Chapter 45 Table of Contents. View the entire chapter in a PDF format. Please use the pdf for printing.

Requirements:
Procedures and Specific Requirements (5.2)

Accessing Unprotected Elevated Work Locations (5.2.1)

Before accessing an unprotected elevated work area, either

1. An established procedure must be in place and the affected personnel trained in it or
2. An elevated surface work plan (ESWP) must be developed and/or approved by a competent person, who will ensure the affected personnel understand all of its requirements

Established Procedure (5.2.1.1)

A well developed and approved procedure that makes use of permanently installed fall protection equipment is an acceptable work authorization, precluding the need for individual work authorization. Such procedures must be developed by a competent person.

Line management is responsible for ensuring that everyone who uses the fall protection system has been trained on the proper use of and access to that system. Line management is also responsible for developing, documenting, and ensuring the effectiveness of this controlled access.

Elevated Surface Work Plan (5.2.1.2)

An ESWP must be developed and/or approved by a competent person, then approved by the safety coordinator and building/area/facility manager or designee, along with the associated work activities. This ESWP will address associated fall hazards and provide a rescue plan as required. (See Fall Protection: Elevated Surface Work Plan Form [pdf] or [doc].)

Fall Protection Plan (5.2.1.3)

When the use of conventional fall protection (guardrails, fall arrest or restraint equipment, safety nets) is impractical or creates a greater hazard during construction activities, a fall protection plan (FPP) may be developed by a designated SLAC qualified person (for SLAC-performed construction) or by the contractor's qualified person (for contractor-performed construction). A FPP may not be applied to general industry work. FPPs must be approved by a SLAC associate laboratory director or above. (See Fall Protection: Fall Protection Plan Requirements [pdf].)

Transit from Ladders (5.2.1.4)

Until barriers or other effective methods of fall protection can be installed, transit to and from ladders at roof edges will be permitted when all of the following conditions exist:

• The roof being accessed is a low-slope roof.
• There are no current adverse environmental conditions affecting ability to see or move safely over the roof (such as high wind, extreme heat or sun glare, heavy rain).
• Safe ladder usage

• A fixed ladder is used that has proper grab rails over the roof edge or parapet, conforms to regulations, has been inspected and labeled by a competent person, and is deemed safe for climbing , or
• A portable straight ladder is used that has been set up on a stable base, is properly secured to prevent movement, and extends at least three feet above the roof landing surface.

• Immediately upon reaching the roof, the person immediately walks away from the edge to the location on the roof where the work is to be done.
• Neither the location of the work nor the work itself will require the person to approach within six feet of the roof edge at any time except when accessing the ladder.
• To descend, the person approaches the ladder at an angle perpendicular to the roof edge to maximize distance from the edge during access.

Non-conforming Fixed Ladders (5.2.1.5)

Pre-engineered fall arrest equipment (such as an approved ladder climbing system or self-retracting lifeline) must be used on fixed ladders over 20 feet in height that do not have required landing platforms and compliant cages. Such fall arrest equipment must be installed under the supervision of a competent person.

Use of Fall Protection Equipment (5.2.2)

When an elevated work location cannot be accessed safely from a ladder or protected work platform or when the installation of guardrails is infeasible, fall restraint or fall arrest systems may be used. A project-specific ESWP will be developed and a designated SLAC competent person will make the appropriate equipment selection based on a complete evaluation of the work site, conditions, and nature of work to be done (see Section 5.2.1.2, “Elevated Surface Work Plan”).

Personnel using fall restraint or fall arrest equipment will work in teams of two or more (two-person rule).

Personnel will use harnesses, self-retracting lifelines, lanyards, I-beam straps, and so on only as permitted by the equipment manufacturer and in accordance with published instructions unless authorized by a designated SLAC competent person.

Fall Restraint Systems (5.2.2.1)

Fall restraint systems consisting of the following minimum components may be used to prevent free fall:

• Rated anchorage point with a capacity at least four times the intended load or 800 pounds, whichever is greater
• Lanyard (length must be limited to prevent access to edges where fall could occur)
• Connecting hardware (double-locking snaphooks, carabiners, D-rings)
• Full body harness

Fall Arrest Systems (5.2.2.2)

Minimum fall arrest system components are

• Rated anchorage point of at least 5,000 pounds
• Lanyard that is shock absorbing or self-retracting
• Connecting hardware (double-locking snap hooks, carabineers, D-rings)
• Full body harness (body belt strictly prohibited)

Fall Distance Calculation

When using a fall arrest system, the fall distance calculation must account for the length of lanyard, connecting hardware, deceleration distance, deployment of shock absorbers, the height of the person wearing the equipment (or the height of the D-ring attached to the back of the harness), one foot of slack in the harness, the position of the anchorage point, lanyard or rope elongation, and a safety factor.

A competent person must perform the fall distance calculation, or at a minimum verify that it was performed properly if calculated by someone else.

Depending on the above variables, the minimum height required for a fall arrest system to be effective in preventing contact with a lower level may be as much as 18 feet. Fall arrest systems should not be used at heights with less than 18 feet clearance to a lower level unless it can be proven by a competent person that the person will not contact the lower level in a fall. Where vertical clearance is inadequate, another way to gain access to the elevated work location must be found (for example, scissors lift or ladder).

