Exposure Controls
Elimination/Prevention
Elimination is more difficult but it is by definition the most effective.
Eliminating Fall Hazards
Complete elimination of a fall hazard would mean not putting any workers at heights. Remember, no hazard, no harm. You can also prevent exposure to fall hazards by designing the job using methods that reduce the probability or severity of a fall. The best time to design fall hazards out of the construction project is in the preplanning phase when it is less expensive to implement.
Elimination
- assembling sections of a scaffold on the ground before being lifted into place by a crane;
- using tools and devices with extended handles from ground-level to cut, grab, or move items at elevation; and
- using long extension poles to spray paint or change ceiling light bulbs.
Prevention Through Design
- building stairway systems to eliminate the need to climb ladders;
- using articulating and scissor lifts to replace the need to use fall-arrest systems;
- using equipment that reduces the probability of exposure to a fall hazard; and
- moving a process, sequence or procedure to a different location so that workers no longer need to approach a fall hazard;
Passive Fall Protection
Passive control methods are considered a higher level of protection from falls than active control methods because, when installed, they do not rely on the actions of a worker to be successful.
Guardrails: Guardrails are the most common fall protection system used to protect workers at openings and on platforms.
Passive Systems - Oregon OSHA
Guardrails must be continuous, with no portion of the leading edge exposed, and meet the strength requirements. They should be removed only when materials are being on-loaded or off-loaded. Ensure that each top rail, or equivalent member of a guardrail system, can withstand a force of at least 200 pounds. Top rails must be between 39 and 45 inches in height. Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members or panels must withstand a force of at least 150 pounds.
Hole Covers: Any hole opening that measures at least two inches or more in its least dimension in a floor, roof or walking surface must be covered. Covers should be able to support at least two times the weight that will cross over them.
Safety Net Systems: Safety nets can catch the worker after a fall. They are most often found under bridgework, steel erection, demolition and maintenance operations. They should be installed as close as possible under the walking/working surface, but never allow a fall of more than 30 feet.
Active Fall Protection
Active control methods are considered to be less effective because they rely on the worker to use equipment to be successful.
Personal Fall Restraint Systems
This active fall system can be a full body harness or a body belt that's rigged to physically restrict the worker from reaching an area where a fall could occur.
Fall Restraint vs. Fall Arrest
It's designed to hold the worker back, but it does not provide support if a fall occurs.
Fall restraint systems are commonly used on leading edge work such as roofs, open-sided floors and work platforms.
Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)
A fall-arrest system, or PFAS, is designed to arrest or stop a worker's fall if they do happen to slip or lose their balance.
The PFAS consists of a body harness, connecting device and anchorage.
It must prevent the worker from free falling more than six feet. The arresting force on the worker must be limited to 1,800 pounds or less, and the anchorage point must be capable of supporting 5,000 pounds per person attached.
When vertical lifelines are used, each worker must be attached to a separate lifeline.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-6. Why are passive control methods considered a higher level of protection from falls than active control methods?
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