Attachment_2_Appendix_C_of_the_Specs_-_AF_FALL_PROTECTION_GUIDE.pdf

AIR FORCE SAFETY CENTER (AFSEC)

FALL-PROTECTION GUIDE

May 2015

AFSEC FALL PROTECTION GUIDE

MAY 2015

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

1.2 BACKGROUND

1.3 APPLICATION

1.4 SCOPE

1.5 AIR FORCE FP POLICY

1.6 ACTIVITY FP POLICY

1.7 BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR FP

1.8 COMPLIANCE

1.9 COMPARISON AMONG OSHA FP STANDARDS, AF REQUIREMENTS AND USACE

EM 385-1-1

1.10 INSTRUCTIONS, REGULATIONS and STANDARDS

2.0 DEFINITIONS

3.0 FALL PROTECTION (FP) PLAN

3.1 COMPONENTS OF A FP PLAN

3.2 SAMPLE WRITTEN FP PLAN

3.2.1 PURPOSE

3.2.2 APPLICABILITY

3.2.3 BACKGROUND

3.2.4 FP POLICY

3.2.5 REQUIREMENTS

3.3 STEP BY STEP HOW TO ESTABLISH, MANAGE AND IMPLEMENT A FP PLAN

4.0 DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 QUALIFIED PERSON (QP) FOR FP

4.2 COMPETENT PERSON FOR FP

4.3 FP SUPERVISOR

5.0 FP JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS (JSA)

5.1 FALL-HAZARD JSA

5.2 FALL-HAZARD ASSESSMENT

5.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR FALL-HAZARD JSA

6.0 TRAINING

6.1 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

6.2 TRAINING MATRIX

6.3 REFRESHER/UPDATE TRAINING

6.4 RETRAINING

7.0 FALL-HAZARD PREVENTION and CONTROLS

7.1 PREFERRED ORDER OF CONTROL MEASURES

7.2 FP AND PREVENTION PLANS

7.2.1 FP AND PREVENTION PLAN REQUIREMENTS

7.2.2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING THE PLAN

7.2.3 SAMPLE FP AND PREVENTION PLAN (FORM)

7.2.5 WHEN A FP SUPERVISOR IS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP FP AND PREVENTION

PLAN

8.0 FP SYSTEMS, CRITERIA AND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

8.1 FP SYSTEMS

8.2 FP SYSTEMS CRITERIA & REQUIREMENTS

8.2.1 PREVENTION SYSTEMS (PASSIVE FP SYSTEMS)

8.2.2 SAFETY NETS

8.2.3. FALL-ARREST SYSTEM (ACTIVE FP SYSTEM)

8.2.4 OTHER FP SYSTEMS

9.0 FP GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFIC WORK APPLICATIONS

9.1 COMMUNICATION TOWERS

9.2 TOWER ERECTION

9.3 ROOF WORK

9.4 LEADING EDGE WORK

9.5 SCAFFOLD WORK

9.6 SUSPENDED SCAFFOLDS INCLUDING SINGLE AND TWO POINT SUSPENDED

SCAFFOLDS

9.7 AERIAL WORK PLATFORMS

9.8 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

9.9 EXCAVATED TRENCHES OR HOLES DEEPER THAN SIX FEET

9.10 SAFE WORK PRACTICES ON LADDERS AND STAIRS

9.11 WORKING NEAR WALL OPENINGS

9.12 WORK OVER WATER

9.13 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE WORK

9.14 ELEVATED WORK AREA NEAR GUARDRAILS

10.0 GUIDANCE FOR FALL RESCUE PROCEDURES

10.1 INTRODUCTION

10.2 BACKGROUND

10.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

10.4 INITIATION OF RESCUE

10.5 FALL-ARREST RESCUE PLAN AND PROCEDURES

10.6 RESCUE EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

10.7 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR RESCUE

10.8 PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING RESCUE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

10.9 TRANSPORTATION ROUTES TO A MEDICAL FACILITY

10.10 ANCHORAGES USED FOR RESCUE

10.11 SELECTIVE RESCUE EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS

10.12 REFERENCES RELATED TO RESCUE

10.13 FALL-ARREST RESCUE PLANS

10.14 SAMPLE FALL-ARREST RESCUE PLAN FORM FOR FALL-HAZARD CONTROL 116

10.15 SITE-SPECIFIC FALL-ARREST RESCUE PLAN (CHECKLIST)

11.0 INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, STORAGE, AND CARE PROCEDURES FOR

PERSONAL FP EQUIPMENT

11.1 SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

11.2 ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY, DISASSEMBLY, STORAGE,

INSPECTION, CARE AND MAINTENANCE

11.3 FP EQUIPMENT INSPECTION CHECKLIST

11.4 FALL-ARREST SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

12.0 TIE-OFF CONSIDERATIONS AND SELECTION OF SAFE ANCHORAGES

13.0 RESPONSIBILITY FOR DESIGN, INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND RE-

CERTIFICATION OF ANCHORAGES

13.1 RESPONSIBILITY OF ANCHORAGE IDENTIFICATION, DESIGN, AND

CERTIFICATION

13.2 INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION AND RE-CERTIFICATION OF ANCHORAGES

14.0 FALL PREVENTION CONSIDERATIONS DURING PLANNING AND DESIGN PHASE

14.1 INTRODUCTION

14.2 PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

14.3 FALL-HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

14.4 RISK ASSESSMENT

14.5 RISK CONTROL

14.6 HIERARCHY OF CONTROL MEASURES

15.0 GUIDANCE - FP FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION WORK

15.1 INTRODUCTION

15.2 APPLICABILITY

15.3 PURPOSE

15.4 FP SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT USED FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND

