Confined Space Fall Protection
Equipment, fall protection, retrieval solutions, and safety training for demanding work environments.
Protection for Confined Space Work and Working at Height
Selecting appropriate fall protection and retrieval equipment is important for protecting entrants, attendants, and supervisors involved in confined space activities. Equipment should meet the specific needs of the job.
Understanding Confined Spaces
Confined Space
A space large enough for an employee to enter fully and perform assigned work, not designed for continuous occupancy, and with limited or restricted entry or exit. Examples include underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, pits, diked areas, vessels, and silos.
Permit-Required Confined Space
A confined space that has or may have a hazardous atmosphere; material that could engulf an entrant; an internal configuration that could trap or asphyxiate someone; or another recognized serious safety or health hazard.
Fall Protection Equipment & Training
Fall protection measures may include guardrails, covers, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. The current company materials discuss protection for walkways and ramps, open sides and edges, holes, concrete forms and rebar, excavations, roofs, wall openings, bricklaying, and residential construction.
Common Work Areas
- Walkways & ramps
- Open sides & edges
- Holes
- Concrete forms & rebar
- Excavations
- Roofs
- Wall openings
- Bricklaying
- Residential construction
MSA Fall Protection Solutions
MSA offers fall protection kits for a variety of applications. An example roofer’s kit described in the existing company materials includes the following equipment:
- Gravity vest-style harness with Qwik-Fit leg straps, back D-ring and integral Sure-Stop shock absorber
- 25-foot, 5/8-inch Polysteel/Polyester rope with locking snap hook
- Rope grab fall arrester with auto-locking carabiner
- Temporary roof anchor
- #12 × 2.5-inch Phillips flat-head zinc woodscrews
- Roofer’s kit tote bag
General Fall Arrest Requirements
The company’s existing materials reference OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 and describe these general requirements. Confirm the current rule and its applicability before relying on the examples below.
- Body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system
- Only locking-type snap hooks are used
- Certain anchorages must support at least 5,000 pounds per attached employee, unless an applicable alternative is satisfied
- Personal fall arrest systems are rigged to limit free fall and prevent contact with lower levels
What Is ANSI?
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates voluntary consensus standards. The company’s existing materials reference ANSI Z359.1 and include the examples below; current standards and requirements should be verified.
- Snap hooks and carabiners are self-closing and self-locking
- Equipment is inspected before use and periodically by a competent person
- Workplace conditions are assessed before selecting a personal fall arrest system
Need Equipment or Training?
Contact our team for confined space equipment, MSA fall protection solutions, and available training.