaking or becoming permanently deformed.
Ropes and harnesses are available in Mitchell Hall B 8B. This safety equipment is provided for worker's protection. Workers must use fall protection where required. Supervisors are jointly responsible for ensuring worker's safety.
Examples of some of the areas requiring fall protection at UWM are shown below:
Fine Arts Music Building
Working on roofs that have no parapet wall or railing requires fall protection when working near the roof edge.
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Platform Around HVAC at Klotsche Center
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Access Gate to Platform |
Fall protection must be provided on roofs without 42" high parapet walls or railings whenever equipment is located near the roof edge and there is a danger of falling while servicing this equipment. Fall protection signs will be posted indicating the precautions needed while servicing rooftop equipment.
Projects Completed:
- Roof anchor points have been added to the Mitchell Hall roof. These provide fall protection for workers while clearing ice and snow from above the building entrances.
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- Fall protection signs have been made for Mitchell Hall, Bolton Hall, Library, Fine Arts Music, Mellencamp and EMS. Other buildings will be posted in the near future.
- An anchorage point was installed on the low-rise roof at EMS. A body harness and lanyard are required when working on the AC unit.
- Engelmann Hall east and west roof access ladders have been installed below each window.
- All of the plastic skylights on campus, except at the Student Union, have safety guards.
- New railings and a ladder have been installed on the Lapham Hall roof. Fall protection has also been installed for the Lapham Hall south tower.
- The loading dock area of Mitchell Hall previously identified as a fall hazard has been renovated and fall protection was included as part of the renovation.
- A catwalk was built to provide access to the top of the AC unit in Library EB 31.
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Projects Pending:
- Engelmann Hall auditorium backstage areas is a hazardous fall area. Dan Walker is checking on a rope grab system that would allow workers to move freely while climbing ladders and walking on the catwalk. This project is on hold.
- Mitchell Hall return fans are situated so that mechanics have to use unsafe measures to access the units. This is part of the Mitchell Hall HVAC remodeling project and is in design.
For Additional Information About Fall Protection at UWM:
At UWM, Dan Walker, Engineering Specialist, in Physical Plant Services is the person in charge of oversight of UWM's Fall Protection Program. Any questions regarding fall protection issues at UWM should be referred to Dan Walker.
Fall Protection Resources:
- OSHA Fall Protection Information
- OSHA Construction eTool on Fall Protection
- Suspension Trauma/Orthostatic Intolerance OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin
- Guide to Developing a Fall Protection Program
- Sample Fall Protection Program