Section 4 Fall Controls: Construction Review

Section 4: Fall Controls Review

• Anchorage: Anchorages for personal fall arrest equipment must be able to support at least 5,000 lbs. per employee attached or be designed with a safety factor of at least two.
• Guardrail Systems:
  • Top Rail: Must be at least 200 lbs. of outward and downward pressure.
  • Midrail: Must withstand a minimum of 150 lbs.
  • Toeboard: Must withstand a minimum of 50 lbs.
• NYC Unenclosed Perimeter Protection System:
  • Requires vertical safety netting on all unenclosed perimeters.
  • The top cable must be at least 60 inches high.
  • The wire cable must withstand at least 200 lbs. of force with no more than 3 inches of deflection.
• Self-Retracting Lifelines and Lanyards:
  • These devices lock up within 2 feet of freefall.
  • They typically require an anchorage point that can withstand 3,000 lbs. of arresting force.
  • The Pendulum Effect can occur if a worker moves too far from the anchorage point, leading to a greater freefall distance and increased force on the body.
• Rescue Plan: A plan for a PROMPT RESCUE MUST be in place when using a Personal Fall Arrest System. Suspension in a harness can lead to serious injuries such as suspension trauma, blood pooling, and whiplash.
• Equipment Inspection: All fall protection equipment must be inspected by a competent person before each use.
• Multiple Tie-offs: When multiple workers are tied off to the same lifeline, the system must be designed and installed by a Qualified Person to handle the combined force.