SWP- Fall Protections

Safe Work Practices (SWP’s)

Falls Protections

Prepared By: ________________________ Approved By: ________________________ (Site Safety Supervisor) (Safety & Health Officer) Name : Liew Shan Chien Name : Lee Boon Chai @ Kok MinJKKP Reg. No.: JKKP IS/SSS/0416 JKKP Reg. No.: JKKP/IS127/438/02/4334 Date : Date :

Rev. 0

Review By: ________________________ (Project Manager) Name : Date :

SWP’s- Falls Protections

Table of Contents

No Descriptions Page no.i Cover Page ……………………………………………………………………………. 1ii Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………… 2

1.0 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………. 32.0 Safe Work Practices (SWP’s) for Guardrail System …..……. 4- 8

2.1 Support …………………………………………………………………. 62.2 Maximum Strength ……………………………………………………… 72.3 Floor Opening …………………………………………………………………. 72.4 Stairs …………………………………………………………………………….. 8

3.0 Safe Work Practices (SWP’s) for Personal Fall Protect System ….. 9- 143.1 Travel-Restraint System ………………………………………….. 93.2 Fall Arrest System ……………………………………………………… 9- 10

3.2.1 A Fall-restricting System ………………………………. 103.2.2 A Safety Net …………………………………………………….. 113.2.3 A Fall Arrest System ………………………………………….. 11

3.3 Lifeline …………………………………………………………………. 11-133.3.1 Vertical Lifeline ………………………………………….. 123.3.2 Horizontal Lifeline ………………………………………….. 12-13

3.4 Anchor System …………………………………………………….. 13-143.5 Full Body Hardness ……………………………………………………... 14

4.0 Safe Work Practices (SWP’s) for Slide-guard System ……………………. 15

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1.0 Introduction

Fall protection is the backup system planned for worker who could lose his or her balance at height, in order to control or eliminate injury potential. We need to protection because even if we’re experienced working at heights, we can lose our balance or grip. We can slip, trip, or misstep. We can fall at any time. We may think that our reflexes will protect us, but we’re falling before we know it. And we don’t have to fall far to get hurt. We’ve been falling since day one. Until we get better at landing, we’ll need protection from falling.

Falls can categorize into:1. Fall form one level to another’s;

o Fall from ladders;o Fall through roof opening;o Fall from edge opening;o Fall from first floor to grounds; and etc.

2. Fall from same level;o Slipping;o Tripping; and etc.

They have numerous ways that an individual worker may fall from one level to another. A fall of more than six feet is considered a fall from one level to another. Falls may vary from standing on ladder changing a light bulb, to connecting bolts on steel girders, installation works, demolition works, concreting works, and etc. safety features would include the use of a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall-arrest system to protect workers.

Fall from same level including slipping or tripping when there is not enough friction between the foot of the person and the surface they are walking on or if the person’s foot encounters an unexpected object in their path. Some factors that may contribute to slipping and tripping may include being personally distracted, poor lighting, or wearing inappropriate footwear for the surface on which the individual is walking. Prevention measure include keeping work area well lit, clean and sanitary, the permanent marking of aisles and passageways, non-skid surface and requiring that employees wear proper footwear. Additional research needs to be conducted regarding the types of surfaces on which fall are occurring.

Scaffolds are temporary structures that are used for workers to gain elevation while working on a project. Scaffolding comes in an array of sizes, shapes and materials such as steel, wood or even bamboo. Workers employed in construction, carpentry, or as brick or stone masons were most likely to be injured. Safety features include guard rails, safety line and non-skid surfaces. Attributing factors to falls include the use of broken equipment, improper maintenance or assembly, too much weight for the type of scaffolding, lack of guard rails or improperly getting on or off of the scaffolding.

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2.0 Safe Work Practices for Guardrail System

A worker at risk of falling certain distance and stated below must be protected by a guardrail system or, if guardrails are not practical, by a travel-restraint system, fall-restricting system, fall-arrest system, or safety net. In many cases, guardrails are the most reliable and convenient means of fall protection and first consideration.

Guardrails or, if guardrails are impractical, other appropriate method of fall protection must be used when:

A worker could fall more than 3 meter (10feet) from any location. There is a fall hazards of more than 1.2 meters, if the work area is used as path for a

wheelbarrow or similar equipment’s. A worker could have access to the unprotected edges of any of the following work

surfaces and is exposed to fall of 2.4 meters (8 feet) or more. Such as:o A floor, including the floor of a mezzanine or balcony;o The surface of a bridge;o A roof while formwork is in place;o A scaffold platform or other work platform, runway, or ramp.