INSPECTION WORK

15.5 APPLICABLE STANDARDS, REGULATIONS, SOPS, AND INSTRUCTIONS

15.6 APPLICATION OF RISK MANAGEMENT

15.7 GUIDANCE TO MEET AF GROUP COMMANDER) FP PLAN ADMINISTRATIVE

REQUIREMENTS

15.8 FUNDING AND PROCUREMENT OF FP EQUIPMENT

15.9 EXAMPLES OF FP PLAN DOCUMENT TEMPLATES

15.10 COMMON TYPES OF AVIATION FP OPTIONS

16.0 FP REQUIREMENTS FOR ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND OTHER INSPECTORS

CONDUCTING ROOF INVESTIGATION, ASSESSMENT AND INSPECTION WORK

17.0 OTHER FP MEASURES

18.0 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE, ANSI Z359 FALL PROTECTION

CODE/STANDARDS

Appendix A FP REQUIREMENTS COMPARISON AMONG VARIOUS OSHA STANDARDS, AF AND EM-385 REQUIREMENTS

APPENDIX B CALCULATING TOTAL FALL DISTANCE AND CLEARANCE

B.1 CALCULATING TOTAL FALL DISTANCE

B.2 CALCULATING THE CLEARANCE

B.3 TOTAL FALL DISTANCE SCHEMATICS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

This Guide discusses criteria and requirements for developing and managing Fall Protection (FP) plans to protect all Air Force (AF) personnel (military and civilian).

1.2 BACKGROUND

Falls from heights are a leading cause of work-related injuries and fatalities. They are the leading cause in construction and the fourth most common cause in general industry. The AF continues to experience serious fall related mishaps, which lead to reduced readiness and productivity, as well as high medical and compensation costs resulting from these mishaps and suffering to victims and their families. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 699 fatalities due to slips, trips and falls in 2013 accounting for more than 16% of total work fatalities. Falls to lower level totaled 574 fatalities and falls on the same level accounted for 106 fatalities. In the United States, two to three fatalities from falls occur each working day.

Furthermore, thousands of workers suffer injuries due to falls with lost time from work. Half of fall fatalities occurred in the construction industry. BLS data shows that fall fatalities from roofs are the most common, followed by falls from ladders, scaffolds, staging, and other surfaces.

Aside from tragic loss of life and suffering to victims and their families, workers are very expensive to train to perform work efficiently. On the average, a single fall fatality costs approximately $800,000 to $2,400,000 (in 2012 dollars, from the latest data available). The average cost of a single injury due to a fall is over $30,000. Additionally, falls is the most cited violation by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The intent of this guide is to establish criteria, requirements and best practices for developing and managing FP plans in order to heighten awareness and protect all AF personnel exposed to Fall-Hazards in the workplace. Falls are preventable. Careful planning and preparation lay the necessary groundwork for a mishap-free workplace.

1.3 APPLICATION

This guide applies to all AF activities where there is a need for a FP plan to ensure the safety of all personnel (military and civilians, worldwide). It provides information on standards, regulations, formal criteria, requirements and best practices, for the protection of personnel and workers working at heights and exposed to Fall-Hazards.

1.4 SCOPE

The scope of this guide is to develop a managed FP plan and to discuss the requirements, criteria, e.g. OSHA, AFI 91-203, and best practices for FP for potentially affected workers exposed to Fall-Hazards while conducting work at heights.

This guide provides:

A. Definitions applicable to FP and rescue.

B. Criteria, requirements, and best practices for developing a managed FP plan, a sample of a written plan and compliance audit checklist.

C. The duties, responsibilities and qualifications of personnel involved in the managed FP plan.

D. The best practices for Fall-Hazard JSA and assessment process including the preparation of Fall-Hazard JSA.

E. The training requirements for all personnel involved in the FP plan including methods of training.

F. Fall-Hazard prevention and controls including the preferred order of control measures or the hierarchy of controls, FP and prevention plan criteria and requirements, sample of the plan and site specific plan checklist.

G. Various FP systems, criteria and requirements.

H. The FP guidelines for specific common working conditions and applications (Working on roofs, communication towers, scaffolds, etc.).

I. Guidelines for fall rescue procedures, a sample rescue plan for Fall-Hazard control and a site specific fall arrest rescue plan checklist.

J. Requirements for FP equipment inspection, maintenance, storage, and care procedures including equipment inspection checklist.

K. Tie-off considerations and identification, use, selection of non-certified anchorages, certification and re-certification of certified anchorages.

L. Considerations for management of fall hazards and responsibilities of architects and engineers during planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance activities.

M. FP guidelines for aircraft maintenance and inspection work.

N. FP requirements for architects/engineers and other inspectors conducting inspection, investigation and assessment work on roofs.

O. Other protection requirements including falling object protection, hard hats, hazardous energy control, etc.

P. Information regarding American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z359 Fall Protection

Code and Standards.

1.5 AIR FORCE FP POLICY

FP is required for workers working in elevated locations, on open-sided floors and platforms and near floor and wall openings.

1.6 ACTIVITY FP POLICY

Each activity may prescribe supplementary requirements for special conditions above and beyond the AF policy stated in paragraph 1.5 above. Development of an activity policy statement will provide general guidance and requirements and delineate responsibilities as necessary. The activity policy should emphasize management commitment to provide a safe work environment for personnel working at heights and that safety of personnel during performance of their work is of the utmost importance.

