FONG, DARRELL G.
This corporate procedure applies to all Members of the Workforce (on Sandia-controlled premises) whose activities include an exposure to fall hazards greater than 4 feet.
Exceptions to, or deviations from this procedure must be approved through the Executive Policy Sponsor or Policy Area Manager, if delegated. Click here to view Contacts for Corporate Policy System Policies, Processes, and Procedures. See CG100.1.7, Request an Exception to a Policy, Process, or Procedure, for directions on how to obtain an exception to this procedure.
Granting or permitting exceptions or violations of policy, process, or procedure without authority, regardless of position or title, may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Violating a policy, process, or procedure may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: A printed copy of this document may not be the document currently in effect. The official version is located on the Sandia National Laboratories Sandia Restricted Network (SRN).
This procedure describes the requirements for preventing falls from heights greater than 4 feet.
Training
| Activity |
Responsible Individual |
Required Action |
| Ensure Training Compliance |
Managers |
Ensure that Members of the Workforce complete the training identified in ESH100.2.IS.4 prior to performing the indicated work activity or fulfilling the indicated role.
Note: See Sandia corporate procedure HR100.2.1, Identify and Complete Sandia Required Training for all Members of the Workforce.
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General Requirements
| Activity |
Responsible Individual |
Required Action |
| Eliminate Fall Hazards |
Managers |
Ensure that Members of the Workforce:
- Do not perform work if exposed to a fall hazard.
- Are committed to the elimination of fall hazards by incorporating the hierarchy of fall protection by:
- Elimination.
- Prevention.
- Fall Arrest.
- Administration, which includes basic fall protection principles (hazard surveys, hazard elimination, control, education, and training).
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| Perform Work |
Members of the Workforce |
- Do not perform work if exposed to a fall hazard.
- Complete authorized person training (FPP105/FPP105 CA).
- Follow SNL's fall protection policies, procedures, and instructions of the competent person in Competent Person Fall Hazard Survey in the Fall Protection Job Aids. Note: For purposes of this application, a “competent person” is defined as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions, which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them (see training FPP110). Notify the competent person (for action) of all unsafe or hazardous conditions before proceeding with work.
- Maintain all fall protection equipment and systems by proper use, inspection, maintenance, storage, and care.
- Inspect all fall protection equipment prior to each use.
- Do not use components of the personal fall-arrest system (PFAS) that have not received annual inspection by a competent person.
- Remove from service any damaged or questionable equipment.
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Perform Work
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Competent Persons (Members of the Workforce) |
- Complete fall prevention and protection competent person training (FPP110) (retraining every 3 years).
- Provide supervision and implementation of SNL’s fall protection program.
- Learn applicable fall protection regulations, systems, and training used at SNL.
- Conduct a fall protection hazard survey to identify and control fall hazards before authorized persons are exposed.
- Identify, evaluate, and impose fall hazard exposure controls.
- Use authority and responsibility to stop work.
- Prepare, update, review, and approve (as directed by the program administrator) written fall protection procedures to include:
- Determining whether training procedures or practices need updating, as workplace activities and/or hazards change.
- Developing a written rescue plan for every fall protection plan.
- Supervise the selection, installation, use, and inspection of non-certified anchorages.
- Verify that fall protection systems have been used, installed, and inspected for compliance with manufactures requirements, ANSI/ASSE Z359-2007 (see ANSI/ASSE Z359 Standard in the Fall Protection Job Aids), and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Verify that authorized persons have received proper training (FPP105).
- Ensure adequate clearance for each fall protection system.
- Participate in the investigation of fall-related incidents, as required.
- Remove immediately from service damaged PFAS or when subjected to the forces of an arresting fall.
- Inspect (periodically/annually) all fall protection equipment (see SF 2001-FPE, Fall Protection Equipment Checklist [Word file/Acrobat file]).
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| Keep Current with Fall Protection Programs |
Qualified Persons |
- Become responsible for supporting the fall protection program with system design, horizontal lifeline design, structural analysis, calculations, clearances, testing, anchorage, equipment selection, compliance, etc.
- Keep current with applicable fall protection regulations and systems used by their employer.
- Provide oversight in the supervision and design, selection, installation, and inspection of certified anchorages and horizontal lifelines.
- Provide qualified person support in calculating the forces generated by an arrested fall, the total loading, and the deflection of the fall arrest anchorage; determine a safe location for the anchorage.
- Become involved with the investigation of all fall incidents from heights.
- Become a competent person by attending FPP110.
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| Keep Current with Training Responsibilities |
Authorized Rescuers and Trainers |
For information regarding authorized rescuer and trainer responsibilities, see ANSI/ASSE Z359 Standard in the Fall Protection Job Aids. |
| Keep Current with Training Responsibilities |
Qualified Person Trainers |
For information regarding qualified person trainer responsibilities, see ANSI/ASSE Z359 Standard in the Fall Protection Job Aids. |
| Keep Current with Training Responsibilities |
Competent Person Trainers |
For information regarding competent person trainer responsibilities, see ANSI/ASSE Z359 Standard in the Fall Protection Job Aids. |
Technical Work Documents
| Activity |
Responsible Individual |
Required Action |
| Use Technical Work Documents |
Managers |
Ensure that:
- A TWD (includes a competent person’s fall protection, hazard survey see [see Competent Person Fall Hazard Survey in Fall Protection Job Aids]) covers all work requiring the use of fall prevention and fall protection procedures or equipment. (Refer to the SF 2001-FPC, Fall-Protection Work Planning Checklist [Word file/Acrobat file].)
