1.0
PRODUCT APPLICATION
1.1
PURPOSE: Anchorage Systems are designed to provide anchorage connection points for a Personal Fall Arrest System
(PFAS).
1.2
SUPERVISION: Installation of this equipment must be supervised by a Qualifi ed Person
supervised by a Competent Person
1.3
TRAINING: This equipment must be installed and used by persons trained in its correct application. This manual is to be
used as part of an employee training program as required by OSHA. It is the responsibility of the users and installers of
this equipment to ensure they are familiar with these instructions, trained in the correct care and use of this equipment,
and are aware of the operating characteristics, application limitations, and consequences of improper use of this
equipment.
1.4
RESCUE PLAN: When using this equipment and connecting subsystem(s), the employer must have a rescue plan and
the means at hand to implement and communicate that plan to users, authorized persons
site rescue team is recommended. Team members should be provided with the equipment and techniques to perform a
successful rescue. Training should be provided on a periodic basis to ensure rescuer profi ciency.
1.5
INSPECTION FREQUENCY: The Anchorage System shall be inspected by the user before each use and, additionally, by
a competent person other than the user at intervals of no longer than one year.
"Inspection and Maintenance Log" (Table 2). Results of each Competent Person inspection should be recorded on copies of
the "Inspection and Maintenance Log".
2.0
SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS
2.1
ANCHORAGE: Structure on which the Anchorage System is placed or mounted must meet the Anchorage specifi cations
defi ned in Table 1.
FROM OSHA:
Anchorages used for attachment of Personal Fall Arrest Systems shall be independent of any anchorage
being used to support or suspend platforms, and capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs (22 kN) per user attached, or
be designed, installed, and used as part of a complete Personal Fall Arrest System which maintains a safety factor of a
least 2, and is under the supervision of a qualifi ed person.
2.2
PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEM: Figure 1 illustrates the application of this Flexiguard Anchorage System. Personal
Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) used with the system must meet applicable OSHA, ANSI, state, and federal requirements. The
PFAS shall incorporate a Full Body Harness and meet the following capabilities:
PFAS with Shock Absorbing Lanyard
PFAS with Self Retracting Device
(SRD)
2.3
FALL PATH AND SRD LOCKING SPEED: A clear path is required to assure positive locking of an SRD. Situations which
do not allow for an unobstructed fall path should be avoided. Working in confined or cramped spaces may not allow the
body to reach sufficient speed to cause the SRD to lock if a fall occurs. Working on slowly shifting material, such as sand
or grain, may not allow enough speed buildup to cause the SRD to lock.
2.4
HAZARDS: Use of this equipment in areas with environmental hazards may require additional precautions to prevent
injury to the user or damage to the equipment. Hazards may include, but are not limited to: heat, chemicals, corrosive
environments, high voltage power lines, explosive or toxic gases, moving machinery, sharp edges, or overhead materials
that may fall and contact the user or Personal Fall Arrest System.
2.5
FALL CLEARANCE: There must be suffi cient clearance below the user to arrest a fall before the user strikes the ground
or other obstruction. Fall Clearance is dependent on the following factors:
•
Deceleration Distance
•
Free Fall Distance
See the Personal Fall Arrest System manufacturer's instructions for specifi cs regarding Fall Clearance calculation.
2.6
SWING FALLS: Swing Falls occur when the anchorage point is not directly above the point where the fall occurs (see
Figure 3). The force of striking an object while swinging from the pendulum effects of a Swing Fall can cause serious
injury. Swing Falls can be minimized by limiting the horizontal distance (H) between the user and the anchorage point,
In a Swing Fall, the total vertical fall distance (F) will be greater than if the user had fallen directly below the anchorage
point, thus increasing Fall Clearance required to safely arrest the user's fall. See the PFAS manufacturer's instructions for
details regarding Swing Falls and Fall Clearance calculation.
1 Qualifi ed Person:
A person with a recognized degree of professional certifi cate and with extensive knowledge, training, and experience in the fall protection
and rescue fi eld who is capable of designing, analyzing, evaluating, and specifying fall protections and rescue systems to the extent required by OSHA and other ap-
plicable standards.
2 Competent Person:
One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazard-
ous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
3 Authorized Person:
For purposes of the Z359 standards, a person assigned by the employer to perform duties at a location where the person will be exposed
to a fall hazard.
4 Rescuer:
Person or persons other than the rescue subject acting to perform an assisted rescue by operation of a rescue system.
5 Inspection Frequency:
inspections.
.
2
900 lb (4 kN) Maximum Arresting Force
or 900 lb (4 kN) Average Arresting
Force (as defi ned in ANSI Z359.14)
•
Worker Height
•
Movement of Harness Attachment Element
Extreme working conditions (harsh environments, prolonged use, etc.)may require increasing the frequency of competent person
Maximum Arresting Force
900 lb (4 kN)
Arresting Force
10
. Use of this equipment must be
1
, and rescuers
3
4
Inspection procedures are described in the
5
Maximum Free Fall Distance
6 ft (1.8 m)
Maximum Free Fall Distance
2 ft (0.61 m)
•
Elevation of Anchorage Connector
•
Connecting Subsystem Length
. A trained, on-