1.7 BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR FP

The threshold limit for providing FP is mandated by AFI 91-203, Chapter 13 and the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

The standard FP threshold height for federal employees (military and civil service) on AF Facilities (worldwide) is 4 feet as per AFI 91-203 and the General Industry Standards, 29 CFR 1910, Subpart “D”.

At construction sites, workers shall adhere to the threshold height no greater than 6 feet, as per US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Safety and Health Requirements Manual EM 385- 1-1, and 29 CFR 1926.500, Subpart ‘M”, FP in Construction Industry.

For information only, the following is a table indicating the threshold limit for various industries or standards:

Industry Feet Standard Regulations Source Construction 6 29 CFR 1926.500 General Industry 4 29 CFR 1910.23

1.8 COMPLIANCE

29 CFR 1960.16 and Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970 and Executive Order 12196 prescribe requirements for federal employment occupational safety and health programs and contains provisions to assure safe and healthful working conditions for federal employees. Under Section 19 of OSHA Act and 29 CFR 1960.16, (for Federal Agencies), Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) programs shall be consistent and in compliance with the standards promulgated under Section 6 of the OSH Act of 1970. Section 6 of OSH Act directed by rule the Secretary of Labor to promulgate the Occupational Health and Safety Standard 29 CFR 1910.

Notes:

(1) There is no safe distance from an unprotected side or edge of a roof or floor. The distance alone is ineffective to protect personnel from unprotected sides and edges.

(2) There is no minimum time duration that allows exclusion of FP requirements. (e.g., if a 2 minute job requires 15 minutes to establish FP).

Therefore, FP must be provided to all civilians and military personnel exposed to Fall-Hazards on any elevated walking/working surface with unprotected sides, edges, or floor openings from which there is a possibility of falling 4 FEET or more to lower level including working from fixed ladders; or where there is a possibility of a fall from any height, onto dangerous equipment, into hazardous environment or onto an impalement hazard.

Exceptions: (1) When climbing OSHA compliant ladders, or (2) when erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds when it is determined by a Competent Person after conducting an evaluation, that providing FP is not feasible or creates a greater hazard (for example: When it is necessary to erect scaffolding before erection of the structure, and requiring the scaffold structure to be erected or put in place.)

All regulations and standards for FP and health and safety contain minimum requirements. DoD Instruction 6055.01 does not preclude DoD Authorities from prescribing supplementary requirements for special conditions, over which the DoD itself or in coordination with other Federal Agencies, exercises statutory authority for safety and health matters. Generally, DoD Instruction 6055.01 does not apply to DoD contractors, except for provisions covering inspection requirements.

1.9 COMPARISON AMONG OSHA FP STANDARDS, AF REQUIREMENTS

AND USACE EM 385-1-1

Appendix A provides comparison among various OSHA FP standards (Construction and General Industry), AFI 91-203 and the USACE EM 385-1-1 Series, FP Requirements. When all the FP standards and regulations are compared, they are similar in the application and use of FP systems and equipment. The only difference is the threshold limit where FP is required (4, or 6 ft. height) and few minor applications. These threshold heights only affect the level at which temporary guardrails and work platforms are installed or used. According to the Building Codes, if there is a break of 30 inches (2 ½ feet) or more between levels, the edges must be guarded by permanent guardrails. Fall-arrest equipment cannot be used at these low elevations (i.e., 4 or 6 feet). The minimum clearance required for safely using fall-arrest systems is approximately 11 feet (depending on the length and type of the energy absorbing lanyard used, [e.g., Self-retracting Devices], the height of anchorage point, and available clearance. Other fall-arrest systems will require more clearance. Work platforms, with minor modifications, can be adjusted to the required threshold height. A positioning system will require a minimum of 8 feet or more below the tie-off point. Additionally, restraint, travel restraint, warning line systems or designated area method that may be used at any elevation and will not be affected by the prescribed threshold limits of 4 or 6 ft., because when using those systems personnel will not be exposed to a Fall-Hazard. The only effect the threshold height limitations will have on safe walking working surfaces is the installation of temporary guardrails, existing loading docks, and parts of ramps above 4 feet.

1.10 INSTRUCTIONS, REGULATIONS and STANDARDS

1.10.1 AFI 91-203, Air Force Consolidated Occupational Safety Instruction, Chapter 13, Fall Protection

1.10.2 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Safety and Health Requirements Manual, EM 385-1-1, current edition; shall be included and enforced on all DOD contracts involving construction, dismantling, demolition or removal work. Contractors performing such work shall comply with all pertinent provisions of the latest version of the manual (FAR 52.236-13 Accident Prevention);

1.10.3 29 CFR, PART 1926.500, Subpart M, Fall Protection Requirements in the Construction Industry;

1.10.4 29 CFR, PART 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards;

1.10.4.1 Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, 29 CFR 1910 (May 2010) – Walking and Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (FP Systems);

1.10.5 29 CFR PART 1960, Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee Occupational Safety and Health Programs;

1.10.6 Department of Defense Directive 6055.01, Occupational Safety and Health Program;

1.10.7 American National Standards Institute (ANSI):

1.10.7.1 ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection Code/Standards, (See Chapter 18 for description of these standards);

1.10.7.2 ANSI/ASSE A1264.1 (R2007): Safety Requirements for Workplace Walking/Working Surfaces and Their Access, Workplace Floor and Wall Openings, Stairs and Railing Systems;

1.10.7.3 ANSI/ASSE A14.3 (R2008) Safety Requirements for Fixed Ladders;

1.10.7.4 ANSI/ASSE A10.32 (2012) Personal Fall Protection Used in Construction and Demolition Operations

2.0 DEFINITIONS

Activation Distance: The distance traveled by fall-arrester or the amount of line paid out by self-retracting lanyard from the onset of a fall to the point where the fall arrester of self-retracting lifeline begins to apply a braking or stopping force.