There are opening in floors, roofs, and other working surfaces not otherwise covered or protected including skylights.

There are open edges of slab formwork for floors and roofs. Workers may fall into water, operating machinery, or hazardous substances.

The basic requirements for wood guardrail (figure 1.0) include: Top rail, mid rail, and toeboard secured to vertical supports. Top rail between 0.9m (3 feet) and 1.1m (3 feet 7 inches) high. Toeboard at least 100mm (4 inches) high – 89mm (3 ½ inches) high if made of wood.

And installed flush with the surface. Post no more than 2.4 meters (8 feet) apart.

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Figure 1.0Other systems are acceptable showed at (Figure 1.2) if they are as strong and durable as wood guardrails with the same minimum dimension.

Guardrails must be installed no farther than 300mm (1foot) from an edge. A guardrail must be capable of resisting, anywhere along its length and without exceeding the allowable units stress for each material used with following load when applied separately:

A point load of 675 newtons (150lbs) applied laterally to the top rail. A point load of 450 newtons (100lbs) applied in vertical downward direction to the

top rail. A point load 450 newtons (100lbs) applied in lateral or vertical downward direction

to the mid-rail. A point load of 225 newtons (50lbs) applied laterally to the toeboard.

If a guardrail system that is made of wood is constructed and installed so that it is capable of resisting all loads that it may be subjected to by a worker, the requirements above do not apply.

Figure 1.2

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2.1 Support

Typical methods of supporting wood guardrails are shown in (Figure 1.3). Posts extending to top rail height must be braced and solidly fastened to the floor or slab.

Shoring jacks used as posts should be fitted with plywood softener plates to and bottom. Snug up and check the posts regularly for tightness.

For slabs and the end of flying forms, manufactured posts can be attached to the concrete with either clamps or inset anchors (Figure 1.3).

Figure 1.3

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2.2 Maximum Strength

To strengthen guardrails, reduce the spacing of posts to between 1 and 2 meters (3 feet 4 inches and 6 feet 8 inches) and double the 2 x 4 top rail tails. Posts on wooden guardrails must not be further apart than 2.4 meter (8 feet).

Where guardrails must be removed, open edges should be roped off and marked with warning signs. Workers in the area must use a fall-arrest or travel-restraint system (Figure 1.4)

Figure 1.4

2.3 Floor Openings

Guardrails are the preferred method for protecting workers near floor openings but may not always be practical. Narrow access routes, for example, may rule them out. In such cases, securely fastened covers with planks, plywood, or steel plates may be the best alternative.

Use 48mm x 248mm (1 7/8” x 9 3/4”) full sized no.1 spruce planks.

Make opening covers stand out with bright paint. Include a warning sign such as: DANGER! OPENING- DO NOT REMOVE! DO NOT LOAD!

Fasten the cover securely to the floor to prevent workers from removing it and falling through the opening.

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2.4 Stairs

The opening edges of stairs require guardrail protection. Specifications for a wooden arrangement are shown in Figure 1.5

Figure 1.5

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3.0 Safe Work Practices (SWP’s) for Personal Fall Protect System

A worker at risk of falling certain distances must protected by guardrails or, if guardrails are not practical, by a travel restraint system, fall-restricting system, fall-arrest system, or safety net. This chapter describes travel restraint system and fall arrest systems. Personal fall protection equipment consists of the components shown in the following illustration. The equipment’s can be used for travel restraint or fall arrest such as safety belt and full body hardness.

3.1 Travel- Restraint Systems

A travel-restraint system lets a worker travel just far enough to reach the edge but not far enough to fall over. The basic travel-restraint system consists of a:CSA/BS/SIRIM-approved full-body harness

Lanyard Lifeline Rope grab to attach harness or lanyard to lifeline Adequate anchorage (capable of supporting a static

Load of 2 kilonewtons (kN) or 203.94kgf with a recommended safety factor of at least 2, that is, 4 kilonewtons (kN) or 407.89kgf.

Travel-restraint arrangements must be thoroughly planned, with careful consideration given to:

Selection of appropriate components. Location of adequate anchor points. Identification of every fall hazard in the proposed work area.

Try to select an anchor point that is as close as possible to being Perpendicular to the unprotected edge, and

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At the centre of the work area.

