Klein Tools Harnesses - Manual (Page 2)

OPE Systems and The A-B-C Rule
An OPE system is more than just a combination of
equipment. To function properly, the system must be
custom designed for the specific application, envi-
ronment and work-site requirements. Follow the
A-B-C Rule when assembling an OPE system. The
system must contain all of the following components:
(A) anchorage, (B) body wear, and (C) connecting device.
(A) Anchorage
OSHA defines anchorage as "a secure point of
attachment for lifelines, lanyards or deceleration
devices". Choosing the proper anchorage is deter-
mined by the type of fall protection needed (fall
arrest, or fall arrest combined with positioning, sus-
pension and/or retrieval functions). The anchorage
must be identified and evaluated by a competent
person, as defined by OSHA, at the job-site before
the appropriate OPE equipment can be selected.
Typical anchorages could be an I-beam or other
structural members.
(B) Body Wear
The second component of an OPE system is body
wear (OPE harnesses and belts). To select the right
harness for the job-site requirements, a competent
person, as defined by OSHA, must determine the
type of fall protection needed (such as fall arrest, or
fall arrest combined with positioning, suspension
and/or retrieval capabilities). Whenever there is a risk
of a fall, fall-arrest protection must be used. OSHA
prohibits the use of a body belt for fall arrest.
(C) Connecting Device
The third component of an OPE system is the
connecting device. Examples include lanyards, rope
grabs and deceleration devices. As with anchorages
and body wear, choosing a proper connecting device
is dictated by other system components and job-site
requirements.
Only use connecting devices
equipped with locking snap hooks. OSHA prohibits
the use of connecting devices without locking snap
hooks in any fall-protection system.
Introduction
(continued)
How OPE Systems Are Used
Klein offers personal fall protection equipment in four
OPE system categories. Each system and its asso-
ciated equipment is designed to help protect against
different kinds of risks. The risks which require the
use of OPE systems and the proper use of OPE
equipment must be fully understood. OPE equip-
ment and systems must be used only for the specific
purpose for which they are designed and intended.
The following section introduces the basic kinds of
OPE systems: fall arrest or fall arrest combined with
positioning, suspension and/or retrieval functions.
Personal Fall-Arrest System
A personal fall-arrest system is required if there
is any risk of a worker falling from an elevated posi-
tion (generally, six feet or more). NOTE: Know the
specific OSHA regulations which pertain to your
industry.
OSHA defines a personal fall-arrest system as a
“system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a
working level.” It consists of (A) a fall-arrest anchor-
age capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs. per
attached worker and independent of the worker’s
support; (B) a full-body harness designed to distrib-
ute the fall-arrest forces over thighs, pelvis, waist,
chest and shoulders and equipped with a circle
D-ring at the back for attaching a fall-arrest connect-
ing device, and (C) a fall-arrest connecting device
such as a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline or a
combination of these devices equipped with locking
snap hooks.
A personal fall-arrest system is a passive protection
system which only comes into service when a fall
occurs, similar to a seat belt in a car which restrains
the wearer only upon impact.
For example, as shown in Figure 2, a fall-arrest sys-
tem would be used by an ironworker bolting steel
beams together for a skyscraper. Following the
A-B-C Rule, this OPE system includes: (A) beam,
(B) full-body harness, and (C) lanyard.
Figure 2
(A) Beam
(B) Full Body Harness
(C) Rope Lanyard
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