Active FP System: A FP system that requires end-users to wear or use FP equipment and that requires FP training.

Adjuster: A component that provides a means to vary the length of strap, webbing or rope.

Administrative Controls: Policies and procedures for safe work practices.

Anchorage: A secured structure that can safely withstand forces exerted by the activation of FP and rescue equipment. The structure can be in the form of a beam, girder, column, or floor. Anchorage is either engineered or improvised.

Anchorage Connector: A component or subsystem by which FP or rescue equipment is secured or attached to the anchorage. This can include a steel cable sling, tie-off adapter (anchor strap), load-rated hoist ring designed for construction applications, tripod, davit arm, or any other device designed to suspend human loads and capable of withstanding forces generated by a fall.

Anchorage System: A combination of anchorage and anchorage connector.

Arresting Distance: The total vertical distance required to arrest a fall. Includes activation and deceleration distance. Arresting distance does not include free-fall distance.

Arresting Force: The force placed on a worker, when a FP system stops the fall. The magnitude usually expresses the peak force experienced during a fall.

Assigned Safety Person (Spotter): An employee assigned to check periodically (at least every 5 minutes) visually or verbally to assure that an end-user has not fallen and is suspended in his/her harness. This assigned safety person shall have the ability to make quick contact with the jurisdictional public/Government-emergency response agency. This is also known as the “Buddy System”.

Assisted Rescue: A planned means of rescue, requiring the assistance of others.

Attachment Element Extender: Often also called a D-ring extender; a small lanyard temporarily or permanently attached to a harness intended to extend the attachment element away from the user’s body to facilitate ease of attachment.

Authorized Person: See the definition of End-user.

Authorized Rescuer: A person who is trained on rescue procedures and assigned to rescue an end-user who may require rescue.

Automatic Descent Control Device: A load lowering device or mechanism that once engaged will automatically control pay-out speed of line or descent speed under load. Some automatic controlled descent devices have self-retracting lanyard capability.

Available Clearance: The distance from the walking working surface or platform to the nearest obstruction that the end-user might contact during a fall.

Back-Strap: A strap located on the back of a FBH that connects between the straps below the dorsal location and above the waist, which is intended to keep the body from exiting the rear of the harness.

Body Belt: A body support comprised of a strap with means for securing it about the waist.

(Use in a personal fall-arrest system is prohibited).

Body Harness: Means of configuration of connected straps secured about the employee in a manner that will distribute the arresting forces over at least the upper thighs, waist, shoulders, chest and pelvis, with means for attaching a lanyard to other components of the personnel fall-arrest system. Full-body harness is the only body support device allowed by OSHA or ANSI when a free-fall distance exceeds two feet.

Boatswain’s (Boson’s) Chair: A single-point adjustable suspension scaffold consisting of a seat or strap designed to support one employee in a sitting position. The seat is made of a plywood or strap independently suspended from an anchorage, and the employee, using full-body harness attached to a separate lanyard or lifeline attached to an independent anchorage, may sit to help alleviate the pooling of blood in the legs.

Brake Bar Rack: A series of smooth bars connected together in parallel in which a synthetic rope is intertwined so that the friction of the rope against the bars controls the descent of a lowering device (often used in a rope rescue system).

Buckle: A connector used for attaching the strap or webbing segments together or to themselves.

Capacity: The maximum weight that a component, system, or subsystem is designed to hold.

This includes combined weight of the user, clothing, tools and other objects carried by the end user.

Cable Grab: See fall-arrester.

Carabiner: A connector component generally consisting of an oval- or trapezoidal-shaped body with a closed gate or similar arrangement. Only self-locking carabiners are acceptable for use.

Certification: The act of attesting in writing that the established criteria have been met.

Certified: An act or process resulting in documentation that determines and attests to criteria that meet the requirement of ANSI Standard. Such act or process may be carried out by testing or applying proven analytical methods, or both, under the supervision of a qualified person for FP or other entity (i.e. Professional Engineer).

Certified Anchorage: An anchorage point for fall arrest positioning, restraint or rescue systems that a Qualified Person for FP certifies to be capable of supporting the potential fall forces that could be encountered during a fall.

Clearance: The distance from a specified reference point, such as the working platform or anchorage of a fall-arrest system, to the lower level that a worker might encounter during a fall.

Clearance Requirement: The distance below the end use that must be clear of obstructions in order to ensure that the end user does not encounter any object or obstruction during a fall.

Climbing Ladder Fall Arrest System: See “Ladder Climbing (Safety) Device”.

Competent Person (CP) for FP: A person designated by the Command to be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation and monitoring of the FP plan, who through training knowledge and expertise is capable of identifying, evaluating and addressing existing and potential Fall-Hazards and in the application and use of personal fall-arrest and rescue system, or any component thereof, AND who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or control the hazards of falling.

Competent Rescuer: An individual designated by the employer who by training, knowledge and experience is capable of the implementation, supervision and monitoring of the employer’s FP rescue plan.

Connector: A device used to couple (connect) parts of the personal fall-arrest system together. It may be an independent component of the system, such as a carabiner, or it may be an integral component of part of the system (such as a buckle or D-ring sewn into a body belt or body harness, or a snap-hook spliced or sewn to a lanyard or self-retracting lanyard).

Connecting Means: The method to connect body support to an anchorage, such as a lanyard, snaphook or a carabiner for the purpose of providing protected mobility for an elevated work task.

