OCCUPATIONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT |
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| OPE Systems and the A-B-C Rule |
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OPE Systems and the A-B-C Rule |
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An OPE system is more than just
a combination of equipment. In
order to function properly,
the system must be custom-designed for the specific application,
environment, and work-site requirements. A simple rule to follow
when assembling an OPE system is the A-B-C Rule.
The system must contain all of the following components: (A)
anchorage, (B) body wear, and (C)
connecting device. Remember
the A-B-C Rule: |
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How
OPE Systems Are Used |
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Klein produces personal fall-protection
equipment in five OPE system categories. Each type of system and
its associated equipment is designed to help protect against different
kinds of risks. The risks which require the use of OPE systems and
the proper use of OPE equipment must be fully understood. OPE equipment
and systems must be used only for the specific -purpose for which
they are designed and intended. The following information introduces
the basic kinds of OPE systems: fall-arrest and fall-arrest combined
with positioning, suspension, retrieval, and/or ladder-climbing
functions. Personal
Fall-Arrest System |
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Personal
Positioning System
A personal positioning system is required if a worker must be held in place while his hands are free to work. OSHA defines a positioning device system as “. . . a body belt or harness system rigged to allow an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical -surface, such as a wall, and work with both hands free while leaning.” If there is risk of a worker falling from an elevated position, (generally, six feet or more), personal fall-arrest protection must also be used. The worker depicted in Figure 6 is utilizing both a -personal positioning system and a personal fall-arrest system. Each system has its own A-B-C components. Since the worker’s job requires that both hands be free, he is using a personal positioning system. The (A) component of the personal positioning system is the vertical support that serves as a positioning anchorage. Positioning anchorages must be capable of -supporting at least twice the potential impact load of a worker’s fall or 3,000 lbs. (13.3 kN), whichever is greater. The (B) component of the personal positioning system is the worker’s full-body harness which is equipped with a D-ring at each side for attaching a positioning connecting device. The (C) component of the personal positioning system is the positioning -lanyard which is equipped with a locking snap-hook at each end. Positioning connecting devices must be rigged so that a worker cannot free fall more than 2 feet. Also, since the worker is at risk of falling, he is also using a personal fall-arrest system as described earlier in this section. For the fall-arrest system, the (A) component is the pole structure, the (B) component is the full-body harness with rear D-ring, and the (C) component is the rope lanyard with attached deceleration unit. In some cases, fall-arrest protection is not possible when using a personal positioning system. For example, a worker building highway pillars or similar structures may have no overhead anchorages available. In these situations, alternative fall-arrest protection devices, such as safety nets, must be used. A positioning system is an active system and is in use whenever the worker leans back. The positioning body wear provides solid midriff support, leaving the worker’s hands free to get the job done. Remember, a positioning system is only designed to help hold a worker in place while leaving his hands free to work. When used in conjunction with a fixed anchorage, the positioning system can help prevent a fall. However, positioning equipment is NEVER a replacement for fall-arrest protection. A positioning -system must be used only for the positioning assistance for which it was designed. It must not be relied upon to provide fall-arrest or any other kind of protection. Always use the independent fall-arrest features of a positioning harness. NOTE: Klein positioning -harnesses provide a rear D-ring which must be used for fall-arrest protection. |
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Personal
Suspension System
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A personal suspension system is required when it is necessary to suspend and hold a worker from above. A typical system involves the use of a winch, cable, and either a bosun’s chair or a specially designed -suspension harness. A suspension system is an active system (used constantly). Fall-arrest protection must always be used with a suspension system. For example, the painter depicted in Figure 7 is utilizing both a personal suspension system and a personal fall-arrest system. Each system has its own A-B-C components. Since the worker must be suspended from above in order to get to his work area, he is using a personal suspension system. The (A) component is the winch that serves as a suspension anchorage. Suspension anchorages must be capable of supporting at least twice the potential impact load of a worker’s fall or 3,000 lbs. (13.3 kN), whichever is greater. The (B) component is the worker’s bosun’s-chair harness with front suspension D-ring. The (C) component is the winch cable, which is equipped with a locking snap-hook. Also, since the painter is at risk of falling, he is also using a personal fall-arrest system as described earlier in this section. For the fall-arrest system, the (A) component is the eye-bolt attached to the structure, the (B) component is the full-body harness with rear D-ring, and the (C) component is the Rope Grab with vertical life line. Remember, a suspension system is designed to lower, raise, and suspend a worker at an elevated work station. The suspension attachment points on the harness, such as the front D-ring or seat-strap D-rings, are NOT designed to properly distribute the impact forces that result in arresting a free fall. A suspension system -cannot be relied upon to provide fall-arrest protection. Always use the independent fall-arrest features of a suspension harness. NOTE: Klein suspension -harnesses provide a rear D-ring which must be used for fall-arrest protection. |
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Personal
Retrieval System
