Personal safety: Fall arrest systems are a vital part of the construction process - by Stephen Lampard

Stephen Lampard, Domani Inspection Services

Modern high rise fall protection methods can range from nylon or polyester safety straps and concrete-embedded utility anchors on the simple end, to self-climbing perimeter protection systems on the more complex end of the spectrum. For those who choose to go with the former, you may be familiar with the manufacturer appropriately named Safe-T-Strap. As a brand that focuses on fall protection, a variety of products are offered for different applications. Regardless of product and application, there are critical steps that must be taken to not only assure that you are abiding by the applicable New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB) codes and manufacturer requirements, but that you are doing your due diligence to ensure safety throughout the superstructure construction process.

One of the products commonly found on projects throughout New York City is classified as the High Rise Strap. As previously mentioned, these straps are comprised of woven nylon or polyester with a loop stitched on one end, and either a matching loop, or steel D-ring on the other. Additionally, a protective sleeve covers a portion of the strap designed to provide a buffer between the strap itself and the concrete it is embedded in.

Installation details for these straps are product specific and must be followed to the letter as to assure compliance, and ultimately, safety. Details on these procedures can be obtained from the manufacturer’s online product catalog, and provide direction on a variety of applications from slab embedment to column and concrete wall installations. Proper installation and maintenance of these straps is paramount. So much so that manufacturers and NYC DOB require a logbook to be maintained onsite at all times with documentation of installation, daily inspections, and a record of any and all proof load testing that is performed. Failure to maintain these logs will result is safety violations, fines, and the possibility of a stop-work order. A major issue in not documenting installation procedures is that, short of exposing the tie-in connection to the slab reinforcement (very arduous and costly), there is no way to verify it was done properly after the fact. In these situations, the engineer of record may request to perform as much testing as they deem necessary to determine if the strap will hold its designed load. Thus resulting in critical delays while the straps are deemed unusable, or while a SWO has been placed into effect.

As per a DOB Regulatory Notice dated June 13, 2008, titled New Protocols for Existing and New Concrete-Embedded Fall Arresting Systems, the burden has been placed directly on the construction superintendent to make sure all records are kept and made available. Superintendents are not only responsible for guaranteeing proper installation of “each piece” of the fall arrest system, but making sure that they are inspected prior to each use and decommissioned once no longer needed or if damage is noted.

Since it is at the discretion of the construction manager to determine who will be performing these required inspections, there is an increased frequency of CM’s engaging special inspections agencies to collect and maintain logbooks in a manner acceptable to the Department of Buildings.

Furthermore, while in the past a hand marked up floor plan showing approximate safety strap locations may have sufficed, the CM is now responsible for ensuring that they have procured a set of engineered drawings (prior to the start of installation) identifying the following:

• Manufacturer type and name.

• Instructions on proper installation and use.

• Adequacy of concrete structure to sustain dynamic and static loads.

• List of occupational classifications allowed to use the system.

With the ever-growing concerns of personal safety on, and in proximity to, construction sites around the city, this particular matter that is not being taken lightly. Fines, violations and SWO’s are setbacks and can lead to an array of less than ideal job complications. That being said, there is still no substitute for assuring personnel safety. Fall arrest systems are a vital part of the construction process, and should be treated with the utmost respect and responsibility by all parties involved.

Stephen Lampard is vice president of technical services at Domani Inspection Services, Valley Stream, N.Y.