Fall Protection is the backup system planned for a I.

Categories of Fall Protection

worker who could lose his or her balance at  Fall Arrest System
height, in order to control or eliminate injury A fall arrest system is required if any
potential. risk exists that a worker may fall
from an elevated position; used
To prevent employees from being injured from anytime a working height of six feet
falls, employers must: or more is reached.
 Fall Restraint
 Guard every floor hole into which a
prevents the worker from accessing
worker can accidentally walk
the potential hazard; recommended
 Provide a guard rail and toe-board
when guardrails or personal lift
around every elevated platform
devices cannot be used.
 if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous
 Positioning
equipment employers must provide
supported on an elevated vertical
guardrails and toe-boards
surface, such as a wall; holds the
 Other means of fall protection may be
worker in place while keeping
required such as safety harness and line,
his/her hands free to work.
safety nets, stair railings and hand rails.
 Suspension
OSHA requires employers to: This equipment lowers and supports
the worker while allowing a hands-
 Provide working conditions that are free free work environment, and is widely
of known dangers. used in window washing and painting
 Keep floors in work areas in a clean industries.
 Select and provide required personal  Retrieval
protective equipment Preplanning for retrieval in the event
 Train workers about job hazards in a of a fall should be taken into
language they can understand. consideration when developing a
proactive fall management program.

Class 1 Body belts are designed to restrain a person in a hazardous work position

Class 2 Chest harnesses are used when there are only limited fall hazards

Class 3 Full body harnesses are designed to arrest the most severe free falls.

Class 4 Suspension belts are independent work supports used to suspend a worker,

Rope Lanyard Offers some elastic properties for all arrest; used for restraint purpose.

Web Lanyard Ideal for restraint purposes where fall hazards are less than 2 feet.

Cable Positioning Designed for corrosive or excess heat environments

Lanyard

Shock Absorbers When used, the fall arresting force will be greatly reduced

Rope Grabs A deceleration device which travels on a lifeline, used to safely ascend or descend ladders

Retractable when working at height or in areas where there is a danger of falling.

Lifeline Systems

Safety Net lessen the fall exposure where temporary floors and scaffolds are not used and the fall
distance exceeds 25 feet.
Rail System used on any fixed ladder as well as curved surfaces as a reliable method of fall prevention.
II. Inspection and Maintenance

 Harness Inspection  Visual Indications

Belts and Rings: Heat
Tongue Buckle: Chemical
Friction Buckle: Ultraviolet Rays
 Lanyard Inspection Molten Metal or Flame
Hardware Paint and Solvents
Lanyards  Cleaning of Equipment
Steel Lanyards Nylon and Polyester
Web Lanyard Drying
Rope Lanyard
Shock-Absorbing Packs

Lockout/tagout is a set of safety procedures I. Standards for locks and tags

designed to reduce the risk of injury due to
accidental activation of machinery or energizing of
electrical systems during servicing or
maintenance
Hazardous Energy - Energy sources including
electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic,
chemical, thermal, or other sources in machines
and equipment can be hazardous to workers.
Procedures should include the
following:
 A specific statement of the
intended use of the
procedure.
 specific steps for isolating,
blocking and shutting down
the machine or equipment.
 Specific procedural steps for
the placement, removal, and
transfer of loto device
 Specific requirements for
testing equipment to
determine the effectiveness
of the loto device
3 types of employee:
 Authorized Employees
 Affected Employees –
 Other Employees
Criteria for Lock
1. The locks can either be keyed or
combination
2. Locks cannot be used for any
other purpose
3. Locks must be durable enough
for the heat, cold, humidity, or
corrosiveness at the environment
in which they will be used.
4. Every lock used for the lockout
procedure must be standardized
within the facility in at least one
of the following criteria: color,
size, or shape.
5. Locks must be strong enough
that they cannot be removed
without heavy force or tools like
bolt cutters.
6. Each lock must identify the name
of the employee who installs it.
Requirements for a Tagout
1. Each tag must have the same
print and format throughout the
facility.
2. The tags must be easy to read
and understand, even if used in
corrosive, dirty, or damp areas.
3. Tags must be tough enough that
they cannot be removed easily.
4. A nylon cable must be used to
attach each tag
a. The cable cannot be reusable
 b. It must be able to be d. It must be able to withstand
attached by hand 50 lbs. of pressure before
c. The cable must be self- release.
locking 5. Tagout devices should include a
legend such as:
a. DO NOT START d. DO NOT ENERGIZE
b. DO NOT OPEN e. DO NOT OPERATE
c. DO NOT CLOSE
6. The installer’s name must be Steps for removing locks and tags
located on the front of the tag. 1. Clean out any tools or materials
Six step procedure for hazardous in the machine.
energy control: 2. Make sure all employees are a
1. Preparation for shutdown safe distance away
2. Equipment shutdown 3. Notify all affected employees that
3. Machine or equipment isolation the machine is being activated.
4. Application of lockout/tagout
device
5. Release stored energy
6. Verification of isolation

