6 Fall Restraint Systems

Guardrails

Guardrails provide a high degree of protection once installed properly. A guardrail must be designed and installed in compliance with the latest version of CSA standard CSA Z797: Code of Practice for Access Scaffolds.

• Posts, secured against movement, generally spaced at 2.4m o.c.
• Top Rail, 1.0 m ± 75 mm (39 in ± 3 in) to the top of the rail.
• Toe board, resting on the platform and extending up a min of 75 mm (3.5 in).
• Midrail, centered in between top rail and toe board.
• Must resist a 200 lb. force applied vertically or horizontally at any point.
• A self-closing gate, double-chain gate or similar device with a minimum 0.56 m (22 in) clear width opening that replaces the normal guardrailing when the point of access is located at the guardrail.
• Guardrail may be omitted at the edge of a platform where the gap between the wall and the platform does not exceed 0.3 m (12 in).

Temporary Flooring

• Cover entire work area,
• Be able to withstand four times the load likely to be imposed, and
• Be securely fastened in place

Travel Restraint Systems

• An active, personal travel restraint system stops a person from getting close enough to a location where they may fall.
• It utilizes a body belt or harness connected to an anchor point that will withstand a 1.8 kN (400 lb) load on a level surface. This load requirement increases with the slope.

Personal Fall Arrest Sysytems

An assembly of components that arrests a person’s fall when properly assembled, used together and connected to a suitable anchorage.

• Must ensure that arrest forces are limited to 8 kN (~1800 lbs).
• Must be used in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications.

Components include:

• Anchors
• Full body harnesses

Connecting components:

• Energy absorbers and lanyards
• Self-retracting devices
• Vertical lifelines and fall arrestors

Anchorage

Anchorage means a secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or other deceleration devices. Anchors must be capable of withstanding:

• a force of 22 kN (5000 lbs), for a non-engineered anchorage;
• 2 times the maximum arresting force anticipated, for an engineered anchorage.

Consider the following when choosing a point to attach your personal fall arrest system:

• Identify suitable anchorage points. What you tie off to is the key to the whole system!
• Don’t “tie back” a regular lanyard. Passing lanyards or lifelines around “H” or “I” beams can reduce strength by 70%!
• Eye bolt strength is along the axis of the bolt (a straight pull). Don’t “shear” the bolt.

Full Body Harness

A full body harness is constructed of straps which may be secured about the wearer in a manner that will distribute the fall arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders, with some means for attaching it to other components of a personal fall arrest system. The harness is a crucial element in limiting the arrest forces to a maximum of 8 kN (~1800 lbs).

Note: Body belts are never to be used as part of a fall arrest system. Body belts used for fall protection are only for work positioning or as a component in a travel restraint system that prevents a person from accessing an area where a fall may occur.

CSA Standard Z259.10, Full Body Harnesses^[1]

• Group A – Fall Arrest
• Group D – Controlled Descent
• Group E – Limited Access
• Group L – Ladder Climbing
• Group P – Work Positioning

Full-body Harness Considerations

• A full-body harness is the only acceptable device for use in a fall arrest situation.
• A full-body harness positions a victim for rescue.

Full-body harnesses are used to both protect workers from falling, and to limit the extent of potential injury resulting from a fall. In order for a full body harness to accomplish this task, the harness must be the proper size and be adjusted to fit the wearer properly. A harness should be snug but comfortable, and should not bind the wearer. The sub-pelvic strap should be positioned under the buttocks. This strap and its proper placement is crucial; it is the sub-pelvic strap that dissipates much of the energy generated in a fall. All connectors must be fastened properly, the chest strap must be fastened securely, and the dorsal D-ring should rest between the wearer’s shoulder blades.

CSA Z259.10-12^[2]

• Full body harnesses shall include a built-in fall arrest indicator that activates to give a permanent, readily visible warning after the harness has arrested a fall
• NS WHSRs, s21.12: Harness must be used and certified in compliance with the latest version of CSA standard CSA Z259.10, Full Body Harnesses.

Adjusting a Full-body Harness:

• Sub pelvic strap – located below the buttocks with a secure fit.
• Leg straps – tight enough to be secure, just loose enough to allow comfortable movement.
• Chest Strap – keeps vertical front straps parallel, located approx. 6” below chin. Can’t allow person to fall out in a head first fall.
• Dorsal D Ring – centered 6”-8” below the base of the neck.

Refer to manufacturer’s instructions if a full body harness has been subjected to fall arrest or impact forces. Most manufacturers require that it must be immediately removed from service and destroyed.