This week I thought we would discuss active fall protection systems. But first, did you know that more than 200 construction workers are killed and over 10,000 are seriously injured by falls each year per OSHA website. With numbers like that you can see why fall protection so important!!
Active Fall Protection Systems – Unlike passive systems, active fall protection systems are dynamic and require the use of special equipment as well as worker participation. Employees must be trained on the proper use of harnesses, lanyards, and self-retracting lanyards (SRLs). There are two types of active fall protection systems, fall restraint and fall arrest systems. All active fall protection systems share the common feature of securing a harnessed worker to an anchorage point with a lanyard. Fall restraint systems typically use a fixed-length lanyard to keep a worker’s center of gravity from going over a leading edge or open sided floor or any other fall hazard.
Fall arrest systems incorporate various types of lanyards, including rip stitch lanyards and SRLs, which are designed to stop a freefalling worker from impacting a lower level. Active fall protection systems are referred to as a Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS). They can be either vertical or horizontal in nature depending on the task and location. In addition, the anchorage point has to support 5,000 lbs. or roughly the weight of a full size pickup truck. Anchorage points can be a manufactured and anchored to a structure or can be part of the building structure its self. If you are unsure of what to tie off to make sure you ask your Foreman, Superintendent, or the Encore Safety Department.
Connecting Device – There are many different types of connecting devices and the type you use is dependent on the task and the distance between you and the floor. This is called the total fall distance. It includes your height plus the length of your connecting device plus the activation distance of your connecting device. The activation distance is different for each device. For example, a 6 foot lanyard with a rip stitching would allow the worker to hit the floor or a lower level at 9 ½’. If you are a 6 foot tall person your distance from the fall would have to be greater than be 17 ½’ (see illustration below). In the same scenario using a Self-Retracting Lifeline (SLR) instead of a 6 foot lanyard the stopping distance is reduced from 17 ½’ to 8’.
Harnesses must be worn properly – The D-Ring should be located in the center of the shoulder blades. If the D Ring is in the middle of the back the weight of your torso and head will cause you to be in a more horizontal position as pictured. The position you fall is important so while hanging more weight is distributed to your thigh muscles and not your chest. Chest and leg straps should be worn snug and tight enough to only allow two fingers between the webbing and your clothing. The chest strap must be in the center of the chest to avoid it hitting your throat which could lead to a fatal in a fall.