All fall hazards in the work area must be identified. Pay special attention to work areas with irregular shaped perimeters, floor openings, or locations near corners. A fully extended lifeline and/or lanyard that adequately restrain a worker from a fall hazard in one section of the work area may be too long to provide the same protection in another section.

Two methods of travel restraint are commonly used in construction:1. Connecting an adequately anchored lifeline directly to the D-ring of the worker’s full-

body harness. Itʼs absolutely critical that the length of the lifeline, measured from the anchor point, is short enough to restrain the worker from any fall hazard.

2. Attaching a lanyard from the D-ring of the workerʼs full-body harness to a rope grab on an adequately anchored lifeline. There must be some means—such as a knot in the lifeline—to prevent the rope grab from sliding along the lifeline to a point where the worker is no longer restrained from falling.

Whether method 1 or 2 is used, the system must be adjusted so that the fully extended lifeline and/or lanyard prevent the worker from reaching any point where the worker may fall. The system must also be securely anchored.

3.2 Fall Arrest System

Where workers cannot be protected from falls by guardrails or travel restraint, they must be protected by at least one of the following methods:

Fall-restricting system Safety net Fall-arrest system.

In the event of a fall, these systems must keep a worker from hitting the ground, the next level below, or any other objects below.

3.2.1 A fall-restricting system

A fall-restricting system is designed to limit a workerʼs free-fall distance to 0.6 metres (2 feet).

Temporary fixed supports used for anchorage with a fall restricting system must support at least 6 kilonewtons (kN) or 611.83kgf without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used. A safety factor of two should be applied.

Components described under fall-arrest systems can be used for fall-restricting systems.

Fall-restricting systems generally fasten to a sternal connection on your harness, then to a wire rope grab or fixed ridged rail system used for climbing ladders.

3.2.2 A Safety Nets

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A safety net system must be designed by a professional engineer. The system is installed below a work surface where a fall hazard exists.

Safety nets must be inspected and tested by a professional engineer or supervised by the engineer. A copy of the inspection and test must be kept at the project until the net is no longer in service.

Safety nets can be used around building edges, below formwork operations, and on bridge work. It is important to note that a rescue plan is still required.

3.2.3 A Fall Arrest System

Fall arrest system must include approved full-body harness, and lanyard equipped with an energy absorber unless the energy absorber could cause a falling worker to hit the ground or an object or a level below the work, an adequate fixed support; the harness must be connected to it via a lifeline, or via a lanyard and a lifeline. And must prevent a falling worker from hitting the ground or any object or level below the work. And must not subject a falling worker to a peak fall-arrest force greater than 8 kilonewtons (kN) or 815.77kgf.

The FMA 139, and OSHA 514 regulation requires that: All fall protection equipment must be inspected for damage, wear, and obvious

defects by a competent worker before each use Any worker required to use fall protection must be trained in its safe use and proper

maintenance.

Any defective component should be replaced by one that meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s minimum performance standards for that particular system.

The regulation also requires that any fall-arrest system involved in a fall be removed from service until the manufacturer certifies all components safe for reuse. For any worker receiving instruction in fall protection, the manufacturer’s instructions for each piece of equipment should be carefully reviewed, with particular attention to warnings and limitations.

3.3 Lifeline

There are three basic types of lifelines which is vertical, horizontal, and retractable. All lifelines must be inspected before each use to ensure that they are:

Free of cuts, burns, frayed strands, abrasions, and other defects or signs of damage Free of discolouration and brittleness indicating heat or chemical exposure.

3.3.1 Vertical Lifeline

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Vertical lifelines must comply with the current edition of the Canada standard (CS), British standard (BS) or SIRIM standard and the following minimum requirements:

Only one person at a time may use a vertical lifeline. A vertical lifeline must reach the ground or a level above ground where the worker

can safely exit. A vertical lifeline must have a positive stop to prevent the rope grab from running off

the end of the lifeline. Vertical lifelines are typically 16-millimetre (5/8-inch) synthetic rope (polypropylene

blends).

3.3.2 Horizontal Lifeline

The following requirements apply to any horizontal lifeline system such as the system must be designed by a professional engineer according to good engineering practice. And the design can be a standard design or specifically engineered for the site.

The design for a horizontal lifeline system must: Clearly indicate how the system is to be arranged, including how and where it is to

be anchored List and specify all required components Clearly state the number of workers that can safely be attached to the lifeline at one

time Spell out instructions for installation, inspection, and maintenance Specify all of the design loads used to design the system.