Connecting Subsystem: An assembly, including the necessary connectors, comprised of components, subsystems or both, between the anchorage connector and the D-ring of body harness.

Continuous FP: One or more FP systems that provide FP without interruption.

Controlled Access Zone (CAZ): A zone to restrict access to unprotected edge work. The CAZ is bounded by a control line and should run the full length of the unprotected edge and connect on each side to a guard or wall. The control line can be made of rope, wire, tape, or equivalent material and shall be supported by stanchions and marked with a highly visible material. (The use of controlled access zone is prohibited as a FP system).

Deceleration Device: Any mechanism, such as a fall-arrester (rope grab), rip-stitch lanyard, specially-woven lanyard, tearing or deforming lanyards, automatic self-retracting devices, etc., which serves to dissipate a substantial amount of energy during a fall-arrest, or otherwise limit the energy imposed on an employee during fall-arrest.

Deceleration Distance: The vertical distance, measured between the location of the user’s fall-arrest attachment point (dorsal D ring) at the onset of fall-arrest forces during a fall (and after the fall-arrest attachment point comes to a complete stop), is the additional vertical distance a falling employee travels (excluding dynamic elongation and free-fall distance) before stopping, from the point at which the deceleration device begins to operate or deploy.

Descent Controller: A device designed to be used by one worker for personal descent to lower another person from an elevation. Descent control may be used for egress, positioning or both.

Designated Area: A distinct area of a walking-working surface, delineated by a perimeter warning line, in which temporary work may be performed without additional FP. The designated area method is used only for general industry work.

D-ring: An integral “D” shaped connector typically used in harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers, lifelines, and anchorage connectors as an attachment point.

Dorsal: A location on a full body harness that falls approximately between the user’s shoulder blades

End-User of FP (Authorized Person): A person who has been trained in the use of assigned FP equipment, including hands-on training and practical demonstrations in a typical Fall- Hazard situation and uses personal fall-arrest or restraint/positioning equipment while performing work assignments at heights.

Energy (Shock) Absorber: A component whose primary function is to dissipate energy and limit deceleration forces that the system imposes on the body and the anchorage system during fall-arrest.

Energy Absorber, Horizontal Lifeline: An energy absorber that is attached to one of the end anchorages or anchorage connectors of a horizontal lifeline subsystem.

Energy Absorber, Personal: An energy absorber that is attached to a harness.

Energy Absorber, Single Anchor Vertical Lifeline: An energy absorber that is attached to the top anchorage or anchorage connector of a single anchor vertical lifeline subsystem.

Engineered Anchor: An anchorage designed and approved by a Qualified Person.

Equipment: A general term referring to components, subsystems or systems, in any combination, singular or plural.

Evacuation harness: A component for rescue purposes consisting of elements designed and constructed so that the rescue subject is securely held during the rescue process. Evacuation harness is a special harness.

Failure: Load refusal, breakage, or separation of component parts. Load refusal is the Point at which the ultimate strength is exceeded.

Fall-arrest System: A combination of equipment and components such as full-body harnesses, lanyards, deceleration devices, anchorages, horizontal or vertical lifelines connected together, designed to stop a person from striking a lower level or an obstruction during a fall.

Fall arrester: A device that travels on a lifeline and will automatically engage or lock onto the lifeline in the event of a fall. A rope grab is one example of fall arrester. .

Fall Hazard: Any location where a person is exposed to a potential free fall.

Fall Prevention: The elimination and minimization of potential Fall-Hazards, lessening the chance of employee exposure to falls. Any same-level means used reasonably to prevent exposure to a Fall-Hazard; examples of fall prevention are guardrails, walls, floors, and area isolation. Also called passive fall protect ion system.

Fall Protection (FP): Action and procedures to protect a worker effectively from Fall-Hazards.

Any equipment, device or system that prevents an accidental fall from elevation or that mitigates the effect of such a fall.

Fall Restraint: See “Restraint System”.

Supervisor: A person assigned by the command to be responsible for developing and managing the FP plan at an Air Force Command.

Force Factor: The ratio of peak arresting force of a rigid mass to a human body having the same weight, both falling under identical conditions.

Forced Roll-out: An action by which the gate of a locking snap-hook or carabiner is loaded beyond its design strength, forcing it to fail and disengage from the component to which it was attached.

Free-Fall: The act of falling before a personal fall-arrest system begins to apply force to arrest a fall.

Free-Fall Distance: The vertical distance from the onset of a fall to a point where a fall-arrest system is activated or engaged. (This is the vertical distance measured from the fall-arrest attachment point on the employee’s body harness at the onset of the fall to the point just before the system begins to apply force to arrest the fall. This distance excludes deceleration distance, and lifeline/lanyard elongation which are exerting deceleration forces, but includes any deceleration device slide distance or self-retracting lifeline/lanyard extension before they operate and fall-arrest forces occur.)

Frontal D-Ring Attachment: An attachment element affixed to the full body harness within the vertical seven-inch sternum (breastbone) area that is designed to withstand dynamic fall arrest, restraint, and post-fall suspension forces.

Full-body harness: See the definition of “Body Harness”.

Full Body Harness Stretch: The difference between the lowest point on the torso post-fall and the lowest point on the torso pre-fall in relation to the attachment element. This accounts for a component of the system stretch out and total fall distance.

Guardrail System: A passive FP system of horizontal rails and vertical posts that prevent a person from reaching a fall edge. Guardrail systems typically have a top rail, a mid rail and posts and toeboard.

Horizontal Lifeline: A component of a horizontal lifeline subsystem, consisting of a flexible line with connectors or other coupling means at both ends for securing it horizontally between two anchorages or anchorage connectors.

