Fall arrest system

A fall arrest system is employed when a worker is at risk of falling from an elevated position. A positioning system restrains the elevated worker, preventing them from getting into a hazardous position where a fall could occur, and also allows hands-free work. Both systems have three components harnesses or belts, connection devices, and tie-off points. 

Fall Arrest System—A system employed to protect a worker when the worker is at risk of falling from an elevated position. 

CFR 1915.159— Personal fall arrest systems (PEAS) [Personal Protective Eqnipment (PPE)]... 

ANSI/ASSE Z15.1-2006 Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations ANSI/ASSE Z359.12-2009 Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems... 

Serious injuries can occur if a worker impacts the ground or other lower obstruction. When a fall arrest system is being used, we have a duty to know how much clearance is required, for comparison to how much clearance is available. 

A component of a personal fall arrest system. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that anchor points used for fall protection be capable of supporting at least 2273 kg (5000 lbs) per employee attached. See also Personal Fall Arrest System. 

ASSE Z359.1, Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems, and Components... 

A design of straps that may be secured about an individual in a manner to distribute the fall arrest forces over the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders, with a means for attaching it to other components of a personal fall arrest system. See also Fall Restraint System Personal Fall Arrest System. 

A fall protection system that prevents the user from falling any distance. The system is comprised of either a body belt or body harness, along with an anchorage, connectors, and other necessary equipment. The other components typically include a lanyard, and may also include a lifeline and other devices. See also Anchor Point Body Harness, Full Lanyard Personal Fall Arrest System. 

A rope designed and utilized to provide fall protection that must be secured above the point of operation to an anchorage or structural member. It connects to an anchorage at one end to hang vertically (vertical lifeline) or to an anchorage at both ends to stretch horizontally (horizontal lifeline) and serves as a method to connect other components of a personal fall arrest system to the anchorage. It must also be capable... 

A system used to arrest an individual s fall. It consists of a substantial anchorage, full body harness, and lanyard, and may include a deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations of these. The components are sometimes referred to as ABCs, i.e., A for anchor point means, B for body harness, and C for connecting device (lanyards). See also ASSE Z359.1, Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems, and Components Fall Restraint System. 

Installation of fall arrest systems if ladders exceed a certain length,... 

Who Personal protective equipment and personal fall arrest systems must meet the... 

Residential construction poses special concerns for contractors. One of the biggest concerns is falls, so OSHA requires fall protection that meets the residential construction requirements of 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13). According to the regulation, residential construction employers generally must ensure that employees working six feet or more above lower levels use conventional fall protection methods, including guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems. A personal fall arrest system may consist of a full body harness, a deceleration device, a lanyard, and an anchor point. (See the definition of personal fall arrest system at 1926.500). 

OSHA also allows the use of an effective fall restraint system in lieu of a personal fall arrest system. To be effective, however, a fall restraint system must be rigged to prevent you from reaching a fall hazard and falling over the edge. A fall restraint system may consist of a fiill body harness or body belt that is connected to an anchor point at the center of a roof by a lanyard of a length that will not allow a worker to physically reach the edge of the roof. 

The use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, controlled access zones, and other protection to be used ... 

Under the fall protection rule, employers can select fall protection measures and equipment to fit the t3rpe of work you are doing. The three most common methods of providing fall protection are guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems. 

You must provide and install all required fall and falling object protection before your employees begin work. OSHA s intent is that fall protection systems be in place at the earliest possible time when there is potential exposure to fall hazards. The equipment and systems must comply with fall protection rules at 1926.502 — Fall protection systems criteria and practices. The three most common (primary) methods of providing fall protection are guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. 

Body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system. Body belts are acceptable in positioning device systems. 

Paul and Salvador should be given additional training on fall hazards, fall protection measures, and personal fall arrest systems. 

According to 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(20), when personal fall arrest systems are used, you must provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall, or you must assure that employees are able to rescue themselves. The term, prompt rescue, is not defined in the standard, but an OSHA interpretation explains that rescue must be performed quickly, in time to prevent serious injury to the employee. An agency bulletin adds that researchers have found that suspension in a fall arrest device can lead to unconsciousness, followed by death, in less than 30 minutes. 

To reduce the risks and meet the prompt rescue requirement, OSHA recommends that you implement plans to prevent prolonged suspension in fall arrest systems. This includes identifying rescue procedures that address the potential for suspension tramna. Rescue procedures should address answers to these questions ... 

What procedures will be used to inspect the fall arrest system and rescue equipment involved in the emergency ... 

A worker has fallen but is saved by his fall arrest system. Ask yourself... is the worker really out of harm s way at this point The answer is no. In recent years, we ve learned that if fall rescue is not provided within less than 30 minutes, the situation may lead to rmconsciousness, followed by death. 

To reduce the risks, OSHA says that when personal fall arrest systems are used, yoru employer must provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or assure that employees are able to rescue themselves. 

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