INTRODUCTION:

The Partnership is committed to the practice of Safety at Heights wherever the potential exists for personnel falling from heights. The Best Practice will address fall hazards associated with, but not limited to, aerial tasks performed while working on wood/steel poles and metal/lattice structures. The Best Practices will utilize fall protection hierarchy of fall hazard elimination or control of the fall hazard. The following shall be considered in designing a fall protection solution: elimination or substitution, passive fall protection, fall restraint, fall arrest and administrative controls. First consideration shall be given to the elimination of fall hazards. Where elimination of the fall hazard is not practical effective control of the fall hazard shall be used at all times.

SUBJECT:

Fall Protection when Performing Aerial Work 

PRACTICE STATEMENT:

Fall Protection Equipment (FPE) shall be used above 4 feet when ascending, while in the working position, when changing positions, descending, and/or performing rescue operations.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION:

Fall hazards associated with aerial work shall be assessed, and fall hazard mitigation plans developed. Fall Protection Device shall be “engaged” ground-to-ground

1. Climbers shall be competent in the application of all necessary fall protection methods used for the fall hazard mitigation of the tasks that will be performed.
2. The following information must be considered and addressed on the job briefing form when planning aerial work:

   • Identify tasks to be performed while working aloft.

   • Client/Owner Fall Protection policies, procedures and hazard analysis documentation as applicable.

   • Identify suitable anchorage points that are going to be used for the task to be performed.

   • Employers shall address rescue considerations and develop appropriate procedures that will allow successful performance of a given rescue technique for varied field conditions.

   • Determine/Identify necessary FPE and/or Work Positioning Equipment (WPE).

   • Determine climber qualification in the use of FPE and/or WPE.

3. FPE/WPE shall be inspected and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines.

4. Company policies shall apply when the conditions of this Best Practice cannot be met. Alternative work methods ensuring climber safety shall be identified, communicated to all affected climbers, implemented, and documented as part of the job briefing process.

5. Climbers shall be trained and competent in the care, use, and inspection of the equipment used to conform to this Best Practice.  Climbers must be trained in the selection and safe use of the equipment/system.  Training shall only be conducted by qualified trainers.

6. Visual inspections shall be performed prior to, and during climbing, to ensure that the structure is inacceptable condition for the safe execution of the tasks to be performed.

7. This Best Practice applies to all climbers including those that perform rescue. Rescue application should be predetermined as early as possible, but no later than during the pre-job briefing, based on rescue needs such as timeliness and consideration given to the characteristics of the structure that rescue is being performed on.

BENEFITS:

To eliminate injuries and fatalities associated with falls while performing work aloft. 

REFERENCE:

ANSI Z359.2 – 2007 
CSA Z259.14-01
29 CFR 1910.66 App C
29 CFR 1926.500 – 503
BLM 1292-1
Best practices utilized by OSP members for lattice structures. 
IEEE 1307 – IEEE Standard for Fall Protection for Utility 
Work Example FHA attached