Presentation on

Elevated Work
(Safety Policy 007)

Elevated Work

Scope
This policy applies to all Sipchem employees
whose jobs require work at elevated positions.
Each contractor shall ensure that its employees
follow this policy as minimum.

Elevated Work

Purpose
The purpose of this policy for elevated work
practices is to state the required actions to safely
accomplish work in elevated positions.

Elevated Work

Definitions
Anchorage:
A secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or deceleration
devices that can support at least 5000 pounds per employee attached or
maintains safety factor of at least two.
(Refer: ANSI A10.14 & ANSI Z359.1)
Competent Person:
A person who is capable of identifying existing & predictable hazards
in the surroundings or other working conditions which are hazardous,
or dangerous to employees & has the authorization to take prompt
corrective measures to eliminate them.

Elevated Work

Definitions (Contd)
Ladder Operational Test:
Step or A-frame Ladder:
- Open / close
- Spreader bars or braes straight & secure, not inverted
Extension Ladder:
- Raise / lower
- Locks in place
- Rope & pulley in good condition
- Foot plates move freely
Straight Ladder:
- Foot plates move freely

Elevated Work

Definitions (Contd)
Mobile Ladder:
Brakes lock
Wheels move freely
All Ladders:
Non-slip rubber feet on foot plates or base
Ladder specifications:
Step or A-frame, extension, or straight.
Extra heavy duty, Type IA
Fiberglass, ANSI A14.5-1992
Metal, ANSI A14.2-1990
Mobile, ANSI A14.7-1991
Fixed, ANSI A14.3-1992

Elevated Work

Definitions (Contd..)
Lanyard:
A flexible line or rope, or strap that generally has a connector at each
end for connecting the body harness to deceleration device, lifeline or
anchorage.
Shock absorbing lanyard:
A flexible line or rope, wire, or strap that has one end that connects to
the body harness.
Lifeline:
A component consisting of a flexible line for connection to an
anchorage at one end to hang vertically or line connections to two
anchorages stretched horizontally & that serves as a means of
connecting other components of PFAS to the anchorage.

Elevated Work

Definitions (Contd)
Qualified Person:
One who by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or
professional standing or who by extensive knowledge, training,
experience has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve
problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
Self-retractable lifeline:
A device containing drum wound cable or webbing that can be slowly
extracted from or retracted onto the drum under slight tension during
normal employee movement. After onset of a fall the drum automatically
locks & arrests the fall.
Tie back feature:
A connector (D-ring) used integrally in lanyards, energy absorbers,
lifelines, & anchorage connectors as an integral connector. Allows
lanyards to connected back onto themselves.
Work positioning:
A method that allows a worker to be supported on an elevated vertical
surface, such as wall, & work with both hands free while leaning.

Elevated Work

Process Description
The Elevated Work Practices policy describes the tasks,
responsibilities, & requirements for personnel to take the appropriate
actions to prevent falls from elevated work positions.
When it is impractical to provide built in protection or work is being
performed outside of protected areas, PFAS shall be used.

Elevated Work

Provide Fall Protection

The maintenance Supervisor will ensure that some type of fall
protection is used whenever work is conducted at elevated locations,
in other areas where there is a vertical change of 5 feet(1.5 meters) or
greater, or when work is being conducted above dangerous equipment
regardless of the potential fall distance.
Pipe racks will be exempt provided:
The area of pipe rack that is exempted from fall protection is clearly
marked with signs in a manner that everyone in the area understands
the boundaries.

Elevated Work

10

Provide Fall Protection (Contd)

Fall protection consist of the following systems:
Guardrails
Safety nets
Covers (e.g. covering of a holes)
Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS): Full body harness, shock
absorbing lanyard, & anchor point.
Warning lines
Controlled Access Zone (CAZ)
Safety Monitors
Elevated Work Fall Protection Plan

Elevated Work

11

Provide Fall Protection (Contd..)