Horizontal Lifeline Subsystem: An assembly, including the necessary connectors, comprised of a horizontal lifeline component and, optionally, of: a) An energy absorber component or, b) A lifeline tensioner component, or both. This subsystem is normally attached at each end to an anchorage or anchorage connector and may also contain one or more intermediate anchorages. The end anchorages have the same elevation.

Horizontal Track System: A form of rigid rail system that typically encloses a trolley inside a formed channel or track.

Hybrid Component: An integral assembly of elements or components, or both, intended to perform more than one function in the system.

Ladder Climbing (Safety) Device: A device or climbing sleeve, connected to the front D-ring on the climber’s full-body harness, which slides up or down a rigid rail or cable used as a fall arrest system. Should a fall occur; the device is designed to lock by inertia or cam action to arrest the fall.

Lanyard: A flexible line of rope, wire rope, or strap that usually has a connector at each end for connecting the body support and to a fall arrester, energy absorber, anchorage connector, or anchorage

Lanyard Parking Attachment Element: A loop device to facilitate the temporary storage of an unused leg of the lanyard.

Leading Edge: The unprotected side and edge that exposes a worker to a Fall-Hazard. It can be the edge of a floor, roof, or formwork for a floor or other walking/working surface where the edge changes location as additional floor, roof, decking or formwork sections that are placed, formed, or constructed.

Lifeline: A component consisting of a flexible line which is connected either to an anchorage at one end, and hangs vertically (single anchor vertical Lifeline), or is connected to anchorage at both ends and stretches horizontally (Horizontal Lifeline); both of which serve as means for connecting other components of a personal fall-arrest system.

Lifeline Tensioner: A device, such as a turnbuckle, to tauten a horizontal lifeline or a weight to tension a vertical lifeline.

Load-bearing Straps: Straps as part of the full body harness through which load is transmitted during a fall or under normal use.

Man Overboard Plan: A man overboard plan is an emergency plan for rescuing personnel if they accidentally fall into the water.

Manual Descent Controlled Device: A load-lowering device or mechanism that, once engaged, requires manual attention to control pay-out speed of line, or descent speed under load.

Manual Fall Arrester (Manual Rope Grab): A fall arrester that will remain locked where it has been positioned on a VLL until deliberately repositioned by a worker.

Marking: Any sign, label, stencil, plate or the like containing information or guidance.

Maximum Arrest Force (MAF): The peak force exerted on the body when a FP system arrests or stops a fall.

Maximum Arrest Load (MAL): The peak force applied to an anchorage by an active FP system when arresting a fall.

Non-Certified FP Anchorages: An unquestionably strong anchorage that a Competent Person judges to be capable of supporting the predetermined anchorage strength as prescribed by OSHA Standards and ANSI/ASSE Fall Protection Code. Non-Certified anchorages are used for fall-arrest, work positioning, travel restraint, or rescue.

Orthostatic Intolerance (suspension Trauma): The development of symptoms as a result of suspension in a full-body harness, such as light-headedness, palpitations, tremulousness, poor concentration, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, sweating, weakness, and occasionally fainting and unconsciousness.

Passive FP System: A system that does not require a worker to use or wear personal fall-arrest equipment. Examples include safety nets, guardrails, parapet walls, etc.

Personal Energy Absorber: See “Energy Absorber”.

Personal fall-arrest System: Assembly of components and subsystems used to arrest an end-user falling from height. It consists of an anchorage system, connecting means, and full body harness, and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combination of these. Use of a body belt in a personal fall-arrest system is prohibited.

Positioning Lanyard: A lanyard used to transfer forces from a body support to an anchorage or anchorage connector in a positioning system.

Positioning System: A combination of equipment including a full-body harness rigged to allow the end-user to work with both hands free while being supported on an elevated vertical or inclined work surfaces.

Pre-Incident Plan: A formal written plan, prepared jointly by the host DON activity and the fire emergency responders, containing factors that need to be evaluated when assessing the potential situations that could affect a facility during emergency conditions.

Primary System: In FP terminology, the main mechanism that allows a worker to maintain his or her desired position.

Qualified Person (QP) for FP: A person with a recognized engineering degree or professional certificate and with extensive knowledge, training, and experience in the FP and rescue field, who is capable designing, analyzing, evaluating and specifying FP and rescue systems and equipment.

Rescue: Process of evacuating a person or persons to a safe location where they also may receive medical attention.

Rescue Ladder: A flexible ladder with rigid rungs and either synthetic webbing or wire rope side rails which can be temporally hung next to the end-user working at heights, or can be lowered to an end-user suspended in a harness, to allow him to climb back up to the working surface (or at least stand on the ladder while awaiting rescue, allowing the necessary circulation of the blood to the entire body while an assisted rescue is being commenced).

Rescue Lanyard: A component consisting of flexible line of rope or strap, which usually has a connector at each end for connecting the body support to components of a rescue system. A rescue lanyard is a special lanyard.

Rescue Plan (Fall-arrest): A written plan that describes the rescue method and procedures to be used to rescue an end-user of FP, who may have fallen from a height and be suspended in a full-body harness. The suspended worker may have been injured or incapacitated prior to, or as the result of, the fall (See section 10.13 for a sample fall-arrest rescue plan).

Restraint System: A combination of devices designed to restrain an end-user from reaching an exposed Fall-Hazard. The system consists of a full-body harness that can be secured around a worker and attached to a load-bearing anchorage in order to restrict travel and limit Fall-Hazards. The strap can be single or multiple.

Rigid anchorage subsystem: An anchorage system, such as a rigid rail or trolley system or a single point of attachment, which does not appreciably deflect, deform, or stretch when a fall-arrest impact occurs.

