Sample Safety Rules

1.1Fall Protection

1.1.1When personnel are exposed to a fall in excess of 6feet and protective measures such as guardrails or safety nets are not practical, the individuals shall be protected by the use of fall protection equipment. NOTE: Refer to 4.8.8 below for specific applications.

1.1.2Full Body Harness

  1. The full body harness must be used in all fall protection applications. The use of a body belt is prohibited. Rescue harnesses are allowed for Rescue Team Members during training or rescue situations.
  2. Full body harnesses must be used with any approved NPPD lanyards including the 4 or 6foot shock absorbing or the retractable lanyards.
  3. The Dring located between the wearer's shoulder blades on the full body harness shall be used as the attachment point for the lanyard when used for fall protection.
  1. Lanyards
  2. In no case shall lanyards be of a length that allows for a freefall of greater than 6feet or allow contact with any lower level following a fall. The selected lanyards shall be as short as possible to limit the fall arresting force on the wearer's body following a fall.
  3. Knots or other devices shall not be used to shorten the lanyard's length. This may reduce the lanyard's strength by 50% or more.
  4. In arresting a fall, a shockabsorbing lanyard can expand a maximum of 42inches in additional length. This additional deceleration distance must be considered when setting up a fall protection system so contact with a lower level or equipment can be avoided.
  5. The use of natural fiber rope is prohibited.
  6. All lanyards shall be equipped with a shockabsorbing device. This shock absorber may be built into the lanyard or supplied as a component of the full body harness.
  7. Lanyards shall be equipped with doublelocking snap hooks or other suitable locking connectors.
  8. The end of the lanyard containing the shock absorbing section shall always be attached to the Dring located between the wearer's shoulder blades on a full body harness.
  9. The nonshock absorbing end of the lanyard shall be attached to a reliable anchorage point by the user. (See Anchorages.)

1.1.4Anchorages

  1. Anchorages to which personal fall protection equipment is attached shall be capable of supporting at least 5,000pounds per individual attached.
  2. Optional anchorage systems shall be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person, as part of a complete personal fall arrest system, which maintains a safety factor of at least two.
  3. Anchorages should be located at least waist high and preferably overhead.
  4. Anchorages shall be selected to avoid sharp edges, hot surfaces, contaminants or abrasive materials.
  5. Handrails shall not be used as an anchorage unless approved by a qualified person.
  1. Horizontal lifelines shall be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person, as part of a complete personal fall arrest system, which maintains a safety factor of at least two.
  2. When vertical lifelines are used, each employee shall be provided with a separate lifeline.
  3. Inspection
  4. Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for mildew, wear, damage and other deterioration.
  5. Any visible damage or impact loading on a lanyard, lifeline, full body harness or other personal fall arrest system component requires that the piece of equipment be destroyed and discarded.
  6. Applications
  7. Portable Ladders: Prior to working from a straight or extension ladder, the ladder must be securely placed and held, tied, or otherwise made secure to prevent slipping or falling. Stepladders must be securely placed or held, tied, or otherwise made secure. If these requirements cannot be met or if additional fall hazards exist, supplemental fall protection measures as described above must be used.
  8. Scaffolds: On scaffolding other than suspended scaffolding, the use of a guardrail system (top rail and mid rail) meets the minimum fall protection requirements. If additional fall hazards exist, supplemental fall protection measures must be taken. Personnel working from a suspended scaffold shall use a full body harness attached by means of a fall arresting device to an independent lifeline. Each individual shall be provided with a separate lifeline system.
  9. Manually or SelfPropelled Elevating Work Platforms (Scissor Lifts): Properly installed and maintained guardrail systems with the access gates or openings closed provide the required fall protection. If any part of the guardrail system is inoperable or if the gates are open, additional fall protection is required.
  10. BoomSupported Elevating Work Platforms: All occupants shall use a full body harness and lanyard, connected to the attachment points provided by the manufacturer. Tying off to adjacent structure or equipment shall not be permitted.
  11. Suspension Trauma
  12. If you are in a fall protection situation, make sure someone will be available and able to rescue you quickly if you fall and are suspended in your harness.
  13. If you fall and remain conscious and able, keep your legs moving to maintain circulation.
  14. If you find someone hanging unconscious from their harness and don't know how long they've been there, get rescue services coming immediately.

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