512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

21-4. Roles and Responsibilities.

Fall Protection Program Administrator

Oversees the Fall Protection Program, advising managers and employees, and assigning trained individuals to required duties.
Ensures the development and implementation of the Fall Protection and Prevention Plan and Rescue Plan.
Conducts periodic evaluations of the program, participating in or assigning investigations of falls and near-misses.

Qualified Person for Fall Protection (QP for Fall Protection)

Handles technical support aspects, designing and evaluating fall protection and rescue systems, and overseeing anchorages and horizontal lifeline (HLL) systems.
Participates in investigating falls and near-misses related to falls from heights.

Competent Person (CP) for Fall Protection

Conducts fall hazard surveys, identifies and evaluates workplace activities, and develops and updates Fall Protection and Prevention Plans.
Supervises the selection, use, and inspection of non-certified anchorages, ensuring proper training and authorization for personnel working at heights.
Participates in fall-related investigations and ensures the prompt rescue of personnel, inspecting and maintaining fall protection equipment.

Authorized Person

Reports unsafe conditions to the CP and properly uses, maintains, and inspects fall protection equipment and systems.

Competent Rescuer

Ensures rescuers are trained and resources are available for safe and prompt rescue from heights, knowing how to mitigate hazards within the rescue area.
Verifies the effectiveness of Rescue Plans and equipment, conducting annual drills and addressing deficiencies.

Authorized Rescuer

Reviews Rescue Plans and procedures before encountering fall hazards and inspects rescue equipment for proper condition and storage.
Recognizes fall hazards endangering rescuers and ensures rescuer safety in the Rescue Plan.

Employer

Provides necessary resources for prompt rescue of fallen workers.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

21-3. Who participates in investigating falls and near-misses related to falls from heights?

Fall Protection Program Administrator

QP for Fall Protection

Authorized Person

CP for Fall Protection

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 21-4.

21-4. Roles and Responsibilities.

a.  Fall Protection Program Administrator.  The Program Administrator is responsible for the overall development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the employer’s Fall Protection Program.  This person can also function as a QP, CP, CP trainer, QP trainer or competent rescue trainer if so trained (see para 21-3).  The Program Administrator will:  (21-4.a)

(1)  Advise and provide guidance for managers, employees, and others on all matters pertaining to their Fall Protection Program.

(2)  Establish all duties and responsibilities required by the Fall Protection Program and assign them to individuals who are trained and qualified to perform them.

(3)  Verify personnel are provided with resources to accomplish their responsibilities.

(4)  Establish and implement a procedure to identify and eliminate or control new and existing fall hazards.

(5)  Ensure the proper development and implementation of the Fall Protection and
    Prevention Plan and Rescue Plan (see para 21-7).

(6)  Ensure that an appropriate level of training is provided to all personnel involved in the Fall Protection Program, to include Authorized Persons, CPs, QPs, and others as required.

(7)  Ensure that a rescue plan is prepared and implemented for every location where a PFAS is used to control fall hazards.

(8)  Participate in investigations, either personally ro by designating persons qualified to perform the investigation, of all accidents and near misses related to falls from heights.

(9)  Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the Fall Protection Program by conducting periodic program evaluations.  Make necessary improvements.

b.  Qualified Person for Fall Protection (QP for Fall Protection).  The QP is responsible for technical support of the Fall Protection Program.  The QP will:  (21-4.b)

(1)  Design, analyze, evaluate, and specify fall protection and rescue systems.

(2)  Supervise the design, selection, installation, and inspection of certified anchorages and HLL.

(3)  Participate in investigation of all accidents and near misses related to falls from heights.

c.  CP for Fall protection.  The CP is responsible for the onsite supervision, implementation, and monitoring of the Fall Protection Program.  The CP will:  (21-4.c)

(1)  Conduct a fall hazard survey to identify all fall hazards before End-Users are exposed to those hazards.

(2)  Identify, evaluate, and impose limits on the workplace activities to control fall hazard exposures and swing falls and communicate all limitations to all employees authorized to utilize the fall protection system.

