Miller Fall Arrest System Procedures
Proper use of fall arrest systems can save lives and reduce the potential of serious injuries from a fall. The user must be aware that forces experienced during the arrest of a fall or prolonged suspension may cause bodily injury. Therefore, prompt rescue is essential in the event of a fall.
All employees who perform tasks that require the use of a fall arrest system (full body harness and connecting devices) for fall protection will comply with the following requirements and warnings, which are included in the manufacturer’s instructions and OSHA’s General Industry Standard 1910.66.
Only trained personnel may use fall arrest equipment. An employee may not work alone while using a fall arrest system. The fall arrest system must be used as designed by the manufacturer. Substitutions or alterations to the harness, shock-absorbing lanyard, or cross arm strap are prohibited. The design-working load for the fall arrest system is 310 pounds - NEVER EXCEED THIS WEIGHT. No part of a fall arrest system may be used for towing or hoisting.
The fall arrest system must be visually inspected before each use. Any body harness, shock-absorbing lanyard or cross arm strap that shows unusual wear, deformities or deterioration must be removed from service and replaced. Check D rings and snap hooks for damage, cracks, deformities, and rough or sharp edges. Repairs are not to be performed on any part of the fall arrest system components.
Any equipment that has been subjected to a fall arrest incident must be removed from service and replaced. The lanyard is equipped with a specially designed warning flag that will be exposed when the lanyard is elongated during a fall arrest. Anytime this warning flag is exposed, the lanyard must be removed from service and replaced.
Visually inspect the harness web straps and buckles for damage or excessive wear.
Visually check all buckles to ensure proper and secure connections before using the harness. Connect all straps and adjust them to provide a snug fit.
Follow the manufacturers instructions for putting on and wearing the harness.
Anchor the cross arm strap to a secure object that is capable of supporting a 5, 000 pound static load.
Protect the cross arm strap from rough edges, sharp objects, high temperature surfaces (180 degrees F), open flames, welding, electrical hazards and moving machinery.
Miller Fall Arrest System
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Visually check the lanyard webbing, snap hooks and locking keepers for physical damage and to ensure the snap hooks close and lock properly.
Connect the shock absorbing lanyard to the D ring on the back of the harness. NEVER attach the lanyard to the straps, buckles or side D rings.
Tie off in a manner that limits free fall to the shortest possible distance (Maximum 6 ft.). Tie off in a manner that prevents the worker from striking a lower level or obstructions during a fall.
NOTE: The shock absorber can elongate up to 3-1/2 feet, which would extend the maximum total length of the lanyard to 9-1/2 ft. during a fall. This elongation distance must be considered when choosing a tie off point.
Always work directly under the anchor point to avoid a swinging fall injury.
Never tie knots in the lanyard or attempt to shorten it by other means.
Never disable or restrict the snap hooks or locking keeper in any way.
Never wrap the lanyard around a pipe, beam, etc. Always use a cross arm strap and connect the lanyard to the cross arm strap.
Protect the lanyard from rough edges, sharp objects, high temperature surfaces (180 degrees F), open flames, welding, electrical hazards and moving machinery.
Wipe off all surface dirt with a sponge dampened with plain water. Squeeze the sponge dry. Dip the sponge in a mild solution of water and commercial soap or detergent. Work up a thick lather, with a vigorous back and forth motion. Then wipe dry with a clean cloth. Hang free to dry, but away from excessive heat, steam or long periods of sunlight.
The entire fall arrest system should be carefully inspected after each use and stored in a clean, dry area free of corrosive elements. The body harness should be stored by suspending it by the back D ring. This will help maintain the shape of the harness and prevent tangling and knotting of the straps.
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