junejuly2024 - 13
force on the top rail and 150 pounds
of force on the midrails. Attaching
a lanyard or self-retracting lifeline
(SRL) to one of these rails would not
provide adequate anchor strength
and the system is likely to fail.
Articulating Lifts
When it comes to articulating lifts
(also known as boom lifts), matters
are more cut and dry. Federal OSHA
states that users must use fall protection
equipment on articulating
lifts, as the risk of being ejected from
the platform is significantly greater
than non-articulating lifts. However,
OSHA does not clarify if fall
prevention or fall arrest is required,
so it is up to the employer to decide
which method to pursue. The Army
Corps of Engineers EM385 standard
(that applies to most federal government
properties) further clarifies
that travel restraint methods must
be used; fall arrest equipment is
not allowed.
Fall Prevention versus
Fall Arrest
Fall prevention is defined as using
equipment that restricts the movement
of a worker, so they are not
subject to a fall, typically utilizing
a fixed-length lanyard. If properly
specified, the user would be issued a
lanyard that is long enough to allow
them to walk around their working
platform but short enough to not
allow them to exit the basket while
connected to their anchorage. These
systems work excellently, in theory,
but actual field usage typically produces
mixed results.
Since platform sizes can vary and
many pieces of equipment might be
used, calculating the exact working
distance from the anchor point can
be difficult for safety professionals.
They often end up issuing adjustable
length non-shock absorbing lanyards
to users. It is then up to the user to
constantly tension the device to a
short enough length that allows them
to work productively but restricts
their option to travel too far and be
subject to falling out of the basket.
If the worker neglects to tension the
device and is then subject to a fall,
their non-shock absorbing lanyard
has no means of absorbing fall forces
or decelerating their fall. They would
feel extreme fall forces to the body
that would certainly cause injury and
could potentially prove fatal to the
worker, depending on their general
health or well-being. Humans can
generate up to 1,000 pounds of force
per foot of freefall. Not to mention
that additional forces from coming in
contact with nearby equipment or the
MEWP itself would be felt by the user.
Fall arrest equipment contains
shock-absorption and deceleration
elements that prevent the user from
feeling all of the forces that naturally
occur after a fall. When a worker is
using fall arrest equipment, the risk
of falling still exists, but there are
substantial mitigation methods to
ensure the worker feels as little force
as possible. In fact, the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Z359 standard requires manufacturers
to guarantee that a fall arrest user
will be subject to no more than 1,800
pounds of force if the equipment is
being used properly.
Rescue Planning
The use of fall arrest equipment in
any application also requires a fall
rescue plan, per OSHA. While 911
should be called anytime somebody
falls, even if their fall is successfully
arrested, an employer must have
means to self-rescue the worker.
Rescue plans can vary from simple to
complicated and they must provide
the worker with a means to safely
disconnect from their fall protection
equipment and be medically evaluated
for further injuries.
OSHA requires fall victims to
be rescued within 15 minutes of a
fall occurring.
No matter the chosen rescue
method, it is important to prepare
for the circumstance that the user
is unconscious and cannot assist
in their own rescue. Rescue plans
should be incorporated into regular
fall protection training given to
authorized users. Additionally, rescue
procedures should be reviewed each
time a worker dons fall arrest gear to
make sure the rescue equipment is
readily available and in good working
condition. Rescuers should be standing
by while work at heights is being
performed to ensure a prompt and
successful rescue.
Conclusion
If your facility exclusively uses ladders
or MEWPs to perform work at
heights and has experienced challenges
or injuries in the past, perhaps it is
time to evaluate whether an overhead
anchorage system would prove beneficial.
Companies like Diversified Fall
Protection are experienced in retrofitting
buildings to incorporate overhead
anchor solutions, as well as engineering
and designing unique solutions for
unique applications. Regardless of the
fall protection methods chosen, be
sure to empower workers by training
frequently and incorporating their
feedback to constantly improve the
safety of their work environment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PHILIP JACKLIN
Philip Jacklin is the
continuing education
program manager for
Diversified Fall Protection. Since 2018,
Jacklin has been training workers
nationwide on best practices when
using their fall protection, and advising
safety managers, EHS leaders, plant
maintenance managers and other safety
professionals on how to create more
efficient fall protection programs.
June/July 2024 || AviationPros.com || 13
http://www.AviationPros.com
junejuly2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of junejuly2024
Editor's Note – How Women Can Strengthen the Ground Handling Workforce
Business Buzz
Industry Expert Column – Fall Protection Solutions for Ground Support and Aircraft Maintenance Operations
Telemetry's Ability to Enhance Communication
How Ground Handlers Can Comply with Proposed EASA Regulations
Financing Options for Ground Support Equipment
Electric Tow Tractors Modernize Ground Support Operations
Product Hangar
Ground Support Spotlight – Spotlight on: Ozgur Yesiltepe
junejuly2024 - 1
junejuly2024 - 2
junejuly2024 - 3
junejuly2024 - Editor's Note – How Women Can Strengthen the Ground Handling Workforce
junejuly2024 - 5
junejuly2024 - Business Buzz
junejuly2024 - 7
junejuly2024 - 8
junejuly2024 - 9
junejuly2024 - 10
junejuly2024 - 11
junejuly2024 - Industry Expert Column – Fall Protection Solutions for Ground Support and Aircraft Maintenance Operations
junejuly2024 - 13
junejuly2024 - 14
junejuly2024 - 15
junejuly2024 - Telemetry's Ability to Enhance Communication
junejuly2024 - 17
junejuly2024 - 18
junejuly2024 - 19
junejuly2024 - How Ground Handlers Can Comply with Proposed EASA Regulations
junejuly2024 - 21
junejuly2024 - 22
junejuly2024 - 23
junejuly2024 - Financing Options for Ground Support Equipment
junejuly2024 - 25
junejuly2024 - 26
junejuly2024 - 27
junejuly2024 - Electric Tow Tractors Modernize Ground Support Operations
junejuly2024 - 29
junejuly2024 - Product Hangar
junejuly2024 - 31
junejuly2024 - 32
junejuly2024 - 33
junejuly2024 - Ground Support Spotlight – Spotlight on: Ozgur Yesiltepe
junejuly2024 - 35
junejuly2024 - 36
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/novemberdecember2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/october2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/augustseptember-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/junejuly2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/may2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/april2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/march2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/januaryfebruary2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/december2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/november2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/october2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/september2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/august2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/junejuly2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/may2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/april2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/march2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/february2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/december2022january2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/november2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/september2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/august2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/junejuly2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/may2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/april2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/march2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/february2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/december2021january2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/november2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/october2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/september2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/august2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/june-july_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/may_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/april2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/march2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/february2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/GSM1220-0121
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/november2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/GSM_October_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/September2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/August2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/junejuly2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/may2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/april2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/march2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/february2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/Ground_Support_Worldwide_December_2019-January_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/GSEExpoProspectus
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/november2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/october2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/GSM_0919
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/august2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/junejuly2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/2019aviationfuelingdirectory
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/may2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/april2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/GSM_0319
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/groundsupportworldwide/GSM_0219
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com