Fall Protection

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Safety Talk

Fall Protection

1. Fall protection is required when an employee is working on more than 1.8 metres (6 feet) above the ground and the work is conducted outside of safe released scaffolding or a permanent platforms.
2. Fall protection can be by the use of:
1. Approved body harness with a double lanyards of not more than 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length, and shock absorber,
2. Safety nets, placed as close as possible (max. 9 meters/30 ft) from working platform,
3. Guardrails of toe board, mid rail, and top rails of 35”-45” high, 
4. Safety line anchorages capable of supporting at least two tones (5000 Lb.)
5. Static lifeline, Wire runners, Inertia rails or other means of continuously attaching to body safety harnesses must be provided when climbing long ladders, working on top of tanks or similar jobs.
3. Fall protection is also required when working on man-lift, crane basket, on a platform which cannot be fitted with handrails, or over open water.
4. Climbing ladders of less than 9 meters is allowed without attaching the lanyard. When the employee reaches a work area the lanyard

Vertical Lifeline 

A lifeline is a length of synthetic fiber rope attached to an independent point of anchorage. A lifeline is typically used in conjunction with a fall arrest device such as a rope grab.

Using the right vertical lifeline

The rope used as a vertical lifeline in a personal fall arrest system requires a minimum breaking strength of 26.7 KN (6,000 lb.).

The reason for a breaking strength greater than that of the anchor is to allow for the eye splices and knots tied in the rope at the anchor end. Splices and knots will weaken a rope, so additional capacity of the lifeline is required.

The following are good industry practices for the safe use of a vertical lifeline:

• No knots or splices in the lifeline except at the termination points.
• Attach each lifeline to an independent point of anchorage.
• Only one worker connected to a vertical lifeline. The lifeline should extend to within 1.2 m (4 ft.) of the ground or a safe lower landing.
• If the suspended length of a lifeline exceeds 91 m (300 ft.), then lanyard length, rope construction, rope strength, and the effects of wind must be considered.

Inspecting a vertical lifeline

Exposure to sunlight causes most synthetic fiber ropes to deteriorate over time.
Before each use, carefully inspect your lifeline to make sure it is in good condition. Look for

• Signs of chafing or abrasion
• Cuts in the yarns or strands
• Any visible deformities that would weaken the rope or interfere with the free movement of the rope grab