Spring Cleaning and Fall Protection System Maintenance

April 17, 2014

There are a number of variables that can impact the effectiveness of a fall protection system beyond correct installation and usage. One of those variables is the way in which the system is cleaned and maintained. Of course, it is always a wise idea to follow the inspection protocols that are in the instruction manuals. But, the instruction manual that comes with your fall protection system can also be a great source of general maintenance information. Routine inspections are a great way to make sure that all of the equipment you are using is working smoothly and effectively. Typically, system inspections only need to occur annually or after a fall has occurred. But an inspection can help determine if the system needs to be cleaned so that it’s operating at peak performance.

CLEANING YOUR FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM
When the system is in a work environment where there is a lot of dust, dirt, or corrosive chemicals, it is wise to inspect the system more frequently than once annually. The designated Competent Person needs to decide inspection frequency based upon the system’s use and environment. Work areas with salt water, acids, and high levels of dust are the most likely to damage a fall protection system.

If your fall protection system is in a damaging environment, it’s important to make sure that the system gets cleaned regularly. Tracks can have a mylar lip seal to enhance the cleanliness of the inside of the track, but even with the seal, it is still a good idea to inspect the track for cleaning. The inside of the track can be cleaned with a wire brush or a rag. While the outside of the track (or an exposed I-beam) can be cleaned with a gentle degreaser like Windex®, Simple Green®, or car wash fluid. When dirt, dust, or grime builds up inside or outside of the track, it is possible that the equipment will not work as smoothly as it did when it was first installed and it may not be as effective for arresting falls.    

INSPECTION AFTER A FALL EVENT
After a fall event, there are some basic things that a Competent Person (as defined by OSHA) should inspect before putting a system back into service for fall protection. A post fall event inspection should involve checking all components for straightness, cracking, and all of the bolts for tightness. But, any pivot bolts or pivot eye bolts that have bent shanks or shafts and/or deteriorated or imperfect threads should be replaced. And finally, the track should be replaced if the flanges of a track are bent more than 10 degrees. These are generalized inspection considerations. The instruction manual for the fall protection system will outline any other fall inspection points that should be included 

ANNUAL INSPECTIONS
Once again, a Competent Person (as defined by OSHA) should review the fall protection system in the workplace as often as they deem necessary based upon the work environment. And all inspections should follow the written instructions that are provided with the system. But, if you have not had a fall event in the workplace (that’s great!), you should still make sure that you follow the same inspection points that were called out in the above paragraph (tight bolts, no cracks or bends, no broken pivot bolts, shanks, or shafts, and flanges that are not bent). If any other component on the system appears to be broken or incorrectly installed, it should be repaired or the system should be removed from service until that component can be replaced.

When it comes to maximizing the effectiveness of your fall protection system, inspections are one of the best ways to make sure that things are up to par. And, if you discover that the system is dirty or that it needs to be repaired in some way, repair it promptly. Fall protection systems that are damaged or impaired in some way must be “red tagged” and removed from service until fixed as there is a greater chance that it will not be as effective if it needs to arrest falls. And since fall protection is an investment for your company, proper system care is the best way to protect your investment in both your equipment and your employees.

Until the next time, stay safe up there!

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