Attachment 11 - 75D-04.0-11 Fall Protection Procedure.pdf

This document is a Fall Protection Procedure (75D-04.0-11, Revision #3, effective August 13, 2020) establishing minimum requirements and methods for protecting workers from fall hazards at the Department of Corrections (DCF) facility in accordance with OSHA standards. The procedure applies to all DCF employees and contractors working at heights greater than four feet and in controlled access areas with potential fall hazards. Four approved fall protection systems are specified: guardrails with top-rails at least 42 inches high and capable of withstanding 200 pounds of horizontal load; personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) with anchor points supporting 5,000 pounds per employee, non-exceeding system weight capacity, and deceleration distances not exceeding six feet; personal fall restraint systems (PFRS) with 3,000-pound-rated anchor points and horizontal lifeline arrangements preventing unprotected edge access; and safety nets with mesh no wider than six inches, installed no more than 30 feet below the work surface, and maintaining specific horizontal and vertical distances from the work surface based on fall height (8 feet for up to 5 feet, 10 feet for 5-10 feet, and 13 feet for more than 10 feet).

The procedure delineates specific responsibilities among the Office of Environment, Health, and Safety (OEHS), Office of Facilities Support (OFS), supervisors, contracting officers, and employees/contractors. OEHS provides overall program management, develops hazard analyses, identifies positions requiring fall protection training, and reviews renovation and construction project safety plans. OFS and supervisors must address identified hazards, maintain equipment, submit written safety plans for in-house elevated work projects, and ensure trained employees are assigned to elevated work. Contractors must submit site-specific safety plans prior to work and provide written fall protection training certifications to contracting officers. All employees and contractors must complete assigned training, work only from heights with adequate fall protection, report hazards immediately, inspect equipment before use, and use equipment only as manufacturer-designed. The document includes detailed procedures for Annex Building roofs (with 100 percent tie-off policy within six feet of leading edges and restricted penthouse access), Main Building roofs (similar tie-off requirements with specific lanyard attachment protocols), and elevated work platforms including scaffolds (with comprehensive design, erection, access, and safety requirements).