4.2 – Fall Protection

POLICY

Griffin Properties Ltd. will ensure all workers employed onsite, including sub-trades, comply with legislated fall protection requirements including but not limited to provisions for training, use, inspection, maintenance, and storage of fall protection equipment.

PROCEDURE

Written Fall Protection Work Plan
  1. Any time that work is being done where workers are not protected by permanent guardrails, and from which a fall of 10′ or more may occur, the supervisor will complete a written Fall Protection Work Plan.
  2. The Fall Protection Work Plan will include;
    • a) the fall hazards expected in each work area, and
    • b) the free-fall distance and clearance calculations, and
    • c) the fall protection system or systems to be used in each area, and
    • d) the procedures to assemble, maintain, inspect, use, and disassemble the fall protection components, and
    • e) the procedures for rescue of a worker who has fallen and is suspended by a personal fall protection system, but is unable to self-rescue
  3. Once completed, the Fall Protection Work Plan will be adequately communicated to all affected workers including but not limited to:
    • a) posted in a visible location for worker review
    • b) made a topic at safety meetings and/or toolbox talks (Safety Meetings)
Use of Fall Protection
  1. Before a worker enters an area where a risk of falling exists, the worker will:
    • a) receive an orientation including but not limited to the type of fall protection systems being used onsite (Orientations)
    • b) demonstrate an understanding and/or competence in the type of fall protection system he/she will be required to use relevant to his/her job description/duties
  2. A fall protection system will be used by workers anytime work is being conducted at a place:
    • a) from which a fall of 10′ or more may occur, or
    • b) where a fall from a height of less than 10′ involves a risk of injury greater than the risk of injury from the impact on a flat surface
  3. The fall protection system described in (2) will be designed and implemented using the following methods in the order described whenever practicable:
    • a) guardrails and handrails
    • b) fall restraint system
    • c) fall arrest system
    • d) written work procedures acceptable to WorkSafeBC
Guardrails
  1. Guardrails temporarily installed during the construction, demolition or renovation of a work area will be constructed in accordance with OHS Regulation 4.58, including but not limited to;
    • a) top rail will be 40″ to 44″ above the work surface with an intermediate rail approximately midway between the work surface and the top rail
    • b) be able to withstand a load of 125 lbs applied perpendicular to the span in a horizontal or vertically downward direction at any point on the top rail
    • c) not be made of fiber or wire rope without the prior approval of WorkSafeBC
  2. If a guardrail must be removed to accommodate work, the following will take place:
    • a) only the portion of the guardrail necessary to allow the work to be done will be removed
    • b) workers exposed to a fall hazard will be protected by another fall protection system when the guardrail is absent
    • c) the guardrail will be immediately replaced by the worker or sub-trade worker who removed it whenever the unguarded area is left unattended or after the work is completed (if the circumstances still require guardrails)
Handrails
  1. Stairs with more than 4 risers will have continuous handrails on;
    • a) any open side of the stairway,
    • b) one side of enclosed stairways 44″ or less in width, and
    • c) both sides of enclosed stairways over 44″ wide.
  2. All handrails will be constructed in accordance with OHS Regulation 4.62.
Fall Restraint & Fall Arrest
  1. Where the use of guardrails is not feasible, a fall restraint system will be used to prevent the worker from reaching the edge where they may fall from a height.
  2. Where the use of a fall restraint system is not feasible, a fall arrest system will be used to stop a worker’s fall before they hit the surface below; the maximum distance a worker is permitted to fall is:
    • a) 4 feet without a shock absorber
    • b) 6 feet with a shock absorber
  3. All fall restraint and fall arrest equipment will:
    • a) consist of compatible and suitable components,
    • b) be sufficient to support the fall restraint or arrest forces, and
    • c) meet and be used in accordance with an applicable CSA or ANSI standard in effect when the equipment was manufactured
  4. Before using a fall protection system, all components of the system will be inspected by the end user in accordance with established company procedures. (Inspections)
  5. When not in use, all fall protection system components will be:
    • a) stored indoors whenever possible, or
    • b) stored in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and rain if possible
    • c) kept free of dirt, oil, grease, chemicals, abrasive materials, and anything else that may damage the equipment
Anchors
  1. All temporary and permanent anchors will be installed and used in accordance with OHS Regulation 11.6.
  2. Permanent anchors used for fall protection will be certified by a professional engineer in accordance with OHS Regulation 11.8.
Connectors
  1. All snap hooks and carabiners will meet the following criteria:
    • a) fitted with a functioning auto locking mechanism
    • b) stamped to indicate minimum strength of 5000 lbs.
    • c) CSA approved
  2. All connectors being used for the purposes of fall protection will be compatible and orientated in a manner that prevents the following:
    • a) forced roll out
    • b) 3-way loading
    • c) cross gate loading
    • d) gating over an edge
Lanyards

Lanyards will not be tied back to themselves (chokering) unless it has been specifically designed to do so and is clearly indicated as part of the manufacturers’ instruction.

Vertical Lifelines
  1. Lifelines used for the purposes of fall arrest will meet the following criteria:
    • a) compatible with arresters being used
    • b) of sufficient length to reach within 4 feet of the ground
    • c) meet CSA approval (tag must remain on)
  2. Lifelines that contain a thimble inside the spliced end will not be used if the thimble is missing or damaged.
Harnesses
  1. When using a system of fall protection, the worker’s harness will meet the following criteria:
    • a) full body
    • b) Type “A” equipped with dorsal D-ring
    • c) Meet CSA approval (tag must remain on)
  2. Harnesses will be fitted properly for each intended end user and will not be marked on the webbing with felt pen or other type of marker.
Written Work Procedures
  1. Where all other methods of fall protection are not practicable, a written work procedure (SJP) acceptable to WorkSafeBC will be designed/completed before the work begins.
  2. The written work procedures will be communicated to all workers by means of toolbox talks and/or safety meetings. (Safety Meetings)
  3. The written work procedures will be posted for review by all workers and a copy will be added to the company safety manual specific to the operating location. (SJP)
Training
  1. All employees will receive documented onsite training of the following:
    • a) policy, procedure, instruction and site specifics
  2. Employees required to use fall protection at the worksite will receive documented onsite training of the following:
    • a) jobsite orientation
    • b) practical hands on demonstration from personnel familiar with the worksite and the fall protection plan
g4_58_4_b-pdf-enDownload