A personal retrieval system is required where a worker may need to be rescued from a work location. For example, the worker depicted in Figure 8 is using both a personal retrieval system and a personal fall-arrest system. Each system has its own A-B-C components. Since the worker is in an area that may contain potentially -hazardous conditions, he is using a personal retrieval system. The (A) component (which is not shown) is the personnel retrieval winch that serves as part of a retrieval anchorage. Retrieval anchorages must be capable of supporting at least twice the potential impact load of a worker’s fall or 3,000 lbs. (13.3 kN), whichever is greater. The (B) component is the worker’s retrieval harness with shoulder D-rings. The (C) component is a V-sling which is equipped with locking snap-hooks. Also since the worker is at risk of falling, he is also -utilizing a personal fall-arrest system as described -earlier in this section. For the fall-arrest system, the (A) component (which is not shown) is a suitable structure which is independent of the retrieval anchorage, the (B) component is the worker’s full-body harness with rear D-ring, and the (C) component is the rope lanyard with locking snap-hooks. Like a fall-arrest system, a retrieval system is a -passive system which only becomes active when the worker needs to be removed from the work location. Remember, a retrieval system is designed to remove a worker from a work location. A retrieval system by itself, however, may not provide all the fall protection a worker requires. Fall-arrest and positioning functions may also be required. The retrieval shoulder D-rings are NOT designed to properly distribute the impact forces that result in arresting a free fall. A retrieval -system cannot be relied upon to provide fall-arrest -protection. For fall-arrest protection, always use the independent fall-arrest features of a retrieval harness. NOTE: Klein retrieval harnesses with shoulder retrieval D-rings also provide a rear D-ring which must be used for fall-arrest protection. Always Use Fall Protection if There Is a Risk of a Fall Although OSHA regulations generally require workers to utilize fall protection when exposed to a fall of six feet or more, Klein strongly recommends using fall-arrest protection when working at any elevated position. In addition, OSHA regulations prohibited body belts from being used as part of a fall-arrest system. Know the appropriate regulations. Learn about the types of protective equipment and systems which must be used on the job. OSHA requires employers to know and follow the OSHA regulations pertaining to their industry, to provide a workplace free from hazards that might cause injuries, and to provide training in rescue procedures. OSHA provides consultation assistance, at no charge, to employers who need assistance in training and implementation. If you have any questions or any doubt as to what regulations apply to you or what safety equipment is required, contact your regional OSHA office. |
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Ladder-Climbing
System
A ladder-climbing system is used in order to keep a worker’s free fall to a minimum in case the worker’s hand or foot slips off a ladder rung or foot peg while he is changing elevation to a new work position. The worker depicted in Figure 9 is utilizing a ladder-climbing system. The worker also has equipment necessary for personal fall-arrest and personal positioning protection, which he will utilize once he reaches his work area. Each system has its own A-B-C components. For the personal ladder-climbing system, the (A) -component is the vertical wire attached to the ladder and tower structure that serves as an anchorage for the cable grab device, the (B) component is the worker’s ladder-climbing harness designed to distribute the forces over thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and -shoulders and equipped with a circle D-ring at the back for attaching a fall-arrest connecting device and a frontal D-ring (not for fall-arrest) for attaching a ladder-climbing device, and the (C) component is the cable-grab with locking carabiner which is connected to the ladder. The maximum length of the connection between the center line of the anchorage cable and the frontal D-ring on the ladder-climbing harness shall not exceed 9 inches. When the worker reaches the work area, and before he unhooks his ladder-climbing system, he must hook up and utilize his personal fall-arrest system. For the fall-arrest -system, the (A) component will be the support structure, the (B) component will be the ladder-climbing -harness with rear D-ring, and the (C) component will be the rope lanyard with attached deceleration unit. Additionally, if the worker needs to work with both hands free when he reaches his work area, he must hook up and utilize his personal positioning system in addition to his personal fall-arrest system. For the positioning system, the (A) component will be the -vertical support that serves as a positioning anchorage. The (B) component will be the ladder-climbing harness which is equipped with a D-ring at each side for attaching a positioning connecting device. The (C) component will be the positioning lanyard which is equipped with a locking snap-hook at each end. It is important to note that a ladder-climbing system is designed to limit a worker’s movement while climbing a ladder. The frontal D-ring is NOT designed to properly distribute the impact forces that result in arresting a fall from height. A ladder-climbing system cannot be relied upon to -provide fall-arrest protection. When climbing fixed ladders, know and follow ANSIA14.3 (Safety Requirement for Fixed Ladders). NOTE: Klein ladder-climbing harnesses provide a rear D-ring which must be used for fall-arrest protection and side D-rings for positioning. |
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How
to Select OPE System Components |
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| When selecting OPE equipment,
employers must understand the government regulations and the purposes
for which specific items are intended. They need to know the specific
working conditions and how that equipment must be combined with
an anchorage to form a complete OPE system. In addition, the employer
must train his workers to identify, maintain, and use OPE equipment
correctly. The following instructions are intended to help explain
the equipment selection process.
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| NOTE: For clarity, photos
in this catalog do not show any warning tags or labels, which are
attached to each product. |
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