Personal Protective Equipment

Personalized Fall Protection – Fall Arrest System

Fall protection is used in construction to provide Workers freedom from movement and protection from falls. Personal fall protection will arrest a fall and absorb some of the shock of the fall. The harness is worn on the user’s body and attached to a shock absorbing lanyard, fall-arresting device, or rope grab that is attached to an anchorage point. Depending on the application, some systems incorporate a shock absorber, while others do not.

Personal Fall Protection (Fall Arrest System) is required when working at heights of more than 3 meters in Canada and 6 feet in the U.S., or in situations where the fall height is less than the stated standard when there is an unusual fall hazard, and you are not protected by a system of guardrails or safety nets.

Do

  • Obtain expert advise before purchasing a fall arresting device.
  • Properly train and practice with the system you decide to use.
  • Inspection carefully before each use (inspection to be performed by a trained Worker.)
  • Discard any piece of fall protection that has arrested a fall or that is defective or damaged.
  • Have the harness fitted snugly to your body. Chest straps should be positioned in the mid-chest area, and back D-rings in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades.
  • Calculate the fall distance and ensure you have enough clearance in case of a fall.
  • include the shock absorbed deployment in your clearance calculation.
  • Ensure the anchor point is above your head, to avoid a swing fall.
  • Attach lanyards to the harness back D-ring only.
  • Ensure that the anchor points are secure and able to support the load in the event of a fall.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s specifications on care and use.
  • Ensure all lines used with the systems have thimbles.
  • Use only the proper safety rated fastenings with the system.
  • Use a full body harness with shock absorber whenever possible.

Don’t

  • Modify, change or put additional holes in the harness or hardware.
  • Use the system for any other than its intended use.
  • Allow excessive slack in the lifeline, it should have just enough slack to permit free movement.
  • Use the lifeline to lift or lower people, equipment or materials.
  • Tie a knot in a web lanyard, rope or cable.

For further information, see Applicable Legislation for your region.

Fall Arrest System Components

The following components make up a fall arrest system:

  • Anchorage Point/Anchorage Connector
  • Body Wear (Full-Body Harness)
  • Connective Device (Shock Absorbing Lanyards, Self-Retracting Lifelines)
Anchorage Point/Anchorage Connector

Anchorage: Commonly referred to as a tie-off point. (e.g.: I-Beam, Rebar, Scaffolding, Lifeline, etc.)

Anchorage Connector: Used to join the connecting device to the anchorage (e.g.: Cross-Arm Strap, Beam Anchor, D-Bolt, Hook Anchor, etc.)

  • Anchorages must be capable of supporting 5,000lbs (22kN) of force per worker.
  • Must be high enough for a Worker to avoid contact with a lower level should a fall occur.
  • The anchorage connector should be positioned directly overhead to avoid a “swing fall.”
Body Wear

The personal protective equipment worn by the Worker. (e.g.: Full-Body Harness)

  • Only form of body wear acceptable for fall arrest is the full-body harness.
  • Should be selected based on work to be performed and the work environment.
  • Side and front D-rings are typically used for positioning only, however, front D-rings or web loops can be used for ladder climbing and rescue.
  • Back D-rings need to be located in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades.
  • Chest straps should be positioned in the mid-chest area. Chest straps should be easy to adjust but must withstand fall forces without tearing or breaking during the fall.
  • Proper sizing of the harness is critical to ensure proper operation as well as Worker comfort.
Connecting Device

The critical link which joins the body wear to the anchorage point/anchorage connector. (e.g. Shock Absorbing Lanyard, Fall Limiter, Self-Retracting Lifeline, Rope Grab, etc.)

  • Required fall clearance must be calculated to determine the type of connecting device to be used.
  • Should be selected based on work to be performed and the work environment.
  • Shock-absorbing lanyards expand when arresting a fall; include the expansion in your fall clearance calculation.
  • Attach lanyards to the harness back D-ring only.
  • Never tie a knot in any web lanyard, as it reduces the strength by 50%.

For further information, see Applicable Legislation for your region.

Harness Inspection

To inspect your harness, perform the following procedures:

1)  Webbing

  • Grasp the webbing with your hands 15 centimeters/6 inches to 20 centimeters/8 inches apart.
  • Bend the webbing in an inverted “U”. The resulting surface tension of this shape makes damaged fibers or cuts easier to detect.
  • Follow this procedure the entire length of the webbing, inspecting both sides of each strap.
  • Look for frayed edges, broken fibers, pulled stitches, cuts, burns and chemical damage.

2) D-Rings/Back Pads

  • Check D-Rings for distortion, cracks, breaks, and rough or sharp edges. The D-Ring should pivot freely.
  • Inspect for an unusual wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken stitching of the D-Ring attachments.
  • Pads should also be inspected for cracks, excessive wear, or other signs of damage.