- The TWD minimally includes:
- Using the Hierarchy of Fall Protection to choose methods to eliminate or control fall hazards.
- Following guidance for maintaining and storing personal fall-arrest systems (PFAS).
- Applying training requirements.
- Specifying the activity planned.
- Does not allow any activity to be performed with an exposure to a fall hazard.
- Considering the required mobility.
- Specifying the workplace conditions.
- Specifying the hazards possible during an activity.
- Specifying types of equipment required for each task planned for performance at elevated levels. (Calculate fall clearance distances when needed.)
- Limiting conditions that will require stopping work.
- Including rescue plans.
Note: For information on orthostatic intolerance issues related to prolonged suspension in fall-protection equipment, inspection and maintenance, components and fall clearance calculations, see Suspension Trauma/Orthostatic Intolerance in the Fall Protection Job Aids.
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| Develop TWDs and Complete Survey |
Members of the Workforce |
Develop TWDs that include a competent person’s fall protection hazard survey and follows the risk management process Hierarchy of Fall Protection (in the Fall Protection Job Aids). |
| Use Rescue Plans |
Managers |
Ensure that the rescue plans provide:
- Rescue personnel contact information, availability, and notification instructions.
- Rescue within 15 minutes for users of fall-protection equipment.
- Rescue equipment (e.g., ladders).
- Capability to self-rescue.
- Self-rescue equipment (e.g., a shock-absorbing lanyard with a built-in, self-rescue ladder).
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Work on Roofs
| Activity |
Responsible Individual |
Required Action |
| Develop Fall Protection Survey |
Competent Person |
Develop a fall protection, hazard survey before a work activity begins. |
| Obtain Permission For Roof Work |
Members of the Workforce |
- Get permission and gain access to a building’s roof by using the appropriate roof access.
- Contact the building operations personnel to find out what hazards are on the roof and what, if any, procedures need to be followed.
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| Control Fall Hazard Exposures 6 Feet or Less From Edge |
Members of the Workforce |
Use guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or some other method that will provide equivalent protection (for fall hazard exposures 6 feet or less from an unprotected side, edge, or hole on low-sloped roofs) (<4/12 slope). |
| Control Fall Hazard Exposures between 6 to 15 Feet From Edge |
Members of the Workforce |
- Follow the requirements set forth by OSHA 1926.500, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (for fall hazard exposures between 6 to 15 feet from unprotected side, edge, or hole on low-sloped roofs on a <4/12 slope).
- Protect from falls by using one or more of the following:
- Guardrail systems.
- Safety net systems.
- Personal fall arrest systems.
- A warning line system and a guardrail system.
- A warning line system and a safety net system.
- A warning line system and a personal fall arrest system.
- A warning line system and a safety monitoring system.
- Use a safety monitoring system alone for roofs 50 feet (15.25 meters) or less in width (i.e., without the warning line system) is permitted. (See Subpart M, Appendix A of OSHA 1926.500, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction.)
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| Control Fall Hazard Exposures Greater Than 15 Feet From Edge |
Members of the Workforce |
Do one of the following:
- Consider the administrative controls listed in Table 1 for fall hazard exposures greater than 15 feet from unprotected side, edge, or hole on low-sloped roofs (<4/12 slope).
- Develop an equivalent fall-protection plan (reviewed and approved by a fall protection competent person).
Note: The fall protection administrative controls listed in Table 1 allow Members of the Workforce to work on some of SNL’s large, low-sloped roofs without conventional fall protection devices, if the work is greater than 15 feet from an unprotected side, edge, or hole, and in the absence of any additional identified hazards.
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| Consider Additional Health Hazards Concerns |
Members of the Workforce |
Consider additional concerns and health hazards while working on roofs, to include:
- Chemicals.
- Magnetic fields.
- Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
- Skylights.
- Weather (natural phenomena, lightning, high winds).
- Communication.
- Electrical.
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Table 1. Criteria for Work on Unprotected Low-Sloped Roofs without Conventional Fall Protection
| Activities and Requirements |
Members of the Workforce Responsibilities and Designations |
| Work Plan |
- Develop a work plan that:
- Addresses fall hazards.
- Describes the worker and safety monitor, fall protection duties.
- Uses designated safe work zones.
- Include the fall protection, hazard survey performed by the competent person (see Competent Person Fall Hazard Survey in Fall Protection Job Aids).
- Sign the work plan to acknowledge responsibilities and training requirements, as necessary.
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| Only Non-Traditional Construction-Type Work |
This criteria applies to other than traditional “construction-type" work, such as:
- Roofing repairs.
- Heating and air conditioning.
- Electrical maintenance.
- Research and development work (temporary nature, etc.).