When working outside a protected area & tying off with PFAS is
clearly identified as creating a greater hazard than not tying off or a
safe tie off point is not possible, the job shall be completed using the
safest fall protection option available.
A fall protection analysis shall be conducted.
The Elevated Work Fall Protection Plan shall be completed.

Elevated Work

12

Provide Appropriate PFAS

A minimum components of a PFAS consist of a full body harness, shock

absorbing lanyard & anchor point. All components shall meet ANSI
Z359.1-1992.
Components of PFAS may include vertical or horizontal lifelines,
anchorage connectors(slings), retractable lifelines & work positioning
lanyards.
Workers having a combined weight (person & tool) of 310 pounds
(140 Kg) or more must use an especially designed full body harness &
shock absorbing lanyard for exceptionally heavy users.
Workers having a combined weight of 130 pounds (90 Kg) or less must
use an especially designed shock absorbing lanyard for exceptionally
light users.
The use of body belts as part of a PFAS at Sipchem is prohibited.

Elevated Work

13

The Supervisor will ensure that the

proper fall protection is provided

Workers working at the edge of an excavation 5feet (1.5 meter) or

more in depth shall be protected from falling by guardrail system,
fences, or barricades when the excavations are not readily seen
because of plant growth or other visual barriers.

Elevated Work

14

Visual Inspection of PFAS Equipment

Supervisors will ensure that their departments PFAS are inspected on a

monthly basis.
Prior to use, all employees who use PFAS equipment shall:
Conduct an inspection of the PFAS equipment for visible signs of
wear, thermal, chemical, mechanical damage, defective
components, or shock loading.
Take PFAS out of service if any defects are found during the
inspection.
Immediately remove from service a PFAS that receives a
potentially damaging impact load or arrested a fall & the PFAS
will not be used again.

Elevated Work

15

Selection of Correct Anchorage Point &

Use of PFAS

The supervisor & the workers performing the work shall comply with
the following requirements regarding selection & use of anchor
points:
Anchorage used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment
shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or
suspend platforms.
Anchorage used shall be capable of supporting at least 5000
pounds per employee attached or shall be designed, installed, &
used as follows:
1. As part of complete PFAS that maintains a safety factor of at least
two.
2. Under the supervision of qualified person.

Elevated Work

16

Selection of Correct Anchorage Point &

Use of PFAS (Contd..)

The following three factors shall be used when choosing an anchor

point:
Total fall distance consists of:
Free fall distance-maximum 6 feet (1.8 meter)
Deceleration distance-shock absorber max. 3.5 feet (1m)
Harness effect- stretch 6 inches (.15 meter)
D-ring to heel 5 feet (1.5 meter)
The attachment point of the full body harness shall be located in
the center of the wearers back near shoulder level or above the
wearers head.
The anchor point attachment above the head is not available, a
lower anchor point may be used.
Prohibit contact with the next lower level.

Elevated Work

17

Selection of Correct Anchorage Point &

Use of PFAS(Contd..)

Unacceptable Anchor Points:

Screwed pipe, unless approved by a licensed professional
engineer.
Conduit
Cable trays or cable tray rungs
Welded pipe less than 3 inches (.07 meter)
Flanged pipe less than 3 inches (.07 meter)
Wooden handrails
Steam lines
Handrails unless approved by a licensed professional.

Elevated Work

18

Selection of Correct Anchorage Point &

Use of PFAS(Contd..)

Acceptable Anchor Points:

3 inch (.07 meter) or greater welded pipe
3 inch (.07 meter) or greater flanged pipe
Structural I or H beams
Engineered lifelines
Properly installed scaffold guardrails during erection if no other
anchorage point is available.
If there is question as to identifying proper tie-off points, contact the
Safety Group.
When a person uses a work positioning as the method of to tie-off, a
FBH designed with work positioning D-rings shall be used.

