Masonry Magazine October 2007 Page. 26
FALL PROTECTION
Restraint systems limit the operator's movements to a point at which the person's center of mass remains below the top rail of the lift platform or basket.
Whenever possible, select a fall protection system that enables operators to perform their duties while tied off to a suitable anchor within the work platform to prevent him from falling outside the aerial lift device. As a general rule, if the operator must perform work outside the confines of the aerial lift platform, he should be tied off to a separate fall arrest anchor located on an approved structural member, rather than the aerial lift device.
Connecting on scaffold structures
THE PRIMARY fall protection system for scaffolding is the guardrail. In a properly erected scaffold structure, a top rail, mid rail, and toe board are installed to prevent a fall. Masonry work is often performed on an open face of the scaffold with guardrails removed to facilitate access to the work area. Wherever practical, the scaffold floor should be placed close to the face of the wall to reduce the unguarded opening to one foot or less.
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When scaffold work exposes the mason to a fall hazard, the optimum fall arrest system provides a suitable anchor overhead, mounted either to a structural member, such as a beam or column, or to the scaffold. Some scaffold manufacturers now provide tie-off points for fall arrest systems. Always verify the strength of the anchor point before connecting, and always use a fall arrest system that includes an energy absorber. Anchors for fall arrest must be rated for 5,000 pound-feet (or twice the maximum load, when certified).
When connecting a fall arrest lanyard directly to the scaffold structure, be sure the connection does not place load on the gate of the snaphook in the event of a fall. The improved snaphooks and carabiners certified to ANSI Z259.1-2007 will have increased gate strength, but workers should not rely solely on the higher strength of their connectors to protect against forced roll-out in an accidental fall. Always verify by visual inspection that your snaphook has closed and locked after making a connection. The best-made connector will not function properly unless it fully encloses the structural member, and the gate has closed and locked before work continues.
In conclusion, new ANSI safety standards provide masonry workers with fall protection equipment that meets higher strength and performance requirements than ever before. To obtain copies or information about the new ANSI Z359 standards, contact the American Society of Safety Engineers at 847-699-2929.
Joseph Feldstein is technical services manager for Mine Safety Appliances.
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