Safety Tidbit 6.12 – Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Safety Tidbit 6.12 – Personal Fall Arrest Systems

 

References:     OSHA - 1926 Subpart M - Fall Protection

 

This Safety Tidbit was written by my student, Mr. Cody Tumpak  – a junior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA graduating Spring 2022.

 

The number one cause for construction worker fatalities in the United States is falling. OSHA requires worker protection from falling above 6 feet in 29 CFR 1926 the Construction Industry safety standards. This standard does have variations depending on the work. Examples are workers on scaffolds do not require fall protection until 10 feet, and steel erectors do not require protection until 15 ft. The three primary protections on construction sites are personal fall arrest systems (PFASs), guardrail systems, and safety net systems. Today I will be discussing the personal fall arrest system and its components.

 

PFASs have three main components: a full-body harness worn by the worker, a connecting device, and an anchorage to hook on too. The full-body harness has a maximum arresting force of 1800 pounds. OSHA requires workers to wear a full-body harness for fall protection, so a body belt is not an acceptable option.  After any fall while using a harness, immediate removal from service is mandatory. The connecting device is a nylon rope, wire rope, or retractable lanyard, or rope grab. The one recommended for use is an energy-absorbing connecting device because they reduce the forces on a body generated from a fall significantly. The anchorage, which the connecting device hooks on to, is also known as a tie-off point. Anchorages come in two different types: permanent or temporary. In construction, the temporary type is used most and is capable of supporting 5,000 lbs.

 

Furthermore, inspecting each component before each use is a vital step to ensure worker safety. Lastly, training workers on how to properly use the PFAS is essential. Without practical training, workers could improperly wear and hook up the harness wrong, causing a hazard.

 

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.