Fall Arrest
Fall Arrest
by Enzo Garritano, P.Eng. Project Coordinator, CSAO
Safety begins with regular
inspection.
Falls are the number one killer in Ontario construction. Installing
guardrails or using a travel-restraint or fall-arrest system
can prevent many of these deaths.
A travel-restraint or fall-arrest system can only work properly if used properly. Correct use involves instruction, inspection, and maintenance of components.
Equipment should be inspected for adequacy before each use and on a regular basis. Any damaged or worn components should be identified and replaced before they have a chance to fail during use.
ComponentsThe basic components of travel-restraint and fall-arrest systems are similar. Components typically include:
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HarnessIt is recommended that a full-body harness be used for both travel-restraint and fall-arrest applications. A safety belt is still allowed for travel-restraint, but only if there is no chance for a worker to be exposed to any fall hazard. |
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A harness must be inspected prior to each use. Most web-type harnesses have a service life of 5 years. Always check the tag with the date of manufacture on it. If the harness does not have a tag, don't use it. Return the harness to a supervisor immediately to prevent others from using it. |
WEBBING
- Look for cuts, fraying, broken stitching, and other damage.
- Check for chemical or heat damage evidenced by discolouration, brittleness, or melted fibres.
- Ensure that grommets are intact and plastic or metal keepers are sound.
- Inspect all metal buckles for distortion, cracks, and sharp or rough edges. All buckles should slide easily for adjustment.
D-RING
- Inspect for distortion, cracks, sharp or rough edges, and chemical or heat damage.
- Ensure that the adjustment plate holding the D-ring in position on the harness is free from cracks, heat damage, or other defects. The plate must keep the D-ring in position without allowing it to slide out of place under its own weight.
Lanyard
Most lanyards have a service life of 5 years. Always check the tag on the lanyard for the date of manufacture. Lanyards must be inspected prior to each use to ensure proper protection:
- Check the lanyard from end to end looking for worn, broken,
or cut fibres. Look for evidence of stretching or impact-loading
indicating that the lanyard may have been involved in a fall
arrest.
- Inspect the lanyard for evidence of chemical or heat exposure.
Discolouration and brittle material are signs of exposure.
- Check the connecting hardware for cracks, distortion, and
other signs of stress.
- If the shock absorber is part of the lanyard, check the core
of the absorber by sliding your fingers along its length to ensure
that it is intact.
- Discard any lanyard that shows signs of the damage described
here.
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Shock Absorber
A shock absorber must be checked prior to each use. All shock absorbers should carry an inspection tag with the date of the last inspection. If the tag is missing, the shock absorber should be returned to a supervisor for advice on its suitability.
- Check the outer jacket and end loops for any signs of damage including cuts, tears, burns, chemical damage, and stretching.
- Stitching should be checked, especially around end loops.
- Remove a shock absorber from service immediately if it's found to be defective.
Snap Hook
- Check the snap hook for cracks and corroded or pitted surfaces.
- Ensure that the spring has enough tension to close the keeper
securely.
- Ensure that bill and eye sections are not twisted or bent
and are free from sharp edges.
- Check that the locking mechanism is working properly by attempting
to push the keeper into the open position with the mechanism
still engaged. If the keeper opens, discard the unit immediately.
- Open the keeper and release. The keeper should sit into the
bill without binding. It should not be bent or show excessive
lateral movement.
Snap Hook
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Set up an
inspection program.
inspection program. |
Rope Grab
- Inspect the rope grab for corrosion, distortion, alteration to parts, missing parts, and ease of function. Components to check include the connecting ring, main lever, guide roller, pins, hinges, and main body. Remove the rope grab from service if it shows any signs of damage.
- Test the rope grab for fall-arrest action. Mount the rope grab on the line with the directional arrow in the proper orientation (toward the anchor along the lifeline). Pull the rope grab sharply by the connecting ring in the direction of a fall. The grab should lock within 30 cm (12 inches).
- Ensure that the proper size lifeline is used with each rope grab. The size of lifeline required is marked on the rope grab.
Lifeline
Vertical lifelines should be at least 16mm diameter polypropylene or other material of equal strength.
Inspect the lifeline from end to end for damaged strands, abrasion, cuts, burns, and foreign materials lodged in the strands that may cut or chafe it.
- Check the line for signs of discolouration and brittleness indicating heat or chemical exposure.
- Manually check for signs of decreased diameter in the lifeline that may indicate it has been involved in a fall arrest.
- Check the eyes of a rope for cracks and deformities.
Anchor Points
An anchor point should be able to withstand a minimum of 10 times the weight of the person using the fall-arrest system.
- Ensure that lifelines are securely attached to the anchor points before use.
- Wherever possible, attach only one lifeline to each anchor.
- Never anchor to bundles of lumber or other construction material that may be moved or depleted through use. Do not anchor to exposed rebar unless embedment length is known and is adequate.
- If you're not sure whether an anchor is suitable, check with your supervisor.
Summary
Full inspection of components before use helps to ensure that the fall-arrest system will provide the necessary protection. Further, an inspection program outlining pre-set inspection dates of all components should be established to ensure that equipment remains safe and reliable.
