SECTION 19. FALL PROTECTION POLICY AND PROCEDURE

19.1 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

Various maintenance and construction activities periodically require personnel to perform work tasks at elevated heights of four (4) feet or more. In these situations personnel must be protected against all actual or potential free-fall hazards by utilizing the appropriate fall hazard control measures.

When exposure to an elevated fall hazard cannot be prevented through such control measures as permanent or semi-permanent guarded scaffolds, platforms, walkways, or other surfaces, personal fall protection must be employed and a two-person rule will apply.

The objective of this policy is to prevent a death and/or minimize the injury to anyone as a result of a fall from elevated work.

19.2 APPLICATION

This policy is applicable, but not limited to, activities such as work on sloped roofs, unguarded scaffolds, tank tops, crane bridges, domes, telescopes, telescope apparatus, and towers when working around hatchways, suspended scaffolds, etc. It is also applicable to confined space entry and emergency escape/rescue.

19.3 PROCEDURE

When work must be performed at unguarded elevated heights, one or a combination of the following options must be selected:

Fall Prevention - eliminate the free fall hazard (at four feet or more) during all phases of the job (traveling to and from elevated work areas, as well as during the performance of the task at the elevated work area) by the appropriate temporary means: scaffolds, platforms, railings, ladders, etc.

Fall Protection Systems - selecting and installing a fall protection system, eliminating the free fall hazard (at four feet or more) when traveling to and from the elevated work area, as well as during performance of the task at the elevated work areas.

Every effort must be made to eliminate or minimize personal exposure to free fall hazards when installing temporary or permanent fall protection equipment or systems.

19.4 RESPONSIBILITY

The Site Safety Officer, when involved with maintenance/construction activities, is responsible for the following:

- evaluate the need for fall protection as an integral part of pre-planning a job and following the above procedure;
- implement the appropriate fall protection;
- provide and maintain approved fall protection equipment;
- ensure personnel are trained in the use of applicable fall protection equipment prior
to engaging in work requiring such equipment;
- ensure personal fall protection equipment/devices are being used when needed.

Employees assigned to work at elevated heights are responsible for thoroughly inspecting the personal fall protection system’s anchor points, connecting means (lanyard or device), and body holding devices (harness) prior to use. Any problems or defects noted with these items must be brought to the attention of the Site Safety Officer. Prior to use, the employee must receive training on the proper use of the equipment. The fall protection equipment will be separated from and never used in place of material handling equipment.

Any questions or doubts concerning the type of personal fall protection equipment/systems best suited for a particular job, as well as system installation (e.g. anchor point type/strength, etc.), must be directed to the Site Safety Officer. Body belts that are acceptable for positioning shall not be used for fall protection. Instead an approved full body harness must be used.

When the two-person rule is in effect, one person will be designated as a safety person. Their responsibility will be to assure the safety of the co-worker by monitoring the situation and anticipating possible hazards. Any changes in the situation will be reviewed before continuing the work. He/She will have the responsibility and authority to stop the operation at anytime due to safety.

There are permanent, fixed safety bars located on the roofs of the 3.5m and 2.5m enclosures. These are to be inspected prior to use for signs of corrosion and wear.

Two Person Rule

There shall be two persons present when accessing the following areas due to the potential of falling without self-rescue.

1. 3.5m Roof
2. 2.5m Roof
3. Any height where tie off to a fixed position when if a fall occurred the person would be below a foothold