# Presentation: 369429

## District 7 Fall Protection Outreach

- February 19, 2004
- 1:00 p.m. EST

## Remember - Safety is a Value! 

**To Promote Fall Protection Safety Awareness**
**To Provide Best Practices On Fall Protection**
**GOAL -  Send Every Miner Home Safe and Healthy at the End of Every Shift!!!**

- _Remember - Safety is a Value! _

_**Code of Federal Regulations:**_
- 77.1710	Protective Clothing; requirements.	Each employee working in a surface coal mine or in the surface work areas of an underground coal mine shall be required to wear protective clothing and devices as indicated below: (g)Safety belts and lines where there is a danger of falling; a second person shall tend the lifeline when bins, tanks or other dangerous areas are entered.

**Notes:**
Very broad and general standard. Actually, belts and lines are intended for restraint, positioning and fall prevention. 
Best Practice is to use a FULL BODY HARNESS!
CAN’T CITE IF USE A BELT!
I ADVOCATE USING A FULL BODY HARNESS AT ALL TIMES!
IT DISTURBS ME TO GO TO A MINE SITE/QUARRY AND NOT SEE ONE BODY HARNESS, BUT ALL BELTS.

## FALL PROTECTION

- OSHA Recommends Fall Protection At Heights Greater Than 6 Feet

## Slips and falls of mining personnel are a major cause of accidents in the mining industry. Since 1983, an average of 6.9 workers per year have been killed while 3,191 workers per year have required medical attention for non-fatal injuries due to slips and falls at mine sites.

## Since 1995, forty-three workers have died in "fall-of-person" accidents at mining operations. Several of the fatalities occurred when the fall height was 10 feet or less. In most of these accidents workers fell off mobile equipment. 

## SLIP AND FALL FATAL ACCIDENTS 

| Year | Coal |
| --- | --- |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
|                   2003 | 2 |
| Total | 27 |

_**SLIP AND FALL FATAL ACCIDENTS **_
_**Jan. 1, 1993 to PRESENT**_

## Slide 8

## SLIP AND FALL FATALS BY OCCUPATION 1993 to PRESENT

| Occupation | Total |
| --- | --- |
| Supervisory/management/foreman/boss | 15 |
| Truck driver | 12 |
| Mechanic/repairman/helper | 10 |
| Sizing/washing/cleaning plant operator | 8 |
| Unknown or NEC | 8 |
| Welder | 8 |
| Laborer/utility man/bull gang | 7 |
| Electrician/helper/wireman | 5 |
| Barge att/boat oper/dredge oper. | 2 |
| Bulldozer/tractor operator | 2 |
| Coal-m/nm sampler/dust sampler/lab tech | 2 |
| Drill helper/chuck tender | 2 |
| Motorman/swamper/snapper/switchman | 2 |
| Belt man/conveyor crew | 1 |
| Crane oper. | 1 |
| Drill operator(coal/wagon/diamond) | 1 |
| Driver/jeep/pickup | 1 |
| Highwall drill oper/helper | 1 |
| Shotfire/shooter/blaster/helper | 1 |
| Watchman/guard | 1 |
| Grand Total | 90 |

_**SLIP AND FALL FATALS BY OCCUPATION 1993 to PRESENT**_

**Notes:**
FOREMEN/SUPERVISORS = RISK TAKERS  ALSO NATURE OF THEIR JOB
THIS FOLLOWS THE OVERALL FATALITY TRENDS AS WELL I.E. SUPV. , MAINT./REPAIR, CONST.
This year, so far we have had 22 fatals in MNM with 9 in stone and 7 in S&G, 3 in cement plants.
13 accidents involved maint. and repair.
9 fatals involving supervisors 42.9%
Since 1997 40 supervisor fatalities have occurred.

## RecentFatals

## February 03, 2004.   The victim was operating an aerial boom truck, inside the bucket, to dismantle a shop building.  The victim and two other employees were using the boom of the bucket truck to lift up a wooden 4X6 post by placing one end of the chain on the post and the other on the aerial boom of the truck. The post was buried in the ground with concrete. The victim was thrown out of the bucket when the post suddenly released from the ground.

