| Every year 11,000 people are killed and 200,000 | | | | even have shock absorbers. Self-retracting lifelines |
| are injured by falls. Falls are the third leading cause | | | | have a drum-wound line allowing a wider range of |
| of work-related injures. Because of these startling | | | | movement. The braking mechanism quickly stops |
| statistics, OSHA has mandated training for anyone | | | | a fall. |
| who works off the ground. Personal Fall Arrest | | | | Sometimes a fixed lifeline is used. There are two |
| Systems are one of the most important parts of | | | | types - horizontal and vertical. Horizontal stretches |
| working in dangerous situations above the ground. | | | | across a work surface from one point to another |
| A "Personal Fall Arrest System" is comprised of a | | | | and vertical hangs from an independent anchor |
| full body harness, a connecting device and an | | | | point. They allow you to safely climb ladders. All |
| anchor point. Before the system is used make | | | | connection devices are equipped with a locking |
| sure you experience how the equipment works, | | | | mechanism that grabs the lifeline during a fall. |
| make necessary adjustments and become | | | | Sometimes "Bonsun's Chairs" are used with |
| comfortable and familiar with the system. | | | | vertical lifelines. They are most often used when |
| A full body harness provides support evenly over | | | | someone is working off of the side of a |
| the shoulders, buttocks and thighs. This is | | | | structure. Two independent lifelines are used - one |
| important because it provides the best support | | | | for you and one for the chair. |
| against injury because of this distribution to the | | | | When using any lifeline, make sure the anchor |
| powerful parts of the body. Make sure it fits | | | | points are secure. Your weight creates significant |
| properly so that the D-ring is in the middle of the | | | | force - up to 5000 lbs - and a proper anchor point |
| upper back, the waist strap is buckled, the leg | | | | is critical. Never use fixtures such as pipes. A solid |
| straps are connected properly between the legs | | | | structure is the only option. |
| and all the buckles are securely tightened to the | | | | Inspect all equipment before you use it - look for |
| point where they are tight but they don't restrict | | | | frayed or broken harness straps, ensure the |
| movement. Make sure an experience worker or | | | | d-ring is securely attached and inspect for tears |
| supervisor watches you the first couple of times. | | | | or missing stitches on harnesses. |
| Next, you hook it to a connecting device. This | | | | Don't be one of the deaths or disabilities that |
| links you to a secure anchor point. Connecting | | | | result from workplace falls every year. Follow the |
| devices are commonly lanyards and retracting | | | | proper procedures for working above the ground |
| lifelines. Lanyards are short ropes or straps which | | | | and do your OSHA required safety training. The |
| limit your possible falling distance and sometimes | | | | more you know the safer you will be! |