Rigid Rail System: FP system that uses one or more trolleys on a horizontal track (often an I-beam or slotted tube).

Rigging: The process of building a system to move or stabilize a load or the system itself.

Roll-out: An action by which a snap-hook or carabiner unintentionally disengages from another connector or object to which it is attached.

Rope Access: A system consisting of two lifelines independently anchored at the top to protect the authorized person from falling. The ropes directly suspend the person. The technique is used on buildings, bridges, and other structures for conducting inspection, cleaning, and painting.

Rope (or Strap) Adjuster: A mechanical means of readily moving a vertical line attachment or changing the position of an intermediate anchorage device between an anchorage (connector) and a body support while loaded with the authorized person’s weight or partial weight while leaning.

Rope Grab: See Fall-arrester.

Rope, Synthetic: A construction of bundled manmade yarns, fibers, or filaments forming a strong flexible line.

Rope, Wire: A plurality of drawn wires forming strands laid helically over an axis or core.

Runway:

1. A passageway for a person elevated above the surrounding floor or ground level, such as a foot-walk along shafting or a walkway between buildings.

2. Elevated crane rails upon which an overhead electric crane travels.

Safety Margin: A clearance factor of safety defined as the distance between the lowest extremity of the worker’s body at fall arrest and the highest obstruction the worker might otherwise make contact with during a fall.

Safety Strap/Relief Step Strap: A coiled strap (in a pouch) attached to the lanyard which is manually deployed after a fall, and allows the end-user to insert one foot (or two feet, depending on the style) into the loop step and stand allowing the necessary circulation of blood to the entire body, while an assisted rescue is being commenced.

Safety Net System: A horizontal or semi horizontal cantilever-style barrier that uses netting system to stop falling workers before they make contact with a lower level or obstruction.

Sag: The distance the wire rope or synthetic cable of a horizontal lifeline deviates from the horizontal plane established by the end anchorage. This is defined by the line between two anchorages, measured downward at the mid-point of the wire rope or cable.

Secondary FP System: One or more means of FP, as defined by these standards, configured as a supplement or as backup to protect a worker from a potential fall if the primary system fails.

Self-Retracting Device (SRD): A device that contains a drum wound line that automatically locks at the onset of a fall to arrest the user, but that pays out from and automatically retracts onto the drum during normal movement of the person to whom the line is attached. After onset of a fall, the device automatically locks the drum and arrests the fall. Self-retracting devices include self-retracting lanyards (SRL’s), self-retracting lanyards with integral rescue capability (SRL-R’s) and, self-retracting lanyards with leading edge capability (SRL-LE’s) and, hybrid combinations of these.

Self-Retracting Lanyard (SRL): A device suitable for applications where during use, the device is mounted or anchored such that possible free fall is limited to 2 ft. or less.

Self-Retracting Lanyard with Integral Rescue Capability: An SRL that includes integral means for assisted-rescue via raising or lowering the rescue subject.

Self-Retracting Lanyard with Leading Edge Capability (SRL-LE): A self-retracting device, used for horizontal applications, which is mounted or anchored at “foot” level and where there is the possibility of free-fall. The device includes integral means to withstand impact loading of the line contiguous with a sharp or abrasive edge during fall-arrest and for controlling fall-arrest forces on the user. The device can also be used for vertical applications where it is mounted overhead.

Seat Sling: A seat sling designed for attachment to a full-body harness, designed so that a worker may sit for a short period of time without pooling of blood in the legs.

Self/Manual Deploying Rescue Ladder: A coiled webbing rescue ladder (in a pouch) connected to the lanyard or anchorage which either self-deploys during a fall, or is manually released by the end-user after a fall, and is left dangling next to the suspended end-user. This allows the end-user to climb back up to the anchorage (or at least simply stand in the ladder, allowing the necessary circulation of blood to the entire body while an assisted rescue is being commenced).

Shall: The word shall is to be understood as denoting a mandatory requirement.

Shock Absorber: See Energy Absorber

Should: The word should denotes a recommendation.

Single Anchor Vertical lifeline (VLL): A vertically suspended flexible line connected at the upper end for fastening to an overhead anchorage and along which a fall-arrester travels

Snaphook: A connector comprised of a hook-shaped body with a normally closed gate or similar arrangement, which may be opened to permit the hook to receive an object, and when released, automatically close to retain the object. Only self-locking (single- or double-locking) snaphooks are acceptable for use.

Soft Loop Attachment Element: A non-metallic attachment element of a FBH constructed of synthetic fiber webbing.

Strap: A length of webbing that may be incorporated in a harness, lanyard or other component or subsystem.

Sternal: A location on a FBH that falls approximately between the user’s chest area.

Suspension: The act of supporting 100% of a user’s body weight, including equipment, for the purpose of accessing a work location with one or two points of contact.

Strap, Chest: A harness strap passing generally horizontally across the chest or around the body at chest level with adjustable means for fastening.

Strap, Shoulder: A harness strap that passes from the waist, up the chest, over the shoulder and down the back to the waist. It is connected to the waist strap or thigh straps or sub-pelvic strap or combinations thereof.

Strap, Sub-Pelvic: A full body harness strap, which passes under the buttocks without passing through the crotch and is designed to transmit, to the sub-pelvic part of the body, forces applied during fall arrest and post-fall suspension.

Suspension Trauma (Harness-induced Pathology): Where the body is at rest in a vertical state with the lower body motionless, and blood begins to pool in the lower extremities because the muscles in the legs are not contracting on the veins and helping the blood back to the heart (against gravity). Blood is not properly circulated, the individual’s blood pressure drops, the brain does not receive adequate blood flow and unconsciousness follows.