## June 9, 2003, a 49-year old supervisor with 29 years mining experience was fatally injured when he was thrown from the elevated bucket of a Simon-Telect 42-foot aerial bucket truck. The victim and two other miners were dismantling a de-energized electrical substation on the surface area of an underground mine. To secure a steel "I-Beam" structure, a nylon rope was attached between the bucket of the aerial lift and the steel structure. After the steel structure was disconnected from the substation, the rope broke, causing the aerial bucket to shift suddenly, throwing the victim out of the bucket. The victim fell 28 feet 11 inches to the ground.

## On Thursday, February 20, 2003, a 44-year old preparation plant operator with 25 years of total experience fell approximately 19 feet through a four-foot square opening in the upper level flooring at a conveyor drive station onto a conveyor tail pulley at a lower level of a surface facility. The flooring had been removed to allow materials to be lowered for construction work. The opening had been protected with nylon rope and flagging. The victim, a plant foreman, was aware of the work being performed. He was taken to the hospital for emergency medical treatment and died of his injuries on Tuesday, February 25, 2003. 

## August 29, 2001 An accident occurred which resulted in fatal injuries to a contract employee at the Coal Preparation Plant. An ironworker/welder was performing work on the 5th floor of the plant when a sixteen (16) by four (4) foot section of the concrete floor from which he was working collapsed, causing the miner to fall thirty four (34) feet to the 2nd floor. Demolition of existing structure to install upgraded equipment was being performed in preparation to connect the structural beams for a new addition to the plant when the accident occurred. 

- 6th floor view looking down to the 2nd floor

- 2nd floor landing area

## On November 27, 2001, at approximately 8:15 PM, an accident occurred which resulted in fatal injuries to the Plant Operator at the coal preparation plant. The plant operator was working on the sixth floor of the preparation plant with a co-worker, attempting to hang a chain hoist to a hoist track. They were attempting to attach the hoist to the hoist track in an open doorway. One safety bar was installed across the doorway and while lifting the hoist, it was dislodged. While attempting to attach the hoist, it was dropped and subsequently the victim slipped and fell approximately 101 feet to the ground 

## Thursday, March 2, 2000, at 10:30 a.m., a fatal fall of person accident claimed the life of a 47-year-old electrical contractor. The accident occurred in the Preparation Plant on top of the raw coal classifying cyclone sump where the victim was attempting to remove electrical conduit that had been previously installed over the operating sump. The cyclone was covered with a 10 gauge perforated metal covering. Although there were no eyewitnesses to the accident, the victim apparently stood on the metal covering while he was performing this work. The metal covering gave way and the victim fell through the covering into the operating raw coal classifying cyclone sump which resulted in fatal injuries. 

## CAUSES OF 15 FATALS1996 TO PRESENT

- STRUCTURAL FAILURE – 4
- UNCOVERED OPENING IN FLOOR - 3
- FALLING OFF EQUIPMENT - 2
- MISUSE OF EQUIPMENT - 2
- INADEQUATE GUARDING - 2
- FALLING OFF HIGHWALL - 1
- GUARDING NOT SECURED - 1

## Best Practices

## Slide 19

**Notes:**
Some pictures floating around in the circles of prof. safety folks.  Appears to be a rescue attempt. I do not know the story behind the photo.

## Slide 20

**Notes:**
Very good conversation piece to set the stage for safety talks.  I think he is in his bare feet, BUT he has his safety glasses on!!
I guess this is why we have agencies like OSHA and MSHA.

## Slide 21

**Notes:**
This fellow is very innovative and I think he tried to obtain a patent for the equipment.  I keep looking for him along the highway in my travels. Not to worry there is a guy holding the bottom of the ladder—if you look real close.

## Slide 22

**Notes:**
 Another shocker!!!  I keep studying this one, but haven’t figured out how they did it.

## Fall Protection

_**Hierarchy of fall protection**_:
**1st - Eliminate fall hazards**
- Erect railings, barriers, barricades, walls to prevent entry into fall zone
**2nd - Restrain - prevent falls by keeping person away from edge of fall zone**
- Wear harnesses (best practice) or body belts (OK) attached to life lines or lanyards to keep away from the edge of the fall zone

## Hierarchy of fall protection (cont):

3rd - Use fall arrest systems when work must be performed in the fall zone
Limits free fall hazard to 6’ maximum 
Wear full body harness attached by energy absorbing lanyard to a secure anchorage.  Anchorage should be as high as possible to limit free fall
Body belts and chest harnesses are not designed for fall arrest