A Confined Space is an enclosed or partially 2. Pits

enclosed space that is not primarily designed or 3. Combustion Chambers in
intended for human occupancy. Furnaces etc.
 It has a restricted entrance or exit by 4. Manhole
way of location, size or means 5. Unventilated or Poorly Ventilated
 represent a risk for the health and Rooms
safety of anyone who enters Hazards in confined spaces can include:
 Permit-Required Confined Spaces,  Oxygen Deficiency
Non-Permit Confined Spaces  Oxygen Enrichment
 Flammable Atmosphere
To identify if it is a confined space it must  Toxic Atmosphere
have the following characteristics:  Temperature Extremes
 Limited Openings for Entry and  Engulfment Hazard
Exit  Other Hazards
 Unfavorable Natural Ventilation o Noise
 Not Designed for Continuous o Slick / Wet Surfaces
Worker Occupancy o Falling Objects

TYPICAL CONFINED SPACES SAFE SYSTEMS OF WORK

The most common are enclosures with  ISOLATION
limited openings:  VENTILATION
1. Storage Tanks  CONDUCT A TAILBOARD
2. Silos (used for storing grains) BRIEFING
3. Pipeline  COMPLETE PERMIT
4. Enclosed Drains  TEST THE ATMOSPHERE
5. Sewers  ENTER THE SPACE
Others may be less obvious, but can be
equally dangerous, for example:
1. Open-topped Chambers
 Hazard analysis is the process of
recognizing hazards that may arise from a
system or its environment
A hazard is defined as a “condition, event,
or circumstance that could lead to or
contribute to an unplanned or
undesirable event."
JHA is an analysis and improvement
process that can literally transform
workplace safety.
Why is job hazard analysis important?
 eliminate and prevent hazards in the
workplace.
 develop safe work procedures for the
equipment that is operated.
 train employees in the hazards
associated with task and what control
measures should be practiced.
 result in fewer worker injuries and
illnesses
Strategies to eliminate hazard primarily
through equipment replacement, substitution,
redesign, or other engineering methods.
What jobs are appropriate for a JHA?
 Jobs with the highest injury and
illness rates
 Jobs that have the potential to cause
serious injury
 Jobs in which one simple human
error could cause injury
 Jobs complex enough to have written
instructions
 Jobs that are new to your facility
 Jobs that significantly had changes in
process technology or procedures
Steps in Conducting the Job Hazard
Analysis
STEP 1 – PREPARE TO CONDUCT THE
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
 CONDUCT AN INITIAL JOB INTERVIEW
- Discuss with your employees the
jobs and related hazards they know
exist in their current work and
surroundings.
 LIST HAZARDOUS JOBS
 CONDUCT A RISK ANALYSIS
 CONDUCT A RISK ANALYSIS
 PRIORITIZE HAZARDOUS JOBS
STEP 2 – OBSERVE THE JOB AND LIST
THE STEPS
 Watch the employee perform the job and
list each step as the worker takes it.
 record enough information to describe
each job action without getting overly
detailed.
 Avoid making the breakdown of steps so
detailed
 Review the job steps with the employee
 Include the employee in all phases of the
analysis
STEP 3 – DESCRIBE THE HAZARDS IN
EACH STEP
 analyze each step to identify potential as
well as actual hazards produced by both
work environment and the activity being
performed.
STEP 4 – DEVELOP PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
 HAZARD CONTROL STRATEGIES
 Engineering Controls
Engineering controls include the
following:
◦ Elimination/minimization of the
hazard
◦ Substitution of equipment or
process to decrease hazard
◦ Isolation of the hazard with
interlocks, machine guards, blast
shields, or other means; and
◦ Removal or redirection of the
hazard such as with local and
exhaust ventilation.
Typical engineering controls involve:
1. Reducing noise at the source.
2. Interrupting the noise path.
3. Reducing reverberation.
4. Reducing structure-borne vibration.
Common examples of the implementation
of such controls are:
1. Installing a muffler.
2. Erecting acoustical enclosures and
barriers.
3. Installing sound absorbing material.
 4. Installing vibration mounts and
providing proper lubrication.
 Administrative Controls
Strategies to eliminate or reduce exposure.
This is done by primarily changing work practices,
procedures, and schedules.
Administrative controls include the
following:
◦ Written operating procedures,
work permits, and safe work
practices;
◦ Exposure time limitations (used
most commonly to control heat
stress and ergonomic hazards);
◦ Monitoring the use of highly
hazardous materials;
◦ Alarms, signs, and warnings;
◦ Buddy system; and training
 Personal Protective Equipment
PPE establishes a barrier between the
hazard and the worker. PPE is most
always used in conjunction with
administrative and engineering controls.
Personal Protective Equipment is
acceptable as a control method in the
following circumstances:
◦ When engineering controls are
not feasible or do not totally
eliminate the hazard;
◦ While engineering controls are
being developed;
◦ When safe work practices do not
provide sufficient additional
protection; and
◦ During emergencies when
engineering controls may not be
feasible.
STEP 5 – WRITE THE SAFE JOB
PROCEDURE
 CRITERIA FOR AN EFFECTIVE SAFE
JOB PROCEDURE
 Write in a step-by-step format.
 If no hazard or possible unsafe behavior
exists in a step, just state the action.
 If a hazard does exist in a step, state the
action and identify:
 Try to paint a word picture
 Write in the active voice
 Write simple words.
 Keep sentences short.
 Try to write in a less technical style
 REVIEWING THE JHA
 Periodically reviewing the JHA ensures
that it remains current and continues to
help reduce workplace accidents and
injuries.