Elevated Work

19

Safe Use of Lifelines

The qualified person shall supervise the design, installation & use of
horizontal & vertical lifelines.
Attachment to a horizontal lifeline shall be made so that lifeline is not
abraded during use.
Connection to a vertical lifeline shall be made with a rope grab
deceleration device.
Continuous anchorage must be made using anchorage connectors to
which the lanyard is attached or by using a lanyard with an approved tie
back feature.
Do NOT allow the snap hook on either end of the lanyard to become
side loaded.

Elevated Work

20

Safe Use of Lifelines (Contd..)

Do NOT tie knots in any lanyard as a means of reducing the length. It

will reduce the strength of the lanyard by 50%.
Do NOT tie-off to an I or H beam with a nylon rope lanyard as this
will reduce the strength of the lanyard by 70%. Use a web lanyard
padding, or abrasion proof strap.
Do NOT use anchor points with sharp edges unless protective padding
is used at the point of contact.

Elevated Work

21

Requirements for use of Self-Retracting

Lifelines

Self-retracting lifelines shall be attached to supports capable of 5,000

pounds or one that maintains safety factor of two.

Self-retracting lifelines shall be secured by means of anchorage

connectors.

Each self retracting lifeline shall be equipped with a inch synthetic

fiber rope tag line for extending the device to elevations below the
point of attachment.

Elevated Work

22

Requirements for Performing Work in

Elevated Pipe Racks
Work in a elevated pipe rack presents a unique hazard. Permanent
work platform or temporary work platform such as complete
scaffold with ladder access are the preferred choice.
Access to elevated pipe racks shall be made as close as possible to
the work area. Avoid excess travel in the pipe-rack.
Employees will perform following if 100% tie-off is not possible:
Maintain a 15 feet (4.5 meters) distance from the edge of pipe rack.
Avoid opening 12 inches (.3 meters) or greater that would allow a
fall to the ground or a lower level.
Avoid small diameter piping that may fail under the weight of a
person.
When workers stop movement to perform work, they shall tie off if
there is potential for fall to the ground or lower level.

Elevated Work

23

Requirements for Scaffolds

Only trained personnel under the supervision of Competent Person

will erect, dismantle, repair, or alter scaffolds.
The moving of one section scaffold does not require the supervision of
Competent Person.
The supervisor of the scaffolding crew will inspect all scaffolds &
certify their worthiness by hanging a scaffold inspection tag at each
access point at the scaffold.
Tools or materials may not be thrown up to or down from any
scaffolding.
Tool bag, tool belts or other devices must be used.
The area underneath shall be barricaded & signs reading DangerOverhead Work shall be placed in appropriate locations.

Elevated Work

24

Requirements for Scaffolds(Contd..)

If people required to work or pass under a scaffold upon which tools

or material are being handled, the scaffold must have a screen (18
gauge, inch mesh, reinforced plastic, or equal) between the toe
board & guardrail around the entire periphery.
Self-retracting lifelines should be evaluated to achieve fall protection
while ascending or descending ladders to temporary platforms or
walkways.
The placement of ladder shall not create additional hazards while
ascending or descending.
Landing platform shall be provided to the scaffold exceeds 20 feet (6
meters)so that max. climb on each ladder is 20 feet. Adjacent ladder
sections shall be off set from one another.
It is unacceptable to climb up the braces of scaffolding.

Elevated Work

25

Requirements for Scaffolds(Contd..)

Work on or from scaffold is prohibited during storms or high winds

unless Competent Person has determined that it is safe for workers to
be on the scaffold & employees protected by PFAS or screens.
Wind screens shall not be used unless the scaffold is secured against
the anticipated wind forces.
Manually propelled scaffold shall not be moved with people on the
scaffold.
If rolling scaffolding is to be moved with material or equipment on it,
a wire mesh screen must be placed to prevent fall of material.
Sufficient help must be obtained when moving a rolling scaffold.
The caster brakes shall be set before ascending the scaffold.

