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TERMS & DEFINITIONS

• Anchorage - A secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or deceleration devices, and which is independent of the means of supporting or suspending the employee, must be able to support 5000 lbs.
• Body belt - A strap with means both for securing it about the waist and for attaching it to a lanyard, lifeline or deceleration device. (TYPE II)
• Body harness - a design of straps which may be secured about the employee in a manner to distribute the fall arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders with means for attaching it to other components of a personal fall arrest system.
• Competent person - A person who is capable of identifying hazardous or dangerous conditions in the personal fall arrest system or any component thereof, as well as in their application and use with related equipment.
• Deceleration device - Any mechanism, such as a rope grab, ripstich lanyard, specially woven lanyard, tearing or deforming lanyard, or automatic self retracting-lifeline/lanyard, which serves to dissipate a substantial amount of energy during a fall arrest, or otherwise limits the energy imposed on an employee during fall arrest.
• Deceleration distance - The additional vertical distance a falling employee travels, excluding lifeline elongation and free fall distance, before stopping from the point at which the deceleration device begins to operate.  It is measured as the distance between the location of an employee's harness attachment point at the moment of activation (at the onset of fall arrest forces) of the deceleration device during a fall, and the location of that attachment point after the employee comes to a full stop. OSHA allows 42" of elongation for deceleration.
• Free fall - The act of falling before the personal fall arrest system begins to apply force to arrest the fall.
• Free fall distance - The vertical displacement of the fall arrest attachment point on the employee's harness between onset of the fall and just before the system begins to apply force to arrest the fall.  This distance excludes deceleration distance, lifeline and lanyard elongation, but includes any deceleration device slide distance or self-retracting lifeline/lanyard extension before they operate and fall arrest forces occur.
• Lanyard - A flexible line of rope, wire rope, or strap which is used to secure the harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage.
• Lifeline - A component consisting of a flexible line for connection to an anchorage at one end to hand vertically (vertical lifeline), or for connection to anchorages on both ends to stretch horizontally (horizontal lifeline), and which serves as a means for connecting other components of a personal fall arrest system to the anchorage.
• Personal fall arrest system - A system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level.  It consists of an anchorage, connectors, a harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations of these.
• Qualified person - One with a recognized degree or professional certificate and extensive knowledge and experience in the subject field who is capable of design, analysis, evaluation and specifications in the subject work, project, or product.
• Retractable Lanyard/Lifeline - A deceleration device which contains a drum wound line which may be slowly extracted from, or retracted onto, the drum under slight tension during normal employee movement, and which after onset of a fall automatically locks the drum and arrests the fall. 
• Shock absorber - See deceleration device
• Tie off - The act of an employee, wearing personal fall protection equipment, connecting directly to indirectly to an anchorage, or the condition of an employee  being connected to an anchorage.
• TYPE I  - Use of products tagged Type I are approved for use in fall arrest systems.
• TYPE II - Use of products tagged Type II are approved for positioning only.

These definitions are set forth in OSHA 1910.66 Appendix C.

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OSHA

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration, commonly known as OSHA, publishes what are know as "Standards". These Standards outline what the legal responsibility of the Manufacture, the Employer and the worker are. The Standards are Law. Failure to follow these Standards may result in OSHA citations and fines.

    OSHA 1910.146            Permit Required Confined Space for General Industry
    OSHA 1926.500            Subpart M Fall Protection for Construction
    OSHA 1910.66              Appendix C Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Follow this link to find information on Standards 1910 & 1926.

  www.osha.gov

ANSI

The American National Standards Institute is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1918 which facilitates development of voluntary standards. These standards are not law.

    ANSI Z117-1989          Safety Requirements for Confined Space
    ANSI A10.14                Safety Requirements for Construction & demolition Operations
    ANSI Z359.1                Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components

Follow this like to find more information on Standards A10.14 and Z359.

www.ansi.org

 TRAINING

OSHA requires that all employees working at elevation be trained in the proper use of their fall protection equipment.

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SYSTEM TYPES

FALL ARREST SYSTEM (TYPE I)

A fall arrest system may include but is not limited to the following products:

1. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT:  Full body Harness - will distribute the fall arresting forces over a large portion of the body reducing the chances of internal injury.

2. CONNECTING DEVICE:  Shock absorbing lanyard, lifeline, etc. - means of securing the personal protection equipment to the anchorage point or attachment point.

3. ANCHORAGE POINT:  An I-Beam, Tie Off Strap etc. - an attachment area that will support a minimum of 5000 lbs or more.

POSITIONING SYSTEM (TYPE I OR TYPE II)

A work positioning system is designed to hold a worker in place while giving a hands free approach to his work. A work positioning system must include a secondary system for fall arrest in the event the work positioning system should fail.  The following items make up a work positioning system:

1. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT:  Full body harness

2. CONNECTING DEVICE (for work positioning): Re-bar assembly, etc. -  a common connector used extensively throughout the construction trade to hold workers in position.

3. CONNECTING DEVICE (for fall arrest):  Shock absorbing lanyard, lifeline, etc. - a fall arrest connecting device is necessary to protect the working the even his work positioning connector fails, or to protect the worker from a fall while a changing from one work position to another.

4. ATTACHMENT POINT:  An I-Beam, Tie off strap, etc. - any attachment that will support a minimum of 5000 lbs. or more.

SUSPENSION SYSTEM (TYPE I OR TYPE II)

A suspension system is designed to lower and/or raise a worker and support the worker while in that position.  Examples include a suspended scaffold or a Bos'n chair supporting a worker on the facade of a building, bridge, etc.  The worker must be protected against falling should the work platform fail for any reason.  The following are items that make up a suspension system.  Your individual suspension system may vary depending upon the work being performed.