3) Buckles

  • Inspect for any unusual wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken stitching of the buckle attachments.

a) Tounge Buckles/Grommets

  • Buckle tounges should be free of distortion in shape and motion. They should overlap the buckle frame and move freely back and forth in their socket.
  • Roller should turn freely on frame.
  • Check for distortion or sharp edges.
  • Inspect for loose, distorted, or broken grommets. Webbing should not have additional punched holes.

b) Friction and Mating Buckles

  • Inspect the buckle for distortion. The outer bars and center bars must be straight.
  • Pay special attention to corners and attachment points at the center bar.

c) Quick-Connect Buckles

  • Inspect the buckle for distortion. The outer bars and center bars must be straight.
  • Make sure dual-tab release mechanism is free of debris and engages properly.

4) Harness Fall Arrest Indicators

  • Inspect fall arrest indicators (located on the back of the D-Ring pad) for signs of activation.
  • Remove from service if broken or stretched between any of the four (4) pairs of arrows.

Lanyard Inspection

When inspecting lanyards, begin at one end and work to the opposite end, slowly rotating the lanyard so that the entire circumference is checked. Follow the additional procedures below:

1) Snap Hook/Carabiner

  • Inspect snaps closely for hook and eye distortions, cracks, corrosion, or pitted surfaces.
  • The keeper (latch) should seat into the nose without binding and should not be distorted or obstructed.
  • The keeper spring should exert sufficient force to firmly close the keeper.
  • Keeper locks must prevent the keeper from opening when the keeper closes.

2) Thimbles

  • The thimble must be firmly seated in the eye of the splice, and the splice should have no loose or cut strands.
  • The edges of the thimble must be free of sharp edges, distortion, or cracks.

3) Wire Rope Lanyard

  • Always wear gloves when inspecting a wire rope lanyard; broken strands can cause injury.
  • While rotating the wire rope lanyard, watch for cuts, frayed areas, or unusual wearing patterns on the wire.
  • Broken strands will separate from the body of the lanyard.

4) Web Lanyard

  • While bending webbing over a pipe or mandrel, observe each side of the webbed lanyard. This will reveal any cuts, snags, or breaks.
  • Swelling, discoloration, cracks, and charring are obvious signs of chemical or heat damage.
  • Observe closely for any breaks in stitching. Inspect the lanyard warning flag for signs of activation.
  • Titan tubular lanyards must be measured to determine activation.

5) Rope Lanyard

  • Rotate the rope lanyard while inspecting from end-to-end for any fuzzy worn, broken or cut fibers.
  • The rope diameter should be uniform throughout, following a short break-in period.
  • Weakened areas from extreme loads will appear as a noticeable change in original diameter.

6) Shock Absorber Pack

  • The outer portion of the pack should be examined for burn holes and tears.
  • Stitching on areas where the pack is sewn to D-Rings, belts, or lanyards should be examined for loose strands, rips, or deterioration or other signs of activation.

Self-Retracting Lifeline

1) Check Housing

  • Before every use; inspect the unit’s housing for loose fasteners and bent, cracked, distorted, worn, malfunctioning, or damaged parts.

2) Lifeline

  • Test the lifeline retraction and tension by pulling out several feet of the lifeline and allow it to retract back into the unit. Always maintain a light tension on the lifeline as it retracts.
  • The lifeline should pull out freely and retract all the way back into the unit. Do not use the unit if the lifeline does not retract.
  • The lifeline must be checked regularly for signs of damage. Inspect for cuts, burns, corrosion, kinks, frays, or worn edges.
  • Inspect any sewing (web lifelines) for loose, broken, or damaged stitching.

3) Braking Mechanism

  • The braking mechanism can be tested by grasping the lifeline above the load indicator and applying a sharp steady pull downward which will engage the brakes. There should be no slippage of the lifeline while the brakes are engaged.
  • Once tension is released, the brakes will disengage and the unit will return to the retractable mode. Do not use the unit if the brakes do not engage.
  • Check the hardware as directed in Lanyard Inspection. The snap hook load indicator is located in the swivel of the snap hook.
  • The swivel eye will elongate and expose a red area when subjected to fall arresting forces. Do not use the unit if the load impact indicator has been activated.

4) Snap Hook

  • Check the snap hook to be sure that it operates freely, locks, and the swivel operates smoothly.
  • Inspect the snap hook for any signs of damage to the keepers and any bent, cracked, or distorted components.

5) Anchorage Connection

  • Make sure the carabiner is properly seated and in the locked position between the attachment swivel/point on the device and the anchor point.

Cleaning

Basic care of all safety equipment will prolong the durable life of the unit and will contribute toward the performance of its vital safety function. Proper storage and maintenance after use are as important as cleansing the equipment of dirt, corrosives or contaminants. Storage areas should be clean, dry and free of exposure to fumes or corrosive elements.

1) Nylon or Polyester

  • Remove all surface dirt with a sponge dampened in plain water.
  • Squeeze the sponge dry. Dip the sponge in a mild solution of water and commercial soap or detergent.
  • Work up a thick lather with a vigorous back and forth motion; then wipe with a clean cloth.
  • Hang freely to dry, but away from excessive heat.

2) Housing

  • Periodically cleans the unit using a damp cloth and mild detergent.
  • Towel dry

3) Drying

  • Equipment should dry thoroughly without close exposure to heat, steam or long periods of sunlight.

For further information, see Applicable Legislation for your region.

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