- Low-sloped roofs (<4/12 slope).
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| Safe Work Area |
A safe work area on the roof must be designated by:
- Warning lines, used without a monitor, where the warning lines are at least 15 feet back from the unprotected edge and all of the following are met:
- Use a warning line 15 feet or more from the edge (or nearest edge of a hole).
- The warning line meets or exceeds the requirements in 29 CFR 1926, §1926.502(f)(2).
- Areas marked with paint, tape, or chalk (or some other method). Caution: Some chemicals may react with roofing membranes and cause damage; contact the building manager for advice.
- Warning signs that no work or work-related activity is to take place in the area between the designated safe work area and the fall hazard.
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| Safety Monitor |
Safety Monitor Duties:
- Two or more Members of the Workforce must be within the work area—with one person designated as the safety monitor.
- The trained safety monitor and other Members of the Workforce stay within the designated safe work zone and greater than 15 feet from the edge (or nearest edge of a hole).
- The trained safety monitor has no duties other than being a safety monitor.
- The safety monitor must be competent to recognize fall hazards.
- The safety monitor shall warn the employee when it appears that the employee is unaware of a fall hazard or is acting in an unsafe manner.
- The safety monitor shall be on the same walking and working surface and within visual sighting distance of the employee being monitored.
- The safety monitor shall be close enough to communicate orally with the employee.
- Have and maintain visual contact and good oral communication (no language barriers, noise issues, etc.) when performing hazardous work.
- Include a rescue plan.
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| Fall Hazards |
- Members of the Workforce are not exposed to any fall hazards (closer than 15’ in any direction) while working or accessing the work area.
- Remain on the horizontal surfaces of the roof (not elevated) (<4/12 slope).
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Work on Rolling Stock
| Activity |
Responsible Individual |
Required Action |
| Work from Rolling Stock |
Members of the Workforce |
- Develop work plans that include the fall protection, hazard survey performed by the competent person (see Competent Person Fall Hazard Survey in Fall Protection Job Aids).
- Use fall prevention and protection methods when working on rolling stock (e.g., flatbed trucks, trailers, or other similar surfaces). (See requirements 29 CFR 1910, General Requirements—1910.132, and OSHA General Duty Clause 5a.1.)
- Include the following hazards when developing work plans:
- Unprotected open-sided areas created by working near edges of flatbed trucks, trailers, or similar surfaces.
- Safe access to these work surfaces.
Note: See Rolling Stock in the Fall Protection Job Aids for more information.
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Fall Protection Equipment
| Activity |
Responsible Individual |
Required Action |
| Provide Training and Equipment |
Managers
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Ensure adequate training and appropriate fall-protection equipment for Members of the Workforce. |
| Understand Instructions and Warnings |
Members of the Workforce |
Read and understand the instructions and warnings on fall-protection equipment prior to use. |
| Inspect Equipment |
Managers |
Ensure that fall-protection equipment is inspected in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations, and as a minimum, inspected annually and documented by a competent person (SF 2001-FPE, Fall Protection Equipment Checklist [Word file/Acrobat file]—see Fall Protection Job Aids). |
| Inspect Equipment Before Use |
Members of the Workforce |
Inspect each piece of personal fall-arrest system before and after use according to the manufacturers' recommendations. Refer to SF 2001-FPE, Fall Protection Equipment Checklist (Word file/ Acrobat file)—see Fall Protection Job Aids for inspection guidance. |
| Destroy Defective Equipment |
Members of the Workforce |
- Destroy maintaining and storing personal fall-arrest systems parts, showing signs of worn, misshapen, or exposure to chemicals.
- Do not reuse fall-arrest systems subjected to a fall.
- Do not destroy or discard fall-arrest systems until an investigation is complete.
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| Use Fall Protection Equipment |
Members of the Workforce |
- Use compatible components of a fall-arrest system.
- Select an appropriate point at or above the height of the back D-ring when anchoring fall protection equipment.
- Use only anchorages and anchorage connectors that are capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per person attached, or if there is doubt about the integrity or weight-supporting capability of a selected anchor. Note: For alternative anchorages, consult the fall-prevention and protection contact for assistance.
- Wear the appropriate personal fall-protection equipment such as a FBH with shock-absorbing lanyard (rather than a body belt, which is not used for fall arrest) as outlined in the technical work document (TWD). (See Fall-Protection Equipment, Components and Fall Clearance Calculations in the Fall Protection Job Aids for more information.) Note: Use a body belt in combination with a FBH in positioning work only.
- Check the manufacturers' recommendations for details. (See Fall-Protection Equipment, Components and Fall Clearance Calculations in the Fall Protection Job Aids for a diagram of a fall-protection system, components, and subsystems.)
- Consult the fall-prevention and protection contact for assistance and questions on the proper use of fall-protection equipment.
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| Procure Fall-Arrest Systems |
Managers and Members of the Workforce |
- Ensure all fall protection equipment purchased for use at SNL or by SNL employees meets the ANSI/ASSE Z359-2007, Fall Protection, standards (see ANSI/ASSE Z359 Standard in the Fall Protection Job Aids). Consider this equipment Quality Significant.
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