4th - Use work positioning or personnel riding system - may be used, when applicable, to work performed in the fall zone 
Supports a worker in the fall zone.  Limits free fall hazard to 2’ maximum 
Utilizes full body harness & positioning lanyards.  Use positioning systems in conjunction with a back-up fall arrest system, not in lieu of fall arrest

**3rd - Use fall arrest systems when work **_**must**_** be performed in the fall zone**
- Limits free fall hazard to 6’ maximum
- Wear full body harness attached by energy absorbing lanyard to a secure anchorage.  Anchorage should be as high as possible to limit free fall
- _Body belts and chest harnesses are not designed for fall arrest_
**4th - Use work positioning or personnel riding system - may be used, when applicable, to work performed in the fall zone **
- Supports a worker in the fall zone.  Limits free fall hazard to 2’ maximum
- Utilizes full body harness & positioning lanyards.  Use positioning systems _in conjunction_ with a back-up fall arrest system, not in lieu of fall arrest

## Fall Arrest Systems

- _Lanyard_ - connects the full body harness to an anchorage or lifeline
- 5000 pound breaking strength, minimum
- May include deceleration device or self-retracting mechanism to limit free fall
- Snap hooks connect lanyard to anchorage.  They have a keeper & locking mechanism to prevent unintended opening

***3 Components: Lanyard, Anchorage & Full Body Harness ***

##  Anchorage - a secure point of attachment
Best practice: use an anchorage that has been engineered & certified
Anchorage static load capacity (minimum recommended, per person)
3600 pounds, if certified; 5000 pounds, if not certified
Locate at a height that limits free fall to 6 feet maximum
Locate anchorage so that if a fall occurs, a falling worker will not strike a lower level or obstruction below.  Allow for stretching of the harness and lanyard, and extension of a deceleration device.

- Best practice: use an anchorage that has been engineered & certified
- Anchorage static load capacity (minimum recommended, per person)
- 3600 pounds, if certified; 5000 pounds, if not certified
- Locate at a height that limits free fall to 6 feet maximum
- Locate anchorage so that if a fall occurs, a falling worker will not strike a lower level or obstruction below.  Allow for stretching of the harness and lanyard, and extension of a deceleration device.

## Fall Arrest:Wear a Full Body HarnessA basic body belt and line system may not be sufficient protection!

***Use of a body belt or chest harness is very risky***
***where a free fall danger exists!***

## Full body harness use is the Best Practice to arrest a fall

Full body harness distributes fall arresting force better, and over more & stronger body parts

Chest harness can paralyze fall victim’s arms or prevent breathing

Body belt exerts too much force on stomach & other internal organs when arresting a fall, and during suspension time thereafter

Suspension in a body belt affects blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing ability & rate

Tolerable suspension time in a belt may be less than two (2) minutes

Risk of spinal injury is higher with body belts when arresting a fall

Person can slip out of a belt or chest harness - after a fall, and before rescue

- Full body harness distributes fall arresting force better, and over more & stronger body parts
- Chest harness can paralyze fall victim’s arms or prevent breathing
- Body belt exerts too much force on stomach & other internal organs when arresting a fall, and during suspension time thereafter
- Suspension in a body belt affects blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing ability & rate
- Tolerable suspension time in a belt may be less than two (2) minutes
- Risk of spinal injury is higher with body belts when arresting a fall
- Person can slip out of a belt or chest harness - after a fall, and before rescue

## Fall Arrest Training

- Recognition of fall hazards
- Procedures to minimize fall hazards & fall potential
- Use & limits of fall arrest & fall protection systems & equipment
- Do not work alone when working at height
- Inspect harness for damage before each use
- Care and maintenance of harness/connecting devices
- Suspension induced shock: cause & prevention
- Procedures in event of fall
- For self
- For co-worker
- Rescue plan, equipment & implementation

***Train everyone who works at height***

## Best Practices

- Provide and use appropriate lighting in work areas after dark.
- Establish and use designated travel ways to travel to and from work areas.
- Always be aware of your surroundings and any hazards that may be present.