(3)  Immediately stop the work if it is determined to be unsafe and take prompt corrective measures to mitigate fall hazards.

(4)  Prepare, update, review, and approve Fall Protection and Prevention Plans as directed by the Program Administrator.  Specify in the Fall Protection and Prevention Plan, the fall protection systems, anchorage locations, connecting means, body
    harness, and other equipment that Authorized Persons must use when exposed to a fall hazard. (See para 21-7)

(5)  Review procedures as workplace activities change to determine if additional practices, procedures, or training need to be implemented before workplace activities continue.

(6)  Ensure that a Rescue Plan has been developed and is in place for all PFAS (see para 21-7).

(7)  Supervise the selection, installation, use, and inspection of non-certified anchorages in consultation with the Fall Protection Program Manager and QP.

(8)  Verify that personal fall protection systems are properly installed and inspected.

(9)  Prior to working at heights, verify Authorized Persons are trained and authorized to do so.

(10)  Prior to working at heights, verify that available and required clearances are adequate before Authorized Persons start work (see table 21-1).

(11)  Review at least annually and as needed, the Fall Protection and Prevention Plan and the Rescue Plan to ensure the Authorized Persons are up to date with and practicing the latest procedures for each workplace.

(12) Ensure prompt rescue of Authorized Persons can be accomplished via the procedures identified in the Rescue Plan.

(13) Participate in investigations of all accidents and near misses related to falls from heights.

(14) Immediately remove from service all personal fall protection systems and equipment that is damaged, malfunctioning, or was subjected to a fall.

(15) Inspect and document all fall protection equipment at frequency required by manufacturer, applicable regulations, and this chapter (see para 21-5).

d.  Authorized Person. The Authorized Person must understand workplace activities and fall protection, rescue systems, and equipment used.  They must follow the policy, procedures, and the instructions of the CP.  The Authorized Person will: (21-4.d)

(1)  Bring to the attention of the CP all unsafe or hazardous conditions, actions, or unsafe work practices that may cause injury either to themselves or others, before proceeding with the workplace activities.

(2)  Properly use, inspect, maintain, store, and care for their fall protection equipment and systems.

(3)  Inspect all fall protection equipment for damage or defects prior to each use and notify the CP of any concerns prior to using (see para 21-5).

e.  Competent Rescuer.  The Competent Rescuer is responsible for anticipating the potential for rescue and implementing, supervising, and monitoring the Rescue Plan before Authorized Persons start any work at heights (see para 21-7).  In addition, the Competent Rescuer will:  (21-4.e)

(1)  Verify all Authorized Rescuers have been trained and are proficient at performing rescue procedures.

(2)  Identify and confirm the availability of the resources necessary to conduct a safe, effective, and prompt rescue from heights

(3)  Know the hazards associated with rescue from heights and how to mitigate these hazards within the rescue area.

(4)  Verify the rescue equipment is protected against damage by workplace conditions.

(5)  Verify Rescue Plans, procedures, and methods are effective by conducting rescue drills at least annually.  Ensure that any deficiencies are corrected.  (See para 21-7.b)

f.  Authorized Rescuer.  The Authorized Rescuers is responsible for performing or assisting in workplace rescues for personnel suspended in or attached to fall protection systems. The Authorized Rescuer will:  (21-4.f)

(1)  Verify that a Rescue Plan and procedures have been developed for any workplace where a PFAS is used. Review the plan and procedures before fall hazards are encountered in the workplace.

(2)  Inspect the rescue equipment intended for use in a recue according to procedures developed by the Competent Rescuer.  Ensure that it is protected, in proper working condition, and securely stored until it is needed.

(3)  Recognize fall hazards that may endanger the rescuer during rescue operations. Including the necessary procedures in the Rescue Plan to ensure the rescuer safety.

g.  Employer.  The employer will ensure adequate resources (for example, equipment, training, personnel) are provided to ensure prompt rescue to all fallen workers.  (21-4.g)