Suspension Trauma Safety Steps/Relief Step Strap: A coiled strap (in a pouch) attached to the harness which is manually deployed after a fall to help prevent the effects of suspension trauma by allowing the end-user to insert one foot (or two feet, depending on the style) into the loop step and stand up allowing the necessary circulation of blood to the entire body, while an assisted rescue is being commenced.

Suspension Seat: An arrangement of straps in a harness used to provide a body support and permit leaning or sitting while working.

Swing fall: A pendulum-like motion that can result from moving horizontally away from, or toward, a fixed anchorage, and falling. Swing falls generate the same amount of force when falling the same distance vertically. Swing fall has the hazards in both the horizontal direction (swinging into obstruction) and vertical direction (falling onto obstructions or ground).

Synthetic Rope Tackle Block: A load lifting and/or lowering device that does not include a winding or traction drum but uses pulleys to achieve a mechanical lifting advantage (often used in a rope rescue system).

Testing, Qualification: The controlled application of test conditions to a product specimen randomly selected from the initial production lot, and the recording of observed effects, for the purpose of determining the product's compliance with the requirements of these standards.

When the terms “testing” or “tests” are used in the Z359 standards, those terms shall denote qualification testing or qualification test(s), not developmental or verification testing or test(s) unless otherwise specified.

Testing, Verification: The controlled application of test conditions to a product specimen sampled from ongoing production lots (after qualification testing), and the recording of observed effects, for the purpose of confirming the product's continuing compliance with the requirements of these standards. Proof load testing is a type of verification testing.

Toeboard: A low protective barrier to prevent the fall of materials and equipment to lower levels and provide protection from falls for personnel.

Total Fall Distance: The total vertical distance fallen by the worker using a fall-arrest system between the onset of a fall and the instant when the worker first achieves zero vertical velocity;

or the vertical distance fallen by an end-user connected by a fall-arrest system to an anchorage measured from the walking/working surface and extending downward to a position after the fall is arrested. The total fall distance includes the sum of the free-fall, elongation, and deceleration distances of the system.

Travel Restraint: See restraint system.

Travel Restraint Lanyard: A lanyard used to transfer forces from a body support to an anchorage or anchorage connector in a travel restraint system.

Trolley: A mobile anchorage device that travels along a track (horizontal track system), structural beam (rigid rail system), or cable (HLL system).

Waist: A location on a FBH corresponding to the area on the body falls typically between the thorax and hips.

Warning Line System: A barrier erected on roof to warn workers that they are approaching an unprotected side or roof edge, and which designates an area where roof work may take place without the use of guard, fall-arrest, or safety net systems to protect workers in the area.

Work performed outside barriers will require FP. A warning line system is used during construction work.

Walking/Working Surface: Any surface, whether horizontal or vertical, on which an employee walks or works, including, but not limited to, floors, roofs, ramps, bridges, runways, form work, and concrete reinforcing steel (but not including ladders, vehicles, or trailers), on which employees must be located in order to perform their job duties.

Webbing: A narrow woven fabric with selvedge edges and continuous filament yarns made from light and heat resistant fibers.

Winch/hoist: A load lifting and/or lowering device that incorporates a winding drum and means for controlling pay-out and take-up of the line from the drum.

Winch/hoist capstan: A load lifting and/or lowering device that incorporates a traction drum and a means for controlling pay-out and take-up of the line from the drum. The device relies on reduction gearing and/or lever principles to achieve a mechanical lifting advantage.

Wire: A single, continuous length of metal with a circular cross-section that is cold-drawn from rod.

3.0 FALL PROTECTION (FP) PLAN

According to AFI 91-203 Chapter 13, each AF Activity, which has personnel working at heights and exposed to Fall-Hazards, is required to establish and implement a managed FP plan. The managed FP plan shall be in writing, reviewed and approved by a qualified person.

The installation safety office should also be in the coordination process for any FP plan.

3.1 COMPONENTS OF A FP PLAN

A. Activity Policy;

B. Duties and Responsibilities;

C. Workplace surveys and Assessment of Fall-Hazards;

D. Fall-Hazard Prevention and Control, Including the preparation of Site-specific FP and

Prevention Plans;

E. Training Requirements;

F. Inspection, Storage, Care, and Maintenance of personal FP equipment;

G. Rescue Plan and Procedures;

H. Fall Mishap Reporting;

I. Audits and Evaluation.

Note: All documentation of the FP plan shall be maintained and updated periodically as long as personnel are working at heights and exposed to fall hazards.

The following is a Sample Activity FP plan and is not site-specific.

3.2 SAMPLE WRITTEN FP PLAN

From: Squadron CC

To: All Employees

Subj: FP PLAN MEMORANDUM

References:

(a) AFI 91-203, Air Force Consolidated Occupational Safety Instruction

(b) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z359 Fall Protection Code/Standards;

(c) USACE EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Requirements Manual;

(d) 29 CFR 1926.500 Fall Protection in Construction;

(e) 29 CFR 1910, Subpart D, Walking/Working Surfaces;

(f) NPRM 29 CFR 1910 dated 24 May 2010;

(g) AFI 91-204, Safety Investigations and Reports.

Enclosures:

(1) Fall-Hazard JSA and assessment report (See section 5.3)

(2) FP and prevention plan (See section 7.2)

(3) Fall-arrest rescue plan (See section 10.13)

3.2.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide policy, guidance and requirements for work involving fall prevention for personnel working at heights and exposed to Fall-Hazards while conducting…