1. SUSPENSION DEVICE:  Suspended scaffold, Bos'n chair or saddle - Items designed for lifting or lowering a worker.

2. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT:  Full body harness or Bos'n chair with full body harness built in - if personal protection equipment is not build into the system, it must be incorporated into the system as an independent item.

3. CONNECTING DEVICE (for suspension system): A work line connected from the suspended scaffold or a Bos'n chair to an anchor selected specifically for the suspended system.

4. CONNECTING DEVICE (for fall arrest):  Lifelines and rope grabs - must commonly this would be a vertical lifeline and rope grab with an anchor point independent of the work platform.

5. ATTACHMENT POINT:  Any attachment that will support a minimum of 5000 lbs. or more.

RETRIEVAL SYSTEM (TYPE I OR TYPE II)

    A retrieval system is designed to raise and/or lower workers into and out of confined spaces.  The worker should be attached to a retrieval system prior to entering a confined space.  If an accident occurs, the worker may be pulled to safety by his retrieval system.  Retrieval systems are an important element involved with a rescue, and consideration should be given to the time element involved with the rescue equipment.  The following items make up a retrieval system.  Your individual retrieval system may vary depending upon the needs of your employees.

1. SUSPENSION DEVICE:  Suspended scaffold, Bos'n chair or saddle - Items designed for lifting or lowering a worker.

2. RAISING AND LOWERING DEVICE:   Ladder, retrieval/personnel winches, a work line attached to a Bos'n  - a means of enabling the worker to enter or exit a confined space.

3. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT:  Full body harness  - a worker entering a confined space should be wearing a full body harness to facilitate a rescue.  It is not necessary to use an independent full body harness if one is already built into the suspension device.

4. CONNECTING DEVICE (for personal protective equipment): Lifelines with rope grabs or recovery winches - a rescue device independent of the raising and lowering system should be attached to the personal protection equipment prior to the worker entering the confined space.

5. ATTACHMENT POINT: Tripod, davit system, quadpod etc. - any attachment point is necessary for both raising and lowering devices plus the fall arrest/rescue system.  The anchorage point must support a minimum of 5000 lbs. or more.  A common anchor point for both system could be a tripod designed to attach all of the above items.

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CARE, MAINTENANCE & INSPECTION

A well conceived fall protection plan must include proper care and maintenance of all personal protective equipment along with the associated items necessary for a complete system.  Training sessions related to care and maintenance should be held at regular intervals depending on the nature of the work.  Frequent training sessions are more appropriate for an employer with a transient work force than for an employer with a mature stable work force. 

ANSI and OSHA standards require that training be performed by a competent person.  The user is responsible for ensuring that he/she knows how to properly inspect, use, store and maintain the equipment.

STORAGE:  Personal protection equipment (harnesses, lanyards, etc.) along with connectors and other related items should be stored in a clean, dry environment free from direct sunlight, dust, excessive heat and harmful chemicals.

MAINTENANCE/CLEANING: Personal protection equipment should be cleaned periodically using a mild detergent and water.  Wash with a soft, non-abrasive brush or sponge and allow to air dry after removing the excess water with a dry cloth.

DO NOT  Put personal protection equipment in a clothes dryer or use a blow dryer.  Excessive heat may melt the webbing and alter the strength.

DO  NOT  Use chemicals to clean heavily soiled gear.  Chemicals may destroy the webbing.

FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION:

User Inspection      Personal fall arrest systems should be inspected by  the user before each use.  In addition, the user should check before each use to be sure a formal inspection has been performed within the last six months.

Competent Person Inspection   Personal fall arrest systems must be inspected by a competent person at intervals of no more than six months.

Procedure for Inspection  Harnesses, lanyards and synthetic lifelines manufactured from webbing and/or rope (products used in typical fall arrest system).

1. Inspect all webbing (straps)  and stitching for cuts, fraying, pulled or broken threads, abrasion, excessive wear, altered or missing straps, burn, heat and chemical exposures.

2. Inspect all rope for cuts, fraying, pulled or broken strands, abrasion, excessive wear, burns, heat and chemical exposure.

3. Inspect all metallic parts (ie. D-rings, snap hooks, buckles, adjusters and grommets) for deformation, fractures, cracks, corrosion, deep pitting, sharp edges, cuts, deep nicks, missing or loose parts, improper function, evidence of burns, excessive heat and chemical exposure.

CORRECTIVE ACTION:

User Inspection        When inspection in accordance with stated inspection procedures reveals signs of inadequate maintenance, the harness must be immediately removed from service.  Excessive wear and aging are generally not repairable.  If detected, immediately remove harness from service. For final disposition, submit the harness to a competent person who is authorized to perform inspections.  Contact FrenchCreek Production for further information if necessary.

Competent Person Inspection        The personal protective equipment must be inspected by a competent person other than the user at intervals of no more than six months (The qualifications of a competent person are established by OSHA).  If the harness is exposed to sever working conditions, more frequent formal inspections may be required.  The frequency of inspection by a competent person should be established by the user's organization based on such factors as the nature and severity of the workplace conditions and exposure time of the equipment.  The competent person should perform the inspection following the procedures outlined above.  Results should be recorded in the formal inspection log.  In addition, the user should check before each use to be sure a formal inspection has been performed within the last six months.

CONTROL OF EQUIPMENT:

The user's organization should establish and enforce a policy and procedure whereby any personal fall arrest system (or parts thereof) are found to be defective, damaged, impact loaded or in need of maintenance be immediately removed from service.  Only the manufacturer should make repairs to defective or damaged equipment.

WARNINGS

FrenchCreek Production does not manufacture, nor do we suggest the use of a body belt only as a component of a fall protection system

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