Employees who are essential to the excavation process are exempt from fall protection. Non essential employees must be protected exposed to a hazard of falling from a location 10 feet or more in height, the employer shall ensure that fall restraint, fall arrest systems or positioning device systems are provided, installed, and implemented according to the following requirements.
A written fall protection work plan must be implemented by each employer on a job site where a fall hazard of 10 feet or greater exists, in accordance with Department of Labor and Industries, WISHA Regulations. The plan must be specific for each work site and be available for inspection!
NOTE: The plan form and individual site plans must accurately
describe the conditions at your worksite and the methods you will use. A compliance officer will, in addition to ensuring that your plan contains all the required elements, determine if it describes what you actually do. If it does not, you may be subject to citation and monetary penalty!
Fall Protection Methods: Select a fall protection method from the list below for each hazard identified above. Assembly and implementation instructions for the method(s) used are located elsewhere in this document.
Standard Guardrails Warning Line System Fall Arrest Harness Safety Net
Positioning Belt
Fall Restraint Harness/Belt Cover or Hatch
Other: __________________
Overhead Hazard Protection Methods: For each overhead hazard identified, specify the method(s) of protection for workers below. Refer to the “Overhead Protection” Section of this plan for any special installation instructions.
- Hard Hats Required
- Overhead hazard signs
- Debris Net
- Canopy
- Screens on Guardrails
- Barricade Control Access Area
Fall Protection System Assembly and Maintenance: Fall protection systems will be assembled and maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions when using a manufactured system. A copy of those instructions is available on-site for reference. Any fall protection system used will meet WISHA regulations WAC 296-155 Part C-1. Assembly and maintenance instructions unique to this worksite such as components, placement of systems, anchor points, areas where systems are particularly subject to damage, etc, are specified below.
Warning Line Systems must:- Block access to all fall hazards in the work area.
- Be placed 6 feet back from the edge.
- Be made of rope wire or chain between 39” and 45” above the surface height.
- Be flagged at 6 foot intervals
- Be attached to stanchions such that pulling on one section of chain will not take up slack in the other sections.
- Have stanchions that are able to withstand a 16 horizontally at 30” high.
Configuration and placement sketch attached? Yes ___ No ___
Controlled Access Zones must:
- Meet the “Warning Line System” requirements described above, 6’ to 25’ back from the edge plus the following when the fall hazard and the warning line (“control zone”).
- Have a competent person designated as “Monitor” who
- Wears a high-visibility vest marked “Monitor”.
- Is in visual and voice range of employees the control zone
- Is on the same working surface
- Have no other duties
except watching, warning and directing employees regarding fall hazards. - Has a maximum of eight employees working in the control zone (all of whom also wear high-visibility vests and are easily distinguishable from the Monitor).
This system is not to be used in adverse weather conditions such as snow, rain, or high wind, nor after dark.
Monitor/Competent Person(s): ______________
Control Zone Employees ___________________ ____________________ _____________________ __________________ ____________________ ____________________ ___________________ ___________________Covers or Hatches must:
- Be able to support twice the weight of employees and equipment that would be on it at the same time or twice the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle that would cross it.
- Be secured to prevent accidental displacement.
- Be marked with the word “Cover” or “Hole ”.
Safety Nets must:
- A person falling into the net cannot contact any object below the net!
- be installed within 30 feet vertically of the work surface.
- must be tested or certified to withstand a 400 pound object dropped from the highest work surface.
- Mesh at any point must not exceed 36 square inches with the largest opening being 6 inches side to side. Maximum Fall Distance fromWork Surface to Net Is ___ feet.
Distance from Outer Edge of Net Up to 5’ Fall=8Feet,5’ to 10’Fall=10Feet,> 10’Fall= 13 Feet
Other Fall Protection System:
Provide a description of how the system is to be assembled, disassembled, operated, inspected, and maintained, including specifications for materials to be used in its construction:
List Anchor Points at this worksite:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Configuration and placement sketch attached? Yes ___ No ___
Other Instructions:
List Anchor Points at this worksite:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Configuration and placement sketch attached? Yes ___ No ___
Standard Guardrails must:
- be 39” to 45” above the work surface at top rail with mid-rail and toe board.
- be able to withstand 200 pounds of pressure on the top rail in any direction.
- not have significant deflection.
- be inspected regularly for damaged or missing components.
Note: A guardrail does not protect a person standing on a ladder, box, or other surface above the work surface.
Fall Arrest Harness:
- Must have anchor points capable of withstanding a 5000 pound shock unless a deceleration device in use limits fall to 2 feet, in which case a 3000 pound anchor point may be used.
- Free fall may not exceed 6’.
- A lower level may not be contacted during a fall.
- Lifelines must be placed or protected to prevent abrasion damage.
- Snap hooks may not be connected to each other, or to loops in webbing.
- Inspect components for deformation, wear, and mildew.
Positioning System:
- Employees must not be able to fall more than 2 feet.
- The anchorage must be able to sustain 4 times the intended load.
- Snap hooks must not be connected to each other, or to loops in webbing.
Fall Restraint Harness/Belt: Anchor points:
- must withstand 4 times the intended load.
- must always prevent a free fall from the work surface. (Several alternate anchor points may be necessary to achieve this requirement.)
