Fall Arrest

1. Fall Arrest Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company Revised 2006 Ref 29 CFR 1910.

2. Introduction • Instructor Introduction • Class Introduction

3. Introduction • It is the goal of the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company to keep its employees safe at all times • Any person who must work in or around a fall hazard of more than 6 feet shall be provided with fall protection equipment

4. Introduction • This training program is designed to make employees aware of fall protection, and give them the knowledge to properly select, use and maintain our company’s fall arrest equipment

5. Proper Selection • Personal Fall Arrest System – consisting of an anchorage, connectors, body harness or belt; may include a deceleration device or lifeline • Positioning Device System – consisting of a body harness system set up with a free fall no farther than 2 feet

6. Proper Selection • Safety Monitoring System – an alternative when no other fall protection has been implemented

7. Fall Protection • There are three types of fall protection: • Fall restraint • Positioning systems • Fall arrest

8. Fall Protection • Fall Basics • Falls can be caused by: • Slip or trip • Forces of balance • Bodily • Environmental

9. Fall Protection • Fall Statistics • From 1980-1994, 540 workers died PER YEAR from falls • Male = 97%, Female = 3% • 10%, victim was wearing fall protection

10. Fall Protection • Fall Statistics • 75% victim not tied off • 13% victim using faulty equipment • Falls can kill victims in less than 20 feet • Little experience and aging employees were majority of victims

11. Fall Protection • NIOSH Recommendations • Incorporate safety in work planning • Identify all fall hazards • Conduct regular safety inspections • Train to recognize/avoid unsafe conditions • Provide equipment and training

12. Definitions • Qualified person –by the possession of a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing; or who, by extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to resolve problems related to a specific subject, operation or project

13. Definitions • Competent person – one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the work environment and who has authorization to take prompt measures to eliminate the hazards

14. Class of Fall Protection • Fall Restraint • Guardrails • Safety belts and lanyards • Warning line systems • Warning line system and safety monitor

15. Class of Fall Protection • Positioning System • Vertical walls, columns, poles • Safety belt and harness (two feet max. free fall) • Fall Arrest • Full-body harness • Safety nets • Catch platforms

16. Physics of a Fall • “Its not the fall that kills you, it’s the sudden stop at the bottom” • Unsupported mass will accelerate under the force of gravity until it impacts a solid surface • The change in velocity at the sudden impact is what causes falling injuries

17. Methods of Fall Protection • Anchors • Engineered Anchors • Designed by engineers, according to specifications • Not used for supporting platforms

18. Methods of Fall Protection • Anchors (cont.) • Improvised Anchors • Identified by qualified persons • Pad sharp edges • Use approved anchorage connectors • Maintain safety when installing • Twice the maximum possible load

19. Methods of Fall Protection • Body Harness • Victims can be suspended for a longer period of time without great bodily damage • Size can be adjusted to fit the wearer • Lanyard is attached to the back for more stability, support and protection

20. Methods of Fall Protection • Connectors • Include lanyards, deceleration devices, dee-rings • Snap-hooks • Locking mechanism • Capacity on hook • Drop-forged steel or equivalent • Compatible

21. Methods of Fall Protection • Connectors • Self-retracting lifelines • Limit freefall distance • 3000 pound capacity • Freedom of movement

22. Methods of Fall Protection • Personal Fall Arrest System • Most common failure reasons: • Weak anchors • Excessive freefall distance • Too much elasticity in lifeline • Swing falls • Equipment malfunction • Falling out of harness • Maximum arrest force exceeding injury threshold • Excessive post-fall suspension time

23. Safe Working Procedures • Employers are required to assess the work place to determine if the walking or work surfaces on which employees are to work has the strength and structural integrity to safely support workers • Employees are not permitted to work on those surfaces until it has been determined that the surfaces have been requisite strength and structural integrity to support the worker

24. Safe Working Procedures • Work practices: • Full attention while performing work activities • No horseplay • Avoid overhead reaching • Observe any overhead hazards, like electrical wires • Wear the proper protective equipment

25. Equipment Maintenance • All equipment should have a legible manufacturer’s tag • All equipment subjected to impact loading must be inspected by a competent person • Visual assessment • Look for deformities, changes in texture • Cuts, deep abrasions, glazing, discoloration • Feel for stiffness • Machine wash

26. Equipment Maintenance • Equipment inspection cont. • Woolite or commercial rope wash products • Hang to dry out of direct sun • Burrs should be filed smooth • Gates must open freely • Locking mechanisms operating properly • Cleaned by wiping with a clean cloth or wash with warm water and mild detergent • Wiped dry or blown dry using compressed air • Lubrication recommendations vary according to the equipment manager

27. Emergencies and Regulations • Rescue personnel • Rescue personnel • Emergency communications • Retrieval methods • First aid requirements