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The system must be installed, inspected, and maintained in accordance with the professional engineer’s design. Before each use, the system must be inspected by a professional engineer or competent worker designated by a supervisor. A complete and current copy of the design must be kept on site as long as the system is in use.

CAUTION: A horizontal or vertical lifeline shall be kept free from splices or knots, except knots used to connect it to a fixed support." Knots along the length of either a horizontal or vertical lifeline can reduce its strength by as much as 40%.

3.4 Anchor Systems

There are three basic types of anchor systems for fall protection: Designed fixed support – load-rated anchors specifically designed and permanently

installed for fall protection purposes as an integral part of the building or structure (for example, roof anchors on high-rise buildings)

Temporary fixed support – anchor systems designed to be connected to the structure using specific installation instructions (for example, nail-on anchors used by shingles)

Existing structural features or equipment not intended as anchor points but verified by a professional engineer or competent person as having adequate capacity to serve as anchor points (for example, roof top mechanical rooms, structural steel, or reinforced concrete columns).

Designed fixed support can be used to anchor a fall-arrest system, fall-restricting system, or travel-restraint system if the support has been installed according to the Building Code and is safe and practical to use. Temporary fixed support can be used as anchorage if it meets the following conditions:

it can support at least 8 kilonewtons (kN) or 815.77kgf without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used

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when used with a fall-arrest system incorporating an energy absorber, it can support at least 6 kilonewtons (kN) or 611.83kgf without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used

when used with a travel-restraint system, it can support at least 2 kilonewtons (kN) or 203.94kgf without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used.

In all cases, a safety factor of at least two should be applied when determining the minimum load that an anchor point must support. As a general rule with fall-arrest systems, choose an anchor capable of supporting the weight of a small car (about 1,633kg). When existing structural features or equipment are used as anchor points, avoid corners or edges that could cut, chafe, or abrade fall protection components. Where necessary, use softeners such as wood blocking to protect connecting devices, lifelines, or lanyards from damage. Never anchor to:

Roof vents Roof hatches Small pipes and ducts Metal chimneys Stair or balcony railings Fixed-access ladders.

3.5 Full Body Hardness

i. Chest strap should be adjusted so that itʼs snug and located near the middle of the chest. In a headfirst fall, a properly adjusted chest strap will prevent the worker from coming out of the harness.

ii. Leg straps should be adjusted so the userʼs fist can fit snugly between strap and leg.iii. Harness straps should be adjusted to put the D-ring between the shoulder blades. A

properly positioned Dring will keep a worker upright after fall arrest.

All harnesses must be inspected before each use for: Burns, cuts, or signs of chemical damage Loose or broken stitching Frayed web material D-ring and keeper pads free from distortion and signs of undue wear or damage Grommets and buckles free of damage, distortion, or sharp edges.

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4.0 Safe Work Practices for Slide-guard System

A slide-guard system prevents workers from sliding down a sloped roof. The system, which consists of a slide guard (typically nominal 2 x 6 inch lumber) and at least two roof brackets, must be installed under the supervision of a competent person. Roof brackets are available from roofing equipment suppliers. A slide-guard system can also be made at the work site without manufactured roof brackets. Slide-guard systems cannot be the only means of fall protection on roofs with a ground-to-eave height greater than 25 feet.

Requirements for slide-guard systems: Slide-guard systems can be used only on roofs with slopes between 3:12 and 8:12

and ground-to-eave height of 25 feet or less. Roofs with slopes between 3:12 and 6:12 must have at least one slide guard below

the work area, no closer than six inches from the eave. Roofs with slopes between 6:12 and 8:12 must have multiple slide guards no more

than eight feet apart vertically. The lowest slide guard must be no closer than six inches from the eave.

The slide guard closest to the eave must be perpendicular to the roof surface. All other slide guards must be set at an angle not less than 60 degrees to the roof surface.

Slide guards must provide continuous protection along the length of the roof.

Manufactured roof brackets. Install manufactured roof brackets according to the manufacturer’s directions. Keep the information at the job site for those who want to review it.

Each bracket must be six inches or larger and all brackets must bear on a solid surface.

The horizontal space between brackets cannot exceed the manufacturer’s specifications — or eight feet — whichever is less.

Attaching slide guards. Use nominal 2 x 6 inch lumber for slide guards. Secure the slide guards to the roof brackets or use another method to prevent them from cantilevering and failing due to material flex.

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SWP- Fall Protections

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