Tower Fall Protection Flashcards
What are the 3 components of Fall Protection?
- ) Anchorage
- ) Body Support
- ) Means of Connection
What is Anchorage?
It is vital to be able to identify the best (strongest) points on the tower for attaching your fall protection, such as the shepherd’s hook or the pelican hooks
What is Body Support?
- Every fall protection device must attach to your full body harness. Proper fit and maintenance of your harness is crucial to your safety.
- You must also maintain sufficient clearance distances for your fall protection to function properly.
What is Points of Connection?
Proper use and maintenance of the various straps, slings, hooks etc. that make up fall protection equipment.
How do you identify a safe anchor point?
- One that doesn’t move and will not allow the fall protection equipment to move from that point
- The best anchorage points on lattice towers is found where the lattice bracing connects to the tower legs.
How much must anchor points be able to support?
3,600 lbs as certified by an engineer, if not anchor points capable of supporting 5,000 lbs or more per person
How much are Fall Protection systems designed?
To maintain an overload capacity factor of at least 2 for a single person
How should a full body harness fit?
Snug but comfortable
- Two fingers width gap on leg straps
- Dorsal D-Ring in middle of shoulders
- Shoulder straps snug and even
How much must the buckle and webbing be able to support?
5,000 lbs static support
What is the max free fall distance allowed for a full body harness? And what should impact forces not exceed?
6’; 1,800 lbs
What else should you look for when inspecting your full body harness?
- Check for missing parts
- Check for wear on connection devices
- Check for evidence of shock loading
- Check rating of harness is sufficient for user
- Inspection tag must be up to date and legible
What should you never do with Full Body Harnesses?
- Attach a non-locking snap hook to D-Ring
- Remove inspection and manufacturer’s labels
- Alter the harness or other equipment in any way!
What is Free Fall Distance?
How far your body can fall from your fall protection anchor point, based on the length of the restraint.
What is Fall Clearance?
Height of anchor point needed to avoid contact with a lower level or obstruction.
What is Length of Fall?
Measured to where your feet will stop.
How do you calculate Fall Clearance Distance?
Length of Lanyard (free fall distance) + Deceleration Distance of Shock Pack + Height of Worker + Safety Factor (for improper fit or miscalculation of distance)
List Fall Protection Equipment
- Y-Lanyards with Pelican Hooks
- Breakaway Loops
- Redirect Slings
- Anchor Slings
- Shepherd’s Hook
- Safety Rope
- ASAP Lock
What do you look for when inspecting Y-Lanyards?
- Check lanyard stitching
- Check pelican hook for spine cracks, warping etc.
- Tag up to date and legible
- Carabiner and hook/snap gates open and close without sticking
What are Breakaway loops for?
- To be used for storing pelican hooks on belt
- Made to separate during a fall
What are redirect slings used for?
Prevents a swing of more than 6’ in a fall from horizontal arm. Also used to keep safety rope close to tower for vertical climb.
What are redirect slings rated for?
- 500lbs minimum breaking strength
- 350lbs safe working load
How do you use Redirect Slings?
- Place a redirect sling every 6’ when working on tower arms
- Choke or basket connection to the structure
- Clip personal rope to carabiner
- Can slide along tower arm (must attach a new sling before removing the old one
- Not to be used for main anchor point
What do you look for when inspecting Redirect Slings?
- Check the stitching for separation or other damages
- Check for smooth opening/closing of carabiners
- Verify all rating tags are up to date and legible
What is an Anchor Sling?
Provides an anchor point for a safety rope at the highest point of ascent on the tower