Elevated Work

26

Requirements for Fixed & Portable Ladders

Only non conductive ladders such as fiberglass shall be used in work
involving electrical systems.
The safety group must approve use of aluminum & wooden ladder.
Aluminum (metal) two & three step stepstools & rolling step stools are
permitted for use in control rooms & offices, etc. use shall be based on
the service & hazard of the task.
Ladder Inspection: User shall visibly inspect the portable ladder before
each use.
If defects are noted, user will tag DANGER DO NOT USE
The ladder shall then be taken out of service & repaired or destroyed.
Fixed ladder shall be inspected annually by the Mechanical Integrity
group.

Elevated Work

27

Requirements for Fixed & Portable

Ladders(Contd..)

Ladders that are repaired shall receive an inspection & operational test
prior to being placed back in service.
Step, A-frame, straight, & extension ladders, mobile ladder stands &
mobile ladder stand platforms must be inspected & have an
operational test on a monthly basis.
Ladder use & replacement:
Permanent caged ladders may be ascended or descended without
additional fall protection.
Portable ladders shall extend at least three feet above their uppermost
landing & be secured against displacement.
Appropriate straight & extension ladder placement should be 1 foot
outward for each 4 feet of rise.

Elevated Work

28

Requirements for Fixed & Portable

Ladders(Contd..)

Step & A-frame ladders must be used in the full open position &
should not be used in the place of straight ladder.
Ladder feet shall be replaced with a secure footing.
Ladders are to be placed on a solid surface & not on boxes, drums,
scaffolds, or similar items in order to gain additional height.
Ladders shall not be used in horizontal position.
Rope ladders shall not be used.
Ascending & Descending Ladder:
Personnel shall maintain three points of contact with the ladder.
Materials or tools shall not be carried in hands while ascending or
descending.
Tool bags or tool belts shall be used instead.

Elevated Work

29

Requirements for Fixed & Portable

Ladders(Contd..)

Personnel climbing ladder not tied off must have another person
hold the ladder at the bottom until the ladder can be secured. This
includes last trip after untying the ladder at top.

Person climbing to the high elevation to perform work on the

ladder shall properly secure his lanyard first before doing anything
else.

Then ladder must be tied off before work can begin.

When the job task is complete the process is reversed.

Elevated Work

30

Requirements With the Vehicle Mounted

Elevated Work Elevators

Only qualified person may operate vehicle mounted work platforms.

Qualified Operator- personnel shall be trained & tested.
The requirements to follow are:
Boom & basket load limits shall never be exceeded.
Lift controls shall be tested for correct operation each day of use.
PFAS equipment shall be worn while working in an elevated platform
PFAS equipment tie-off shall be made to lift basket at all the times.
Tying off to adjacent poles, structures is not permitted.
Brake of vehicles shall be set when it is in a working position,
outriggers shall be positioned firmly on a solid surface if used.
Moving the vehicle is not permitted when platform is in working
position unless the vehicle is designed specifically.

Elevated Work

31

Requirements for Crane Baskets

The use of crane or derrick to hoist employees onto a personnel

platform is prohibited, except when the erection, use, &
dismantling of a conventional means of reaching the work site,
such as a personnel hoist, ladder, stairway, aerial lift, elevating
work platform or scaffold, would be more hazardous or is not
possible because of the structural design or work site conditions.
A crane basket may be used provided the following are complied with:
Employees must secure their lanyard to the bar or appropriate
anchorage inside the basket at all the times when aloft.
Crane baskets shall be designed, fabricated, modified, maintained,
operated & tested in strict accordance with OSHA 1926.550.
Rigging/Crane assembly & dismantling: Fall protection shall be
maintained during these operations through use of : Full Body
Harness, self-retracting lifelines, ladders, personnel lifts.

Elevated Work

32

Thank you
The End

Elevated Work

33