## Slide 33

| A miner sent us this safety idea after reviewing a Fatalgram where a maintenance worker fell through a roof skylight. He noted "there should have been a guard around the skylight. I know where I work, we have guards around every one of our skylights. I believe they are about 42 inches in height. This keeps a person from walking out onto the skylight or backing onto the skylight. The skylights have a way of getting dirty and then you don't notice them. They can be mounted even on a pitched roof. They can be bolted down to the roof or if the roof isn't strong enough a frame can be built that is strong enough to hold the skylight."  Not everyone who goes into an area will be aware of the hazards. Other Ideas:
-Use appropriate fall protection
-Raise the skylight
-Restrict access
-Use warning signs
-Use elect. lighting vs. skylights |  |
| --- | --- |

## METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 27, 1997, a truck driver (contractor employee) with 30 years of mining experience was killed at a lime plant. The employee parked his truck at the wash platform and climbed on top of the tank trailer to hose it off. A safety belt and line were not used and the victim fell 11 feet to the ground. He died from the sustained head injuries. 

**METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY** - On April 27, 1997, a truck driver (contractor employee) with 30 years of mining experience was killed at a lime plant. The employee parked his truck at the wash platform and climbed on top of the tank trailer to hose it off. A safety belt and line were not used and the victim fell 11 feet to the ground. He died from the sustained head injuries.

## Best Practices

- Equip load out facilities with fall prevention/protection
- Require fall prevention/protection equipment to be used at load outs
- Provide fall prevention/protection for truckers when tarping trucks (may require access platforms/auto tarping)
- Train drivers in the proper methods to get on and off trucks
- Establish safe methods/procedures to inspect trucks
- Ensure proper loading of material to eliminate the need for a driver to re-distribute loads

## Slide 36

## MSHA recommends using the following safety equipment and practices when working from platforms suspended by Cranes or Derricks:

-  • Use a full body harness with the lanyard secured to the suspended platform or above the crane hook or ball.
- • Inspect the crane or derrick prior to suspending a work platform. This should include inspection of the wire rope, hoist drum brakes, boom and other mechanical and rigging equipment vital to the safe operation of the crane or derrick.
- • Use a work platform approved by a qualified engineer and rigging approved by a qualified person.
- • The platform should be equipped with an access gate. The access gate should swing inward, and should be equipped with a positive locking latch.

## Platform perimeter protection should consist of:
a top rail approximately 42 inches above the floor, 
a toeboard at least 4 inches high, and 
a midrail approximately halfway between the top rail and the toeboard.

The platform is to be positively locked to the load block or hook in a manner that prevents accidental disengagement.

For more info. see American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A10.28-Safety Requirements for Work Platforms Suspended from Cranes or Derricks 

- a top rail approximately 42 inches above the floor,
- a toeboard at least 4 inches high, and
- a midrail approximately halfway between the top rail and the toeboard.
- The platform is to be positively locked to the load block or hook in a manner that prevents accidental disengagement.
- For more info. see American National Standards Institute (ANSI) **A10.28-Safety Requirements for Work Platforms Suspended from Cranes or Derricks**

## Fall Prevention on Highwalls

**Fall Prevention ****on Highwalls**

**Safe**** Practices Near a **
**Highwall Crest**

- _http:/__[www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/SFETY/HIGHWALL/highwalloct99.ppt](http://www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/SFETY/HIGHWALL/highwalloct99.ppt)_

**Notes:**
AVAILABLE IN CD FORMAT AND HAVE A LIMITED QUANTITY AT THE BOOTH---Instruction note: Try to relate each slide to your location and your conditions. Involve the miners. Let them identify hazards and solutions at your mine.  This presentation is not copyrighted. Please feel free to modify the program to meet the safety needs of your mine.

## Fall Prevention Priorities

** ****Determine Fall Hazard Zone:**
**No Physical Barrier **_**and**_
**6 Feet or Less From Stable Crest **_**or**_
**6 Feet or Less From Unstable Ground or Footing**
** ****Use Fall Prevention**
**...****if NOT POSSIBLE****...**
** ****Use Fall Arrest**

**Notes:**
Prevention Priorities
Fall Hazard Zone: MSHA standards do not specify a precise distance.  However, MSHA experience has shown a high potential for injury to unprotected miners when working within 6 feet of a stable crest.
Fall Prevention: the use of any device, including physical barriers or restraints, that prevents a person from reaching the crest.
Fall Arrest: The Last Resort.  Utilizes Personal Protection Equipment to stop the fall before injury occurs.

