The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide regulations that employers need to follow to ensure the safety of their staff. The regulations intended to prevent longshore accidents include detailed descriptions of how fall protection is to be incorporated. Well, this write will give you some informative review of the types of fall protection system described by them OSHA regulations.
Let’s check out what a fall protection system includes! Guards These are needed to be installed on hopper and chute openings into which a worker might fall. Bin lids should be kept covered. Elevator landing openings must have gates, doors, or similar, which are to be closed every time when the elevator is not at the landing. Personal flotation devices (PFDs) PFD’s must be provided and kept in good repair. They are to be worn by the worker at all times when a worker is at risk of falling into the water. There may be added safety requirements depending on the situations. Guardrails or nets Wherever there is a risk of falling more than four feet or into the water these are necessary. The particular characteristics of the guardrails are described in detail. Exceptions are: at waterside edges used for cargo handling, at loading platforms and docks, on the working side of platforms and skids and on railroad rolling stock and intermodal containers and highway vehicles Ladder safety devices From friction brakes to lifelines to lanyards, or sliding attachments, there are a number of ladder safety devices that a fall restraint system, must have. Fixed ladders with a height of more than 20 feet must use a cage or other safety devices. Ladders with a height of more than 30 feet have additional requirements. Moreover, daily inspections are necessary to spot defects or damage which could lead to a fall. On gangways, wherever there is a big risk of falling to a different level or into the water, a net must be installed. Instructions Every surface needs to be maintained to avoid falls and slipping. There are also instructions regarding how certain tasks should be performed in certain conditions so as to save the worker from falling. For instance, employees are not allowed to be on top of any container when gantry cranes are into use. While other hoisting devices are used, any employee who is on top of a container should be wearing fall prevention equipment. Full body harness The fall protection system is required to be devised in such a way that a falling employee must not contact any structure, surface, lower level. They must contain a full body harness. Energy absorbing mechanism is able of reducing the force to not more than 1800 pounds is essential for each system, and the system must be capable to sustain a force of 5000 pounds or at least twice the impact weight of a falling person. Every day inspections of each fall protection system are necessary, and after any fall, the system involved must be inspected for damage. Well, accidents can take place anytime; but if you follow a correct fall arrest system you can always avoid them.
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