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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires HVAC professionals to have a fall protection
system when working at the height of six feet or more above a lower level, regardless of the pitch. Workers can
face fall hazards in various ways from working around the unguarded edge of a building, standing on top of large
industrial units to fall hazards related to working from lifts.
Areas to consider:
- Ensure the appropriate ladder is being used for the task; if the ladder is fixed or interior roof access, ensure
the condition is good and use a body harness with attached D- ring to ascend and descend where needed - Do not travel to heights with tools in hand; pull tools up afterward
- Parapet walls should be 39” or higher to be adequately used as fall protection
- Temporary railing can be used when there is no existing wall or parapet
- When work is performed on a flat roof, there must be at a minimum, a warning line 15 feet from the edge
- A rope grab with a clamp anchor can be secured and used when working on a suspended unit and standing on a ladder
- When scaffolds are used, they should be erected, inspected and dismantled by a competent person
- Any time work is done from an aerial lift, workers should be tied off with a fall arrest system
Detailed below are some of the conventional methods of fall protection available to protect workers:
Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)
- PFAS consists of a worker wearing a full body harness attached to a fixed anchor point via a lanyard or cable
PFAS + Rope Grabs
- A rope grab system consists of a worker wearing a full-body harness attached to a fixed anchor point via a rope
- The harness is connected to the rope by a rope grab that allows the user to move up and down the line fluidly
- If the rope is jerked or if a fall occurs, it locks into place and keeps the worker from falling further
PFAS + Horizontal Lifeline
- When used as part of a PFAS, a horizontal lifeline can be used to increase the area in which a worker is
protected - A horizontal lifeline consists of a cable connected horizontally between two or
more anchors extended along the roof peak - Never tie off to other structure or poles outside of the lift