The area below and to the sides of the individual must be free of obstructions that could cause injury during a fall. Fall arrest systems must be rigged so that a person cannot free fall for more than four feet or so that the arresting forces on the body do not exceed 1,800 pounds.

Fall arrest systems should not be used to protect personnel working near vertical drop-offs such as roof edges and hoist areas due to the potential for a swing impact injury, and the difficulty of rescue. Instead, fall restraint systems should be used in these situations.

A rescue plan (as part of the ESWP) must be in place if a person will not be able to self-rescue (see Section 5.2.3, “Rescue Plan”).

Before beginning a job involving fall arrest equipment and as part of the work authorization process, personnel will notify the local building/area/facility manager and a competent person of the work to be done and the location. (Contact the fall protection program manager for a list of designated competent and qualified persons.)

Self-retracting Lifelines (5.2.2.3)

Self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) should be installed directly above the user's head, or at shoulder height directly adjacent to the work area at a minimum. Extreme care should be taken to ensure the person will not be exposed to a swing hazard, strike objects below, or exceed the maximum permissible free fall distance or arresting forces on the body after a fall involving an SRL (such as may be the case if the SRL is mounted below shoulder level). A designated SLAC competent person must inspect and approve of all SRL installations prior to use.

Exceptions to installing an SRL at or above shoulder level near the work zone will be approved by a competent person when no other fall protection option is feasible, and when the installation complies with applicable regulations and manufacturers' requirements addressing free-fall distance, arresting forces on the body, and swing fall hazards.

Anchorage Points (5.2.2.4)

Rated and approved anchorage points will be easily distinguishable from other structural features so that personnel may readily identify them. One method is to mark them with bright yellow or orange fluorescent paint, or identify them with weatherproof labels or tags. Only anchorage points that have been approved by a designated SLAC qualified person, or that are known to hold at least 5,000 pounds (such as structural I-beams or properly-installed pre-manufactured points) will be used for fall protection purposes.

Under no circumstances will personnel tie-off to piping, unistrut, racks, bracing, ventilation fan housings, or any other non-approved locations. Unless permanent, fixed guardrails are specifically engineered and marked as approved anchorage points by a qualified person, they will not be used as anchorages.

Design of Fall Protection Systems  (5.2.2.5)

Only SLAC-designated qualified persons may engineer and design fall protection systems such as anchorage points, horizontal lifeline systems or safety nets. If commercially available systems are pre-engineered and certified to provide fall protection and comply with regulatory requirements, they may be installed and used under the direction of a competent person and do not require a separate design by a SLAC qualified person.

Rescue Plan (5.2.3)

When fall arrest systems are in use, a competent person will develop an effective rescue plan specific to the work location and job being performed before work starts. Although not required to be in writing according to applicable Cal/OSHA regulations, all SLAC fall protection rescue plans will be documented in the ESWP according to Section 5.2.1.2. A written plan, prepared in advance, facilitates the training of rescue personnel by increasing their familiarity with specific areas difficult to access.

Alternatively, the competent person may ensure personnel are trained on and capable of self-rescue to a safe location.

Refer to the ES&H Manual, Chapter 37, "Emergency Management", for more information about general rescue capabilities available at SLAC.

Equipment Inspection, Marking, and Storage (5.2.4)

Inspections (5.2.4.1)

Before each use, the user will inspect harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, and connecting hardware for wear, damage, contamination, and other deterioration according to manufacturer's instructions and checklists. Equipment not meeting inspection criteria will immediately be tagged DANGER - OUT OF SERVICE and will not be used.

Twice annually, a competent person will inspect personal fall protection systems according to manufacturers' instructions and checklists. Such systems may include fixed, installed fall protection systems such as self-retracting reels, anchorages, lifelines, or personal systems such as harnesses, connectors, and lanyards. Ensuring the completion of inspections and required documentation is the responsibility of line management.

Line management must designate a competent person as custodian of inspection records. The competent person will retain documentation of the semi-annual inspection for three years. Documentation will include the name of the inspector, the date equipment was inspected, and the results of the inspection. The documentation will be made available upon request. The equipment itself will also be labeled with proof of inspection.

Any equipment exposed to in-use loading or potential damage will be sent back be to the manufacturer for complete inspection, rebuild if necessary, and recertification before being used again.

Marking (5.2.4.2)

All fall protection system components will be labeled by the manufacturer according to ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007 or ANSI/ASSE A10.32-2004. Only designated SLAC competent persons are authorized to mark harnesses and lanyards with other information (such as name or department) to ensure proper ink is used to prevent material deterioration

Storage (5.2.4.3)

Fall protection system components will be stored away from corrosive materials, oils and solvents, moisture, heat, or any other substance that may cause damage. Harnesses, straps, and lanyards will be hung by the D-ring or other connecting means to keep straps in a natural and untangled position when not in use.

Overhead Work (5.2.5)

If work is being done in a location overhead where others may be working or walking below, access to that lower area must be restricted if any items could be dropped or fall from the higher work level. This can be accomplished through the use of barricade tape, signs, rigid barriers. Signs and barricades will be removed when work is completed.

Tools and materials being used over an occupied area must be secured (tethered) to the structure or person if they might be dropped to the lower level. Toe boards must be provided on working platforms and scaffolds over six feet in height.

continue to Training (5.3)