- Inspect components for deformation, wear and mildew,
List Anchor Points at this worksite:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Configuration and placement sketch attached? Yes ___ No ___
Other Instructions:
List Anchor Points at this worksite:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Configuration and placement sketch attached? Yes ___ No ___
Job Site Emergencies and Injuries:
First Aid Trained Employee(s) On Site:
Name: _______________ _______________ ________________ _______________ _______________ ________________
First Aid Kit Location(s): __________________________________
Nearest Medical Facility: _________________________________
Emergency Services Phone Numbers:
Medical: _________ Fire: ____________ Police: _____________
Location of Nearest Telephone: ___________________________
Specific to Fall Protection: If a crew member is injured at elevation, the supervisor will evaluate the employee’s condition and administer first aid. Emergency services will be called as needed. If an injured employee can’t return to ground level, the employee will be brought down to a lower level by emergency services. The
following equipment is available on site to facilitate lowering the injured worker
- Snorkel Boom
- Forklift wit approved man basket
- Scissor lift
- Self rescue equipment
- Retrieval winch/Other
Employee Training:
All employees must be instructed on the provisions of this plan and have been trained in the proper use of the protection equipment involved. By signing this document, the employees acknowledge that they understand the plan and have been trained in the use of the equipment.
Name: _______________ _______________ ________________ _______________ _______________ ________________ _______________ _______________ ________________
The competent person’s signature verifies that the hazard analysis has
been completed, the employees informed of the plan’s provisions and
that employees have received training in the protection systems in use:
PIPE PLUG SAFETY GUIDELINES
Inherent dangers exist when using any inflatable product. If any conditions exist that you think may jeopardize the safety of yourself or other personnel, do not use it. When questions arise, contact your supervisor or designated Competent Person for instruction. Failure to comply with all safety instructions and federal, state or local regulations, may result in property damage, serious bodily injury, or death.
WARNING
Users of this product are solely responsible for the proper use of all plugs and accessories, and shall be thoroughly knowledgeable in the safe use of such. Blocking/bracing must be used to prevent the movement or complete dislodging of pipe plugs. Blocking or bracing should be designed to contain a dislodged plug and all materials behind the plug, should the plug fail. Use of a registered engineer for the design, construction and maintenance of a containment system is recommended. The plugs rubber eyelets, steel rings and metal eyes are designed only for lifting and lowering of the plug, and are not to be used for restraint of blocking/bracing. Avoid the “DANGER
AREA” – the area directly in front of and near the end of a pipeline containing a pipe plug. In the event of plug failure, debris could be deflected sideways from the pipe end by bouncing off of interior pipe walls prior to ejection from the pipe. Inflating plugs to the recommended pressure is critical in preventing dislodging of plugs (due to under-inflation) or plug rupture (due to over-inflation). Do not use a pneumatic plug without knowing the proper plug inflation pressure and line test pressure. We strongly recommend the use of a properly calibrated in-line pressure gauge. Back or test pressures higher than the maximum rating for the plug will cause the plug to become dislodged. Note: Pneumatic plugs are rated for use in a clean, dry line. Foreign materials such as algae, mold, sand, oil, grease, etc. may significantly reduce the ability of a plug to hold back the maximum back/test pressure for which the plug is rated. Notify your supervisor when these conditions exist always block the plug to prevent dislodging. Never deflate a pneumatic plug or release a manual plug until all line back/test pressure has been relieved. Always use inflation/rope hose which allows the operator to stay clear of the “DANGER AREA” while pneumatic
plugs are in use. Regularly check all fittings and connections of the plug extension hose, hand pump, compressor, valves, regulators, pressure gauges, etc. for conditions which may allow air leakage. Use pneumatic plugs only in pipes for which they were designed. Clean (using water and a mild detergent) and inspect pneumatic plugs before and after each use. Dry thoroughly before using or storing. Check plugs for damaged rubber (cracks, tears, cuts, punctures, abrasions, etc.), loose or damaged fittings, cracks in casting, and excessive wear. If questionable conditions exist, do not use the plug!
If you are not sure of the proper operation of this equipment, discontinue use immediately.
Calculating Pipeline Forces and Pressures*
- Determine the inside diameter of the pipeline in inches.
- Determine the maximum back pressure.
- Calculate the pipe area in square inches. (Pipe area
- r2) Calculate the force the plug must withstand. (pounds of force = PSI X pipe area). * Calculating pounds of force aids in building blocking systems. It also illustrates the tremendous force generated by a sewer air test.
Formula:
- r2 X PSI = POUNDS OF FORCE. Example: 36" diameter pipe Radius = 18"
- =3.14 PSI=5 18"x18"X3.14x5PSI=5087POUNDS OF FORCE
Special Notes:
Pressures being exerted on a plug —regardless of the medium (liquid, water, or air)—are the same. Ten (10) PSI of water is the same as ten (10) PSI of air. However, air is a compressible media. Therefore when a plug dislodges under air back-pressure, it is much more dangerous than water pressure as the air will expand to its original atmospheric volume. Use extreme caution when conducting air tests!
General Safety and Usage Instructions:
- Death, bodily injury, and/or property damage may result if plug fails for any reason.
- Read and understand safety instruction sheet before using plug.
- Must wear safety glasses and a hard hat.
- Do not enter danger zone when plug is in use.
- Measure pipe diameter before selecting plug.
- Inspect plug for damage before and after use.
- Never use a plug in a pipe size different from recommended usage range.
- Always attach an inflation hose so plug can be inflated and deflated from outside the danger zone. Air back-pressure ratings reflect absolute back-pressure capabilities. Common engineering standards have been used to convert head pressure to PSI. It is imperative to block pipe plugs when performing air pressure tests and to ensure no one is in the danger zone when a plug is in use. Please see the Safety and Instruction Manual for complete details
- Never remove the inflation hose until all back pressure is released and the plug is deflated.
- Must inflate plug to the pressure shown on plug.
- Always use properly-calibrated pressure gauges.
- Do not exceed recommended maximum allowable back pressure (refer to safety instruction sheet).
- Always release back pressure from the pipe first, before deflating plug.
- Check pneumatic plug inflation pressure at least every four hours.