S22. Fall Protection (Cont’d)
22.7 Guardrail systems incorporate a top rail at 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches above the working platform, mid-rail and toe board. On all company projects, guardrails will be constructed of 2” X 4” construction grade lumber with posts no more than 8 feet on center; ¼” or greater wire cable, flagged every 6 feet with high visibility material; or 1.5 inch nominal diameter schedule 40 pipe with posts spaced no more than 8 foot on center. All guardrails shall be capable of supporting a 200-pound force in any direction with a maximum deflection of 3 inches. These guardrails will be placed in the following areas:
a) All stair systems.
b) All open sided floors.
c) Around all holes which are too large for hole covers.
d) On all elevator shaft openings.
e) On all excavations over six feet in elevation.
f) All scaffolding with working platforms over 6 feet
22.8 Harness and Lanyard: Only 4 point suspension harness and shock absorbing lanyards shall be used. Lanyards shall be equipped with locking snap hooks. The designated competent person shall inspect equipment at time of issue and periodically throughout the project. The using employee shall inspect for defect and condition prior to use and on return after use. Damaged or defective equipment shall be tagged and removed from the work site or destroyed and disposed. Shock absorbing lanyards and harness that have experienced a shock load; pitting, chaffing, burn holes or chemical exposure shall be immediately destroyed and disposed to prevent accidental use. All harnesses shall be properly fitted and worn. Equipment users shall be trained and instructed in the proper selection, care, use and inspection of fall protection equipment. Caution shall be used in selection of all fall protection equipment to ensure the proper length and application. Swing distance shall be considered when selecting connection points and lanyard or tether length. Fall protection anchor points shall be capable of sustaining 5000 lbs. Specifically engineered slings and or chokers used to provide anchor points for lanyards shall not extend the fall distance beyond 6 foot.
22.9 Self-retracting lifelines are part of a complete fall protection system, which automatically limits the free fall distance to 2 feet or less, consists of:
a) An anchorage point capable of supporting 5000 lbs.
b) A locking type connector to mount the device to the anchorage point.
c) The self-retracting lifeline with locking snap hook.
d) A 4 point suspension harness
The installation of this device shall be directly over the work area.
a) Attached to an anchor point that is capable of sustaining 5000 lbs.
b) Attached by locking snap hook to the harness “D” ring in the center of the wearers back.
c) Only one individual may be attached per unit.
Before use, the unit shall be inspected for any indication of damage, wear or malfunction including worn cable or damaged locking snap hook.
a) Pull approx. four feet of cable out of the housing and allow retracting. Maintain a slight tension on the cable. The cable shall retract smoothly and completely. DO NOT ALLOW THE CABLE TO RETRACT FREELY.
b) Repairs and adjustments may not be accomplished in the field. Malfunctioning units will be tagged “do not use” and removed from the site immediately. Equipment subjected to a shock load will be tagged and removed from the site immediately.
22.10 The selection of the proper anchorage point is critical to the effectiveness of fall protection.
Anchorage points shall be:
a) Capable of sustaining a load of 5000 lbs.
b) Located equal to or above the point of operation.
c) Located above the work area to minimize or eliminate “swing” in the event of fall.
Anchorage points should be identified and installed prior to lifting and setting equipment in place. Anchorage points selected should be positioned to allow employees to immediately connect fall protection equipment without unprotected travel from anchorage point to anchorage point.
21.11 In the Unlikely event that a fall arrest occurs on site, personnel, using an articulating man lift or ladder where feasible, will rescue employees. Alternate rescues would be through local emergency services. All incidents that results in injury to workers, as well as near misses, regardless of their nature shall be reported and investigated. Investigations shall be conducted by the Safety Department as soon after the incident as possible to identify the cause and means of prevention to eliminate the risk of re-occurrence. In the event of such incident the Fall Protection Program (and Alternative Fall Protection Plans, if in place) shall be reevaluated by Safety Department to determine identify if additional practices, procedures, or training are necessary to prevent similar Incidents.