## Fall Prevention

**Use Physical Barriers**
**Create Visual Warnings With Physical Barriers**
**Persons in Fall Hazard Zone Should Use:**
**Safety Belts or Harness**
**Lanyard Should Be Shorter Than Distance From Crest to Tie off Point**

**Notes:**
Fall Prevention
Discuss the Fall Prevention methods at your mine.

## Fall Arrest (The LAST Resort)

- Fall Arrest (The LAST Resort)

**Harness Preferred **
**Tie off to Rear D-ring**
**Use Decelerating or Shock Absorbing Lanyard**

**When You Can Fall Over**

**the Edge**

**Notes:**
Fall Arrest
If Fall Prevention methods cannot be used and Fall Arrest systems are the only alternative, discuss those systems in use at your mine.

## Tie Off Anchorage

**Fall Prevention**
**Anchorage Should Hold at Least 3 Times the Weight of the Persons Attached**
**T-bars**
**Mobile Equipment**
**Fall Arrest**
**Anchorage Should Hold at Least 5,000 Pounds Per Person Attached**
**Mobile Equipment**

**Notes:**
Anchorage
Discuss the different strength requirements for anchorage used for Fall Prevention versus Fall Arrest.

## T-Bars

**Notes:**
T-Bars
Shop-fabricated T-Bars should only be used for Fall Prevention.  The strength factor is unknown.

## Equipment Tie Off Procedures

**Lockout and Tagout Equipment**
**Park in Safe Location**
**Parallel to Face if Possible except drills**
**On Stable Ground**
**Use Secure Anchorage Point**
**Avoid Lanyard Entanglements and Damage**

**Notes:**
Tie-Off Procedures. 
Discuss the hazards associated with the failure to follow each procedure
Discuss the benefits of following the procedures. 

Emphasize Equipment Tie-Off Warning: use only if there are no alternatives.

## Lockout/tagout

**Transmission in “Park”  or  In Gear**
**Tied off Person has Ignition Key**
**Parking Brake Engaged**
**Steering Wheel or Clutch Lock Installed**
**Wheels Chocked**

**Notes:**
Lockout
Discuss the steps for locking out mobile equipment. 
(Making sure it doesn’t move.)

## Anchoring for Drillers

**Drillers should use caution when tying off to a drill.  Is there a better alternative?**
**Never position a drill parallel to the highwall**
**If you must tie off to a drill, it should be:**
**Properly locked/tagged out **
**                  ****OR**
**Jacks or outriggers extended**

**Notes:**
Exceptions for Drillers
Discuss procedure for tying off to a drill.

## Personal Fall Protection Equipment

**Use Equipment That Meets ANSI Z359.1 and A10.14 Standards, “Safety Belts, Harnesses, Lanyards & Lifelines”**
**Train Employees in the Use of:**
**Harnesses**
**Belts**
**Lanyards**
**Clips, Rings, and Other Accessories**
**Use and Maintain According to Manufacturer’s Instructions**
**Inspect Equipment Before Each Use**

**Notes:**
PPE
Discuss: 
1) selecting the right PPE (personal protective equipment)
2) training and use of PPE
3) maintenance of PPE
4) inspecting PPE.

## SUMMARY

- Promote Fall Protection Safety Awareness
- Provide Best Practices on Fall Protection
**6 Feet Or Higher Tie Off!!!**
**Harness Is Preferred To A Belt**
**Use 100% Tie Off Rule i.e. ****Keep Lanyard Attached To Substantial Anchorage At All Times**
**GOAL -  Send Every Miner Home Safe and Healthy at the End of Every Shift!!!**

## February 23, 2004
- Safety Talks
- Best Practices
- All Mines

- - Safety Talks
- - Best Practices
- - All Mines

**FALL PROTECTION OUTREACH**

## 

http://www.msha.gov/DISTRICT/DIST_07/D7HOME.HTM

- Fall Protection
- Comments

- _[http://www.msha.gov/DISTRICT/DIST_07/D7HOME.HTM](http://www.msha.gov/DISTRICT/DIST_07/D7HOME.HTM)_
**- Fall Protection**
**- Comments**

## 
Questions?

**Questions?**

**FALL PROTECTION OUTREACH**

## THANK YOU !!

**THANK YOU !!**

**REMEMBER – SAFETY IS A VALUE YOU CAN LIVE WITH!**